Quote by Christopher Hitchens
To be charitable, one may admit that the religious often seem unaware of how insulting their main proposition actually is. Exchange views with a believer even for a short time, and let us make the assumption that this is a mild and decent believer who does not open the bidding by telling you that your unbelief will endanger your soul and condemn you to hell. It will not be long until you are politely asked how you can possibly know right from wrong. Without holy awe, what is to prevent you form resorting to theft, murder, rape, and perjury? It will sometimes be conceded that non-believers have led ethical lives, and it will also be conceded (as it had better be) that many believers have been responsible for terrible crimes. Nonetheless, the working assumption is that we should have no moral compass if we were not somehow in thrall to an unalterable and unchallengeable celestial dictatorship. What a repulsive idea!
Summary
In this quote, the author criticizes the religious for their belief that non-believers lack a moral compass. The quote suggests that during conversations with believers, the assumption is often made that without faith, individuals would have no limitations on their behavior, leading to immoral actions like theft, murder, rape, and perjury. The author finds this proposition insulting, as it implies that one needs an unchanging divine authority to guide their morals. The quote argues against this idea, asserting that morality can be sourced from different foundations and that it is not necessarily tied solely to religious beliefs.
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