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[quote=Anonymous]I am an atheist and subscribe to Kantian philosophy which is basically the golden rule. Kant called it the Categorical Imperative, and defined it as: treat all people as you would like others to treat all other people. I find this version more helpful than "treat others as you would like to be treated" because it forces you to think about how you would like society as a whole to function, not simply how you would like people to treat you.

Anyway, I know lots of atheists/agnostics/secular humanists who think similarly. I have never felt that religion was necessary for maintaining a consistent set of moral ethics, and in many instances I think religion tends to get in the way because many religions uphold a social hierarchy that undermines the application of a golden rule philosophy. I was raised in a Catholic household and it is hard to take the teachings of kindness and tolerance in the New Testament seriously when, just as a for instance, the leader of your church is always a man who is selected in secret by a bunch of other men, often speaking a dead language most people don't learn. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, unless you're a priest, then do unto others whatever you can get away with knowing that the rest of the clergy will protect you if you hurt anyone real bad." I was disinterested even before the child abuse was uncovered and that sealed the deal for me. I know Catholics who are very good people and live according to the golden rule, but I don't think their religion helps them do it. You either believe in the principle or you don't.[/quote]

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