is it better to be an angry, judgmental christian or a gracious, highly principled athiest?

Question

we're supposed to be working, but we're discussing this instead. it's causing quite the office upheaval which keeps things crisp around here.

how do you thinking types feel about it?

we're pretty amped so many of you guys got a hold of the philosophically critical element of this question and ran with it.

a few responses were based on a somewhat less analytical breakdown of what we asked, which was cool too. we realized plenty of people would assume christians wrote this or that atheists did.

we also figured that there'd be a gut reaction of a few who would wrongly assess that we were intimating that all christians are judgmental or that all athiests are wonderful people. not so, of course.

we hope to get a couple more answers before it's all over. it's always enlightening (and important) to try and understand how other people think about things.

Answer 1

First, if a person is "angry and judgemental" then first they need to repent. Secondly, good morals and principles don't get you to Heaven, Jesus does. So I would say that for the INDIVIDUAL, it would be better as far as their soul is concerned to be in the first category, though they better repent because of all the negativity they create in the world and God will not allow that to go on very long before He intercedes. Principles get you nowhere and many don't share the same principles, as is evident here and elsewhere in the world. It's a matter of me being responsible for ME and noone else. Jesus taught to SHARE the gospel and not force it on anyone. Each individual is responsible for their own choices in life. As for me, it is a disgrace to see the way that some "Christians" live out their faith, and I would much rather be around someone who is not negative all the time. The apostle Paul teaches to withdraw yourself from anyone who does. I work closely with a non-Christian, and he and I get along well even though we do not agree on matters concerning God. Peace.

Answer 2

Thats like asking if its better to be an abusive, angry soccer mom, or a classy intelligent hooker. How about NEITHER! I'm going for the classy intelligent soccer mom. Why do you assume its one or the other. SOME Christians are angry and judgmental, which is wrong. And Also alot of atheist are angry and judgemental. (just read some of these q&a's) You have to ask if an atheist is highly principled, where do these principles come from. I mean its nice and all but in the evolutionary scheme of things, atheists believe in no eternity, no soul. Just a smart animal. So since other animals dont have principles, why do you think you do? Angry judgmental Christians will have to be dealt with by God, but you will have no reward for your graciousness or morals. They mean nothing. They just make it feel more pleasant for you to be an atheist until you return to dust.

Answer 3

Err. . . . It is nothing wrong to be angry. But in the bible it says, in your anger, do not sin.

Anger is never a sin, and even our Lord express his anger, for they turn the place of worship (that is a section for the gentile to worship) into market place.

Judgemental is not advicable. For we will also be judge, if we judge others.

I am a follower of Jesus. I have yet to see many athiest with high principle, or gracious. Some, yes they do have. But not much.

On the other hand, I do witness many Christian who are gracious and highly principled. But they are hard to be found near yahoo answer.

Just go to any church, I believe you can find a dosen more than you can have in your office. So, perhaps you should see more, read more and may be you will change your view.

Answer 4

I'm a Christian and I would say that it would be better to be a gracious, highly principled atheist because an angry judgmental Christian is a hypocrite. God hates a hypocrite.

Answer 5

Great question...

I would have to say that it is better to be an angry, judgmental christian, because as a Christian, you would recognize that these traits are wrong and seek God's help in eliminating them.

However, even a gracious, highly principled atheist would still only depend on himself to overcome weaknesses, present or future, and would close the door to the overwhelming transforming power of God.

Ultimately, our states of mind (angry vs. gracious) are temporary things, while our choices (christian or atheist) will influence the rest of our lives. I believe that one who depends on God has more hope than one who depends solely on himself.

Great question, you really got my brain spinning this morning!

Answer 6

What does religion or not have to do with manners. There are many more religious even tempered humans than atheists just by the numbers. Only a very few atheists act out and disrupt.

Answer 7

There's a third alternative. Some religions DON'T DEMAND BELIEF IN GOD. They live by principles. These include the Uniterian Universalist Church, Taoism, and most forms of Buddhism. Also Jainism, but that one might be hard to practice in the West if you want to fit into society.

Answer 8

Highly principled atheists are of far more benefit to society.

Angry judgemental Christians are a detriment to themself and everyone around them.

Christians are taught to strive to be highly principled, and recognize the spritually and socially damaging effects of their anger and self-righteousness.

Atheists are under no spiritual obligation to do anything for anyone but themselves.

It is better to be a highly principled "this" than an angry judgemental "that". Thanks for the brain teaser...
Peace

Answer 9

That would seem to be a no-brainer.

The only thing that matters to others is how they are treated, so it is far better to be gracious & principled regardless what you believe.

Those claiming otherwise appear to be suffering mental defects.

Answer 10

I'd rather be a gracious, highly principled Christian. You know who was gracious and highly principled? Jesus! It makes me sad when I hear Christians spouting nothing but intolerance and judgement. It isn't very Christian.