Can a person have morals

without religion?

I think so. I'm religious/spiritual (though not in the American/Christian/traditional way). But I don't see any reason that a complete atheist--someone who has absolutely no belief in any Supreme Being--cannot have "morals."

A lot of people who adhere to some religious doctrine seem to believe that their religion--or SOME religion--is necessary for persons & society to have moral standards.

That's simply not true. People have values, regardless of their religious beliefs (or lack of them).

There are quite a few values that are common among most people--the proscription of murder is a prime example. It's not necessary to believe in any god or afterlife to believe that murder is wrong.

If I had NO spiritual beliefs or expectations, I don't think I'd be essentially different in my values. I'd hate to think that most people who have some form of religion live by certain values ONLY because they believe there is some god watching them & keeping score.

 

Buddhism rejects the notion of God and may be considered atheistic. I don't think there are many buddhist mass murderers.

 

i'm pretty close to atheist and i think i'm reasonably moral. i certainly don't like hurting people.

 

same here...and I'll go so far as to say I actually do something for someone just for the sake of doing something good.

 

There were morals before there was religion.

 

I've never met an agnostic/atheist I didn't feel was a good person with high standards. I've struggled with that.

 

simple formula. religion does not equal morality. But religion is good for those who need to be told what is right and what is wrong, and to define the grey areas in black and white terms.

 

morality comes from your childhood environment. Be that a church, your parents, or your teachers. I don't think you need any religious upbringing to know the difference between right and wrong on many levels.

 

I don’t think any Christians other than Thelt really think you cant be a good person without God, I think the argument is that the reason we want to do good things and have a conscience is because of God, but I don’t believe that either.

 

I do not think that I know all the answers on this but I really do not understand why anyone would have morals if they have no religion. Why do what is good for other people if you do not have a "higher authority" telling you to do so? Certainly I can see where one might fear the negative results of breaking the law or harming someone who can pay you back. But if you can get away with it and it helps you then why not do it even if it hurts someone else?

Prehaps someone who is atheist and moral should explain why he or she is moral.