.  …….

Some people fear that, without belief in God, there is no basis for values, no source of moral guidance, and no incentive for ethical behavior. Based on this, they may be suspicious of non-believers.

One way of responding is to look at results.

Naturalists are no more likely than believers to be criminals or cheats. They are often kind and giving and many live exemplary lives. So, it isn’t just possible, it’s common, for people to be “good without God”.

Another perspective comes in recognizing that morality and values have a solid basis, separate from a presumed presence or role of God.

Part of this appears to be genetic, as can be seen in mothers caring for their children, and also in kindness, sharing, and other behaviors that can contribute to the well-being of groups. These and other virtues are innate parts of human nature (and are also seen in a number of non-human species) and, from an evolutionary perspective, it can easily be seen that groups whose members help one another, cooperate, and have rules for managing conflict would have had an advantage over groups that did not, and that these traits would be passed on.

Another part is social and learned, where a culture’s rules are taught to children, encouraged in schools, and enforced by peer pressure and law.

The main values of many naturalists are seen in the customs and laws of communities. Anthropologists have shown that central aspects of these are similar in cultures around the world. All cultures value kindness, love, respect for others, seeking wisdom, perseverance, justice, and forgiveness. All have rules against murder, lying, incest, and theft. The Golden Rule is present, with different wording, in all major religious traditions.

Basis for values

Naturalists can see values as being grounded in nature. This begins at the simplest levels, where all creatures distinguish good from bad. Be it a single-celled amoeba or a plant, insect, reptile, or mammal, all are attracted to things that are good for them and avoid things that cause harm. A central principle and value lies behind this, in maintaining life and well-being.

Since humans are social creatures, this principle and value has two perspectives.

One is individual, in acting in ways that are good for one’s own emotional and material well-being.

The other pertains to groups where, as group harmony is desired, self-interest is constrained and behaviors like kindness and cooperation are valued.

A tension often exists between self-interest and the good of the group (and, also, between the good of a small sub-group and the good of a larger group), and this accounts for many challenges and problems. Given a range of tendencies in individuals (in being selfish or selfless, in varying degrees and in different settings), groups tend to encourage and reward choices that contribute to the well-being of the group.

Comparison with traditional religion

Naturalist values are largely the same as those in Judeo-Christian tradition. Nothing unusual or worrisome is advocated. And, contrary to a misconception and false accusation, while a naturalist view recognizes “survival of the fittest” as a process in nature, it does not recommend this as a model for human behavior.

But while values are largely similar, some differences in emphasis can be seen.

One example is levels of respect for things that are looked to as sources of wisdom and truth.

Believers show greater respect for biblical writings and religious authorities, while a naturalist respect for science includes regular challenge to tradition, and claims may be rejected and practices are more willingly changed based on what best fits with available evidence.

Another example is that a naturalist focus on nature may include greater emphasis on ecology.

Environmental concern is also prominent in religions (with a mandate, in Judeo-Christian doctrine, of stewardship for the Earth). But, in traditions that see this world as a way-station to a greater and eternal world in heaven, concern may be less urgent than in a naturalist view that sees this world as all there is.

Additional reading
Steven Pinker. The Moral Instinct.
Frans de Waal. Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved.
Patricia Churchland. Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality.
Jonathan Haidt. The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion.
Alan Dershowitz. Rights from Wrongs: A Secular Theory of the Origins of Rights.
Greg Epstein. Good without God: What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe.
Jeffrey Moses, Oneness: Great Principles Shared by All Religions.

Religious Naturalism

Taking Nature to Heart

A worldview grounded in science that provides a foundation for a way of being in the world that is both inspiring and  personally rewarding.