Are Atheists more compassionate than Christians?

Question

Please reference my last question, and the 10th answer.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ap1yij0YoW46DISeEI936Wbd7BR.?qid=20070202110000AAKOaQd

The amazing thing is that my compassion for the Native Americans is attributed to the fact that I am Atheist, yet this poster contradicts himself with a thinly veiled innuendo that I am full of hate.

This leads me to wonder how the gen-pop sees it - Who is more compassionate as a whole: Atheists or Christians?

Answer 1

I think both can be incredibly compassionate.

Answer 2

As an atheist, one might assume I would answer with Atheist.

But I'm won't.

The answer is - I don't know that there's a correlation. There are compassionate people and noncompassionate people. I'm sometimes one and sometimes the other. It depends on the subject matter.

Even based on what I see out here, I couldn't really draw a conclusion. Unless it were to say that more often than not (out here), an Atheist tends to be a liberal, which one could argue means that they're going to be more tolerant of some groups of people.

Oh dear, looks like I've come full circle AND managed to do a 180. I think my answer might be Atheist after all!

Answer 3

Hmmm Compassion.
Well not only do Christians give more to charity (on average, i'm not talking about net giving) but church going religious Christians give more to charity than the non-devout, and not just to their churches, but to general charities, including secular ones. ABC News did a report recently on this fact. Ofcourse in that case it was represented as Conservative vs Liberal giving. Now the group "liberal" obviously includes Christians and certainly even more of them than atheists but the point is that the more religious people are, the more compassionate they tend to display as manifested in by giving. We can talk about opinions all we want but numbers don't lie. Oh and I am really not interested in any so called "compassion" that does not manifest itself through action. Infact some atheists are Randians and think that every individual must only be responsible for himself . They literally see selfishness as a virtue.

Answer 4

best answer> Atheist are not any better compassionate to animals than Christians. Environmentalist and Animal Rights Activist at the instantaneous are not unavoidably better pleasant to animals than everybody else. Your premise is to generalized - to many suppositions in linear - step questioning. I propose that it's not a Christian vs Atheist question or an Environmentalist/Activist vs Christian element both. that is a own perception. both you want animals or you do not. i'm a Christian. i recognize animals. I have disdain in the route of phony Activist and Environmentalist who - regardless of the reality that truly properly meaning are predisposed to cover in the back of a reason for his or her very personal egocentric pastime. A reason to over take care of the technique of organic decision and to slander those who do not comply to their way of questioning. you do not see Christians upward push up in mass to impose their will on each body - do you!

Answer 5

kind and empathetic people are more compassionate

Native is elaborating on unfounded nonsense and you all thumbs him up for his loathsome opinions and spreading hate towards a group. doesn't this contradict the meaning of the question about atheists/Christians showing compassion?
and yet, you thumbs down people who feel compassion is a matter of personality, not religion. if you actually think certain psychological behavior is only present in specific religions you are totally misinformed, ignorant as well as biased which is a sad thought. pick up a psych book and read it. compassionate people reside in all faiths, all colors, all creeds. How does a religious affiliation determine a person's personality and how can you generalize an entire religion from only one person's actions? Oh i forgot, you are also superficial.

Answer 6

Hmmm...I think you are right...

America was never founded on Christian values. Most of the "forefathers" were in cultic activity. These so call "christian' Men used the Bible to hurt not only Native Americans but people of color. Which is "racist" sickness in the Christian world. Southern Baptist had slaves and sold women and childern into slavery. They first try to use Native Americans as slaves but most of them either ran away or killed themselves. I think the other Christian value is money. There are so many huge churches in Texas and though out the US. They will not give one penny to help. The only people who do try are those with little money. Values ....lol....
I talked to baptist people and many say, "I wasn't there"...that such bull. Riding the shirt tales of their ancestors.
Now there are preachers preaching we need to get the US back because this country was founded on Christian values, so is saying, out leaders are christians! Such lies! B franklin hated Native Americans and he is no Hero. You can read some of his letters online. Oklahoma histroy....Anyway....Christian... is full of greed, and lies. President Bush took native money from the people. Broken Treaties...People not christians are more compassionate....

how am I spearding hate when its truth....I dont hate anyone, that is your narrow mind speaking.

Answer 7

It's honestly not the religion, its the people that reside within it. Im a christian, and my friend is a satan lover but we show respect and compassion for each other and look out for each other. though some christians couldnt handle that, some could. same with atheist, Its just the person.

Answer 8

In my own personal experience, I've been shown a lot more compassion and hospitality by Atheists then I ever have by Christians. (Even back when I was a Christian!)

Answer 9

Christians are more compassionate as we actually care about your eternal soul. Atheist hate humanity and are in fact selective with their so-called compassion.

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557909/Pilgrims_(American_history).html


You do know the pilgrims were not the only people to come to America?

Answer 10

The answers will be as varied as the people that answer.

I'm going with Christians.