Is it more important to be religious, or to be a good human being?

Question

Is it better to be an atheist that helps others and puts their needs before himself, or a Christian that doesn't and prays daily?

People are having a hard time picking just one.

Jerry Falwell - Religious and evil

Benjamin Franklin - Atheist and Good.

There, examples of each.

FOR THE LOVE OF PEANUT BUTTER!

I am aware you can be both, I do not lack that knowledge, however I am asking which is the more important factor. Go throw your sermons at someone else.

Answer 1

Actions speak louder than words, so if you must choose, then be a good person. As Martin Luther King Jr. said
"Every persom must decide whether he will walk in the creative light of altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgement. Life's persistent and most urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?"
Channa

Answer 2

It's more important to be a good person. You can be religious and help or non religious and help. The whole thing is you should help regardless of religion or lack of religion. Out of the two examples I would really like to believe that people would choose an Atheist that helps others rather then a Christian that prays and does nothing.

Answer 3

- Anyone who doesn't make an honest effort to "love thy neighbor" or isn't a good Samaritan so to speak isn't following after Christ, therefore, not truly a Christian.

- None the less, both peoples in your example are lost.

- Also, being "religious" is not what it means to be a follower of Christ.

MARK 7: 7-8

7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Is. 29.13


8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Answer 4

There is no religious that shows bad example. All religion ask us to pray and shows us to be good human being. If you are religious doesn't mean that you are good as a human being. Religious or not really doesn't shows that you are good human being. Even tho if you are atheist doesn't mean that you are good as a person too.

Answer 5

The word "religious" has nothing to do with being a Christian. What's important is having a personal relationship with God and you will be a good person as a result of that. You have to remember that there are a lot of people who call themselves Christians but don't actually live the life, and you can't judge the true Christians by what some of these fakers do. Look at Sharpton and Jackson. They both have Rev. in front of their name but they are as far from a man of God as you get.

Answer 6

this is a GREAT question.

what i've been learning is that following RULES and REGULATIONS is not the answer. that does not make u a "good christian", much less a good person.

the thing is, i really believe that when u seek what is Good, Right, Positive, Healthy and Wise, it will lead u to peace in this life. and that happens to coincide w/ my finding my faith in Christianity....but that doesn't mean others don't find it thru other means. what i believe (specifically in the book Romans in the new testament), is that when i accepted Jesus Christ as dying to save me for my sins, i am FREED from sin. i am forgiven for past, present, and future sins.

because i am Thankful for this, and i am Joyful for this freedom... i CHOOSE to follow the "rules and regulations" that previously made me unhappy!

when i was younger, my mom used to try to force me to go to church, and do bible study, etc. i hated it, and didn't want to do it. i stopped going to church i college.

now that i've taken initiative for Myself to seek what is Good, Positive, Right, and Wise for my life, it's lead me BAck to church and Bible study, and now i am even helping out w/ the elementary kids at church! (my mom always wanted me to be a "sunday school teacher")..haha. funny how before, when she TOLD me to do it (rules and regulations--> going to church is GOOD), i felt guilty and unhappy. but when i Chose to accept it, and volunteer myself for it, i feel Happy and Joyful and Helpful. :)

this is the freedom that i hope all of us can find..whether or not it's true christianity. i hope this makes sense. when u seek what is Good in ur life, and keep searching til u find it, u will have a Joy and Peace that no one can take away, and u won't get all defensive either if someone argues w/ you.

Answer 7

it depends. It's better for society to do good stuff... believe what you want. But it's better for the Christian because they go to heaven, and the Atheist probably doesn't. I say probably b/c if you have never been told of the one true God and you live as well as you can, then by God's grace you may be saved... but if you've been told of Jesus and you reject him, I'm afraid there is no way you can earn you way into heaven. if you really want to know, look in the bible. All this and more is in there!

Answer 8

It's always best to be a good human that knows and shows love and compassion for all. It does not matter what your religious standings or lack thereof are.

Answer 9

I can see that you do not have a complete understanding of the nature of Christianity. We are called to be servants, Jesus gave an example of this when He washed the feet of the disciples before His crucifixion. If we do not obey the call to serve others, we will answer to God for our disobedience.

*Not to say that there aren't good atheists out there but Benjamin Franklin was a deist.

Answer 10

good human being that puts himself before others than a christian who doesnt help anyone but prays to god and thinks he has a place in heaven.