Changes

:::::The atheist the Marque De Sade had no feelings of empathy.  Secondly, I don't think you convincingly showed that mere feelings (which certainly can include mere sentimentality ) is something you can build morality on.  Stalin had feelings.  Unfortunately, his feelings often involved lust for power and envy.  Third, the atheists certainly don't have a good track record when it comes to charity and mass murder.  Apparently, there are a lot of hard hearted atheists and the feelings thing isn't cutting the mustard. [[User:Conservative|conservative]] 20:42, 26 May 2010 (EDT)

:::::The atheist the Marque De Sade had no feelings of empathy.  Secondly, I don't think you convincingly showed that mere feelings (which certainly can include mere sentimentality ) is something you can build morality on.  Stalin had feelings.  Unfortunately, his feelings often involved lust for power and envy.  Third, the atheists certainly don't have a good track record when it comes to charity and mass murder.  Apparently, there are a lot of hard hearted atheists and the feelings thing isn't cutting the mustard. [[User:Conservative|conservative]] 20:42, 26 May 2010 (EDT)

::::::My whole point is that empathy for most atheists does create a certain level of morality.  We can take turns taking pot shots at the other side by naming dictators or murderers who were aligned with the other side's belief system, but in reality most people, in general, are not murderers or criminals.  I'm not sure I can convince you that empathy can be an adequate replacement for Christian morality without converting you to atheism.  I was raised Catholic under Christian morals.  I then reasoned myselfto atheism.  I believe that the morals and punishments of Christianity do not bind me, but my actions as a person have not changed much.  I realize that if I kill someone, there are reprecussions.  I realize that there are reprecussions to even a failure to reciprocate an act of kindness.  Based on empathizing with others and understanding the real world consequences of my actions, I have established a pattern of behavior that, for the most part, fits into your set of morals.

::::::My whole point is that empathy for most atheists does create a certain level of morality.  We can take turns taking pot shots at the other side by naming dictators or murderers who were aligned with the other side's belief system, but in reality most people, in general, are not murderers or criminals.  I'm not sure I can convince you that empathy can be an adequate replacement for Christian morality without converting you to atheism.  I was raised Catholic under Christian morals.  I then reasoned myselfto atheism.  I believe that the morals and punishments of Christianity do not bind me, but my actions as a person have not changed much.  I realize that if I kill someone, there are reprecussions.  I realize that there are reprecussions to even a failure to reciprocate an act of kindness.  Based on empathizing with others and understanding the real world consequences of my actions, I have established a pattern of behavior that, for the most part, fits into your set of morals.