First post and it's a deepie, but I'm interested: I've grown up an atheist so have never worried that there's someone 'watching'... And to be honest, I've lived my life amorally — I have a strong moral code of fairness and kindness, but only where it suits me, and until recent years was quite unconcerned about being a thief, a liar and a self-centred manipulator.
Alright, much of that may stem from my psychological makeup after a weird childhood, and I'm not okay with being any of those things these days as I'd rather be proud of the person I am. But I realised that it had crept up on me and I'd accommodated it, as I had no fear of ever being 'found out'.
I'm interested to know if any of you have bent your morals to suit yourself, or if you've always been 'good'.
I am a free agent and I live my life to enjoy my life. I have 4 gatekeepers to my moral and ethical life. I love ALL my brothers and sisters in my human family. I strive to always treat others as I would want to be treated. I strive to never do to others what I would not want done to me. I strive to never cause or do harm to anyone.
I am purposefully moral. I was raised atheist with a "do on to others" kind of morality. I did some shoplifting and some manipulating. I realized that I didn't want to live that way, not because I'd get caught, but because it is wrong. I had taken something from a former friend and I looked her up and confessed and gave it back. try to be honest and up front with people. I find that my attitude makes me a victim to people who manipulate. I'm getting better at identifying those people. The world would be a better place if we were all good to each other. We can all do our bit.
Interesting question. I also am a lifetime Atheist or strong Agnostic if asked. Moral code varies by culture and judgments of others reinforce ones moral views. Personally I try to treat people as I want to be treated. That gives me somewhat of a moral baseline. Sexually I throw all that out the window. Have always been active sexually, and with age I seem to be pushing that line harder. Not sure if I see it as amoral, hell I see it as normal.
I like the term coined here...."fluid morality". I think that's accurate. Life is fluid. Situations are fluid. I've lied to save the feelings of others...and to save my own ass when needed. Never felt guilty about any of it.
But I have empathy for those around me and treat them as I would be treated. With respect and honor.
I must say though...in regards to lying...the older I get the less I lie! I just lay that old truth out there like a boss...lol. Deal with it! Fix your own feelings!
Being honest and straightforward is so much easier and definitely less stressful than the alternative. If you have respect for your fellow human, you won't want to steal or lie or hurt them in anyway
Morals are not something you work on because you want to feel better about yourself or be liked more.
I think you could say I'm "generally fair / moral" in a socially acceptable judeo-christian model of morality. But like you, I have no qualms about breaking or setting aside my moral code when it suits me. I've never been a thief (unless you count downloading movies) but why not lie, if it benefits me and harms no-one?