Friday, November 12, 2010

Atheism and Morality: Sexuality

So I was just on Answers.com and decided to give an answer to a question of the Atheist existentialism about sexuality. I think it's a moral question which a lot of people find so inappropriate for most situations, but I don't feel awkward... ever, really.


So, this is what I said:
"As an Atheist, I think that there is no guiding principle in our lives beyond what we make of things. Because of this, the question is very arbitrary, let alone that Atheism has no doctrine or dogma to refer to because it isn't a religion or set of beliefs. 
Atheism is merely the label applied to those who choose the "off" position to Theism (the belief in a "god[s]"). It is not, however, the statement "There is no 'god[s]'.

Regardless, and because your question is quite vague, I will break it down into 3 smaller, more focused questions in hopes of covering all bases and answering as fully as possible.

  1. How do Atheists view sexual behavior and heterosexuality?
  2. How do Atheists view homosexuality?
  3. Is there a set morality for sexuality?

1) How do Atheists view sexual behavior and heterosexuality?
Sexual behavior is something that is very prominent in human life, and in nature in general. It is something we all have an instinct towards; the instinct to reproduce is with us at birth and matures as we mature. Heterosexual people make up roughly 92% of the human population in the United States, while self-identifying homosexuals/bisexuals make up 8% (National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, 2010).
In my opinion, people should be free to make their own decisions regardless of sexual behavior and orientation. This applies so long as they do not impede the rights of others, do not harm others, can make informed and rational decisions, and do not discriminate against others for their choices. I do not personally agree with the laws of my state regarding sexual behavior of minors, but that may be slightly off topic. I feel this way because though it might be rare that the two consenting parties having sexual relations are both underage by law and mature/informed about their actions, this does occur and the laws still prohibit this.
Legislation being the way it is stems from having roughly a 70% Christian population and, religion being the way it is, this does affect the decision making of its followers. I feel that the laws should be reevaluated to represent the more constitutional, secular movement; as it does not have a bias and simply has a goal of making this country truly the "land of the free."

2) How do Atheists view homosexuality.
Homosexuality falls under this effect as well, though much more strongly in some respects. I believe that homosexuality, as it is natural, should not be discriminated against, nor should same-sex marriage outlawed simply because it does not seem "moral" to some people. I am not gay, but several friends and family members of mine are, and they feel the effects daily from religious (especially Christian) agendas about sexuality being pressed onto the general public. Again, religious views play a major role in the legislation of this country, however unconstitutional it really is to have it do so; and because of this, the radical fundamentalists often push their agenda successfully.
In short, people should be truly free to live their lives how they want, and not be shut down by those who feel it offends their personal deity. 

3) Is there a set morality for sexuality?
This entails more of a philosophical question of "Is there a 'god[s]'" in order to even ask the question the way it is, and because I'm an Atheist, obviously I would say "no."
As of current news and technology, there is no tangible or logical evidence to support the existence of any deity of any religion ever in history, nor is there evidence going against the theories put out by the scientific community concerning the origin of the universe as we know it, the origin of life, and/or the process by which new life forms arise (Speciation in Evolution by means of natural selection). By this and logical reason which is against the mere existence of an omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent (in Christianity), omnipresent "god", I am an Atheist.
Finally, because I'm an Atheist, I think we should be defining morality not based on the will of an imaginary sky daddy, but instead on what is productive and liberating to the people of our society; humanity.






If you have further questions or feedback, you can email me at silencetheidiots@hotmail.com"

What do you think of my response? How do you feel about the subject?

SilenceTheIDiots... who are you?

     I am a 16 year old Junior in high school, a musician, a very analytical mind, a person of radical honesty, an aspiring educator, and so many other things. I love music, my girlfriend of now about 2 and a half years, my friends, educating people, learning, and (since this is what this blog is mainly about) I love making everybody as comfortable as possible. So, let's talk about religion. I talk about science, religion, morality, politics, and hell even semantics (probably because I'm so analytical). I have OCD or something, but I guess that isn't a bad thing for an aspiring scientist. I feel it is well within my rights (as anyone else) to express how I feel and how I view the world in a public forum... and so I do. What this blog concerns is the fact that I am a godless, heathen, blasphemer, apostate, heretic, PROUD Atheist...
     I LOVE debating with Creationists. Well, so long as they aren't just trying to spout religious propaganda and tell others about "the GRACE of the LORD JESUS CHRIST!", let alone how you "need" faith, and that logic being outlawed in religion is a "good" thing. I would rather just talk to someone than argue, and therein I would much rather educate people about science/religion than just repeatedly claim science is right and religion is wrong, or have them do the opposite to me.

     So I guess the point of this blog is for me (the publisher), you (the reader/commentator); and everyone else just visiting to learn, educate (not evangelize), and just gain mutual communication between Atheists and Theists (whatever religion you may follow).
I don't want to deconvert you, but... I encourage ANYONE who questions or distrusts the mythology present in our word today to stand up, be part of the revolution of reason, and raise hell for the religious community by simply using your brain and speaking your mind. Use your reasoning, use reality and evidence, use the fallacies of religion to make people STOP forcing their arbitrary agendas on those who want liberation and make this country truly the "land of the free."