Why is it more important to be associated with a religion, then to simply be a good person?

Question

I would much rather be associated with good people than with a person with a certain set of beleifs that may or may not be a good person.

Answer 1

YET another reason why religion doesn't make sense. As only people who believe in Jesus get to go to heaven - and that includes murderers, child abusers, and anything else that you can think of because they are forgiven. But if you've never deliberately harmed anyone, been kind and thoughtful, helped out people etc etc you can't go to heaven. Doesn't make any sense does it?
No, and why not?
Because religion is all made up.

Also to those who can't conceive of there being a natural definition of "good" - I would say it basically means "Do unto others...." I know that is a christian phrase but most religions and philosophy can be boiled down to that. What's wrong with that as a definition of good?

Answer 2

I believe a lot use religion when all else fails.All else meaning themselves and then once depending on a religion all is well again.That is what makes a lot believe in God.All of a sudden they start following what is in a book n things get better so they think it's god doing it when it's actually them making the choices etc....The bible helps those go in the right direction sometimes.I personally m not sure what I believe but hope to 1 day.I think that either u r a good person or your not.Some who r not n then given a religion to follow would become a better person cuz there following someone elses orders instead of there own.To me that is a fake cuz deep down there still the same.Kinda like a wolf in sheeps clothing.

Answer 3

1. You shouldn't feel the need to be associated with a particular religion in order to get to Heaven.
2. Being good is a wonderful thing, but there are NO truly good people in the world. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, including me.

How would you define "good" anyway? Do you think following the ten commandments is a good way to live? How many of them have you broken? Probably all ten, keep in mind that Matthew chapter 5 teaches us to hate someone in your heart is to murder them.

Answer 4

I agree with you on that. I would rather be with a good person, rather than a religious person who may not be good.

Being religious doesn't make you good.

Being good doesn't get you saved.

Throw religion out the door, and instead, strive for a one-on-one with God through Jesus Christ. The deeper you strive to know God, you will be changed, and His reflection will come through you.

That's why Christians are so confusing to nonbelievers. There are some Christians who seek God, and God's goodness flows through them.

Then, there are "Christians" who think that by attending church on Sunday and being "religious", they are covered, and they don't seek God, therefore, God's image doesn't flow through them, and they present a very bad representation to non believers of who Christ really is.

Answer 5

It's not more important to be associated with a Religion, it's important to be associated with God, and we do that through religion. People with a certain set of beliefs are deep down inside good people, they just sin. We all do. They mess up, they repent, and they move on. Problem is, God forgets their mistakes, but people don't.

Answer 6

This point has been well stated already but here's yet another angle... It's not important to be "associated" with a religion or to be a good person.

It's much more important to recognize that no matter how good you are, you still mess up - which makes you imperfect. It's also important to recognize that Christ came and died for that very reason... for you... because He loves you. And that God has offered you the chance to be "made perfect" - not because of what you do, but because of what Christ did.

So it doesn't matter what religion I belong to or how "good" I am. It matters that I realize I'm not good enough but I have been made "perfect" (much better than good) through Christ - even though I am certainly far from perfect!

I'd rather be associated with a bunch of people who are humble enough to recognize that they aren't perfect but are trying to be better rather than a bunch of people who think they are "good"! It just feels better hanging out with imperfect people since they are much more like me!!

Answer 7

this is what my christian friends say about me - even though i am a very good person, and act more christian than most christians they know (which i take as a compliment), that because i am a witch and have been for many years, i can't go to heaven with them. so i tell them that i would rather go to the summerland when i die than to heaven where all the rapists, murders, drug users etc are who just happened to "find god" on their deathbed after a life of terrible sins

Answer 8

I agree with you,I think if we are good persons and help people in need,we are going in the right direction.Many people go to church without feeling a thing,they have their heads someplace else,God doesn't want that,he wants us to believe and be a good person,he wants us to feel him.I don't think we have to go to church,that's a building filled with people.God is in us,we are the church,we can pray and read the bible,that's fine,and try to be a better person,but....at home.

Answer 9

Religion is about power and blind faith - just look how they have used one small group of Muslims as an excuse for Christians to hate everyone that is Muslim. Vice versa - Blind faith is a powerful form of control. A preacher can just snap their fingers and the whole church is up in arms! -All because "God" spoke through them.

Answer 10

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

The Romans 12:9
King James Version