Morality and Atheism: Why Faith Isn’t the Only Moral Source

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Morality is possible even without the belief in divine existence and intervention. The following are the possible sources in which morality can come from, with giving some personal examples as well as an atheist (and agnostic) myself:

1. Egoism: Doing things out of self-interest is not necessarily immoral, as long as the actions themselves are beneficial to oneself and others. It is only natural for us to put ourselves first, as adults need to learn how to take care of themselves without the help of others.

For example, preparing a meal and eating it by oneself is an example that proves there is no necessary connection between self-interest and immorality. Additionally, egoism is important for our independence as mature people.

I, as such, used to help random people when they requested it, because seeing others benefit can also makes me feel good. Therefore, this could be a self-interest in helping others... One that is based on good feelings, not necessarily (or completely) bad ones. (For more on it click here).

2. Harmony: a good sense of harmony between people is imperative for optimal cooperation and safety, and evil is unnecessary.

Those who claim that good cannot exist without evil and evil cannot exist without good -- how would you explain pure deeds of good and the pure deeds of bad?

One time I helped someone in a supermarket. She was too short to reach for some product, so I reached it myself and handed it to her.

Now, please explain to me what evil existed in this deed. If I were to refuse her request to help her, she would probably be angry with me or say bad things about me as I passed by. Why would I want others to be told bad things about me, let alone in my presence?

The same went back in my office-working days. When I did even small deeds, such as lifting boxes to tables of secretaries who are too weak to do it on their own.

The fact that my contribution to others creates a good sense of harmony is sometimes sufficient for me to commit altruistic deeds. (For more on it click here)

3. Productivity: For me, productivity is a prime priority, because the products that are being created are a reflection and a representation of our inner merits. This is why I like writing in a very workaholic way. I like to produce things, especially when it comes to writing.

The Morality and Atheism behind it is that my products can benefit others and even help them on the philosophical and practical levels, without any religious context or faith being necessary in it.

Being in constant action at times makes me feel good about myself and worthy. This is why I sometimes wake up early in the morning and drink coffee, just to write, instead of potentially sleeping more.

4. Karma: While I don’t believe in an energy called “karma”, I do believe in the wisdom behind it: If I shall help others, it would be more likely they would help me in return, and if I will do bad things to others, they might do the same to me in the future.

As I said before, evil is not necessary (unlike the very few times it might be). Thus, I do as best as I can to be in good relations with everyone I interact with. (For an article on Karma click here)

5. The Law: Usually, the law is what enables us to function in life with a possibility of optimal sense of safety. Think of what your countries did to you: gave you different services, provided you or your family with employment, protected you from criminals and terrorists, granted you civil rights, and so forth.

An earlier example was a while back, when I saw a girl being beaten by another girl in the middle of a park. (An extra work on law enforcement can be read here).

Everyone watched and most did nothing, with few people trying to reach her physically, only to be blocked by the beating girl’s followers, guarding their leader from society. There were people watching this scenario from the safety of their homes, choosing to do nothing.

I am unsure if anyone else called the police but me, as I backed off, refusing to see this horrible act as entertaining. As naive as I was back then, I already knew the law was there to protect me and others from possible dangers.

Thus, I thought to myself “why should I step away if I can call the police? The police’s purpose is to protect and serve us, the citizenry?” No divinity would necessarily intervene at such display of injustice.

And finally,

6. Family: I personally view family as one of the biggest values in a moral man or woman's life. If not the family that you grow up with, then an adopted family. If not one's adopters, then it could be one's "tribe" or romantic relationship.... You know, people, or even one person, you can be yourself with, and fearlessly. People that are willing to understand you.

That's especially true in my eyes when the family/clan actually took an active part in your growth and education, as well as supporting the cultivation of your moral compass.

Conclusion: We can conclude from all of this that atheists can act good as well, and that religion does not have to be the only source of morality.

Let us not advocate the negative stereotypes and generalizations that are usually associated with atheists and atheism. Instead, to foster a greater understanding of morality, we should develop the habit of looking both ways.