Atheists are routinely asked how people will know not to rape and murder without religion telling them not to do it, especially a religion that backs up the orders with threats of Hell.
Believers, listen to me carefully when I say this: When you use this argument, you terrify atheists. We hear the only thing standing between you and Ted Bundy is a flimsy belief in a supernatural being made up by pre-literate people trying to figure out where the rain comes from.
This is not very reassuring if you’re trying to argue from a position of moral superiority.
Amanda Marcotte
I wouldn’t necessarily agree with terrify, but I do think it’s a strawman argument that isn’t quite as secure as many think.