Be good, for goodness sake?

"Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness sake."

So says the new "American Humanist Association" Christmas season ad for Washington D.C. buses. Spokesman Fred Edwords says, "...we are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds."

Now, what is RATIONAL about this point of view?

The idea that some behaviors are "good" and others are "bad" is not rational apart from some objective moral standard. Where does an atheist go for an objective moral standard, for goodness sake? We theists understand that "good" is what conforms to the moral character of God. The AHA can vote on a standard - but individuals will still have a pragmatic bias toward what is beneficial to themselves.

Maybe that is what they mean by "be good." "Do what seems good to you." Does it seem good to you to help little old ladies and to be kind to homeless people? Do it. Does it seem good to you to rob little old ladies and terrorize homeless people? Do that.

"Do good, for goodness sake." Do whatever helps you the most. Be rational. Remember natural selection - survival of the fittest and all that. Be one of the survivors - that's good. Even when it comes at the expense of the weak and vulnerable.

Christmas memorializes God becoming a man in order to save men from the penalty and power of their sin.

What rationale would an atheist propose for self sacrifice? If there is no hope of life after death, nobody who is being rational should let go of their grip on this life for anyone or any cause.

To be continued...