# Refining the Atheist Argument

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refining-the-atheist-argument/524966>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [January 14, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refining-the-atheist-argument/524966 "2010-01-14T18:59:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 11

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**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refining-the-atheist-argument/524966/201 "2010-01-18T23:36:55Z")

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> [@Der\_Trihs](#):
>
> None of those require gods of any kind. Nor are they restricted to believers, even if you think that unbelievers are all soulless automatons or something of the sort.

Well, we _are_ - but then again so is everybody else, so it all works out.

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**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refining-the-atheist-argument/524966/202 "2010-01-19T00:03:54Z")

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> [@Der\_Trihs](#):
>
> It’s not difficult to understand; it’s just stupid and wrong.
> 
> No, they aren’t. First, since God doesn’t exist he can’t actually define anything. Second, love is an emotion; a brain state. And consciousness is also a brain state. You don’t get to define them, and neither does your imaginary God.

I didn’t define it myself, it’s what I was taught and my experiences and observations in life continue to support it. I don’t think the word stupid belongs in polite discourse.

> [@Der\_Trihs](#):
>
> As for your moral code; if you really defined your moral code like that I doubt you’d be posting here. You’d be in prison or dead.

You know nothing of my moral code.

> [@Der\_Trihs](#):
>
> None of those require gods of any kind. Nor are they restricted to believers, even if you think that unbelievers are all soulless automatons or something of the sort.

I’m sure you have your own ideas of how these features of humanity came to be, I prefer mine. I don’t think I implied that they were restricted to anyone. I believe all people have souls.

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**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refining-the-atheist-argument/524966/203 "2010-01-19T00:08:47Z")

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> [@Keweenaw](#):
>
> I didn’t define it myself, it’s what I was taught and my experiences and observations in life continue to support it.

Out of curiousity, what kinds of observations would _not_ support it? The world is rife with people that use their consciousness for evil, after all. I’ve seen destructive love, misplaced faith, and disastrous application of supposedly Christain moral codes, too.

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**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refining-the-atheist-argument/524966/204 "2010-01-19T00:18:21Z")

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> [@Keweenaw](#):
>
> You know nothing of my moral code.

I know that you aren’t likely to be posting from prison. Which tells be that you aren’t following a moral code laid down by barbarians, or indulging your every whim; which is what “God’s” morality actually is.

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