70% of people in prison are Christians. Atheists uphold morals and are more tolerant than Christians (Homosexuality being a good example), yet we are considered "evil" or immoral.
2007-02-09 02:31:06 · 26 answers · asked by coolcash2005 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christians think a fairy tale book(bible) is the only thing that can keep them from murdering. With that false assumption, they assume that Atheist are the same. they have to be crazy to not see that right and wrong is pretty much common sense?
2007-02-09 02:39:23 · answer #1 · answered by Black Atheist 1 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Why? Well, Christians consider the Bible as the basis of all human morality, set down by the Creator of the universe himself. Since atheists deny both God and the Bible, they must be immoral.
I'm a Humanist, but I'm not particularly impressed with the "most people in prison are Christians" argument or agree that all atheists uphold morals and are, in general, more tolerant than Christians. Are there more Christians in prison because of their Christianity or because they strayed from their religion's moral teachings? Does the mere fact that a person does not believe in the existence of supernatural beings make him morally superior? No, atheism says what an atheist isn't, not what he is. (That's why I'm a Humanist; it says what I am.) And I've seen a lot of intolerance by atheists over the years. It kept me from identifying myself as one for a long time.
mzJakes: "[I]f there is no higher power determining that objective morality, then the universe is pointless....Atheists are, by definition, amoral."
That's your belief, but it's not supportable. Society decides what is moral and immoral based on human experience and what is believed to be in the common good. Atheists still recognize that some things are right and others wrong; they just don't consider it logical to obey laws and ideas of right and wrong simply because they were written down in some ancient texts.
Steve b Seeking: "Homosexuality is wrong."
Wherefore? Homosexuality harms no one. To persecute someone and try to deny them basic civil rights (such as the right to enter into marriage contracts and receive the same benefits offered to heterosexual couples) without just cause is immoral.
2007-02-09 02:36:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, I DON'T view atheists that way, nor have I EVER viewed them that way.
My own husband is a former atheist (he was an atheist when I met him), now he's agnostic, and I don't view him as being "immoral" OR a "fool" OR a tool of Satan.
Maybe you know some hypocritical Christians. I've known quite a few myself. But I strive VERY hard not to be one of them. I had sex outside of marriage before I became a Christian, but I don't now. I used to swear like a sailor, and I don't anymore. I used to drink like a sailor too. I still like having a glass of wine or two with dinner, and I had a few beers while watching the Super Bowl, but that's it. I love everyone equally, whether they're black, white, homosexual, or straight. As for homosexuals, I may not agree with their lifestyle, but that doesn't stop me from loving them. I have homosexual and bisexual friends.
By the way, I get REALLY tired of people thinking that Christians are "bigots" or "intolerant" because they disagree with a lifestyle. I think it's wrong to lie, steal, and commit adultery. Does that mean that I hate people who do those things? Of course not.
I try to be respectful of everyone, but sometimes I fail. I only have so much patience. No one is perfect.
The only difference between an atheist and a Christian is that the Christian is forgiven. Why would I look down on atheists? They've been offered the same Gift I was offered!
I have no right to look down on you, or anyone else. Christians have been instructed to love everyone as Christ loves everyone, and since it's my goal to be Christ-like, that's what I try to do.
As for the prison statistic, has it occured to you that some of them accepted Christ AFTER they got thrown in prison? Or that they say they believe in Christianity, without having any idea how to live it?
ANYONE can say they're a Christian. Well, it's one thing to talk the talk, but are they walking the walk? Obviously not, since they wound up in prison. But who knows. Maybe they really are Christians who just backslid (a LOT). Only God knows for sure.
And atheists are NOT always more tolerant. I've met some pretty intolerant atheists.
2007-02-09 02:55:50 · answer #3 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As said above most people that go to prison only then "find" religion.
Not considered evil or immoral but quite funny most of the time.
So if I am against homosexuality that makes me immoral? A person need not be a Christian to know that some things are wrong. Abortion is wrong. Homosexuality is wrong. And what we accept we deserve, what we do not try to change we deserve. I am just not very tolerant am I? So just what is immoral to you? And which of the ten commandments do you believe should not be followed?
2007-02-09 02:44:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is a great question to answer. Christianity has implied saving graces and implied morals as being part of the "club." Christians can go to church on Sunday, kick the dog on Monday and then be forgiven the next Sunday. Some of the most immoral business people I know are very right wing Christians who would never help their fellow man.
Atheists must live and die by their own rules and it usually ends up being more Zen in a "What comes around, goes around factor." Atheists tend to think more that they are in charge of their own destiny and don't particularly have another chance in some future form or heaven.
So, there are probably many Christian prisoners who are praying to God and asking for forgiveness, believing that they will one day go to heaven.
Atheists are more likely to stay out of prison, becuase they only believe they have one life to use.
2007-02-09 02:42:59 · answer #5 · answered by Santa Barbara 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Probably because the Christians have a guidebook that makes their rules for them. Many of our morals were based off Christian morals, which were based off Jewish and Pagan morals, which were based upon societal decisions and practices developed before religion came to be.
Though I agree that 70% of people in prison are Christians and many did convert when they got there (though no more than 25%)- imagine the decision that brought them to that. You can get protection from other prisoners just for being Christian. It can increase your chances at parole, as it reflects a sense of guilt or remorse over your crime. It shows a wish to repent. If I ever went to prison, I would at least pretend to convert for that reason alone (and believe me, I can act when necessary).
The easiest way to put this is: If you don't have god to make you a moral person, you find another way. People will do that on their own no matter what.
2007-02-09 02:58:43 · answer #6 · answered by B-Hole 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is a great question!
It is really tough to speculate why Christians and other religions look down upon Atheists. I would guess that part of it has to do with the fact that we do not believe in their specific "god".
I feel that the benefit to being an Atheist is that most of us do not discriminate against others and their beliefs. We will help people based upon our own goodness and not because our religion mandates so. Many times I have heard from Christians that their religion makes them "good people". I am an Atheist and I always try to be the best person I can be regardless of what I believe in.
Try to remember all the good things Christianity has brought the world (The Crusades, witch-hunts, child molestation) and remember that being a decent human doesn't require a religion.
Once again, a great question and I hope you get many insightful answers.
2007-02-09 02:45:19 · answer #7 · answered by monkey tuesday 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because some Christians believe that people are basically evil, and that without the threat of an eternity in Hell to keep them in line, people will revert to the most depraved behaviour imaginable.
Some people cannot grasp the idea that athiests do not need either the celestial stick (Hell) or the cosmic carrot (Heaven) of the afterlife to lead moral and decent lives in this world.
2007-02-09 03:06:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Wow, you must have met some really mean Christians or something. A lot of the Christians in prison became Christians after they were put in prison, there are a lot of pastors and chaplains who go to prisons to reach out to the prisoners. Christians don't hate homosexuals or anyone for that matter if they are true Christians. The Bible says that being homosexual is unhealthy and is a sin (Romans 1). I don't want homosexual people to go to Hell, and they don't have to change who they are, but they should give their sins to God and ask for forgiveness and repentance. Everyone should do that, we all sin. Atheists are moral so they can keep their reputation up, Christians try to follow a moral standard because God told us to in His written word, the Bible. Christians make mistakes like any other group of people, and we aren't trying to condemn everyone, when true Christians are telling you what they believe, they are doing it out of love, I don't want anyone to go to Hell, so I try to tell people how easy it is to be a Christian and how it saves you from eternal punishment. I don't consider atheists evil, I just disagree with what they believe. Thanks for reading, sorry this is so long, but Christians aren't all bad, neither are atheists. It's our choice to believe in God or not. I choose life.
2007-02-09 02:43:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
"Why are Atheists viewed as less moral than Christians?"
I don't know that this is generally true.
Do Hindus, Pagans, Jews, Muslims, Taoists, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, and so on think that atheists are less moral than Christian?
It would be interesting to find out.
I do know that there are a lot of Christians (or people who self-identify as Christian) who say that atheists are less moral than they are - but then, many of them think that *anyone* is less 'moral" than they are....or at least, as they PROFESS to be.
They have this truly odd idea that without some kind of divine authority for ethical behavior, ethical behavior cannot exist.
I think that's utter bunk.
2007-02-09 04:44:00 · answer #10 · answered by Praise Singer 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think we are more moral or better than anyone we just know and believe in Jesus as our Lord. None of us are perfect but we have found the truth and the way to get right with God through Jesus. We just recognize that all humans are sinners and that it's impossible to go live in Heaven with God because he is holy and has a zero tolerance for sin. We can be forgiven though if we accept Jesus as Lord. There is no better place than Heaven and nothing you could imagine could compare.
2007-02-09 04:07:33 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋