Though I’m an atheist and yes, I’m married what stops me from going around committing adultery? Not some fear of divine punishment. But respect. Respect for my partner. Respect for the trust we’ve built together. And to be honest, the emotional mess that comes with betrayal the pain, the guilt, the broken relationship just isn’t worth it. I don’t need a god to tell me that hurting someone I love for a moment of pleasure is wrong.
Same thing when someone gets on my nerves and believe me, there are plenty who do. Sure, I feel anger like anyone else. But what stops me from lashing out or throwing a punch? Because violence only escalates things. It doesn’t solve the problem it just creates more of it. I’d rather find better ways to deal with conflict than become part of the chaos.
And no I don’t go around stealing either. Even if I saw someone drop a wallet full of cash, the thought of keeping it doesn’t feel right. Because I’ve been on the other side too losing something important and hoping someone decent finds it.
So what guides me? It’s simple: empathy, consequences, and responsibility.
I act with a conscience because I care about the kind of person I am and the kind of world I live in. And yes, I respect the civil laws of my country. That’s the baseline for a functioning society.
But beyond that, it’s about the values we live by not because we’re scared of punishment, but because we choose to live with integrity.
