What are atheists grateful to? Are you grateful to the Big Bang or evolution, or something that started the Big Bang?

@bijouxbroussard We can just decide here and there? I like that idea, we don't feel we are obliged to help from some commandment? Is that what you are getting at?

@thewindupbirdchronicles Exactly.

@bijouxbroussard Question though, I do believe some ethics and morals live beyond any religious idea, but if they are the source of our understanding? Personally, I consider hurting another wrong (takes many forms), but I know some of those ideas might be influenced by moral teachings my ancestors/society had, and how they learned them might be from religious upbringing. I do guess, at root, those moral teachings were from a time they were trying to create an understanding when there was none and most people, without influence of idea, consider harming a person wrong?

@bijouxbroussard I’m grateful to Nature that’s all.

@thewindupbirdchronicles [media=https://youtu.be/5lh9n2HUZe4]
this is not a religion just a way of living..

@thewindupbirdchronicles Suppose I was raised in a religion that teaches kindness and respect only towards those who believe in that faith and not members of the LGBT community (for example) or those who believe in a woman’s right to choose, or non-believers. If I include those individuals in my respect and feel kindness and support towards them too, how is religious faith guiding me ?

@bijouxbroussard Well said.

@bijouxbroussardwell I'm a Christian and I've never done anything out of fear of eternal punishment!!

@TheWildEcho Good for you. I know too many who do.

@bijouxbroussard I'm not one who subscribes to any one faith, even though I've wondered may it be easier for me, if I did. I also have kept friends before with people who have. The amounts of anger, I find self-directed from [b]they can not choose any other way is beyond me[/b], it has felt to me like self-harm before, but I can't tell them to pick other values. And myself, I want a society moving towards acceptance, love and at times I get lost in the thought it means compassion towards views you don't hold, unless they harm no other. But that can be a tricky one, how many parents give jaded, discriminatory judgments all the time to children without even thinking of what they are doing? How they are influencing the child to hate?

@bijouxbroussard I don't know anyone who has done acts of kindness because of fear of eternal punishment!!

@TheWildEcho I’m not surprised. I’ve read your posts and you’re quite pious. I doubt anyone would admit something like that to you.

@bijouxbroussard wel you're the first person to call me pious lol!
If a Christian does an act of kindness it's because they care about the person or they're following Jesus example. Doing good works has nothing to do with where we spend eternity!!

@TheWildEcho It does for some people. I’m not going to argue the point.

@TheWildEcho I don't think she was trying to insult you. I'll be a little more quizzical, what do you consider acts that are good? They do vary you know, but I think most agree on basic levels fundamentally.

@thewindupbirdchronicles yes I didn't take it as an insult, just a little surprised as never been called that before!! I'm just an ordinary fella who experienced God as a teenager and have had a personal relationship with Him ever since. If I can help people out along the way I'll try, but not doing anything for reward or fear!!

@bijouxbroussard That makes sense to me.