I wrote a comment at a post written by Jim Mader. He wrote about an interesting example of his own altruism and he wrote about the idiotic Christian idea that people will only be good if a god is watching.
Why I am an atheist – Jim Mader
Human Ape says:
Many thanks to PZ for publishing these excellent Why I am an atheist testimonials. Jim Mader’s post was one of the best so far.
Christians often justify their death cult by pretending people would be uncivilized barbarians unless they believe in the dead Jeebus and accept the moral values of an ancient book which is full of genocide, slavery, and insanity. It’s obvious to me Christians are Christians because they’re just plain stupid.
I have occasionally done big favors for strangers who because of no fault of their own need help. I have helped blind people, old people, and people stranded on a highway because of car problems.
What I get out of these experiences is I remember them for a lifetime. I remember the times I was actually good for something. It’s a great feeling. So I benefit from helping these people even more than the people being helped.
My point is altruism is a natural characteristic of the human ape species as it is for our closest cousins the chimpanzee apes. Our species doesn’t need the fake moral values of an idiotic religion to want to be altruistic.