by Andy Heintz

Created on: September 08, 2008

I think a person is obligated to be moral, but we are divided about what constitutes as moral behavior. My views on morality would contrast with the views of someone who believes that a person needs to believe in a higher power to be moral. While I believe in God, I also believe atheists are capable of leading moral lives. People too often use simplistic logic to try and understand a complex world. Sure it would be a simpler world if all atheists were bad, and all religious people were good but that just isn't the case. Throughout history both believers and non-believers alike have engaged in selfless acts of charity and in senseless acts of violence.

Other folks view loyalty to country as a moral value. Some seem to think this means blind loyalty to the government no matter how questionable its actions. Given the atrocities that have occurred over the years as a result of this narrow-minded way of thinking, I cannot see how blind obedience to government can be considered a moral value. Furthermore I don't see why geography should be used as a measuring stick to decide the importance of a human life. No one has any power over where they are born, so shouldn't the life of a person in Nepal be cherished just as much as the person from Florida. The idea that the people who inhabit your country are more important than the lives of people living in other parts of the world seems illogical and narcissistic. It is just another roadblock standing in the way of those who are trying to create a more humane, tolerant world. Now don't misunderstand me I am grateful to live in a prosperous country that champions freedom of speech and freedom of religion - I just don't see how it is moral to value the lives of those living your own country as opposed to the then the lives of poor farmer living in Haiti. The fact that I am not a peasant in Guatemala or living under severe oppression in Myanmar is merely a matter of dumb luck.

I do think protecting certain American ideals like freedom of speech and freedom of religion can legitimately be seen as a moral values. But this is totally different than blindly accepting everything my government tells me. Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are values I personally believe in and that I hope my government will continue to respect. If my government chooses to abandon these ideals, I believe non-violent resistance would be the best response.

I realize that human beings will not always agree on issues concerning morality. But I think

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