Salad bar religion: Does it make for bad theists but good people?

Question

Taken at face value, monotheistic religions are entirely amoral - You do what you're told out of fear of punishment and promise of reward. Following orders is not morality, it is merely self-interest.

Atheism allows for true morality, i.e. the judgment of good and bad behaviour according to conscience.

'Salad bar religion' is somewhere in between - You believe a god exists but you choose the dogma that seems right according to your conscience, rather than blindly following some particular interpretation of scripture, regardless of its moral value.

So... it seems to me that salad bar religion makes for bad theists, because you're not being blindly obedient as believers are supposed to be, but it can make for good people because you have the chance to exercise your conscience and do what you think is right.

Agreed?

Answer 1

But it doesn't always make for good people. Pastor Fred Phelps comes to mind. But as a whole, not a bad point.

Answer 2

I would slightly disagree with you one one or two points.

I dont think that monotheistic religions necessarily clash with your idea of a "Salad bar religion" with the exception of brain washed fanatics.

I know people that are deeply religious but do exactly as you say. They study the dogma or tenet in question and make a judgment if they want to believe or follow it.

As for a bad theist I would disagree. Lets say you were God, who would you like more? The person that blindly believes in you and a particular theology or the person that critically examines and makes value judgements and makes decitions with the brain you gave him.

Answer 3

The "salad bar" theist isn't always the best citizen and neither is the atheist, we can probably agree on this from the start.

As to the way a "salad bar" theist decides his actions: When faced by a decision to take any action in one direction of several choices, it is generally a knee jerk step to turn in the most familiar direction. I'm guessing and suggesting that by comparison, theist and atheist, both operate in the same way under these situations and that any explanation of our choice is merely a rationalization justifying our choice as an after though - whether our choice was based on the truth of reality or the weak foundations of belief is entirely post mortem, lending itself only to our next choice down the line.

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Answer 4

I am an atheist and i don't much care for religion, but if an adult wants to believe it its their choice. The problem that I have is children being raised to be christian, or muslim, or jewish. I believe children should be taught facts only about all religions so they can make up their mind when they are older. Thinking, intelligent people shouldn't tell other people who to live, but it is the thinking people that built civilisation and it gets on my nerves when the ignorant majority bite the hand that feeds with bs like "intelligent design", we don't have a right to tell people how to live but i'd rather a thinking person running the country than someone who places a lot of value on faith

Answer 5

Good food for thought.

First question: Who determines the guidelines for the standards for "bad theists but good people"?

Second question: Are you taking the view that every "monotheistic" practicing believers do belong to a group or organization?

Third question: Are you looking at Atheists as independent thinking individual units that do not belong to a group or organization?

I somehow see in this question a basic comparison of apples to grapefruit. I see this because I am a basic "monotheist" that belonds to no group or organization. I am defined as a "NO" and that means precisely what it says..

I do not mind the term "salad bar religion" if I am free to see it as attempting to select the constantly consistent truth with the option available to always be subject to correction if and when a better view is revealed. With this in place one must always walk with the eyes wide open rather than follow blindly.

The final question: Again who sets the "moral standard" guidelines?

I perceive that mankind has some funny moral standards and seems to want to impose their standards on others. Basically I see that it is normal for man to want to make God as they are reather than to allow God to be the standard setting authority. This is seen in all so called religious entities that include Christians, Atheists, Agnostics, etc., by what I read and hear. {I define religion as any set of beliefs or belief system in simplicity]

My friend I do believe I am guilty to many times of wanting to change God and I see it in your question in my view. If I am wrong about your question and wrong about what I see in it, I do appoligize OK. It is just my view and I may be wrong. I do accept that as a fact.

Thanks for the opportunity you provided for me to think and to enjoy this Yahoo section. Do have a good day and smile.

Answer 6

Non-religious

Agree to bad theists; Disagree to good people

It's Worshiping Saint Ego
This approach fails to confront the question of evil, and it has failed to produce true heroes like Mother Teresa or the Dalai Lama

Answer 7

Actually I do agree. If it weren't for the theist's ability to carefully decide the morality he/she wished to take from his/her holy book, they would be extinct. It is the only thing that allows religions to evolve and survive.

Answer 8

I completely agree with you, a well laid out explaination and clear thought.

Answer 9

salad bar is the future!

Answer 10

I agree.