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Originally Posted by Sen
I agree. My question is for those who don't believe in a higher power. How do they determine what is right and wrong if not by the voice of the majority?
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There are some issues on which nearly every person agrees, whether their belief stems from an absolute view of right and wrong or not. Murder, robbery, and other crimes are easy to agree upon because there is a definite victim in these cases and people can agree that these things are wrong even if they don't believe in a higher power.
Other issues are more nebulous and cannot be argued from a firm right or wrong position. Issues like gay marriage or stem cell research do not fit into a category of absolute right and wrong for everyone. There are those who believe in a higher power who are for gay marriage and stem cell research while there are those who are against both issues yet do not believe in a higher power.
Where do we get these ideas of right and wrong? I don't have that answer. How should we act on those beliefs as a society? I believe the way we do it now is one of the best methods. We vote on these issues. When the majority speaks, we act on their wishes. However, this does not mean that they are right; it just means we act on their wishes. The minority of voters who do not agree with the majority continue their fight to enact what <i>they</i> believe is right, and so the cycle continues.
There are countless historical examples of cases in which the majority was wrong both in its interpretation of theological issues and in its political stance. The Roman Catholic Church circa 1650 comes to mind. They had the bible and the majority of the population on its side when they challenged Galileo for having the gall to suggest that Copernicus was right. The Church was wrong on both counts.
Our ideas of right and wrong are in constant flux. While there will always be what we consider absolutes (i.e. certain crimes); other issues will always be up for debate.