re: #241 Charles

Purely as a matter of numbers, there are definitely more immoral “Christians” than immoral atheists. That’s because there are more persons who self-identify as Christians than self-identify as atheists.

But if morality is defined by norms, as I believe it is, then norms (i.e., “Thou shalt not murder.”) are rooted in religion. Can an atheist adhere to religious norms? Certainly. But why should he? Norms are religious values. By definition, an atheist doesn’t believe in religion.

If the atheist’s reference for norms is to a legal system, then the legislature can change legal “norms” overnight. It can go from tolerance for Jews to outlawing Judaism. “There arose a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph.”

Judging groups (Christians or atheists) by their conduct is a valid way to compare them. But if Christians are indistinguishable from atheists (because they’re no better in the way they conduct themselves), they’re very poor Christians indeed.