Atheism or Belief in God or the Bible, which one makes you a better human?

Question

As an atheist are you not obligated to help fellow human beings because there is no God to bless or protect them from oppression, torture, hunger....

As a Christian what exactly is your obligation? To teach about Christ? If they don't believe then let them suffer? what about the children?

If you believe in the Bible then like the Christian should you teach then hang back and let it come to pass?


Before you get ticked off at me let me say...this is not what I believe it is just a question!

Answer 1

I'd argue that atheists have more basic empathy for humanity as a whole, while theists of any stripe tend to reserve their compassion for members of their own tribe and look down upon (or even treat as less-than-human) people who believe differently than they do -- witness the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Holocaust, etc. for evidence...

Answer 2

Hi,
No one is obligated to help anyone, so your question is totally irrelavent in its scope. Seeing that everyone has a free will to do what ever they want, it is up to each individule to chose the path they want to take. That pertains to both believers and none-believers alike. Just because you may or may not believe in something doesn't mean that you may actually do something based on your given belief system. My point is, a person is known by the works (fruit) they do, and if that person decide to do a good work then that is a good thing, but even for the God fearing person it doesn't gaurentee salvation. So I don't see the point of the way you worded your question. The final outcome of anything depends on the person doing that action. And that includes inaction if that's the course chosen by that individule. Teaching someone about God, Jesus , and salvation is the first step in the process. The rest truly depends on the person hearing the message. As for doing good works by none-belevers, that's still a valid choice, but it's still up to them. And as far as hanging back and watching after the fact... Jesus used the parable of the sower of the seed to describe the condition of peoples hearts.... either you hear the word and respond, or you don't. It's that simple! Some hear and then get bored with it, or they take that word to heart and produce good works.... some just don't care, and nothing happens. So you see it's all dependant on the person doing the hearing, and has nothing to do with the person doing the telling. The person doing the telling is already doing the good work of the sower. Now it depends on the hearer, and that includes the none-believer. This pertains to any information in life no matter if it's Biblical or some other type of information. If the local Health Dept. said you should get a CO dector for your home, and you chose not to, and then your child dies of CO, who's fault is it? It's not the Health Dept. is it!? No, it would be yours because you chose not to head a warning. It had nothing to do with God, Jesus, or anything related to religion, did it? But that info could have saved a life, but someone chose not to head a warning. Jesus came to spread information about a government. That government is a Kingdom where he will be the King. If you don't like that information about his Father's Kingdom then you can chose to ignor it, that's your choice. He's not going to twist your arm to get you to listen, but if you do listen, and still chose to do nothing, then you still have made a choice. As far as suffering goes, we all suffer to some extent. Some chose to suffer more so than others because of the choices they make in this life. Jesus suffered for the message he spread right up to the point of death. So you see even the Son of God suffered, so no one is immuned. Sorry about the long winded explination, but I tried to answer the question I thought you may be asking. I hope this helped! Have a God blessed day!

Answer 3

Christian or not; humans are not perfect. So what makes a person a better "human" is their humanity / compassion for others.

I am a Christian; I do not believe somebody has to be a Christian in order to show compassion towards others. However, I do believe that no matter how "good" a person tries to be while here on earth, it will never be "good enough" to get them into Heaven, because God requires PERFECTION, and that can only be achieved through the blood of Christ. Romans 8:1 "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Answer 4

Since religious people make up the majority of the poor and oppressed I am not sure that you statement that god protects them from such things makes any sense at all.

All humans are should feel that helping their fellow man is a good thing. Not believing in an imaginary friend has no bearing on that. Believing in such a fantasy does not give you any moral superiority over those who are normal and reasonable.

Their god has done absolutely nothing to ease the suffering of those who believe in it. On the other hand some of the greatest philanthropists have been Atheists. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett come to mind.

Answer 5

You know that you are gonna make a couple people mad with this one, right? LOL Great question, btw.

I think people have the right to believe whatever they believe.


If a person is an Atheist, then it makes for a virtually guilt free life. Since they don't believe in a power higher than themselves, they don't feel that they have to answer to anyone or for anything. In my OPINION, this means, as long as it feels good, brings immediate gratification and/or pleasure, then by all means do it! Be promiscuous, do drugs, commit murder, rape, burn, pillage...it won't matter in the end, because you lived life on your terms and did what made YOU feel good, right?

As a Christian, you believe in a power higher than yourself. You believe that you will have to answer to that power as to the way you lived your life. Many-NOT ALL-Christians feel remorse for bad behavior. They feel the need to share what they've learned about God with others; spreading His message of hope, forgiveness, and love, if you will.

However, and this is gonna make some of you upset, many Christians are the most hypocritical, judgemental, unforgiving people on the planet. They seem to have a do as I say, not as I do attitude; I'm right, you're wrong, so you're going to Hell and burn in the firey pitt...whatever.

My God's message is love, forgiveness, and peace.

And, no matter what your faith, belief, or non-belief, only YOU can make the conscience choice to be a good human being, no labels needed.

Answer 6

Quantrill has this right but I need to elaborate. Christians are not charged with going out and hounding people to become Christians and accept Jesus. There are some that try to do this, but its not what Christianity is all about. Its about being a good decent person and having social and moral standards that are set high. Simply knowing whats right from wrong based on the Christian beliefs is all it takes to be a better person because you will instinctively be a better person in your actions if you apply those values to your every day life, and interactions with others. I believe this gives people who believe in a higher power and the scriptures an edge on being better people that those who do not.

Answer 7

My personal opinion is that no matter what the faith, whether it be atheism, God (Male or Female), Bible or Torah, none makes you a good human being. It's WITHIN YOU to help your fellow men and lessen the sufferings of the oppressed. To be able to feel compassion for others and to be kind-hearted is a religion in itself. I believe that one should believe what makes one happy and gives a feeling of peace as long as it doesn't hurt or infringe upon the privacy of others. Now if you believe that there is a Male God or a Female, or he/she doesn't even exist, is up to you. We are here among our fellow humans so we need to see that we do help each other out and try to make this journey of life easier and pleasant for each other. In conclusion I guess there must be no religion considered better or truer than that of humanity.

Answer 8

Yes, as an Atheist I am obligated to help others not because I am afraid of what might happen to me if I don't but because I know that it is the right thing to do. It would be just plain cruel to let another human(or any breathing thing) suffer when you could of helped prevent or save them from it in any way.

Answer 9

good mo ring ya all I'm glad to see so many atheist here today i hope i can give ya all a few laughs today and maybe a word from GOD or bible to help ya all luv those answers and questions i was lost but now I'm found 30 yrs doing my own thing like ya all are you all drinking this early in the mo ring are these just drinking questions? that's o.k. i used to have beer for breakfast too 20 yrs ago you know a hair of the dog that bit ya well back to question before take take take whats in it for me me me now it give time service love money help and caring about others a lot of people are afraid of church one person about to get baptize wanted to know if will hurt ... it only holy water you wont melt and where can you here stories about a red sea parting beast Romans at war walking on water coming back from the dead all this and coffee for a buck ... luv dad basic instructions before leaving earth bible love is the answer an atheist is a person who is seeking answer's and is not ready for Churches but its better then special effects at the movies try it luv dad

Answer 10

Action determines a person's value. Christians are sometimes truly saints and sometimes serial killers. The same can be said for any other belief system, including Atheism. The Bible won't make a person good and lack of it won't make one bad. Morals are intrinsic. Those who follow out of fear tend to break the rules more often than those who are moral for the sake of being moral.

Answer 11

I don't believe that your beliefs make you a better human, no matter what you believe. Murderers can believe in God, and the people who helped clean up 9/11 may have been athiests.

It is your actions, not your beliefs, that make you a good or bad person.