Atheists have atheism and theist have theism. Both accuse the other that their belief system is causing them to be law-breakers, yet both are generally law-abiding. How come? Is it something beyond atheism and theism that makes them law-abiding?
2006-07-01 12:45:59 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are two possible reasons for this. The first is that morality has nothing to do with God -- so all men (believers or not) seek to live a moral life.
The second is that there is a god and He makes sure that all men (believers and nonbelievers) can see the difference between good and evil.
I go with the first.
2006-07-01 13:42:49 · answer #1 · answered by Ranto 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have never heard of these opposite belief systems accusing each other. How do you know that athiests are "all" law abiding. I don't think so. How come the jails are so full then? Where in this green earth do you live with opinions like this. Sounds like the back country in the mountains or something.
2006-07-01 12:53:21 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, first off ill say i am a Christian theist. Atheists abide the law (or at least most do) because they want to be good respectable citizens and dont really want to cause any trouble. Another reason for some atheists may be that they want to make the world a better place and they certainly wont accomplish that by disobeying the law. Now for theists I will use myself as an example. I have two different laws to abide, those of the Lord and those of man. As Jesus himself said in the Bible, in Luke as I remember, "give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." Basically, that means for me to obey the commandments of God as found in the Bible, and to obey the laws of man because I am not going to win any souls to Christ if I am breaking either set of laws. Yes, that's my job, to live my life according to God's will and to show others his saving grace......sry ill stop preaching
2006-07-01 12:56:06 · answer #3 · answered by brazo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I certainly wouldn't be all that excited about going to jail. Unless a law seriously contradicts my understanding of a truly essential moral in life, and I believe that our country isn't serving justice, then I will sit back and let the laws be as they are.
There's an underlying morality in society that I think both athetists and theists adhere to, and that's where the law of the land is founded. There are of course religiously influenced laws, but the basic concepts of not killing, stealing, etc. is accepted by both philosophies.
2006-07-01 12:48:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because anyone who has actually taken the time to rationalize God is actually an intelligent being. Theists are accountable to God and God is their motivation. Atheists are usually highly intellectual people who have either believed a lie, do not want to bother with the reality of God, or have other gods such as money, power, pride, and the such. Most criminals believe in God but do not care to obey him.
Mr. M on law abiding.
2006-07-01 12:50:19 · answer #5 · answered by Humberto M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheism isn't a belief system. but yes we are generally law abiding and moral people which only proves that religion does not hold the franchise on morality or decency.
2006-07-01 12:49:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religious beliefs (and consequences) aside, most people are raised to have some level of respect for others and some form of "the golden rule". I don't think religion drives conduct quite as much as society does in terms of general morality. On that aspect, religion may shape people's specific stances on things like contraception, abortion, death penalty, etc. But in terms of day-to-day ethics, most people regardless of religious beliefs are groomed towards a "live and let live" attitude.
2006-07-01 12:50:57 · answer #7 · answered by jermaine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because just as children do, most people crave rules as a contributing member of society. Just because you don't see a higher power as creating or not creating you, doesn't mean that you don't want to fit in with other members of society. By being law abiding these same people (from either group) are enjoying their freedom, being socially accepted, etc.
2006-07-01 12:49:39 · answer #8 · answered by sapientia2010 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People are balanced between good and evil. A certain belief system might guide a person, but ultimatly it comes down to a persons ability to tell good from bad. There are plenty of people who could quote the bible front to back, but do horrible things behind closed doors.
2006-07-01 12:50:40 · answer #9 · answered by um_ericaann 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are not held in check by some sort of magical force or threat from above. Instead, they believe in the system, peace and unanimity. They understand that the rules are there so that we can all co-exist and generally put the country and it's well-being above all else.
2006-07-01 12:50:13 · answer #10 · answered by Dr. Brian 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋