Morality and being 'Black' and an Atheist.....

Funny, as I should put this under the section of Religion, being that, many atheist believe Atheism is not a religion; true, my mind has been willfully convinced Atheism is indeed not a religion. Therefore, as such, the nature of politics is more fitted with describing Atheism. Though, I am not a complete Atheist, more like an "Agnostic Atheist", there seems...no there IS a misconception about Atheism and Atheist -- particularly with 'Blacks.'

Quite naturally, being 'Black', and as such must align myself to dogmatic beliefs; as such, one is shamed with illogical banter when one openly and intelligently questions this dogmatism; as such, one is supposed to be morally incapacitated; cripplely independent of righteous action of all things; disabled non-cogent thereof-- effectively mentally insane for not believing in Theist's dogmatism. It's evident, the majority of 'Black' families do not challenge their children philosophically and intellectually. This has dire consequence, what is most eminent, blacks remain amongst the poorest in every nation. Yet, have the biggest following amongst religions. Does anyone see this pattern? Growing up, I was not so much alienated from this fact when my parents expounded their religious dogma, they knew it was unnecessary and irrational. I have always felt strongly they were deceiving themselves.

Most definitive meanings by theist regarding Atheism is the lack of moral fortitude. First off, what is morality? Yet, they refuse to see the inherent contradiction in their teachings. This morality can not be within the doctrines of Christan, Muslin, and Jewish beliefs The writings of the Qua'n are completely fallible, its system of Reward and Punishment are misinterpreted and can lead to extremely violent acts -- there is no guidance from an "enlightened one." Christin beliefs are completely contradictory and equally as fallible as Islamic dogma. Roman Christians used their teachings to conquer man and land, the English Church of the middle ages mutilated or exiled all non-believers. Have Atheist done things equally as destructive? Their only crime is believing in NO GODS.

So do we continue to believe that religion is completely infallible!? I have always seen religious dogma espoused by the educated minority, but they themselves no longer believing its teachings, simply pretend to believe because they find it necessary to establish control over the masses. And the masses like sheep cling to this establishment through a form of inertia; like myopic children of retardation.

But, I can not shake stigma not matter how intelligently and morally competent I assert myself. I think the biggest question that has never been realised: Who cares about WHAT IS MORALITY!? Why bother with some of the difficult questions which are raised in metaethics? Following a moral system blindly and without reflection is not a method likely to result in a very moral person. No, this is most evident! And Atheists are this most ethically sounded by my admission.

 

Being an agnostic myself I have heard the claim repeatedly that one cannot have morality without god. I have often wondered how a system of morality is supposed to work for man when it is devised by some allegedly all powerful, all knowing, eternal being, who by his very nature has no concept of what it is like to be human. How can this being create a system of morality for me?

All this religion is voodoo and chicken bones if you ask me.






SIDE NOTE: Another thing I find interesting is the number of African American women who demand a Christian or saved brother yet act and accept men whose actions seem to be decidedly unchristian.

 

Yes I think I agree with you - I do believe in a God but all my moral values originate from elsewhere than my belief in God.

 

blah

 

Agreed. My favourite situation is disputing with Christians who will advocate torture, the death penalty and going to war - but give me abuse for my sexual morality. I think you can imagine what I'd find to say to them...

 

True, God/Allah, theist of both denominations do not realise their supernatural beings are immoral. Especially since, all moral beliefs and standards are a creation of ephemeral beings, in truth, interpretation is fallible. Their prophets, human, which are fallible, contradicts their claim to the supernatural; therefore, exist no entities other than human beings capable of designing or conceiving anything intelligently.

 

Right, by their moral beliefs, one moral value takes precedence over another. :lol:

 

I grew up around people who were supposedly 'devout' Jehovah's Witnesses, Christians, and have lived with Muslims before, so along with all of the controversy surrounding the 'ethics' of these religions, as well as the propaganda perpetuated at the public world throughout the mass media and pop culture, there is no denying what you are talking about here with this thread. It seems to me that the same ones who enforce these 'rules of human morality' are always the ones to break the 'rules' before we 'heathens' even get around to doing so ourselves, and to add, never has being an atheist/agnostic been in correlation with any 'sin ' written in some thousand year-old, kitchen table fable, full of scriptures containing superfluous contradictions, vague subliminal messages, and microscopic print. Saying that someone shouldn't worship any other gods before the true god does NOT condemn atheism/agnosticism, since atheism/agnosticism is NOT a religion, and the belief of an atheist does NOT involve any ceremonial rites or covenants to ANY form or type of god or demi-god for that matter...


and finally, I personally believe that religion is the bane of blacks in the world who are poor, especially when taking into account all of the racial hypocrisy and bigoted undertones embedded within these types of religions, along with such individuals as white supremacists, Arab Pirates, Latino Gangs, and whoever else who's following these very same religions, but do not apply the 'loving word of god' to those who are just as 'devout' but with pigmented black skin.

 

I agree. The catholic church with diminishing churchgoers/followers in Europe and North America. Are gaining followers in poor African countries. I find the catholic church to be one of the worst doctrines. With their dismissing of pedophile priests as homosexuals. And their pope creating all kinds of idiotic rules and passing if off as gods words. They do more damage then good in the long run.

 

You're dead right, although I'd expand to say that religion has always been one of the most effective tools of oppression for ANY impoverished group by giving them the false deluded hope of something grander in the world following the stinking cesspit that they currently occupy.

 

Actually, to take this on a tangent you can see a similiar theme occurring amongst Arab and Indian Muslims.

As a result of the tensions and being caught in the throes of fanatacism, you're seeing more of these ordinary folks turn into raging fundamentalists. As this occurs, they become more and more isolated from mainstream society.

I thought it interesting to mention becoz I noted this kind of thing during my stay in the UK and contact with the ethnic minorities over there. I see startling parallels between the two cases, and I think both groups are being dragged back into the dark ages.


I think it was Steven Weinberg (physicist) who said religion is a vehicle which makes good people do bad things.

 

I have been an agnostic most of my life, just swinging back to acknowledge the Methodist church, though I don't go.

I was raised a Methodist as my grandfather was a preacher in Boston and New York City. My grandmother was devout. I broke her heart at 15 as I said that I wouldn't be going to church anymore, but I think she got over it. Just found it so phony, and it was just a ploy to have her friends fawn over me to make her look good. It's great for a grandmother to love her grandson in htat way, but I was rebellious at the time. She accepted it, like she did about white women and some other things I did when I was young. My mom does not go to church, but I wouldn't say she is agnostic. She believes in God.

I would say that I believe more that there is a higher power larger than us, and I believe in FATE more than anything else. Whatever is going to happen to you is predestined. You make your own decisions, unbeknowst that there is someone guiding you there. So I don't worry about uncomfortable situations. That's why I carried the motto when I was a teen, going out at night in my neighborhood.."if I get shot, i get shot". Nothing I can do about it.

That being said, I think the meaning of God to most people is to live the doctrine whatever religion it is and live it to its fullest and to worship HIM and love HIM. I think that's the difference between other people and myself as I just live my life and whatever happens happens. I hate to be called a heathen (and why did I just think of Aunt Esther from Sanford and SOn), but just because I don't bow down to a god, doesn't mean that there is someone/thing directing me. That's just how I feel.

Hope no one is offended by my thoughts.

Black Tiger

 

This reminds me of when a former poster and I went off on a tangent in the Ugly Duckling Syndrome thread with me basically saying a lot of things quite similar to this paragraph.

 

Black and atheist.WHY GOD ISN'T NEEDED FOR MORALITY TO EXIST

For the theists on the thread:
Consider this as a thought experiment.Morality as defined by most theists is objective, and not subject to whim or personal fiat, correct?For the sake of discussion, let's agree that murder is objectively wrong. This means that murder is wrong despite opinions, belief to the contrary.Similar to 1+1=2.Even if you think it's 3, and would stake your life on 1+1=3, you'd die in vain because both mathematically and metaphysically 1+1=2.
Now, suppose "God" decreed that it was okay to murder?Whether "God," would or would not, is beside the point; objectively murder is wrong.So granting the fact that regardless of what a person rationalizes in his/her own mind regarding murder being right-it remains wrong if there is such a thing as objective morality.
Would this not apply to God's opinion, decree, command as well?If the theist says "no," then he/she is saying that morality is subjective and can be changed by a command or an opinion.
If the theist agrees witht he above question, then he/she is admitting that the existence of "God" or any other supernatural power isn't needed in order for morality to exist.If something is truly objective,then it isn't contingent upon or subject to anyone's else's opinions.So irrespective of what a so called "God" may "say," morality-right and wrong exist all by themselves, and "God" is not needed.