Can an atheist be a good person?

Question

I think it is not possible. Atheism feeds on evil.. what do you think?

AviatorTom · Accepted Answer

Over the course of history, religion has been the cause of more wars and deaths than any other reason. Now tell me where you think evil is.

I know several atheists and agnostics who are good people, and quite a few Christian's who aren't.

Amur8711 · Accepted Answer

It is possible for atheist to be a good person.

Lliam · Answer

There is something called morality. It is a human trait.

Atheists can be extremely moral, ethical, kind, compassionate, generous, ... They don't do it for fear of eternal punishment. And they aren't sanctimonious about it.

Christians think they can do rotten things - lie, covet, commit adultery, approve of torture and murder, be mean and selfish, engage in pride, greed, lust, envy, and gluttony - but then ask God for forgiveness and, poof, they are magically cleansed.

Look at the Holy Roman Empire, the Vatican, the Crusades, the Inquisition, Anglicans, Cromwellians, Puritans, colonial invaders, megachurch ministers and an endless list of other so-called Christians. Some people do evil in the name of religion.

Jesus said "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Almost all religions say the same thing in different words. It's just common sense. Most human beings have that attitude, whether they are religious or not.

Some of the best people I know are atheists. And they aren't good just because some authority tells them what is good and bad, or because they are afraid of punishment.

behnam1999 · Answer

You need to be motivated to be a good person. If you don't believe in God and the hearafter, you don't have much motivation left!!

Does that mean that everyone who believes in God and the hearafter is automatically a good person? Nope. Because we are human beings, and we have such things as anger, fear, lust, greed, pride and etc. and all these emotions and desires can lead us to the bottom of hell if they are not controlled, even if we do believe in God and the hearafter!!

But the basis for being a good person, and the very first thing you need to have, is motivation. If you have enough faith, now you have much stronger motivation to go against your animalistic desires and be a nice person. If you don't believe in God and the Hearafter, you don't have much motivation at all. You live only once. Why not fullfilling all your fantasies and wishes at any cost? Even at the cost of hurting other people? Just think about it. You are going to live only once!! Why restraining yourself? Why not pulling scams!! Why not abusing other people? especially when you know all the necessary skills to trick people so that they never figure it out? When you're clever enough to attract people to yourself and then stab them in the back? Our world is full of sick, psychopath politicians who have climbed up the ladder of power in the dirties manner ever!!! There have people out there, killing millions of innocent human beings, and yet they live in their luxurious homes and enjory driving their luxurious cars and sleeping with the most beautiful girls!!! And guess what? They die of a natural death!! They are never punished for what they did. If there's going to be no hell, why not just do the same thing? As far as I'm concerned, most people in power are corrupted!!

mstbooblover · Answer

No, you're wrong about atheism and evil. Believing in God is only "believing", and a way to help people behave in a better way with each other by heeding particular rules depending on common sense and/or belonging to a particular religion or philosophy. The real question is not pretending whether God exists or not, but how we actually behave in daily life.

Not believing in a God, being an atheist, does not mean not being able to show empathy, compassion, intelligence, do good works, etc.

The main difference between these two ways of thinking is that a sincere religious person will try doing their best by putting into practice the teachings of their particular religion, while the atheist will do that by using their common sense and science. No need to add that their are idiots and criminals in both groups, as well as good and intelligent people.

Real Evil, the Devil's real work, is using religion to wage wars, to push communities into fighting and killing people of other communities. Peace be with people of good will...

4ngelic · Answer

i'm an atheist and have been mostly non religious for most of my life and i easily help people for nothing in return, i do feel sympathy for people going through bad things, i feel morally outraged when i see bad things happen to others, i'm not malevolant or evil, etc... i dont need the threat of eternal damnation and the allure of paradise for eternity to make me not be a psychopath

most atheists, agnostics, etc are normal decent people. having empathy is a biological process, nothing to do with believing in jesus

Val713 · Answer

99% of the time, atheists are better people than religious people.

The majority of serial killers are Christians. The prison population is 98% Christian. Atheists make up like 1% of the prison population. Even Satanists make up less than 0.1% of the prison population. The literal people that worship evil, by your standards are better people than most Christians.

I have even met Christians that have admitted they would be committing crimes like rape if they weren't afraid of going to hell. Jail doesn't even scare them, they don't want to not rape because its bad to hurt other people. They are afraid of hell, that is literally the only thing that stops them.

If fear of hell is the only thing that stops you from being a piece of trash, then you aren't a good person.

I believe there is probably a "god," but I can't possibly take Christianity as serious. But even I can admit clearly atheists are better people on average.

Anonymous · Answer

sure but only because morality starts off as a branch from religion

people can deny it all they want but without religion there'd be a world of chaos where people can do whatever they want and acts of murder, rape and cannibalism would've just happened naturally

today such acts would warrant some type of "justification". before religion existed, who would you be to tell someone committing such acts they're wrong when no concept of morality existed or rather why should they care for such

even for atheists, a rule as simple as theft is wrong is widely believed because it's written into the law which was derived from religion

think of wild animals today. does the concept of morality AND religion exist within their species? even if we bring up intelligence as the reason why, many species are actually quite intelligent more so than humans in ways we don't expect but lack of concept on "right vs wrong" is what holds them back

worldscolide · Answer

That's some religious brainwashing. Morality does not come from religion, it predates all known religions.

Just because someone doesn't believe in God doesn't make them an immoral or bad person.

I personally am atheist, and I can tell you I have better moral fiber than a lot of Christians I know.

slatyb · Answer

I think you have been brainwashed. I and all my friends are atheists. We're perfectly nice. We just don't waste our lives believing in Daddy in the sky. Don't you know that most of the people who created the technology that powers your device and this website were non-religious?

Bricealan · Answer

If course they can. A person can lead a good, moral life, be as giving and helping as anyone else but the fact that they don't believe in a Divine Creator does not make them evil. I lead a life much link a christian, in that I believe in most of the 10 Commandments and believe they are a good way to live.

I consider myself an Atheist but am not in any respect, an 'evil man"

... well, I have coveted my neighbors wife 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️😁

PBandJ_Nerd · Answer

I mean, yes? Atheists just don't believe in God & Jesus. But they might believe in other things-such as ghosts, magic, etc. Choosing to not believe in God & Jesus doesn't make someone a bad person immediately. Atheists can choose to be good or bad people and have their own views on life.

morganherrel · Answer

I don't know what you mean by "good person," but I think atheists can approximate most forms of morality that you care about.

That said, I think there is inherently an arrogance in atheism that is as peculiar as it is unnecessary. in my opinion it sometimes evinces a sort of deficiency in thinking or personality (but not always).

normalice · Answer

Atheism is just not taking religious people at their word - judging them instead by their deeds. Only the sort of religious person who wants to do bad things but call themselves good would consider that evil.

MicahRaine · Answer

Reason #1,445 why Christianity is a better religion.

Yes. While everyone is sinful, it's quite possible to be a "good" person regardless of your religious beliefs.

I'm a Christian, and I have known many Sikhs who were amazing people.

itsannalee · Answer

Yes why not? There are a lot atheists are good attitude and better personality than religious people, and so many pedophiles and perverts, corruptors are religious people.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

My cousin, is an atheist, and she is a person who lies all the time, and she's so full of herself. I wouldn't call her a good person.

DJB72 · Answer

I know some very moral atheists. They support orphanages, run soup kitchens and volunteer in old age homes. But who wants to be the most moral person in Hell?

bowenw · Answer

I've met good people that are atheists, and evil people that are religious, so good appears to be the result of other factors.

NathanDavis · Answer

religions capitalize on evil... often, with very similar results to it

Alwayreckles93 · Answer

Yes absolutely. I meant so called church people they can be the worst most judgmental individuals.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Some of the worst terrorists are (or were) very religious. It's kind of relative. Where... an atheist who follows religious positive guidelines is at least half of a good person :)

GOLDFISH_smile · Answer

Wtf. Atheism doesn't feed on anything, it's not a fucking parasite.

ChooChooHaha · Answer

Bullshit. And fuck off. Tell that to The Vatican, who actively fuels child abuse still.

purplepoppy · Answer

I'm an atheist and a better Christian than most church goers.

7Phoenix7 · Answer

Anyone can be a "good" person, regardless of their religious status.  Religion alone will not make you a better person. You can be as religious as you wish and still be evil af.

kellytheman · Answer

I don’t think it’s evil just because they don’t believe in god or a afterlife after you die is a little close minded though I feel.

Raxll11 · Answer

I do not think that belief or disbelief has any effect on human character. There are people who belong to any religion and commit shameful crimes

thearchjoker · Answer

of course atheists can be good people i know many good atheists

strateguy632 · Answer

Even according to kant, bad is harming so ayjiests are nad harming a fetus and promoted abortion.  Only the guidance of religion guides what is bad.

localsapphire87 · Answer

There’s more shitty beings using religion as an excuse to be a bigoted, hypocritical piece of shit than the atheists and agnostics who get ridiculed from the same damn groups who do the bigoted, hypocritical bullshit rather it be in real life, or within the internet. Coming from an atheist myself

Anonymous · Answer

In the strictest sense, I reject the idea of a "good person." However, I think you mean this colloquially, in which case yes: atheists can be the kind of people that pay their taxes and walk their dogs and donate to charity and feed the homeless.

clampfan101 · Answer

It just means they sadly don’t believe yet. That doesn’t automatically mean they’re trying to hold believers down.

FreyaRed · Answer

"I think it is not possible" Just because your Imam said so? When he says eat poop or jump out of window you will do it?

LiamJHayden · Answer

Anyone can be an externally good person, but all are corrupt internally.

gag6474 · Answer

i think so if he follows abrahamic morals and dont sin type stuff. but ofc he doesn't follow the faith itseld

Daphne96 · Answer

Yes they can religious people can be evil. There’s been people who harm in name of god. Like the crusades.

Anonymous · Answer

I've met awful people who attended church and great people with no religion

Still-alive · Answer

nice so not only are you a fake account but you are also here to spread propaganda too.

MrGSpotHer · Answer

I don't know how you think this when did the atheists cause wars and be vile to people from different beliefs on mass scale?

sean1234 · Answer

The Bible says good people won't make it to heaven, only people that obey God's laws.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes of course. Being religious doesn't necessarily make someone a good person...

FenixG45 · Answer

Atheism is the ABSENCE of God. Atheism does NOT equal Evil.

ToddpicogramakaSatan · Answer

yes; because of the good samaritan story; 🇷🇺🇬🇪🍞🍷☦️

Anonymous · Answer

No. A person who does not believe in the Lord Jesus cannot be good.✝️✝️✝️✝️

Anonymous · Answer

Yes, atheists need no fear of religion to be good people. As an atheist, I'm a highly moral person.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

I've ALWAYS been a good person!

impalabill77 · Answer

I think so. I am an atheist and a good person.

call_me_scar · Answer

I'm an atheist and I think I'm a decent person

Simslover92 · Answer

They sure can be.

Dongie · Answer

Who is good? Jesus said only the Father Is good.

basimm · Answer

Yes like everybody else

Agape93 · Answer

Of course they can, don't be retarded

fuddly · Answer

Yes Better than a believer

Gentilegoyim189 · Answer

Atheism is just communism.

Jennz6 · Answer

Yes, and Jesus Christ loves everyone ❤️

dudeinohio · Answer

I know a couple. They are great people.

power_wolf · Answer

of course

Account · Answer

Yes.

Void-Walker · Answer

yes they can

RedInnocent69 · Answer

Absolutely.

Walksbehindtherows · Answer

Yeppp

Can an atheist be a good person?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

My cousin, is an atheist, and she is a person who lies all the time, and she's so full of herself. I wouldn't call her a good person.