Isn't a good Christian also a good Buddhist, good Jew, good Muslim or even a good atheist?

Question

Isn't righteousness jusy doing good?

Answer 1

You ask an intriguing question, Pastor Reid; let me give it a try.

As a purely hypothetical mind game the answer to your question is, "of course." However, in the real world it's not that simple. One has to take into account what might be termed the "Catagorical Imperatives" of the person's basic belief system.

The underlying falacy of your question is that there exists a universally accepted definition and operational usage of the word, "Good." Such a thing in operational terms does not exist.

Among certain sects of Islam (the Wahhabi's of Saudi Arabia, for example) the stoning of adulterers is considered a "good" in the eyes of God. I could go on with other examples, but I think you get my point.

Your laudable universalist vision only works where the universe agrees on the definition, social and behavioral meaning of the "Good." I'm sorry, Pastor Reid, but such things simply do not exist. Peace.

Answer 2

No. A good Christian is a good person, which is indeed something that Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, and atheists also all strive to achieve. Being a good Christian, however, is also something more. It's praising God, worshiping Jesus, reading the Word, praying, and spreading the faith. Any of these can and do come in conflict with tenets of Buddhism, Judaims, Islam, and atheism.

Answer 3

Yes,
but when a religious philosophy or message get's altered and used to "control" us and starts telling us that we are " born in sin" and basically evil and bad and there is something wrong with us, etc We start to believe this and act accordingly, or withdraw from others through "guilt" or shame . WE see only "bad" in our fellows and ourselves.

The truth is that all mankind is basically good and therefore actually we all have the desire and intention to do good. This is proven by how much we restrain ourselves and self destruct when we lose our self respect.

We don't need to be told we are wrong or bad, we know what is right.
This "idea" that man is evil and bad is a lie that creates a persistence of it in mankind.

The message and purpose of all religions in there original form
was to show us a path towards understanding what we are, our true spiritual nature and basic goodness and thereby understanding our fellow man.

If we understand and recognize that we are basically good in ourselves, then we will see this in others and create this as mankind.

This is the purpose of religion actually, and the true message of the "Messiahs" that we have recognized as messengers or teachers of this message.

Moses, Gauthama Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed..... there have been others too.

So I agree with you. A good Christian is no different than anyone else whether "religious" or not.

Answer 4

it is not very easy to define a good person when things are very complex.

so it is even more difficult to say a good christian is also a good buddhist, good jew, good muslim or even a good atheist.

you have to be very very neutral and flexible to be able to tell such a person.

life is not perfect and so is human.

people do make mistakes but if they really repent, heaven and hell will know about it.

do not judge other people when only heaven and hell can judge because only heaven and hell can tell.

Answer 5

if you really are a pastor you should know this, according to your cult mythology in romans 1:28-31 all non christians are murderors, and in 1 john 2.22 we see they are all liars and anti-christs

im only attacking the plain english reading of it, as educated men you and me know the 1 john 2.22 quote is talking about a specific ideology from the first century where a man was saying jesus became god when god adopted him on the day of jesus's baptism with john, but heh, lets just stick to the whole bible is word nonsense, thats where this stuff always ends up its never about what the original author intended is it?

Answer 6

not really.
Sure, judaism and christianity have some common goals and concepts of morality (e.g. charity). However, we also differ on many (e.g. Sabbath; nature of G-d).
As such, being a good christian does not automatically make one a good jew (and I imagine the same logic applies to other religions as well).

Answer 7

Yes I certainly believe so. But what differentiates religions are it's more personal and group activities which of course springs various cultures which makes our planet such a unique place.

We shouldn't shun these differences but embrace it. And embrace the curiosity of others.

And when you see an extremist or fanatic of a religion, ask him/her what is the basis of their religion. Bet you it's a million word essay.

Answer 8

Love? a lot of those structures communicate about love. Hasn't delivered them mutually notwithstanding. seems that your prognosis is inaccurate, love has not delivered them mutually. i imagine your evaluation that we favor love somewhat than open debate is likewise incorrect. each and every concept gadget should be challenged by technique of another concept gadget. notwithstanding it should be effective if all of us may be nicer to at least one yet another at the same time as doing so, yet a number of them have concepts that lead them to mutually unique, those should be challenged besides.

Answer 9

No, you cant be righteous and worship either a pagan deity and/or deny Jesus as Lord and Savior

Answer 10

Nope. Oh, and by the way I now know you aren't a "pastor" as you posted on your ID.