2006-12-31 00:55:12 · 26 answers · asked by Brendan G 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Absolutely! But it won't get them to Heaven.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".
2006-12-31 00:59:20 · answer #1 · answered by iplaybass1956 3 · 4⤊ 4⤋
Yes, if they profess the same concepts that Christ did and actually live them. Christianity is a way of living, not a yardstick by which to measure the actions of others. Someone I trust on this subject said: "Christianity hasn't failed, it's just never been completely tried." So if an atheist were to take the principles of doing good to others with no thought of reward, living in peace, giving his or her worldly goods for the amelioration of poverty, not judging others, visiting those in need, in short being a visible sign of Love, then they might well match or exceed the ethics that Christians are supposed to perform.
2006-12-31 01:04:31 · answer #2 · answered by Holly R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an atheist, but I would like to throw an idea into the ring here:
It is a fact that an atheist can have morals matching or exceeding anyone of faith (not just a christian). I think that it exceeds the code based on motivation. Case in point: when an atheist donates clothing/food/money to a homeless shelter, its being done out of the goodness of their heart, with no other motivation. When a person of faith does it (christian for the example), the reason is diluted. Yes, their kindness is a factor; but it stems just as much from a desire to do good in emulation of Jesus, or as a good deed to get them closer to heaven.
2006-12-31 01:06:43 · answer #3 · answered by Bill K Atheist Goodfella 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The nicest, kindest, most caring person can be a believer but if they are not living for and serving the Lord all that sweetness means nothing. That goes for non believers as well. We are nothing without the Spirit of Jesus living and working through us. I will have to say though, that for me personally, I have always believed but I had no morals or standards as a young adult woman. Manners yes, respect for myself NO, when I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior my concience started bothering me so I had to choose either change the way I was living, or continue to live in willful and knowing sin with my shameful head hung low. I chose to up my morals and standards of living and follow Christ. That's not saying I'm uppity up, I'm far from it but I'm going through a process of change, and when I look back 4 years ago and beyond I've definitely been changed Glory to God. I can't wait too look back again in 4yrs. to see my progress. An athiest can exceed the good earthly deeds of a christian but why bother,there's no prize for the winner here on Earth unless it's just for self-gratification.
2006-12-31 01:21:27 · answer #4 · answered by SuperSkinny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most christians are moral, most muslims are moral, most jews are moral, and most atheists are moral. Any claim to the contrary, that one group is "less moral" is a hateful lie told for the same reason the Nazis used the term "judenraus".
Faith is how you treat a "god". Morality is how you treat people.
The two are completely unrelated.
Additional:
"iplaybass1956" prattled some drivel about "no jeebus, no heaven", so he obviously "thinks" that Carl Sagan is in hell while those who "worship christ" like Jeffrey Dahmer, members of the KKK, the Nazis, the Inquisition, the Crusades and all other christians who have done things "in christ's name" are all "in heaven".
"iplaybass1956" obviously worships a sycophant seeking psychopath and not a "god" of any ethics or morality.
.
2006-12-31 01:08:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe so. But its not moral ethics that christians believe will save you. The ten commandments are God's moral standards, and we've all broken some of them at sometime. Compared to a Holy and sinless God, were all just as evil.
2006-12-31 01:04:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no logical reason that an atheist could not be just as "moral" as a devout Christian.
If you were an outside observer, and only monitored the actions of two subjects - one atheist and one believer - I think you'd have to agree that appearance is everything.
It doesn't matter what you SAY - it matters what you DO.
If out of mere respect for other human beings, an atheist "treats his brother as himself," he is on equal moral ground with the Christian.
What you choose to "believe" or "reject" is a matter of philosophy and theology.
What you DO defines your morality.
The Bible is not the sole source of morality.
Natives living in remote jungles still treat one another with love and respect.
2006-12-31 02:11:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I am A Christian and my sister in law is a atheist and is the nicest most caring person. In saying that at the Dining table i was shocked that my nephews stil didnt bow there heads to show respect while we said prayer at Xmas lunch! Do people know Hilter claimed to be a Christian. But being a christian is to be christ like. Theres good and bad in everyone, its just wrong when some ATHeist put us believers down and curse God!
2006-12-31 01:03:23 · answer #8 · answered by MsJacqui 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All humans are created equally.
Yes atheist can have some morals/ethics the same...... the one thing that sets them apart is the road their on..... one goes this way and the other goes that way, although we all would live for eternity. But the question is, are you going to like where you go.
I am not going to say it because I am not the one to make that judgment call.
2006-12-31 01:10:31 · answer #9 · answered by inteleyes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Believers or non don't necessarily have to compete in morals/ethics. It depends on the individual. Christianity helps guide.
2006-12-31 01:01:31 · answer #10 · answered by <><><> 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Christian's standard of morals and ethics is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. All Christians are called to be transformed to be like Jesus. No athiest can match the morals and ethics of Jesus. Not in a million years!
2006-12-31 01:05:41 · answer #11 · answered by seekfind 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋