Does a belief in God make an individual a better person?

Question

why or why not

Answer 1

Not necessarily. I've seen alot with belief who step outside of what is considered moral, even by their own religions standards and then hypocritically justify it with that same religion. I wouldn't consider that person better for their belief. Though, on rare occaisions, I do find people with belief who have become better people for it... those are usually the one's who don't pressure others about belief. Sad thing is, they're greatly outnumbered by those that step outside of the moral boundaries believing they are Better than others.

Answer 2

Hi Jim,

Believing in God and following God are two different things.

James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder.

faith and believe mean the same thing so;
James 2:26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.

So to answer your question - putting your belief, your faith into action you leave your old self behind, pick up your cross and follow Jesus daily. Your belief would promt you to put your faith into action. Faith makes you want to be better than you were before and not conformed to this world.

Romans 12:1-2 I urge you therefore, bretheren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptabel and perfect.

Jim - hope to see you in heaven some day.
Sincerely - Redeemed (by the blood of Jesus)

Answer 3

It can, I have seen a criminal who was so bad he was shot and nearly killed by police one time and he spent 15 years in prison and when he got out he was on a 25 year parole. He turned his life around so much within three short years he was granted a full pardon.

I have also seen just the opposite. A fairly good person with a drug or alcohol habit gets saved and then they kick the habit , but become total jerks.

One person receives grace and become a better person while another the grace goes to their heads and feel they are special in God's site so they actually become a worse person.

I used to say that Christianity would make a person either better or worse.

Answer 4

The persons common sense should make them a better individual, like knowing its wrong to hurt others or to break the law etc. not a belief.
To just believe and think your better for it does not make the person better themselves. It takes alot of inner work to be a good person regardless of beliefs.

Answer 5

i believe it does! but it depends on how does the individual see God! when we tend to believe and have faith on a higher authority that in charge of the whole system, we tend to realise that we are not so big and powerful if God doesn't give us the chance. these will make us a more down-to-earth person (humble) but at the same time, we'll be more motivated to live life to the fullest (to serve God). thus, making us a better individual in the process.

Answer 6

Belief in God makes a person believe in God. If a person chooses to be a better person, then they don't necessarily have to believe in God.

Answer 7

i suppose it depends on the person. some individuals might find inspiration in a belief in a deity to be a better person, either because a story exemplifies charity or self sacrifice or because the threat of some horrible afterlife punishment scares them. but other individuals may find justification to be cruel and violent in their belief in God, passing judgment, deciding who and who is not worthy of kindness, respect or even life.

PS. Fundy Christianity turned me into a real anal orifice. i praise "The Supreme Whatever" that i was able to escape my childhood Christian conditioning. Yay!

Answer 8

No. Because an individual person has to want to become a better person. Believing in God means he believes in god. If the person doesn't want to change regardless if he/she believes in god or not, then he/she won't change.

Answer 9

Not belief alone, satan himself believes in God. I believe that belief along with following God's commandments and having a personal relationship with Him makes one a better person.

Answer 10

A belief in yourself to improve yourself if need be by G-D makes you better. There are many ways to seek self improvement. Spirituality is one way but not the solo way. A belief in G-D in a belief that you can do all that you need to, to progress and do better in life does make you a much better person. G-D is your lifeline.