Non-theist morality (ritual, morals, reject, homosexuality, blood)

[Storm]

I realize that the vast majority of atheists and agnostics are decent, intelligent people.

However, we live in a society whose shared ethos (and hence, law) is based on Judeo-Christian concepts of good and evil, sin and righteousness. Many J-C morals are obviously right on the money, i.e. cold-blooded murder, rape, and pedophilia are bad. (Yes, I realize that the Old Testament is pathetically immoral by modern standards. It ain't my book, so let's just stick with modern ethics.) We can ignore those. On the other hand, there are issues which are obviously based in dogma and rejected by many of us, i.e. homosexuality and premarital sex are bad. I don't see any reason to discuss those, either.... unless an non-theist actually adheres to them, which would fascinate me.

But there's a huge grey area, and that's what interests me. Examples:

Is it wrong to kill in defense of another?

Is it wrong to steal food for one's dependents, if there are no alternatives?

Do we as a society have a moral obligation to provide for the poor?

Is the death penalty just, or immoral?

Sexuality is a goldmine here:

Is promiscuity immoral? If so, where do you draw the line?

What about polyamory/polygamy vs. monogamy?

....prostitution?

These are all questions that I use my spirituality to explore, and hopefully answer. What do you use?

[Mr Spinkles]

Great questions, Storm. To briefly answer one of them:

Originally Posted by Storm

These are all questions that I use my spirituality to explore, and hopefully answer. What do you use?

Reason, compassion, and facts.

[Storm]

Thanks, but... you skipped all the fun stuff...

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Storm

Thanks, but... you skipped all the fun stuff...

On the contrary ...

[Guitar's Cry]

I'm not an atheist or non-theist (well, not completely), but may I suggest Immanuel Kant as an example of non-spiritual morality? His approach is really very interesting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categorical_Imperative

[Storm]

Originally Posted by Guitar's Cry

I'm not an atheist or non-theist (well, not completely), but may I suggest Immanuel Kant as an example of non-spiritual morality? His approach is really very interesting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categorical_Imperative

Thank you, but you misunderstand me. The question isn't "how is it possible" - I was raised to non-spiritual morality, though I've taken a slightly different path as an adult. I'm looking for individuals' personal answers.

[Storm]

Originally Posted by Jay

On the contrary ...

Aaawwwwww....... You don't think we can have a nice, interesting conversation?

[giant space amoeba]

Originally Posted by Storm

But there's a huge grey area, and that's what interests me. Examples:

I'll answer these:

Is it wrong to kill in defense of another?

Well i don't think it's wrong to kill to defend another as long as there is a clear legitimate reason.

Is it wrong to steal food for one's dependents, if there are no alternatives?

If there are no alternatives no, but this should be preventable... however see below

Do we as a society have a moral obligation to provide for the poor?

Yes to prevent the above which would be preferable

Is the death penalty just, or immoral?

I beleive this to be immoral personaly. I can think of arguments for and against though. This might be my christian background shining through.

Sexuality is a goldmine here:

Is promiscuity immoral? If so, where do you draw the line?

I don't think it is as long as all the adults are consenting and they are prepared for consequences ie: Offspring, to prevent STIs... etc

What about polyamory/polygamy vs. monogamy?

Again consenting adults, people may do as they wish as long no harm comes out of it.

....prostitution?

Should be legal

These are all questions that I use my spirituality to explore, and hopefully answer. What do you use?

My brain

[michel]

I have always though that morality is a natural evolution of culture - and therefore can be malleable within different cultures.

The basics would, I feel, come into play through the need for them.
Thou shalt not kill, steal, make love to your neighbour's wife...etc. would naturally evolve with time in any society; they are rather obvious basic tenets of a group, and would develop as a result of the breaking of the rules.

Most non-theists, I believe, are just as well meaning and are equally in favour of a life free from the need for members of the society from being upset...feeling the need to take personal revenge...........as their theist counterparts. Moralities are an essential component to the day to day life of us all; as I mentioned earlier, though, moralities will be personal to differring Cultures, and their needs.

[eudaimonia]

Originally Posted by Storm

Is it wrong to kill in defense of another?

No. The wrongness of killing is contextual, and this is a context in which it is appropriate.

Is it wrong to steal food for one's dependents, if there are no alternatives?

No, I couldn't blame anyone for this.