Better to be Godly or Goodly?

Question

Suppose there is an atheist scientist who always works hard and dedicates his/her life to public service, helping others, and living by the highest moral standards. Perhaps he/she even discovers the cure for cancer or HIV. Still, this person staunchly refuses to accept any religion, as it has no place in his/her life.

Suppose also that there is a person who believes unquestioningly in the Christian God and the tenets of the religion, attends regular services, and accepts Jesus Christ as his/her saviour. This person, however, floats through life never doing more than what is needful to make ends meet for him/herself alone.

Who of these two people is a 'better' person? How should they be seen by society, and how do you think they are viewed by God? What can they expect after death? In short, is it better to be Godly or Goodly?

Answer 1

Well, if you read the bible, we are all made in God's image.
Thus making us all "godly"

However, if you follow the above description of a "godly" life, you really are not being a very good Christian, meaning you are not following the teachings of God.

The Bible also says that people are responsible for what they know.
Therefore, if an Atheist does not know the Lord God, but leads a "godly" and "Christian" life, he is following the path of the Lord.

In conclusion,

I believe it is better to be goodly than godly, however, wouldn't it nice to be both?

Answer 2

Is there a difference!!!!! The person who believes in the christian god isnt really following the tenets of God Almighty by living a life of detachment without doing good towards his/her fellow human beings. This person is no way Godly or Goodly. If someone is actually Godly or Goodly...both are doing God's work. God has made it completely clear that he might forgive sins commited against Him but He wont forgive sins people commit against other human beings in any form. So at the end of the day, better be good towards other humans whether you want to be Godly or Goodly...

Answer 3

A very good and common question. Everybody says " But I am good, I do not do anything wrong. Whom do I hurt?" But this person here is really doing something good, so it is a little bit different. Most of the others just feel they are good, meaning they are no better nor worse than the other person.
What you are comparing are two apples of the same kind; thay are both tepid, from God's point of view. The first one has no God, except the god he worships, his inventions, and his reward is his pride of accomplishing something good. But he is ungrateful, he does not thank the Being who gave him all this talents with which he is discovering things. He was born in a well to do family, was properly educated, and had a good brain to think, and invent... While he could have been born a pauper, and idiot or even more a handicapped, a moron, unable to do anything worthwhile. What would you feel of someone you love too much, and then he turns his back to you?
The second one is even worse, because he takes God for a fool, while he is the fool. He is using religion, God, people, and society for his own good. He is selfish, lazy, and a hypocrite. He thinks he can get away with it, but he only fools himself, because God said: I hate the tepid, I'll spit him out of my mouth.
Why did God say the tepid, and not the evil one? I had to think about this for a long while, because It upset me, but I concluded that it is only right. The evil person is not so absorbed in himself, and may very well be awaken, and respond to God's love, but not the tepid, because he is content with what he is doing and he believes he is successful in having both sides, the world, and heaven. But he will be surprised, unless he repents.

Answer 4

This distinction encompasses much of the negative impact religion has had on our thinking as a species. No longer do people have to live their lives here, and for themselves. Rather people are allowed to live sinful lives, repent on their death bed, and live in heaven. Problem is, people spend so much time making sure they reserve a spot in heaven, that they don't realize that their life is going on right now, and all theories aside, there is no proof or even substantial evidence, that the life you are living right now, isn't the only life you'll get, anywhere, ever, again.

Another way of saying the same thing: I have proof that I'm alive today, and someone told me about this great other life after this life. Why would i choose to spend the life ive been given, trying to get accepted to a place that may or may not exist. Truth be told, I'm having such a great time in this life, that i wouldn't even be disappointed if there was no heaven.
Also consider the fact that there is no 'people rating system'. There is no way to quantify (meaningfully) a persons actions and beliefs, which would be required to answer that part of your question. even if you could, no one is keeping score.
If you are thinking that ok, yea a God could potentially do this, the most logical question would be, Why? Judgment and Compassion are incompatible.

Answer 5

Actually it would be better to be both. However, if the science person even accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior with his/her last breath, they would reach the Kingdom of Heaven. These are the promises of Christ and our Heavenly Father.

They are both good people and they are free to choose how they believe. If the scientist lives a good, moral life, then even if he does not attest to God, I believe God would still recognize the fact that he never did anyone harm.

Sometimes I believe that people underestimate Christians and society in general. We are not haters of the other person and it's not our place to judge. "Judge thee not..least ye be judged." If we judge others harshly, we shall be judged that same way, no matter how much we pray...unless we confess that judgement and ask for forgiveness. God is our judge and no other. It's His call. So, I would say..try to be both, but if given my 'druthers, I'd druther be NON-judgmental...thank you very muchly. :>)

Answer 6

I don't think the atheist scientist needs religion. She/he is living a good life.

The religious person in this sounds harmless, but is just getting by, and not contributing to society.

I can't begin to say what I think God would say. I only know what I believe. I believe both people can expect the same thing after death - freedom from pain, both mental and physical.

Answer 7

Godly.
If a person strives to live a righteous (Godly) life, then by nature of living as the Bible instructs us, we will be good. But there are those who sincerely accept Christ as their Savior, have asked for forgiveness, and know that Christ died for their sins... but are still lacking in their Christian walk....their faith will ensure their entrance in heaven.


As far as the atheist who lived his/her life helping others.....well, strictly speaking....without accepting Christ as your savior, no amount of good will save you from hell. But we have an all merciful God, so only He truly knows.

Answer 8

according to some beleifs, they are both going to hell. Unless the christian askes for forgiveness before he dies.My opinion< its not what you don't do, it's what you do do.
breezing through life or not. Is the athiest doing these things because he wants to look good or is he doing them for self-fullfillment, or just for something to do? Is the christian a christian because he beleives in the Word or because someone told him thats what he needed to be, or is it just "what everyone else is doing". I think in the end you need to be a little of both. At least a little. So if that doen't answer your question, well, it probly didn't.

Answer 9

Goodly. Only a narrow- to close-minded, self-centered, self-righteous, and totally meanieheaded moron could read that example and still say that Godly is the only way to go, no matter what. Non-religious doesn't mean evil, and vice versa. Get over it.

Answer 10

That question really makes you think. My mother beleives that the atheist would go to hell because he/she did not accept jesus in their life. Makes me wonder about all the pedifiles who rape and kill children and then later in jail they find jesus. By my mothers christian beleifs if they repent and truly find Jesus they are forgivin.