Exclusive Rights to "Good"??

Some religionists claim that making “decent” or “good” or “moral” decisions is impossible apart from a God who gives definition to those words, since according to their view, God is the author of all that is good. The Christian’s God is regarded as the reference point for all created things and is supposed to be the sole source from which all words or ideas gain meaning or significance. Apologists would like to strip non-religious people of the ability to frame up their conversations in terms of “good or bad” because they lack the reference point of God, who alone enables logical thought and expressions.

What is not taken into consideration by such people is the power of simple self-preservation which is quite evident apart from religion. Peter Hitchens says on his blog, “[without the Christian God as our moral reference point], when we think nobody is looking, or we'll never be found out, we're more inclined to jump that red light, or spread poisonous gossip about a career rival.” Hitchens cannot believe that people might be naturally inclined toward an orderly life simply because it is beneficial to their own general health and well-being, and that people can even be naturally inclined to have some concern for the health and well-being of other people. If the agnostic jumps that red light, he not only endangers himself and others immediately, he’s encouraging a disorderly culture in which danger generally increases for himself and others. Similarly, if I spread poisonous gossip about a career rival, I risk indirectly hurting myself by developing a reputation as a liar wherewith I cannot be trusted and my overall career standing is damaged.

Morality is not dependent upon God. There are readily identifiable factors in identifying good and bad, right and wrong, which do not rely in any way on God. To some degree, morality can be instinctive such as the interests of self-preservation. There is also a socially learned aspect, such as an interest in not behaving in a manner which is blatantly contrary to the behaviour of those around you. Surely these sorts of factors pre-date any coded norms of organized faith-based groups. Religionists certainly cannot make an exclusive claim on morality.