Reply #50: I am not an atheist, more of an agnostic

[ComerPerro]

Its a matter of believing in a God of nature...


Anyway..

I think most people have hit this appropriately above.
I follow moral codes not because an invisible man told somebody to, and then that guy wrote it down in a book. I follow moral codes because it is the right thing to do.

And let me just say: I have seen "Christian morality" at work (Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, John Ashcroft, George Bush, Ken Lay) and, quite frankly, I am disgusted by it.

The problem with basing your morality on religion is exactly what you mentioned: It is up to God to punish you. Yet, so many people violate their God's laws without batting an eye. I think they figure that they can get away with their sins in heaven just as they have here on Earth. Many think they can buy their way into salvation, and don't need to treat people well.
Also, some versions of fundamentalist Christianity teach that all you have to do to get into Heaven is give money and pretend to feel bad for your sins. Keep sinning, but feel bad about it for a few minutes and send money...


I would rather be around people whose moral code is set based on the principals of just being respectful and kind, and doing what they felt in their hearts was the right thing.