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[quote=Anonymous][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]

OP - excellent point. Yes organized religion has a lot to answer for. I converted from the Catholic Church although I admire much of their good works and intellectual contributions (basically western science grew out of Catholic reasoning starting with Thomas Aquinas’ logical synthesis of Ancient Greek philosophy and fundamental  Christian beliefs. The Jesuits have a strong tradition of working for social Justice and there are many places in the declining world where Catholics and other faith communities are the only ones running functional schools, hospitals and care for people dying from AIDS or other highly feared diseases). But I can’t accept so many old men in the Vatican making reproductive choices for so many women around the world. The child abuse scandal was close to unforgivable. They have much better safeguards now and are trying to address the many injuries done.

I believe that Kant’s deontological or duty bound approach to normative ethics is very important. I personally believe virtue ethics and utilitarian approaches to normative ethics also offer different insights into how to approach collective and individual goods. I like your point about applying the golden rule on structural levels. Interestingly, the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals to provide a measurable road map to dramatically reduce extreme poverty grew out of a blend of normative ethics (combining virtue ethics, deontology and utilitarianism).

Perhaps theological and church leaders should think about ways to structurally live the Golden Rule within their faith communities. I am
Not sure how it would work in a capitalist democracy like the US but it is worth thinking about.

Although I am religious myself, I completely agree that many atheists often act with far greater integrity than many people of faith. [/quote]

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