Atheists Also Have A Moral Code

    • Speaking tree
    • Publish Date: Dec 28 2016 11:55AM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Dec 28 2016 11:55AM
Atheists Also Have A Moral Code

 'Morality has been hijacked by religion.' When British historian Arnold Toynbee said this in a lecture, the French existentialists and writers Jean Paul Sartre and Albert Camus doffed their hats to him because both were lifelong nonbelievers, yet they had their own ethical values and a set of exalted morals.

 
It's perhaps the most inveterate notion among the people all over the world that nonbelievers and atheists have no morals (and often no hearts). But religion has nothing to do with one's morals and intrinsic compassion. People with no faith and no belief in any supernatural power can be morally as good as their religious peers.
 
Nature has endowed us with free will. We all have undergone a long process of evolution with a definite sense of good and bad. Religion and god were created, or should i say concocted, to control, regulate and moderate our feral instincts.
 
An overall sense of esoteric fear was slowly built up for people to act in a manner that was in agreement with the then primitive society's limited needs.

But there have been people in all ages and times, who've their own independent way of thinking, shorn of any divine compulsions and complications. Yet, they never went berserk and always followed their own morality.
 
Most Greek and Roman philosophers and writers like Diogenes, Epicurus, Sophocles, Eventus, and Ovid among others never believed in the pagan gods of Greeks and Romans and rejected the idea of hell, heaven and afterlife. Despite that, they were great moralists, who followed universal values. And it was Diogenes who was the first man to suggest that a rapist had no place in a civilised society and he must be banished, but not killed.
 
Gautama Buddha never believed in any god or supernatural power. In fact, the core of Buddha's philosophy is atheism. Yet, Buddha is still considered to be an epitome of compassion and rectitude. So was his contemporary Vardhman, who became Mahavira. Jainism is yet another atheistic faith but Mahavira was a compassionate moralist. Even Charvaka (Hedonistic school of Indian philosophy) never believed in god and rejected all beliefs, had a moral code and its proponents were not anarchists. So too the followers of Saankhya Darshan. They don't consider god to be the creator of the universe but have a deep sense of reverence for all creatures and the cosmos. Their moral code is in sync with humanity and all that's good and noble in mankind.
 
 My friend, philosopher, mentor and professor Zaifa Ashraf left her religion (Islam) at the age of seventeen and when she died at the age of fifty seven, her last wish was that her mortal remains should be donated to a medical college and all her usable body parts must be used for the poor and needy. I still meet a 16-year-old young girl who sees the world with the good professor’s eyes and she never forgets to thank the departed lady. Prof Ashraf was a staunch atheist, yet she was filled with humane qualities and was morally upright.
 
Considering all of this, to me, a genuine moralist is one who's good to all and doesn't hurt anyone; does not expect any reward from any god or religion. Nonbelievers can be altruistic and moralistic without any ulterior motive like reaping rewards in heaven.
 

Do You Agree? Let Us Know In The Comments Below 
 
 

More From OMG...

POST YOUR OWN ARTICLE, PHOTO & VIDEO

SIMPLY FILL DETAILS & POST


 
SIGN UP & EXPLORE MORE...
*


*
* *
* *
img
REGISTRATION SUCCESSFUL...
THANK YOU FOR REGISTERING
  • About Us

Times Newspaper in Education (Times NIE) is a novel program that helps students ‘Stay Ahead’ and aims at making ‘Learning Fun’. It introduces concepts that help individual growth and development beyond school curriculum.

A brainchild of The Times of India, the world’s leading English newspapers, Times NIE nurtures progress and innovation. Adapted from the international concept, Times Newspaper in Education program (Times NIE) was initiated in India in 1985.

Today we have over 3000 schools and over 9 lac students subscribing to the programme, spanning 16 cities viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Lucknow, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Jaipur.

The Times of India Student edition, a customized student newspaper exclusively for the students, packs a powerful punch in terms of content that leads to a smarter and superior learning experience. The information is crafted such that it finds use in classroom discussions, thus making it relevant and current. It truly gives education a new dimension by fostering the simple habit of reading which in turn paves the way for a confident, informed and aware individual. A newspaper that inspires young minds and equips them to face challenges of today’s world, making way for global citizens.

Empowering students with new cutting-edge knowledge through various educative and informative activities is a commitment and tradition of Times NIE. The programme serves as a catalyst of education and interaction, as well as a window into the minds of the quintessential Indian youth. On a significant scale Times NIE comprises diverse interesting activities and events that boost the child’s passion for learning, while revealing hidden talent.

While you are aware that The Times of India is among the leading English Newspapers across the world, it has consummated its position as an everlasting winner. With several international awards and recognitions to its credit, The Times of India and Times NIE have validated an enduring tradition of setting the highest benchmarks in every respect. We have been awarded with the two most prestigious awards, Times NIE - World’s No.1 NIE program and The Times of India, Student Edition - World’s No.1 Newspaper for the youth in 2006 by the celebrated World Association of Newspapers (WAN). In 2008 we were honoured by the International Newspaper Marketing Association (INMA), yet another international recognition for ‘Youth Audience Development’. In 2013 we were again honoured by the celebrated World Association of Newspapers (WAN) as the ‘Times NIE - World’s Best Youth Engagement Program’.

Times NIE has grown remarkably over the last three and a half decades, touching millions of children across more than 16 Indian cities. Our absolute commitment towards the fledgling generation remains undiluted and our greatest strength lies in the school partnership and commitment.

  • Times NIE World Awards
EDIT STUDENT PROFILE...



img

JOIN NOW !!!

Create or join groups, share your views, ideas through posts (Text, Pictures & Videos)

GOT A QUERY?

FEEL FREE TO ASK HERE. GET IT ANSWERED BY EXPERTS

CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUR PREVIOUS QUERIES

win

Why You Think India Is Great....