Do you believe that a good person is only possible through the teachings of Jesus?

Question

Or, do you believe that there are good people in this world that have no religion, whatsoever, and are still good people?

I have read everyone's responses so far and I honor every one, because I think that each of you wrote from the heart. Thank you. That matters more to me than any terse or condescending answer, because it shows that all of you are willing to commit to a dialogue, however anonymous this peaceful forum may be. I welcome all answers from everyone and I wish you a peaceful journey on your way through life.

Answer 1

This is the kind of question that will evoke the worst in some Christians - not all. It is here that the blindly arrogant MUST actually deny what they know to be true - even stooping to invent silly definitions of "good" as if it were a private word no one else could understand.

I will put it bluntly: To deny that a non-Christian can be a good person is absurd. To actually believe it is pathology.

Answer 2

I think there are many other teachings that engenders a foundation of good actions from Taoism to paganism. Jesus does not have a corner on right and wrong although I like his teachings even though many of his proclaimed followers don't come close to living what her preached. That is because of the contradictory nature of the bible I think.

Some of the most integrity filled individual I have know had no background in the teaching of the bible. A great many people I would did not trust were church going people.

Good and bad lives is in the self determination of the human being in the form intentions. Once again it is about who's idea of good and bad?

Answer 3

I think only Christians believe a good person is only possible through the teachings of Jesus. This issue differs among other non-Christians! The crusades showed that genocide is God's will, so no I dont think Christians are the only people on the Earth who can be moral. I think anyone can be moral if they try.

Answer 4

I believe that there are good people in this world who have no religion just as I believe that many people who do have religion are good as well. I have many friends of both kinds. I also believe that some people who have religion are evil just as some people without religion are evil as well. So, no, a good person isn't just possibly through the teachings of Jesus (peace be upon him).

Answer 5

C.S. Lewis addressed this in his book Mere Christianity. If it had to do with good or bad people, that would be highly subjective, and no one would be sure if they were saved or not. Can you be good enough to buy your way to heaven with good works? How many are enough?
No, I have met good and wonderful people of all faiths and belief systems. Some atheists, some cultists even.
The main difference is that Jesus provides the ability to obtain perfection apart from works. It is nothing to do with what YOU have done, it has everything with what HE has done.
Does this make you a better person? I can say for a fact that it does, because you care more for others than you do yourself.
Does this make you better than anyone else? Definitely not, you have died to yourself, so you are dead to the world. Any comparison between you and others is vain foolishness.
But remember, being good is not the way to heaven. The wages of sin is death. So, you can die to yourself now and be raised anew in Christ, or die the second death which is eternal with no resurrection. Gospel 101

Answer 6

specific. i in my opinion do no longer think of Jesus existed i think of he's a composite, yet quite some semi-mythological figures have some foundation if fact be told. There in all risk replaced into, as an occasion, a Helen of Troy. the parable in all risk is loosely in line with a real individual. the story of Hercules is probably a romanticisation of the life of a real militia chief. King Leonidas and the 300 spartans have taken on an very almost mythological status and that they surely existed. If Jesus did exist in any respect, he replaced into merely a guy, who has in view that exceeded from history to legend and introduced on the status of a deity. possibly in 2,000 years people will think of the comparable factor of L. Ron Hubbard.

Answer 7

What is a "good person"?

That question cannot be answered without applying the collective moral values that have been woven into the fabric of our society through history.

Accordingly, using the teachings of Jesus as the primary measuring stick, I'd say the answer is "no" and "yes" in that order.

Answer 8

No and yes. But you need to define good.

There are many good people that do not acknowledge or know the Savior. The difference is that all other "religions" strongly point to man being his own savior and being righteous in his own eyes. Can one really say that they are unspoiled, worthy, honorable, respectable, excellent, genuine, uncontaminated, morally sound, virtuous and honest at all times? I think not.

We believe that God the Creator is the only one who should receive honor, praise, glory and majesty because God is good. It is through His Spirit in us that we are able to love and do good eternally. Through His Power we have been transformed by the renewing of our minds. It is really called not being selfish and not thinking ourselves to be more than we really are.

Answer 9

Jesus ( peace be upon him ) is an excellent role model, as are the rest of the messengers of God. Like Moses ( peace be upon him ) or Noah ( peace be upon him ) or Lot ( peace be upon him ) or Adam ( peace be upon him ) or Job ( peace be upon him ) or Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) ...could go on and on
without monotheistic faith and steadfast prayer among other things the body is missing something, yet a persons actions from time to time could be considered good, perhaps God is waiting for the right time to guide them.

Answer 10

Are you saying Jews cannot be good people because they don't believe in the teachings of Jesus? How about Jonah Salk, a Jew who saved millions of lives by discovering the polio vaccine?