The 'New Atheists' whom I've had contact with seem want others to have an all or nothing approach to religion whereas real atheists don't care about religion at all as it really doesn't affect them, they just tell you that there's no God and leave you to your beliefs while they go about their own business, it's only the 'New Atheists' who proselytise and go around telling folks that they're delusional and blaming all the troubles of the world on religion.

Alcohol and drug abuse, the lust for power by greedy corporations and even video games can all lead to violence and atheists belong in this group as much as any other cult/religion

 Having said that I really don't believe adults need religion to have morals but I do believe that the stories in the bible are good groundwork for teaching kids about kindness, compassion and the need to think of others welfare as well as their own .. but that's just as I see it and obviously not all would agree. 

Thanks for posting that Maggs,I purposely left out my opinion,unlike my "6 types of atheist" thread were i was behind the eight ball with my opening hypothesis,with this thread I thought others could start the ball rolling.

In my opinion though, without some type of "Religion" or belief in a higher power we are devoid of morals,not having any comparative basis because of lack of belief.

Be interesting to see who posts here and why??

No God,no morals!

Yes well, all atheists aren't scientists and all scientists aren't atheists and the two sides should stop acting like arch enemies who detest each other, none of us are perfect and I think we all care about the underprivileged and oppressed and should each in our own way do what we can to help, I can't understand why folks get so het up about the choices other people make which don't affect them, we all grow up and 'do our own thing' good or bad and can't keep blaming Christians for the atrocities committed by followers of a primitive twisted 7th century ideology. Men ( and women ) are born religion free and nurtured( or not) by the beliefs of immediate family until old enough to know their own minds , oppressors of Christianity are no better than oppressors of Jews imo .... and I'm not a Christian btw and just as all  believers are not 'deluded' ( must admit that i've met a few 'loonies') nor are all atheists immoral.

Not too many takers,wonder why the stooges have not visited.

I thought this would get a few hits,but it is not a TROLL thread,i started it!

Hey billyknows

I think you are assuming that morals are only tied to religion. Really if thats so then how do you explain all the child abuse by priests and all the other issues, the killings that take place and so on. I think we are all aware of the issues I am referring to.

Morals and morality are not tied to any belief but are developed from many sources. I am a devout athiest yet I believe in morals. I also don't believe in hurting other people and treating people as I want to be treated. Religion and God and his teachings are two separate things one leading you to an outlook only.

Religion can guide your morals only if you dont follow their example. Their are people who follow religions that do also have morals as well. I think your assumption is quite arrogant. I'm not saying that to anger you or anyone else but I have to say quite frankly that some of the biggest hippocrits go to church every Sunday. Lets take the current case in the USA where we know who got 900 years plus life for some horrific acts. The quote from one of the victims was you went to church every SUnday and came home and either abused or terrorised us.

So then Billyknows if your statement is true then explain all the 1000's of years of horrific acts undertaken in the name of religion. Where was their morality when they were killing innocent people during the crusades or in any other war fought? When priests were committing violent acts of child abuse, where was their morality then? A case in point is the orphanage in Adelaide run by Catholic nuns. When they excavated the yards to dig the tunnel for the underpass and the tram extensions they found graves of babies. They also found tunnels from the Church where the priests lived to the convent but they only went to the nuns quarters. It was highly publised at the time then all this information came out about nuns being pregnant and having babies. Where was their morality?

Here is another thought for you, catholic priests are supposed to take the vow of poverty when they are ordained. Really, in AUstralia when was the last itme you saw a priest living in a hovell, relying on the parish for their food and so on. Rather they live in luxury, have the latest cars, never go out with anything, take from the parishoners who may have very little themselves. Hypiocritacal don't you think. Priests and nuns leaving the church so they can marry and have a family or having quite affairs on the side. Where is their morality and dedication to their religion or is it a case of it will do until something better comes along... 

I could go on and on. I think BIlly that morality is an individual thing and is not tied to any particular belief. And I will also add, any religion will only ever lead you to a doctrine and the church's view, it will never lead you to God. Why did Jesus say that God does not dwell in manmade temples but dwells in each one of us? 

An interesting statement from you Billyknows given some of the comments you have made in other threads. Glad to see that you have a wide range of interest in topics and opinions. Thanks for making the threads interesting and well worth reading!

ok thanks abby

Perhaps slow snake could respond on Billy's  behalf he must have been observing Billy since Billy joined in March according to his profile . Slow snake seems to have an opinion on everybody and seems to share Billy's views