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Do not all theists insist that there can be no morality, no justice, honesty or fidelity without the belief in a Divine Power? Based upon fear and hope, such morality has always been a vile product, imbued partly with self-righteousness, partly with hypocrisy. As to truth, justice, and fidelity, who have been their brave exponents and daring proclaimers? Nearly always the godless ones: the Atheists; they lived, fought, and died for them. They knew that justice, truth, and fidelity are not conditioned in heaven, but that they are related to and interwoven with the tremendous changes going on in the social and material life of the human race; not fixed and eternal, but fluctuating, even as life itself.

Emma Goldman#19

EthicsReligionMoralityAtheismTruth

About this quote

What does it mean?
Goldman claims morality comes from social life rather than divine command, and atheists often exemplify true virtue.
In plain terms
Goodness comes from living together, not from religion.
What can you take from it?
Morality is social, not divine.

Where it applies

  • philosophical debates
  • secular ethics discussions

Putting it to work

  • promoting secular ethics
  • challenging religious morality

Questions to consider

  • Can morality exist without God?
  • What defines a good life?

Another view

Religious believers also contribute significantly to morality.

More from Emma Goldman

  1. It is characteristic of theistic 'tolerance' that no one really cares what the people believe in, just so they believe or pretend to believe.

    Permalink to quote #18
  2. Atheism ... in its philosophic aspect refuses allegiance not merely to a definite concept of God, but it refuses all servitude to the God idea, and opposes the…

    Permalink to quote #20
  3. The Fathers of the Church can well afford to preach the gospel of Christ. It contains nothing dangerous to the regime of authority and wealth; it stands for se…

    Permalink to quote #17

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