How the Atheist View of Life Affects Our Choices and Morality

Magic isn’t real. With that fact in mind, we ought not take magical nonsense seriously. We ought not be Christians—or take any other kooky brand of magic seriously. As a caring atheist, I believe it's my duty to respect and coexist with those who have different beliefs. We are not unlike believers; we just don't believe in any afterlife. Other than that, we are almost identical. My very best friends respect me as I do them.

Does Atheism Impact Morality or Living Choices?

Atheism does not because it doesn't have anything to do with morality or life choices. It only reflects the lack of belief in any gods. However, atheists are under no obligation or pressure to act like hateful bigots because a 2000-year-old book and a bunch of terrified old white people told them to destroy anyone that's different from them. So, there is that.

Neither does religion. You are either a decent ethical human being or you are not. Why do you need the promise of reward or the threat of punishment to be morally good? Atheism does not change your moral compass. It allows for individual moral reasoning and standards based on human values and societal norms.

Morality and Social Standards

Morals are social standards. They are not dictated by religious texts or divine command. Atheism and theism are of no relevance to morals. Being an atheist means I cannot blindly follow some religions' supposedly god-given morality and what life entails. So for the rest, I have figured it out through reasoning, comparing others' standards, and combining the better ones.

Impact on Living Choices

How does the atheist view of reality impact the way we should live our lives? The short answer is, it doesn't. As far as I am aware, atheism is not believing in deities. That’s it. The only thing atheists share in common with each other is that they do not believe in deities. Individual atheists may well have a world view, belief system, lifestyle, or "view of reality," but this has nothing to do with their atheism.

For this particular atheist's view of reality, it doesn't impact "should" living anything. I don’t require or expect anybody to live their lives according to my views of reality or anything else. Your life, your rules—do what you feel is right. This perspective emphasizes personal autonomy and individual ethical responsibility.