i mean it teaches about being good and kind and helping. is that bad?
2006-07-12 09:10:38 · 34 answers · asked by TRC 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, even though i don't believe in heaven or hell anymore, I still think REAL CHRISTIANS are better people. The hard part is to find a REAL CHRISTIAN. There are pretend Christians under every rock.
2006-07-12 09:14:52 · answer #1 · answered by Caesar 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm a believer but I'm going to give my opinion anyway. True Christianity teaches us to love our fellow human beings regardless of differences, yet so many "so called Christians" think it means love our fellow human beings but only if they... (fill in the blank). You asking this question is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. You are implying that just because atheists have a different set of beliefs than you do, they are wrong. I'll be the first to admit I have to fight hard sometimes to be respectful to others and be nonjudgmental. I don't expect anyone to believe the same things I do. It doesn't matter if a person believes in a higher power or not, it basically means respect others and let them live their lives the way they want even if you don't agree with it.
2006-07-12 09:49:37 · answer #2 · answered by Mollywobbles 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it helps. I think it *can* be bad.
There was a time I considered myself a Christian. Although I dismissed the concept of God, I didn't do so out of any dislike or disagreement with Jesus' teachings. I tend to think public schools would do well to cover his teachings - they are, after all, what made him an historical figure.
However, over time I've concluded that people can control their actions and can treat others as they wish others would treat them without appealing to a higher authority. We model how others feel and make decisions based on that. Most people call that empathy.
Whether we're born with it, our parents teach it to us, or we learn it through trial and error...
I think Christianity - to the extent that it's practitioners defy observation and reason - serves to limit one's understanding of the physical world. The hostility many Christians show toward anyone, even their children (my experience), who express doubt based on valid reasoning - well, that's bad. Very bad.
2006-07-12 09:46:22 · answer #3 · answered by Ethan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but most atheists have to deal with snobby, self-righteous Christians; they get yelled at by people who are claiming that they are being "kind", they get the bible shoved down their throats by people who are "helping", and they witness the wrongdoings of people who are "good".
Atheists in general have no problem with us having our own beliefs (that's right, I'm a Christian), they have a problem with us forcing them to listen to ours. The best thing a Christian can do is just be that person's friend and pray for them PRIVATELY, as in without telling them that you're praying for them. When God starts to work on their hearts, you will be there to help them. Until then, you're just being annoying and rude.
Take Care.
--Ginny
2006-07-12 09:18:09 · answer #4 · answered by ginevra1weasley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it really?
Research the history of Christianity a bit, I think you'll find that the majority of our world history's atrocities where in the name of god. The church has caused more problems than it has solved, and turned it's back on the worst crimes against humanity it didn't start itself (The Holocaust). The church brought on the Dark Ages, think of where our race would be now if the church hadn't of branded technology evil for over a hundred years.
A person doesn't need to be feared into religion in order to make the right decisions on how to treat others.
2006-07-12 09:17:30 · answer #5 · answered by jedi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I think there are far better philosophies than christianity, I even consider some other religions to practice a better concept of morality and ethics than christianity. And I'm not sure whether it's moral to deny some positive aspects of human nature.
2006-07-12 09:21:46 · answer #6 · answered by Oedipus Schmoedipus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have no problem with the basic teachings of christianity. the problem is that most christians i have met refuse to allow others to live and believe as they desire. and the things that christianity teaches are not new nor original. quite a lot of christians tend to be very intolerant of others. the new testament even goes so far as to tell christians to hate even their own family members if they do not believe as they do.
2006-07-12 09:19:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Morality teaches about being good, bad, helping. Morality and Christianity aren't the same thing.
My wife and I are raising our daughter not to be Christian, but to be a decent person.
2006-07-12 09:14:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't help at all. In fact, I believe that the childish notion of "heaven" has held back more people than any other notion in history. Why should they make the world a better place when they'll go to candyland when they die?
It is utterly worthless and should be tossed on the ash-heap of history as soon as possible.
2006-07-12 09:15:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Considering how much time christianity spends condemning people to hell, I'd say that's a big NO.
Jesus said some good things here and there. They just get overshadowed by a bigoted mentality of self righteousness.
2006-07-12 09:12:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋