I always wondered where atheists get their core values. What is the basis of their values. Don't kill, don't steal, don't covet the neighbors wife are all religious values. So, no worries if you're an atheist? Just wondering about the basis of core values assuming they are not religious. Assuming cheating violates religious beliefs, why would there be an issue with cheating.
lol...seriously? Do you know anything about the history of christianity? Its really not that old of a religion. It certainly didn't invent the concept of morality or societal values. In fact, I'd have a pretty good argument that people following christianity have participated in more immorality...ie, bigotry, slavery, murder, rape, incest, infidelity, deceit, etc...than most major religions on the planet.
Long, long, long before christianity ever existed, there were long held societal laws based on the facts that human beings exist in communities. As such, rules or laws were made to enable that to happen smoothly that have become the basis or code over a long period of time for how we live today. Religions far older than christianity have kept those societal laws in place. In fact, most of the christian religion is ripped off from the Egyptians. Lets face it...humans have been making up gods for a long time.
That being said...christianity doesn't teach morality or even spirituality. There are billions of people in the world who don't follow it and live good, moral lives and help others.
I don't bash religious people but I'm not going to listen to some religious bigot bash the goodness of the non-religious because they don't understand basic history.
What can atheists and agnostics use? You can't pray to science. You can't expect the Universe to deliver you from your pain. I think I'm feeling jealous of other's faith even though I have no desire to have faith in a god myself.
I'm agnostic and admit that sometimes life is painful. But pain isn't always a negative, its often something you can learn from. I know a lot of religious people that pray and don't enjoy any happier a life than I have.
When someone bad happens. I let myself feel sad or mad...and then I put things into perspective. Life is wonderful...its an amazing gift. I have friends, family, a roof over my head, food, love, etc. I've lost people...I've moved through hard times...and all of it is making me evolve into a more complete person.
I can't imagine ever feeling jealous of anyone. But if you really were an atheist or an agnostic, praying would be out of the question because its simply dishonest. However, if you're questioning your set of beliefs, than maybe you should investigate another path....maybe believing in a religious is something that might work for you.