SERIOUS QUESTION: Does anyone find that it is selfish to be religious and it is better to defy God?

Question

PLEASE READ THE DETAILS TO UNDERSTAND MY POINT.

Everyone talks about "Pascal's Wager" where it is better to believe in God FOR YOUR OWN salvation. That is probably true. But I will tell you this: I would much rather defy God and not be so selfish as to worry about only myself, but about others. I find that religious people do good to get into Heaven. And religious people aren't really all that great towards humanity anyway. I would rather be supportive of human equality (civil rights, gay rights, homosexuality, interracial marriage, gay marriage, etc) than against it like religious people are. I would rather see what science has to offer us in stem-cell research and cures. I would much rather help the homeless and the poor rather than say God made them that way, they are inferior, do not concern yourself with helping them. There would be less wars, pogroms, jihads without religion
That's my wager. If God exists at my death I will tell him my complaints about his actions & inaction.

Answer 1

It's a sad fact that the truths of evolution are undeniable and oftentimes, Christians find it difficult to accept that it is possible that evolution is part of the creation process. World religions since the very first civilizations have created their own stories of how the world began, but it is our unfortunate disposiiton to be in such a new country founded on such secular beliefs. If you study world religions previous to Christ, you will be amazed at the stories found within their faith...they will look familiar. The Bible, being translated upon the request of King James brought about a new order of interpretation. As we do today, the laws, social expectations, were translated to fit the need of the time. In the same section that Paul speaks against homosexuality, he also mentions that women she not speak out in church, and many other abominations that nobody wants to discuss. A heterosexual minister with the Episcopal Church presented an awesome sermon breaking down the biblical passages that pertain to homosexuality, by this minister going over the chapter instead of reciting the verses, the bigger picture was seen by the congregation.
There are tribes in Africa where the male must have a wife and a male companion. Native Americans honored homosexuals and looked at them as special healers and/or allowed them to work beside the women in their daily duties. Ancient Rome, the nobles had young man servants who done a little more than served coffee.
Our ignorant culture hides many truths and understandings. You have to ask yourself, why do the most educated folks, especially those of the hard sciences, choose not to believe in God. Things to consider.
I will be glad to forward the sermon fore mentioned if anyone would like to read it. [e-mail]

Answer 2

Do you not realize that "christian" charities do a lot to help the people you speak of? My church helped many, many Katrina victims. When you're saved, your grateful to God for His mercy and grace, and you want others to have what you have, but then you're called pushy, among other things.

As far as homosexuals go, they don't deserve special rights because their homosexuals.

Stem-cell research? There are more strides in adult stem-cell research than those taken from aborted babies (go do some research).

Doing good doesn't get you into heaven. Receiving the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ that God has provided for all who would receive it is what gets you to heaven. Good works are a result of your salvation, not the salvation itself.

As for there being less wars, etc if there were no religion? Keep fooling yourself.

And by the time of your death, it's too late for anything. Also, your very comments come across as arrogant and proud.

Answer 3

I very much agree with you. It's good, I suppose, that religion gives people a good set of morals--but it's bad when people only follow the morals for self-gain.

I'm an atheist. But, should I die and there happens to be a God, I would certainly hope that I'm considered a much better person than many of His "followers", as I help not for personal gain, but because I honestly enjoy making others happy.

I also support the human equility stance and stem-cell research stance. I'm most voiced about stem-cell, however, because my mother has severe diabetes. I don't like how people try to hinder researchers when they have a chance of saving my mother, among many, many others, from a possible death.

Answer 4

It is not selfish to be religious. In fact it is selfish to not be. God has given you the opportunity to accept Him. Heaven is a free gift and you are rejecting it? If someone wanted to give you a brand new car would you say no to that? I doubt it. God has your best interest in mind and He would love to guide you through life to glorify Him. When you live for Christ you are living selflessly. It is not religion that causes war, pogroms, jihads, etc. It is sin.
You can think that you will tell God whatever you want after you die but on that day "every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father". (Romans 14:11)

Answer 5

please stay away from vegas...with your 'wagering' skills, you'll end up an apprentice dishwasher...you raise a number of points, nearly all of which are invalid...let's start with 'religious people aren't that great towards humanity'..you can't mention civil rights WITHOUT mentioning a religious component..the leaders of the civil rights movement were predominantly ministers and other people of faith...check out, in any major city, and most small ones, the names on the hospitals...you'll find quite a few founded by churches...as well as many of our top universities...i don't know of a single church that does not have outreach programs for the poor, the homeless, the sick (including those with HIV and AIDS), the elderly, prisoners, battered wives and children, drug addicts,you name it...as for interracial marriage, PLEASE name ANY major denomination that preaches against it and be prepared to back it up with proof...that is a low and baseless charge...people of faith occupy every socio-economic status, color, ethnic background, country of origin, AND political persuasion there is...please also remember that the two most merciless and prolific mass murderers in history were atheists, from 'religion-free' societies in the soviet union and china...defy God if you will, but try to refrain from generalization, stereotyping,rumor-mongering, and out-and-out lying to do so...
in closing, God does exist...He has already heard your complaints, defiance, and foolishness, and loves you still...

Answer 6

I've always thought that was a pretty dumb argument - better believe in God just to be on the safe side - as if that's going to be enough to make God happy. God would know a fair-weather friend when he saw one.

You can't just decide to believe. You have to actually BELIEVE. It has to mean something to you. You have to feel it.

Plus, you really should believe for more than just to get into heaven. Sure, it's a bonus, but there's a little more dedication necessary to follow a religion.

Answer 7

A. What stops you from doing both, especially if you want to be the best you can be?
B. Don't judge religion by its people...if you have studied religious texts, well at least some, all those things are mentioned as good things and its a must to serve people with respect and help others.

There are muslims who blow themselves up in the name of religion, but they have no basis in the koran for their actions. Islam, as well as christianity and judaism are beuatiful religions that focus on how to build good societies by being good people first...

Answer 8

I'm 100% with you on that. It's funny how religious people (mostly christian) have this unconscious elitism. Like when something good happens for them, even if it was done by another person, and this person went out of the way to help them the will deffer the thanks to god... or even think that god favors them for some unknown reason. And don't get me started on the whole "I'll pray for you" thing.

Answer 9

I am someone and I have never heard of this pascal.. so that is moot to me. Your question centers on religion it seems.. is it good for us.. The answer to that is that for some it can help to learn focus on the difference between right and wrong..but it doesn't help much to be involved in religion if one puts faith on mankind and not on God alone. religion after awhile becomes a place where one finds mostly only repetition and safety in repetition. But God forbids vain repetition. So religion must be left behind eventually during one's walk toward Heaven.. faith belongs only on God and not on mankind or it will fail and be worthless.
You say you believe everyone is equal..and that is so before God. But it is God Who defines sin for us .. because we are not capable of defining it. We are not capable of creation. We are children here to learn self control according to God. We are not God. God has said no one may place themselves first in line or they will be made last. So equality is part of the plan. Jesus even says ..anyone of us who says they have not sinned is a liar.. and that we may not condemn anyone else who sins or we ourselves are judged with the same mercy we showed. But..that does not mean we must admire sin or call attention to it and pretend it is brave. God forbids all of us to be prideful of the sins we commit. And again..God defines sin for us.
And God will still love you as you describe your complaints and will show you what is going on as you stand before Him. It would help if you would obey Jesus in this way.. He said to study the scriptures so we will be able to discern between what men say and what God said. makes it alot easier.

Answer 10

I don't mean to sound insulting but since you're not a born again Christian you don't understand Christianity nor do you have the Holy Spirit and so it is no surprise that you have a worldly mind set about Christians in general and doing good in particular. Let me attempt to show you what I mean and pray that the Holy Spirit might upen your understanding.

"I would rather be supportive of human equality (civil rights, gay rights, homosexuality, interracial marriage, gay marriage, etc) than against it like religious people are"

Christians are the forerunners of human equality. Back when the early church formed women were given unprecedented status in their relationships with men and their access to serving outside of the home. This gets muddied in today's world by critics who would have equality in God's eyes mean that there is no difference between a man and a woman. In this passage we read....

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:27-28

So in regards to salvation and standing in the church the sex or nationality of a person has no bearing. But a person doesn't cease to be a man or a woman when they become a Christian. That's a basic truth that today's world can't embrace as it seeks to deny reality and make everyone the same despite obvious differences. Men don't start having children and women don't stop no matter how much words and traditions get changed. Christians are totally free to marry another Christian without any regard to racial differences.

"gay rights, homosexuality"

Homosexuality is a deviation from the norm in human beings. You can argue all you want about whether or not it is genetic or the result of upbringing and environment but you can't say that humans were designed to have sexual relations with members of the same sex because otherwise the race would die out in a single generation.

When some activity that humans engage in is not in line with how God designed us then those engaging in it are "missing the mark". Thats the definition of the word "sin" to miss the center of the target. God says that this type of behavior is not in his plan for us just like other forms of behavior like gossip and slander and telling lies and being a drunkard or a thief or a murderer.

Christians didn't write up this list, God did. Christians are not called to condemn people for their sinful behavior but they are not supposed to support them in continuing to live in that lifestyle but instead are to tell people that God will forgive them and provide them with supernatural power to overcome every area of behavior in their life that is displeasing to Him.

The Bible says the people who continue on in their sins and who fail to take God up on his offer are on their way to eternal destruction and woe. How is it humanitarian for a person who believes what the Bible says to tell another human being that they are a great person just the way that they are and not to worry about what will happen to them when they die and come before God for judgment? Is that love or is that callous indifference to the plight of a fellow human being?

"I would much rather help the homeless and the poor rather than say God made them that way, they are inferior, do not concern yourself with helping them."

Really? So what have you done lately to help the poor, anything? I help poor people all of the time and so do other people at the church I attend as well as having ministries that feed the homeless, help people overcome addiction, provide emergency funds for people who have lost their jobs and are in danger of getting kicked out of their apartments.

How about you? What are you doing besides showing everyone that your greatest concern is to be the "god" of your own life, and as that personal deity to be the final arbiter of what constitutes truth and morality? You aren't going to be telling God about your complaints when you come before the omnipotent and Holy Creator of the entire universe. If you haven't turned away from the path that you are on and turned to Jesus for salvation you are going to be begging for mercy if you are even able to speak through the shock and horror of what awaits those who despise the gift of God in this life.