Another question for atheists: Morals...

[Varda]

The oblivious indifference of Americans to the consequences of their forays in the world, implies a lack of both interest and morals to me. They don't really care what their government is cooking around the world, as long as they are insulated from any effects.

don't forget that america is extremely religious

 

[Michael]

Not to bring the topic back around to the OP.

Take a look here more testimonials only this are from Xians, some of who became atheist for this last God.

Again, you see it over and over, people left the faith because of what most people would say is a conflict in morals. With the Bible being evil and not compatible with modern day ethics and morality. A God that sends people to burn in Hell for example. Or the idea that ONLY the Bible is the true words of God (sound familiar?) and all other religious beleif are fundamentally wrong. Same old story and dance.

Again - the interesting thing is people become atheist because they are good moral individuals.


On the topic of morals. I noticed Afghanistan's ministry of culture is banning Indian soap operas. Apparently they are not compatible with Afghani culture, which is (I quote) "Muslim". Haaa "Muslim" is the "culture".... pfffff anyway, even though 90% of Afghans like Indian soaps that's just too bad. Indian soaps are decadent heathen despotic serials that apparently show women engaged in all sorts of things - even marrying 5 men all at once (according to the propagandist .. Ooo I mean Muslims clergy)

 

[iceaura]

The oblivious indifference of Americans to the consequences of their forays in the world, implies a lack of both interest and morals to me.

But Americans are not at all indifferent. They are very proud of what they regard as the consequences of their forays in the world - especially the wonderful effects of their theistic missionary work (for which they donate millions of dollars and volunteer in large numbers), the freedoms and benefits they bring through sending their military to protect the innocent from evildoers (especially Godless evildoers, traditionally, but nowdays theistic evildoers as well), and so forth.

When you describe to a decent American (a demographic that may someday join the "good German" in its particular category) what their government has been up to in, say, Guatemala, you don't get indifference - you get either dismissal as lunacy or angry denial, based on a priori moral evaluation of American actions (all American foreign policy of any consequence has morally good motives and intentions, by assumption).

But so it often is when confronting strong theists with pragmatic reality - and most Americans are strong theists.

 

[S.A.M.]

So basically, all the intelligent people defining US policy at the expense of a large and growing poor population world wide is atheist?

 

[iceaura]

So basically, all the intelligent people defining US policy at the expense of a large and growing poor population world wide is atheist?

The percentage of world leaders and so forth just using theistic belief to manipulate the gullible masses is not known, but it's very likely that not actually sharing some belief is an advantage for manipulating it - the niche is ready made, and you have more freedom within it.

The current US White House has been behaving with much more piety than is normal - prayer breakfasts, religious retreats, evaluation of new hires by their Christian bona fides, are all common.

Many of corporate predators who use the US as a base seem to have sincere religious beliefs, much as Mafian dons were often reputed to be genuinely Catholic.

But it's hard to read minds. Machiavelli emphasized the importance to the Prince of appearing (theistically) religious - it was in his view possibly the single most important attribute the Prince must have the reputation of, and a very important characteristic to encourage - even enforce - among the peasantry and the military.

My guess is that, in the US at least, quite a few of the powerful are genuine believers. I know more than one multinational corporation (Cargill, for example) in which religious observance is critical for advancement to upper management. And almost all the missionary folks are, of course.

 

[S.A.M.]

My guess is that, in the US at least, quite a few of the powerful are genuine believers. I know more than one multinational corporation (Cargill, for example) in which religious observance is critical for advancement to upper management. And almost all the missionary folks are, of course.

And my guess is that you'd probably find an equal number of each, if only they had the freedom to come out. In India we've had cabinets (2004, for instance) where athiests made up almost half the sworn in ministers (13 out of 29 swore allegiance using a secular oath rather than the name of God). And we have, officially, less than 1% atheism.