I've often encountered the argument from christians that if god isn't real or if evolution is true then how can there be morality? [Spirituality & Religion]

I'd like you to think about that question and posit an answer.
Not an insult, not a criticism. Just think about the question from the perspective that god is not real and see if you can think of an answer to how there could still be morality and moral behaviour.

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CopperCicada · M

In my faith tradition, we argue the other way around.

People have an innate spiritual or ethical compass. They can't be alienated from that essential goodness. It can be covered up, scrambled-- but not removed.

If it weren't for that there would be no natural impulse for altruism and compassion.

There certainly would be no motivation for spiritual discipline, for religious experience.

So from my perspective, the person who claims only God can provide morality... has already exercised this innate and inalienable spiritual/moral/ethical compass to find God. Or whatever higher power or principle they have faith in.

Whether that innate spiritual or ethical compass is an innate construct of humanity or something given by a divine entity is another question.

Pikachu

@CopperCicada

Interesting. I'd generally agree with that. Although i would view the innate moral compass not as a product of anything spiritual but as a product of evolving as a social animal.

CopperCicada · M

@Pikachu My personal belief is that our innate spiritual and moral compass is evolutionary and emergent.

Which is another place I disagree with the anti-science theists. Spiritual and ethical experience itself is emergent. It requires dependent origination, natural selection.

Or can be evolved out of existence.