if atheists behave naturally, but christians only behave when threatened, then aren't atheists better people

Question

christians are constantly pointing out that there's no reason for atheists to be moral, where as there ARE reasons for christians to be moral (e.g. - to go to heaven, to avoid hell, because some book says so, etc).

but the truth of the matter is that atheists are every bit as moral as christians (actually, probably more so - cf. 10% of society are atheists vs. only 1% of prisoners are atheists) despite not being deterred by threats or bribed with rewards.

so doesn't this mean that atheists are actually better people than christians because we're naturally moral where as christians needed to be instructed??

Answer 1

Naturally moral...hahaha...good one. When there is no moral guide to base your natural morality on, then there is no morality. The reason you believe it is wrong to murder is because you still have a conscience which is still listening to the Holy Spirit, even though you reject the confusion of Christianity. Many are confused by this Babylon because of the many different denominations. Christians are also confused, and that is why there is so much debate...and why a guy named Muhammad decided to make up his own religion and book...which is probably as factioned as Judaism and Christianity which Islam pretends to be different and superior to. It's also why a guy named Joseph Smith decided to make up his own church and book...he did not understand what the Bible says. The prisoners being atheists...how many of those Christian prisoners were Christians before being locked up? How many of them were victims of the system as I was once?
I don't keep God's laws because I fear utter destruction and all the other things that go along with it. I keep God's laws because Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep my commandments." If you love your mom and dad, do you not obey them to the best of your ability? Sure you might question them at times, but ultimately you realize they have your best interest at heart...so just do it cause they ask you to right?
The Dark Ages were bad news for true believers in Christ. The Roman Catholic Church had an agenda which was nothing like Christ's teachings. When John Wesley, and Martin Luther noticed things which were hypocritical they tried to make changes...each Protestant movement moved closer to the truth...yet left a remnant behind stuck in the partial truth, and not open to more truth and enlightenment. When the righteous of the Lord, all saints, finally reach the point of understanding to come out of her (the Harlot, Babylon), then you will see a true Church emerge which will be lead by God, and not some arrogant human being.

Answer 2

It is intricate if no longer unattainable to "assume" any individual behaving like this. What a terrible mirrored image on human variety interval. The handiest reply for what I consider is your query: People have unfastened will and are in a position of evil. I have no idea the information on what number of serial killers, rapers and murderers are atheist and it does not fairly topic. I consider it is a disgrace you spend such a lot of some time seeking to lump all christians and religions into the equal mould as an alternative of figuring out you can not manipulate different folks and your power might be bigger spent ministering to the homeless, ill, hungry, medically needy, charities, soup kitchens, or even prisons.

Answer 3

Don't delude yourself. Biblically, "no one is good, not one". The fact is ALL people (atheists and Christians alike) are sinful, not moral. Some try to be as moral as possible, but all sin. Your prisoner example is obtuse, first you can't validate that stat, second some who think they are Christians are not, third a believer and a Christian are different things. Since no one is truly moral, then at least Christians can admit their sins and learn from them, all the while attempting to live a better life. Why would you care if you are an atheist?

Answer 4

First of all, you'll have to convince me that atheists do, indeed, behave.
For instance, I was taught from a very early age that it is very bad manners to say bad things about other people, especially people you do not know.
Your question tells me that, somehow, you were not taught even this common courtesy.
For instance, how do you know that all Christians only behave because they have been threatened? There are a great many Christians (me, for instance) that do not believe in a burning, eternal, punishment. For these people, the only thing that happens ito people who don't "behave" is the same thing that atheists believe happens to everyone. They die.
Perhaps, just a thought, they "behave" because they love Jesus, and through Him, they have learned to love others, as well?
I'm not sure where you got your statistics from, but, having been in a prison outreach program myself, I can tell you that a great many people, when they find themselves in prison, list their religion as "Christian". For one thing, they know that, as Christians, when someone like me comes along, they will get out of their cell for an hour at least, for a sort of impromptu "Bible Study". Most of the time, people who minister at prisons find, to their dismay, that they have to start with the basics...since most of these "Christians" don't have a clue what their "religion" is about.
These days, however, a great many people in prison are turning to Islam. I'm not exaclty sure why that is, but one young man did tell me that he felt safer "inside" as a Muslim.
So, you may find your statistics changing in the near future....
May the non-living one, the lord of logic, the great atheos, non-bless you!

Answer 5

I'm Christian and don't feel in the least bit threatened. I have never said there is no reason for atheists to be moral, but is the morality propagated by self want?

Answer 6

atheists do alot of bad things when threatened, every human does. Alot of atheists have no morals at all, same with so called christians. It just matters about the person, and FYI atheists aren't better because I've met alot of them that do weird and horrible things.

Answer 7

okay personally i dont think you can rate a person just on their belief system, dont you agree that there are good and bad in both athiests and christians, i dont think christians think there morally better or scared into being better, believe me christians will be the first to admit they sin every day as well, im a christian and i dont think im better then anyone else even do to there belief system, i believe in GOD, but i also believe GOD created sin, so we might know his mercy, i haven't been a christian my whole life, but good and bad is in us all, but we should all try to be good people despite are belief system, so lets try and stop stereotyping people, everyone is an individual regardless of race, religon, sex, and even hair color lol, come on im a blond i had to say that lets all just lighten up and be kind to each other elizabeth

Answer 8

having better morals depends on the person. why drag religion into it. i believe that there are christians and athiets who have great morals and some other christians and athiests who have absolute no morals. A man can believe what he wants. It just have to end up helping and pleasing himself and others around him.

Answer 9

Seriously. I'm not an atheist, but I question the existence of God very often. I like to consider myself agnostic. The thing is, I have a lot of morals, which surprises many people. It's sooo annoying.

Answer 10

If any Christians are saying that they are definitely confused. Everybody should behave morally regardless of their belief system, for their own good and for the good of society.