I've heard this argument as of late, that athiests lack morals. As if we need scriptures to find our moral compass. Could someone please enlighten this poor non-believer with the logic behind this statement?
2007-05-26 11:50:49 · 25 answers · asked by truthspeaker10 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What's even more fascinating is that they get huffy when you explain that you take your morals from something less inherently contradictory - such as "The Lord of the Rings"..... ;)
2007-05-26 11:54:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
The bible doesn't make a person morally superior, nor does being a christian. As a disciple in Christ, I would like for you to know that, I'm not perfect, and neither is any other christian, what it does mean though, is that i try to live a clean morally decent life, to know how much Christ loved me by dying on the cross...faith isn't seeing, it's believing that Jesus Christ is real.I have been saved by grace, not because I'm so great, but because of Jesus Christ's amazing grace.God Bless you and I do hope that you will spend time in the bible, study and ask questions, find His pure, holy love.
2007-05-26 12:01:12 · answer #2 · answered by txbeverly30 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A book can not make you moral but belief in Jesus can. But seriously define morality? See morality is different for Christian and non christians. Yet often christian do live like the world even in morality. Simply because some do not realize what God word says. Yet we do also have a law of liberty.
2007-05-26 12:00:06 · answer #3 · answered by turtle30c 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question contains at least 2 logical errors:
1) Christian faith is not so much about believing in a book as it is about believing in a person: Jesus of Nazareth;
2) Christians do NOT claim to be better than anyone. We have all sinned and come short of the glory (perfection) of God. It's the very reason we need Jesus in the first place.
Believers are better OFF than some others, because of the wonderful new position we have in God. You can be better off, too, by simply trusting in Jesus. It's NOT an exclusive club. Anyone who wants to can join.
2007-05-26 12:07:05 · answer #4 · answered by Gee Wye 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Believing in a book makes no one morally superior.
We are all equal, no matter what.
The book you refer to, I imagine, is the Bible.
It makes no one superior.
It does provide a moral compass.
It points us in a good direction.
Man does not always know the right direction.
However, if someone follows the counsel of that book, although advantaged, he should not consider himself superior.
2007-05-26 11:57:13 · answer #5 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Doesn't work that way. The Christian accepts God as a higher moral authority.
Your phrase "moral compass" implies that there is a universal direction like magnetic north is for a compass. But the atheist has no moral authority except himself/herself. So the moral compass for the atheist is more like a Ouija board.
2007-05-26 11:53:24 · answer #6 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, by believing in God a person acknowledges that there are some things in the world that are more important and greater than themselves, and their own personal wants and desires.
By VOLUNTARILY submitting to Gods laws, the person not only practices self-discipline, but proves that they have the maturity necessairy to do things that are often uncomfortable and/or difficult, in order to do what is right.
By way of contrast, atheisim is totally undemanding. It requires nothing of you. It demands nothing of you. An atheist acknowledges no higher power, (which strikes me as being terribly self centered) and thusly is never required to make any moral choice that could be uncomfortable to them. If belief is the spiritual equivelant of going to the gym, atheisim is the spiritual equivelant of being a couch potato.
On the other hand, God's laws are not easy to follow, they are in fact quite demanding at times. Following Gods laws requires that you supress your ID, your childish desire that screams "I WANT IT AND I WANT IT NOW AND YOU CAN'T STOP ME." and obey. That is not an easy thing to do. It requires self control and maturity.
It is not the same thing as following man made laws. Man made laws are enforced. You shoot someone the cops will be after you. However (at least in most countries) nobody is going to put you into jail for going to a strip club, or buying porn, or having an abortion, or any number of other sinful but legal things. For someone to follow their principles, even when it is difficult, and even when they don't have to do so, that takes maturity and character.
So rather than jump up and down like a spoiled toddler and insist "I AM THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE UNIVERSE" and rather than run around like mindlessly rebellious teenager, someone who believes practices self discipline. Rather than be a slave to their lower selves by seeking whatever pleasure their uncontrolled desires demand of them at the moment, they follow an established code, one that has it's source outside of themselves. In doing so they demonstrate maturity, wisdom, self-discipline, and a depth of carachter... as well as the willingness to put their beliefs and the wellbeing of their fellowman ahead of their own wants and desires.
In short, it takes guts and a spine to do the hard and difficult but right thing, instead of taking the easy way out; therefore they demonstrate moral superiority.
I hope that answers your question.
2007-05-26 12:15:42 · answer #7 · answered by Larry R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People need direction in life. Do you believe that people have a "moral compass"? We have the ability to LEARN morality, it is NOT something that comes naturally to us! We are drawn toward corruption. If there were no set standards given to us many years ago, we would have annihilated each other a very long time ago.
GOD bless
2007-05-26 11:59:30 · answer #8 · answered by Exodus 20:1-17 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We believe in the God that wrote the book..and he put down in print what is right and what is wrong..
Established commandments.. that will never be changed.
It is also about obeying God and entering into his Kingdom and being with him forever, not just morals, but HOLINESS. Lacking morals is one thing and entering into God's kingdom another.. To enter you don't just have to be good, you have to be perfect and that is the problem that only Jesus can solve.
Without HOLINESS no man will see God..
Are you saying that moral atheists are holy and perfect and never sin?
2007-05-26 11:55:25 · answer #9 · answered by † PRAY † 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Morally superior? I presume you are referring to the Bible as "a book", correct? The Bible tells us how to act for our benefit. The "morality" protects us from making decisions which lead to harmful actions. One example is the case of fornication. When unwed people engage in this behavior unwanted pregnancy, STDs, and other problems can occur. Since little children are sanctified (protected from judgment of sin and damnation) until they reach the age of accountability, by believing parents, fornicators leave their children unprotected. God gave us this moral rule to protect us and our children. Each person has the free-will choice to reject God, His laws, and His Son. So, morally superior? I see it as protection of creation by a loving God.
2007-05-26 12:12:24 · answer #10 · answered by rico3151 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well the bible is not just a book its the word of God read the non-believers questions and the believers and you be the judge not to sound mean or judgmental but shame on 80% of the non-believers questions
2007-05-26 12:07:25 · answer #11 · answered by az_george_63 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋