You can't be sinless merely by not raping and killing and being a nice person. Because the concept of spiritual purity has no meaning to an atheist, why would they have any reason to think that behaviors like premarital sex are sinful. Since when does "popular morality" say to love your enemies and turn the other cheek. If you love someone because of how they behave, as part of a impersonal collective group rather than as an individual, or because you just want to marry them, that's not true, unconditional love. That's why everyone's a sinner and needs to be forgiven by God, because it would be impossible to meet those standards through your own effort.
2007-03-30 20:29:13 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Which is worse, a good, moral, kind, and socially pleasing Atheist... Or a smarmy televangelist taking money from old people with a smile? Don't forget that religion is not a prerequisite for good morals!
2007-03-30 20:33:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Ok, let me get this straight, your god creates humans as lower beings, with "sinful" urges who cannot not sin. Then he tells them that they need him to be saved from a problem he created? What a generous loving god!
Yes christianity is no different from popular morality. Everyone adds a little twist to the general (humans are lowly sinful and unworthy yet very special living things who need to be self sacrifical, sober, and haters of everything pleasurable to make it to be promise land) sainthood doctrine.
PS: Why pick out the turn the other cheek gospel and leave out the "an eye for an eye" part?
2007-03-31 03:50:11 · answer #2 · answered by uz 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You may think that, but you'd be wrong. Because your concepts of "sin" and "worship" do not apply to atheists, they are also not valid. Unconditional worship with the threat of punishment is wrong. I don't need some God's forgiveness for being a human being. After all he supposedly designed us, so it's his fault if we "sin" and don't bow down to him for no good reason.
2007-03-31 03:45:38 · answer #3 · answered by The Wired 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Um, I've never said that's what Christianity teaches. I've never said that's what Christians do.
Now that you mention it, though...
Most Christians do not follow all of the teachings of their Bible. They, instead, follow what they agree with.
As societal attitudes have changed, so have the parts of the Bible Christians practice. Sounds like popular morality to me.
Just because your Bible says it doesn't mean your Christians do it, and thank no god for that.
2007-03-31 03:33:37 · answer #4 · answered by Snark 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I'm not sure what "popular morality" is. My sense of ethics does not come from an opinion poll.
2007-03-31 03:51:58 · answer #5 · answered by Let Me Think 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would never confuse or inter-mix christianity with morals. The two are definitely NOT inclusive of each each other.
2007-03-31 03:38:46 · answer #6 · answered by ndmagicman 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
nobody ever accused christians of having morals on this board, and your morals are obviously weaker than OJ Simpson's alibis--and you speak of unconditional love, then say God has it? you're an idiot, God's love has more conditions on it than rain man can caount, also God never forgave anybody, Jesus did, and he was a much better god than God could have ever dreamed of being
2007-03-31 03:45:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, I'm sure this is all true to you based on your perspective of the world and based on your paradigms, but not everyone shares your views or vision.
'nuff said on that.
2007-03-31 03:36:58 · answer #8 · answered by SDTerp 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋