You are correct, since atheism is not an organized religion or group, atheists have no universal defining moral code. However, since ethics is autonomous (separate) from religion, morality is for the individual to decide, through the use of logic. So, no, atheists have no official definitions of right and wrong, but mankind does, and many of our ethical beliefs are evident in our lawmaking and social mores (accepted behaviors). Murder is wrong, as rational cognitive beings we don't need an invisible man in the sky to tell us that. You are basically stuck on Euthyphro's "dilemma." Which Socrates (or Plato, since he wrote that Socrates said it) asked "Is something good because the gods will it? Or do gods will something because it is good?" It is the purview of philosophers and eminent theologians alike that Religion does not have a monopoly on morality. No logical person could hold such an untenable position and still be taken seriously.
You are correct, since atheism is not an organized religion or group, atheists have no universal defining moral code. However, since ethics is autonomous (separate) from religion, morality is for the individual to decide, through the use of logic. So, no, atheists have no official definitions of right and wrong, but mankind does, and many of our ethical beliefs are evident in our lawmaking and social mores (accepted behaviors). Murder is wrong, as rational cognitive beings we don't need an invisible man in the sky to tell us that. You are basically stuck on Euthyphro's "dilemma." Which Socrates (or Plato, since he wrote that Socrates said it) asked "Is something good because the gods will it? Or do gods will something because it is good?" It is the purview of philosophers and eminent theologians alike that Religion does not have a monopoly on morality. No logical person could hold such an untenable position and still be taken seriously.
6:16pm
comment on atheist quote:
With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.