Friday, July 03, 2009

A Moral Compass for the Directionally Challenged

Do atheists have a moral compass? If so, what is guiding them to choose right over wrong? I ask because of something that has recently happened.

What gives an atheist the direction for their lives? There is no higher power to which they answer; only themselves. So do they inherently recognize and choose to do what is moral and correct? If they have no sense of God, does making a poor choice become okay?

An atheist (or Christian) is confronted with a situation which could be handled two ways: 1. Come forward, acknowledge the issue and work to resolve it. 2. Cover up the situation, which snowballs out of control, and continue the deception.

If option 2 is chosen, the atheist has no recourse for grace or forgiveness. Or does that even matter to them? Perhaps they move through life thinking "oh well, it's no big deal" regardless of whom they hurt.

As a Christian, I know that my faith enhances my moral compass. By that faith, I am driven to live a more Christ-like life. So I am bound by an innate sense of right and wrong; and more importantly, a sense of accountability. I also know that if I do choose a path that is wrong, I can repent and ask to be forgiven and it will be granted. That's the beauty of grace under which Christians live.

But back to the atheist....what drives his/her sense of accountability? What does he/she believe in other than him/herself? I would only have myself to blame. And wouldn't that be a rather miserable way to live?