mr sticky

This is a question I have asked myself over and again...If there is no God, how can you explain morality?

I understand the reasons why religious people are moral, but what's in it for atheists?

Altruism and survival are universally opposed to one another. These concepts of "good" and "evil" are religious by nature. What's in it for the Darwinian mindset to be "good"? What happened to survival of the fittest? How is helping the old and infirm add to our society? What is the void that love fills? Why monogamy? It seems to me that those who expouse an atheistic belief structure are limiting the growth of their personal individualism by playing by the rules of the religious.

In other words...if no God, then no final judgement. Who are you trying to please by living a moral life? Why amper your self with "feel-good" tenets? Sure, society has dictated laws and rules, but these came from religion. Even the nicest of farmers cull their herd.

Personally, I believe in God, and I live by those beliefs (if imperfectly), but I don't see why those that don't believe would care. What's the point really?

I think we all know, there is more than just the individual, but why would an atheist show traits of morality?

And when answering, remember, "right" and "wrong" and " good" and "bad" are the concepts I'm trying to elucidate. Be more specific when counterpointing.

__________________
The sad thing is... as you get older you come to realize that you don't so much pilot your life, as you just try to hold on, in a screaming, defiant ball of white-knuckle anxious fury