h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Mikey,

Just thought I'd drop by your space to ask you a question re: the morality kerfuffle on the Dawkins thread.

It looked like you posted something basically saying that it's difficult or impossible to have morality without belief in God. A bunch of non-theists objected to this on the grounds it was offensive, and you posted an apology and said that wasn't what you meant.

I'm pretty hard to offend, especially on abstract points like this. So I just wondered if you could clarify what you meant by your post - did you mean that only religion leads to morality, or were you misunderstood? If the former, have you changed you mind or did you apologise simply to avoid an argument? If the latter, what did you mean?

I'm not looking for a big debate here - I'm just unclear on what you meant and wondered if you're uncomfortable expressing your views on the Dawkins thread for fear of causing offence. If you don't want to post them in public here, either, you can find my email address on my Personal Space.



Gif

Hi Gif

I certainly don't think its impossible to have morality as an atheist. I didn't intend my comments to imply that.

The posting in question referred more to how evil people can be...I had not really been thinking in terms of atheist verses theist...I'd been thinking in terms of exploring issues about our common humanity with fellow humans...I just happen to have come to a conclusion about the existence of God.

The apology was partly because I had, in my usual way, not fully thought through how the posting would have come across to others; it was only later that I realised.

I've been thinking about this a bit more today and my thoughts are currently along the lines of: the christian faith is more a personal response to the unmerited love of God. It should therefore lead to a life of LOVE for God and man...morality would therefore be a by-product of that principle of love which should rule a christians entire life and actions. Many without faith in God choose to live a good and moral life; this is commendable, although not done out of a joyful gratitude to one's Father God, which is, I think,where the difference lies.

I suspect this has only partially answered your question. Feel free to ask more; its just that its late and my head hurts!!

mikey2

Hi Mikey,

I will do - but probably back on the main thread.

Gif