i ask this because atheists don't need a fear of god to be a good person. christians are afraid to sin because of eternal damnation and of course, because they feel it's wrong.
but why don't atheists need to be told they're going to hell if they do something bad? they think when they die, they're dead, so what's stopping them from indulging in sinful behaviour?
2007-05-24 06:46:07 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
sorry, computer glitch, my question got posted twice.
2007-05-24 06:51:11 · update #1
felpa - don't worry, i'm not christian, or atheist
2007-05-24 06:51:51 · update #2
pixie - actually i am pagan lol
2007-05-24 06:55:35 · update #3
Don't forget pagans. We don't need hell to threaten us into doing good things and living well with our fellowman.
A good question to ask would be:
“If there was no eternal reward for the good you do, would you even bother to do good?”
2007-05-24 06:53:29 · answer #1 · answered by pixie_pagan 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
this is nicely a particularly darn solid question. yet actually, i do no longer think of there is an answer to it. some do and a few do no longer. It relies upon on the guy, and how plenty they persist with what they suspect/don't think in. Christians 'ought to' have very severe morals, seeing they're to be God fearing persons. yet such as you suggested, Atheists could desire to be lifelike approximately humanity and attempt to stay existence as solid perople. yet, can one rather be ethical with out education from somebody who's all righteous? no longer likely (for my area). i think of a guy or woman with the main morals is one that follows the Bible teachings, through fact this is the place morals began - written down a minimum of. yet returned, this is somebody undertaking. no longer one team is extra ethical than the different. Seeing there are some who only assume the call 'Christian' and a few Atheists who easily stay solid lives.
2016-10-13 08:32:15 · answer #2 · answered by goodman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The knowledge that they only have one life so they'd better live it the best they can is a good motivation to act ethically and morally.
Of course, a Christian and an Athiest will have different ideas of what is or is not moral. This may be why so many Christians say that athiests are amoral, and vice versa.
2007-05-24 06:53:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarily.
Some Christians belive in the Doctrine of Grace and Once Saved Always Saved or Confession, which seems to make them think they have some Get Out Of Jail free card.
2007-05-24 06:55:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know, I think it depends on the person.
I think everyone has a weakness. There are Christians and non-Christians who would never steal a single penny.from anyone.
However, let's see you get too men in the same situation. One Christian one not.
They meet a beautiful woman who is the "lady of their dreams". However she's married, but we'll say she's unhappy. And to be delicate about this, on top of everything else she's willing.
Moreover, we'll say her husband is physically and mentally weak and unlikeable to boot.
Now the question is, who is going to do what?
Most Christian men would walk away. (I did say most, because we have failed before). They have the conviction of the Holy Spirit and are answerable to a community of believers who is there to support them in their faith?
Moreover, if he's truly a Christian he WANTS to do the right thing and walk away.
But what's to stop the atheist? Air and opportunity? I know some atheists might do the right thing, but I assure you that's a rare bird.
Just a thought. I'm not here to argue the point, just to provoke thought...
BD
2007-05-24 07:08:07 · answer #5 · answered by The Brian 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I can only speak for myself.
I have higher Morals, am a better Father, Son, Boss, Employee, Husband and Citizen now as a Christian than I ever was before.
Good Luck and God Bless!
2007-05-24 06:57:45 · answer #6 · answered by C 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, an atheist who does not believe in heaven and hell is potentially more moral, for he acts without these added factors. Most atheists who do not believe in divine judgment, and most theists who do, act moral. Some of both groups act consistently immorally. The claim that belief in God is essential or aids moral behavior is wrong, and any amusing theistic claim that they have "better" morals, despite acting under a reward and punishment system, is deeply questionable. Who is more moral? Those who act for the sake of goodness itself, or those who do good acts under the belief that failure to do so results in hell?
If I am threatened into behaving in a good manner then I am at best amoral, because I am not acting with free will. If you believe that a supreme god is going to punish you or deny you life if you misbehave, it is like being permanently threatened into behaving well. In addition, if you believe there is some great reward for behaving well, then your motives for good behavior are potentially more selfish.
2007-05-24 06:52:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Being an atheist makes someone a clearer-thinking, fairer person... They [atheists] are not doing things to be rewarded in heaven; they're doing things because they're right, because they live by a moral code
2007-05-24 06:50:47 · answer #8 · answered by towninthemorning 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheists are actually strong enough to decide on their OWN morals, and in many cases actually live by them, as opposed to Christians who have their morals imposed on them by a multi-thousand year old belief structure, and usually can't stick to them anyway...
2007-05-24 06:52:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Morals are not defined by ones religion or lack there of, Morals are defined by the life and actions of the persons, and how that person conducts themself. There are those that think they are full of religion that have morals, and there are many that have yet to find religion that have never had morals
2007-05-24 06:59:24 · answer #10 · answered by jimmy b 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋