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== Morality based on atheism ==

== Morality based on atheism ==

The basis of morality for some [[atheism|atheists]] is their own opinion.

Lacking a transcendent, objective moral authority (such as the Bible), atheism relies on subjective sources. The basis of morality for some [[atheism|atheists]] is their own opinion.

[[Bertrand Russell]], for example, said that his opinions on right and wrong were based on his feelings.<ref>'''Bertrand Russell:''' You see, I feel that some things are good and that other things are bad. I love the things that are good, that I think are good, and I hate the things that I think are bad. I don't say that these things are good because they participate in the Divine goodness.<br>

[[Bertrand Russell]], for example, said that his opinions on right and wrong were based on his feelings.<ref>'''Bertrand Russell:''' You see, I feel that some things are good and that other things are bad. I love the things that are good, that I think are good, and I hate the things that I think are bad. I don't say that these things are good because they participate in the Divine goodness.<br>

(1948 radio debate; http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/p20.htm)</ref>

(1948 radio debate; http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/p20.htm)</ref>

In practice, they may adopt the morality of the society they grew up with, which in the case of the Western society is generally one with a Christian heritage.

In practice, atheists may adopt the morality of the society they grew up with, which in the case of the Western society is generally one with a Christian heritage.

[[Richard Dawkins]] said, "I’m a passionate Darwinian when it comes to science, when it comes to explaining the world, but I’m a passionate anti-Darwinian when it comes to morality and politics".<ref>''The Science Show'', ABC Radio, 22nd January, 2000, quoted by Walker, Tas., [http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/5177 National emergency in Australia], 29th June, 2007. (Creation Ministries International)</ref>

[[Richard Dawkins]] said, "I’m a passionate Darwinian when it comes to science, when it comes to explaining the world, but I’m a passionate anti-Darwinian when it comes to morality and politics".<ref>''The Science Show'', ABC Radio, 22nd January, 2000, quoted by Walker, Tas., [http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/5177 National emergency in Australia], 29th June, 2007. (Creation Ministries International)</ref>

Although atheism provides no basis for absolute morality, this does not mean that atheists cannot be moral people.

Although atheism provides no basis for absolute morality, this does not mean that atheists cannot be moral people. Rather, it does mean that atheism itself provides no moral boundaries to constrain the actions of people.

Rather, it does mean that atheism itself provides no moral boundaries to constrain the actions of people.

As mass murderer [[Jeffrey Dahmer]] said in an interview:

As mass murderer [[Jeffrey Dahmer]] said in an interview:

{{QuoteBox|If a person doesn’t think there is a God to be accountable to, then—then what’s the point of trying to modify your behaviour to keep it within acceptable ranges? That’s how I thought anyway. I always believed the theory of evolution as truth, that we all just came from the slime. When we, when we died, you know, that was it, there is nothing...<ref>Dahmer, Jeffrey, in an interview with Stone Phillips, Dateline NBC, 29th November, 1994 [http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/4145/105/]</ref>}}

{{QuoteBox|If a person doesn’t think there is a God to be accountable to, then—then what’s the point of trying to modify your behaviour to keep it within acceptable ranges? That’s how I thought anyway. I always believed the theory of evolution as truth, that we all just came from the slime. When we, when we died, you know, that was it, there is nothing...<ref>Dahmer, Jeffrey, in an interview with Stone Phillips, Dateline NBC, 29th November, 1994 [http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/4145/105/]</ref>}}

=== The effects of atheism ===

=== The effects of atheism ===

Atheists frequently criticise "[[religion]]", by which they usually mean [[Christianity]], for atrocities committed by adherents of those religions, citing such things as the [[Inquisition]] and the [[Crusades]].

It is contended that in broadly condemning "[[religion]]", atheism frequently focuses on [[Christianity]], which is seldom defined according to its source (the New Testament), and which they often include Hitler in, and which they blame for atrocities such as the [[Inquisition]] and the [[Crusades]]. In addition, when confronted by the fact that the objectively baseless moral authority of atheism allowed atheists such as [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]], [[Mao Zedong|Mao]] or [[Pol Pot]] to easily justify  their atrocities (which seemed ''reasonable'' measures to them), they are observed seeking to disassociate the two. Harris attempts to do so by judging such men as "not especially rational", with this perhaps establishing Harris as the authority of what is, and then he proceeds to implicate religion for the evil of their regimes. <ref>Sam Harris, ''An Atheist Manifesto'' Dec 7, 2005</ref> In response it is seen that the authority for the religion at issue at issue (Christianity), is what transcendentally condemns them.<ref>http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/Atheism1.html</ref> (Jn. 10:10; Rm. 9:1-3ff; Gal. 6:10)   

But when atrocities committed by atheists such as [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]] and [[Mao Zedong|Mao]] are mentioned in return, they wish to disassociate the belief from its adherents.{{fact}}

Whilst atheism didn't directly ''cause'' these atrocities, because atheism provides no moral boundaries, it ''allows'' these atrocities to occur.

It is argued that while atheism did not directly ''cause'' these atrocities, because atheism provides no objective transcendent moral boundaries, it ''allows'' these atrocities to occur, while fostering "political religion" due to the tendency to worship mortal men in place of God.

{{QuoteBox|...atheism has been tried as a basis for life in many countries in the 20th century. The results have been some of the biggest bloodbaths of all time under communist despots above the law, e.g., Stalin, Mao and [[Pol Pot]]. For example, the Inquisition killed 2000 people in three centuries; Stalin killed that many before breakfast.<ref>Sarfati, 2004 & 2008.  See also Morris.</ref>}}

{{QuoteBox|...atheism has been tried as a basis for life in many countries in the 20th century. The results have been some of the biggest bloodbaths of all time under communist despots above the law, e.g., Stalin, Mao and [[Pol Pot]]. For example, the Inquisition killed 2000 people in three centuries; Stalin killed that many before breakfast.<ref>Sarfati, 2004 & 2008.  See also Morris.</ref>[www.scholarscorner.com/apologia/deathtoll.html Atheism's Body Count]}}

== Bibliography ==

== Bibliography ==