Atheist Values?

One of the topics for discussion at the next meetup in June, is ?Atheist Values, should they inform ones political opinion?? So it is first necessary to ask, whether there is a set of ?atheist values? and then, if so whether they inform ones political opinions.

In the past I have addressed this question with regard to humanism in an attempt to persuade humanists that if they claim to have values, which they do, those values must lead to political opinions if not activism since politics is how we express our values. I see it as a problem that so many humanists will not admit to any political views as stemming from their humanism (BHA members hide behind the charity status of the organisation). Yet they insist that their humanism is ?positive? as opposed to what they call ?the negative position of atheism?.

It is this subversion of atheism to mean nothing more than 'non-belief', full stop, that has made it necessary for many of us, for whom that is just the start, to call ourselves ?strong? atheists. (Those who wish to subvert an ideology first confuse the issues, by subverting the language.)

Strong atheism is far from negative, quite the opposite, but that is not to say that there is necessarily a set of values that apply to all strong atheists. So I think it has to be said that even strong atheism - does not come from one set of moral values, but from the assessment that religion is bad ? and the extent to which it informs ones politics relates only to those areas where religion impinges on people and public life, and not the wider political ideologies that come from humanism, defined as progressive humanitarianism.

This is why I have to define myself as a strong atheist, secular-humanist. What a mouthful

Definitions
Values
A Secular Humanist Political Agenda

My opinion is that atheists such as myself, stumble on a set of moral values rather than seek them out. Most people who have strong opinions or feelings towards a certain moral view point do so very often based on a personal experience either negative or positive, or in the case of religion something that has simply been passed down.

I feel values are defined for me as a result of things that I know to be true. For example I feel very strongly about oppression from public religious speakers, and also any government agendas that are put forward with Christian principles. More so a case in the States than here I suppose.

I think your question about being a 'strong atheist' is poignant and beleive that the term is often mis-interpreted by others as meaning a a belief in very little. On the contrary I think it is our way to emphasise that someone can be just am emphatic about non-religion as they can religion itself.

Very thought provoking post might I add.

see this url for some great thoughts

http://www.infidels.o...

Here is the conclusion:

"Conclusion
Atheists ought to stand for inquiry and doubt. They ought to stand for logic and sound empirical method as the only things capable of sorting true facts from false, to every reasonable person's satisfaction. They ought to stand for the humility to admit ignorance, and the wisdom to not assume too much, as well as the consequent political reality that finding common ground and negotiating differences is far wiser, and better for all, than maintaining adamant opposition on matters that do not even warrant an adamant opinion in the first place. The atheist ought to stand for using faith as justification for inquiry rather than belief. And the atheist ought to stand for happiness, and the understanding and accomplishment that are needed to achieve it. Above all, the atheist ought to stand for being a hero to himself and his fellow humans, rather than a villain. I believe that when the reasons for these values are truly understood, any man would hold to them and keep them, even if god himself appeared and ended all dispute as to his existence. Indeed, I believe an atheist ought to live her life so she can say with all sincerity, "even if God's existence were proven, I would change only my understanding of the facts, and not the values by which I guide my conduct and thought."

Here is my starter for ten:

1. This is the only life we have therefore all life is precious. Taking of human life or reduction of another human?s quality of life is unacceptable in any circumstances.
2. All species of life should be respected and the taking of animal life should only be done in a way responsible to the ecosystems and when it is needed to sustain human life.
3. Without sacrificing ones own quality of life it is the responsibility of everyone to assist those individuals who need assistance to enjoy life more fully. Be it with a smile, caring word, or the sustenance required to live longer.
4. As our lives are the only ones we have we have a right to defend our lives against anyone that would threaten or endanger them and to defend others lives that would or are threatened by those who would recklessly endanger them.
5. This planet is the only one we have to sustain us. All steps should be taken to preserve the earth for animal (including human) inhabitation.
6. The future is now and with us. Sacrificing ourselves for future generations is neither beneficial to us nor assisting us to focus on the issue of maximising longevity.

Yes Philip, and as the religious never tire of telling us, ?there are many ways to the truth? and once tradition is questioned, people realise that in the long run, the truth is that morality is developed through enlightened self interest. There is a very good programme
in the archive on the 'In out Time' website on 'Relativism'.

From a wrong premise comes a wrong conclusion.
The other answers on your post are on the 'Lack of Language for Atheism' thread- as I think it is an important subject in its own right,

As I do not believe in the Supernatural, I am led to several values or principles.

1) Morality should be determined by reason, logic and exposition; not prejudice, ignorance and duplication.

2) Independent scientific exploration will negate the practise of inventing stories.

3) Life is its own meaning. We do not need 'the beyond'.

4) Equality, liberty, accountability and edification should be the corner stones of society.

5) Self-evaluation on a regular basis is beneficial.

This means that Atheism leads to SMILES all round. Eh, do you see what I did, eh, eh. Oh please yourselves.

Atheism is very positive because of what it leads to. This is what we should be promoting.

Any more values or principles that I have missed out?

Richard

A quote that sums it up for me perfectly from the political activist Emma Goldman goes :-
"The philosophy of Atheism represents a concept of life without any metaphysical Beyond or Divine Regulator. It is the concept of an actual, real world with its liberating, expanding and beautifying possibilities, as against an unreal world, which, with its spirits, oracles, and mean contentment has kept humanity in helpless degradation."

Sounds good to me.

Smiles all round!!!!!!!!

I feel a group hug coming on!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agree whole heartedly Richard.

Shared Values

The link above is to a short but detailed critique of 'Secularism and Shared Values' this weeks lecture at the LSE, that is one aspect of the subject we will be looking at on Saturday.

In this case the claim by Christians that 'we' Britain, Europe and The West, should protect our Christian Values. Values that have sustained feudalism and oppressive monarchy for the best part of 2000 years and resisted every social and political reform, as they still do. Then lionise past dissidents who opposed the church as examples of Christian virtue

Sue