I don't have belief in a God or fiery damnation, I freely choose not to harm others, what about you?

Question

I have no qualms about criticising others when I think it might be constructive to do so, however I would do nobody any harm on purpose, it goes against my personal sense of morality.
Do you think some people need an extra threat of supernatural hell-fire to make them think twice about actions that might harm others, why do you think they so lack an innate sense of treat others as you would have them treat you?

Mad Scientist, the words "respect" or "disrespectful" are often used to try to censor what people say these days, it is replacing blasphemy as way to gag people who need to criticise religion or faith.
I don't think respect can be given freely it must be earned. I never disrespect people but I often disrespect their beliefs if I think they are not valid, they are free to debate with me.

ramesh vishvas, I have no reason to suspect that my innate moraity is given to me by God.

Answer 1

It's a question of maturity. If your are spiritually mature enough to take responsibility for your actions you don't need hell and damnation to have a good outlook to life wher you see others as partners in life. Some people are not as mature and need (in fact they need it so much they feel everyone should need it too) the carrot and stick approach to be productive human beings.

Answer 2

As long as people have the fear of God, hell, or heaven, the world would always be worth living. Just take that fear away, and you will see hell right in front of you. The question of existence of God is secondary. We have to accept that we are insane beings and will stoop down to any level for our own benefit. Not all people are like you. So its better we have that belief in God.

Answer 3

and yes some would say that a non believer acts like a believer.... the bottom line of humanity and civilazation without any regards to religion is respect...


and the bottom line of all religion is love....

guess if everyone will follow, there will never be any problem...


but of course it is also normal for humans to be greedy...

and blaming....


i am a believer, and i am happy with that...

for those non believers that are not, then leave with humanty's "respect" value.......

Answer 4

I think a lot of it has to do with upbringing - as much as we may dislike parental figures, they have a great impact on our morals. That does not mean we believe everything our parents believe, but it does give us a stating point.

Answer 5

I agree with you. As a non-believer I make every effort to treat people as I would like to be treated. I do tend to mock on people who feel that they should impose their ideas onto me.

Answer 6

I agree, I think that it is better to choose to be nice because you feel it is the 'right thing to do' than to do so for fear of devine retribution. Not doing something out of fear of the concequences does not mean you are good.

Answer 7

I don't believe there's a Heaven & Hell...or that God is a Person....But there is definitely a Universal Force...Where it started from...??????

Answer 8

who has provided u this type of prudence,ur very god with is resting in ur own very heart and controlling u,u belive it or not,better explore urself within u and feel the difference in ur life.

Answer 9

Yes, but don't choose to disrespect others for whatever they have their faith in.

Answer 10

You can still be a nice person even if you are a non believer...