From my early 20s to middle age I called myself an atheist, yet I always felt a strong moral compass that could be defined by Asha's definition. It actually was one of the factors that made me realize you don't need "God" to know right from wrong. It has always been what feels "right". Acting with integrity as best I could had a physiological effect of calming, grounding and feeling good, even if I didn't have those words for it. Even if there were other negative consequences. I wouldn't be surprised if scientific studies show the release of endorphins or change in brain waves when we "do the right thing". During that time I would have said I was acting that way for myself. While those positive feelings are still there, my motivation has changed as I feel a greater sense of obligation to friends, family, community and the larger world. I wonder if we are born with an innate sense of integrity. Sure, it would be greatly influenced by our upbringing and culture, but our body's response tells us when something is "wrong", even if we override it time and again.
Do you think they don’t still have a sense of something larger than themselves to which they are obligated, even devoid any mystical overtones? Democracy? Science? I'm aware that a committed atheist wouldn't define those obligations as "spiritual", but I disagree.
But where does that leave atheists in their committed integrity practice? Asking for a number of friends....
From my early 20s to middle age I called myself an atheist, yet I always felt a strong moral compass that could be defined by Asha's definition. It actually was one of the factors that made me realize you don't need "God" to know right from wrong. It has always been what feels "right". Acting with integrity as best I could had a physiological effect of calming, grounding and feeling good, even if I didn't have those words for it. Even if there were other negative consequences. I wouldn't be surprised if scientific studies show the release of endorphins or change in brain waves when we "do the right thing". During that time I would have said I was acting that way for myself. While those positive feelings are still there, my motivation has changed as I feel a greater sense of obligation to friends, family, community and the larger world. I wonder if we are born with an innate sense of integrity. Sure, it would be greatly influenced by our upbringing and culture, but our body's response tells us when something is "wrong", even if we override it time and again.
Do you think they don’t still have a sense of something larger than themselves to which they are obligated, even devoid any mystical overtones? Democracy? Science? I'm aware that a committed atheist wouldn't define those obligations as "spiritual", but I disagree.