Are Atheists More Moral Than Religious People?

by Genesis Eririoma

Phil Zuckerman’s presentation, “Are Atheists More Moral than Religious People? Here are the Facts,” questions one of the most common assumptions in human society, that morality depends on religion. Drawing from research and social data, Zuckerman argues that nonreligious people can live moral and meaningful lives without belief in God. His approach is not sentimental but factual, and his conclusions invite deep reflection about how we define goodness.

Zuckerman makes three major points:

1. Studies show that secular people often display higher levels of compassion, tolerance, and honesty in public life. They tend to support human rights, gender equality, and social justice, and are less likely to discriminate against minorities.

2. Religion does not automatically produce moral behavior. In some highly religious societies, intolerance, corruption, and discrimination are common. Many religious people obey doctrines out of fear of punishment rather than genuine empathy for others.

3. Secular morality is grounded in humanism, reason, and empathy. It rests on the understanding that people should act ethically because it improves human life, not because they seek divine reward or fear divine judgment.

This message resonates with me deeply. In Africa, where religion dominates public thought, morality is often confused with worship. Those who identify as atheists or freethinkers are branded as lost or corrupt. Yet I have seen more hypocrisy among the devout than among thoughtful nonbelievers. Zuckerman’s evidence strengthens what I already believe, that goodness comes from the human heart and mind, not from holy books. It encourages me to keep promoting critical thinking and humanistic values through the Thinkers Club and the Africa Enlightenment Centre, where young people can learn to live ethically through empathy, reason, and shared humanity rather than fear.

Zuckerman’s talk cannot be seen as an attack on religion but a call for honesty. It reminds us that morality is larger than faith and that people can be good without gods. The true measure of a moral person is not belief, but how one treats others, with fairness, compassion, and respect for human dignity.