Atheists???????

Question

I am an atheist myself but sometimes I think that without religion the world would be a little crazy. The only thing that stops a lot of people from doing bad things is that they think they will go to hell. The only thing that makes a lot of people do good things is that they think they will go to heaven. It's sad.

But then another thing that crosses my mind is that more people have died because of religion than any other cause.

I had a lot of trouble wording this question, especially since I just woke up 10 minutes ago. I would just like some opinions.

I just wonder why some can't be good people just for the sake of being good people.

AND please remember that I said SOME not all. Everytime I ask a question with the word "some" in it Christians turn it around like i said "all".

I KNOW THAT THEY DON'T NEED A BOOK TO TELL THEM RIGHT FROM WRONG. THAT IS THE POINT OF MY QUESTION YOU MORON.

I KNOW THAT THEY DON'T NEED A BOOK TO TELL THEM RIGHT FROM WRONG. THAT IS THE POINT OF MY QUESTION YOU MORON.

Answer 1

I am also an atheist and I totally agree with you.

There are some people who require religion or structure to do the right thing.

When they are religious they get structure from there. When they are atheists they get structure from laws/philosophy and nothing else. These are fear motivated people, and they need that fear. Taking away religion would not help them, it would leave them with nothing to base their lives on.

Religion is also necessary for many good Christians and other good religious people. Not all use it to teach them morals, many are wonderful and moral people who do not require religion to tell them what to do, it just complets their life, or helps them through hard times, or gives them a way to express their joy.

The atheists who say that religion is unneccessary are incredibly short sighted or just plain arrogant. They have to understand that what is right for them is not right for everyone. I dont like religion forced on me, so how could I be a moral person and stand by while atheism is forced on others?

Answer 2

Well, I'm not so much an atheist as a pantheist, but it comes to much the same in the end.

I believe people can learn how to have honor and compassion, courage and integrity without religion if they are brought up that way. For one thing, I belong to the Ethical Society, which has an excellent children's program. But even without such an organization, good parents and grandparents can teach a child that behaving well is for self-respect, for being respected by others, and does not need a fear of damnation. But the parents need to start young with the reasons for their rules, not just reward and punishment.

Answer 3

There are several points here worth attention.
- Religion used to be a significant cause of war, but since the 17th century other issues have come to the fore: slavery, lebensraum, communism, resources, and others. The only serious remaining religious conflicts have to do with Islam.
- People do good things because they recognize that society works better as a result. This is an example of a general principle: moral values derive from evolution, which applies to societies as well as to species: a society which adheres to a sound moral code will survive preferably to one that does not. (Obvious example: the late and unlamented Soviet Union.) You don't have to be religious to recognize and support the good works done by many charities, both religious and secular.

And now it's time for you to heat up your coffee pot.

Answer 4

You are right. The most useful thing the Church ever said was blessed are the poor for they shall inherit the earth. If they hadn't put that idea into people's minds there would have been centuries of trouble .
My preference is for living with a strong reactionary criminal justice system in an advanced atheist nation.

Answer 5

I know exactly what you are trying to say. I have often thought that should organized religion disappear suddenly, the world would be tossed into total chaos.
Some people can be good for good's sake.
Look around, contrary to what some have shown us I think for the most part people are really good

Answer 6

Religion is a relatively recent invention. Do you really truly think that people went around hurting each other before that?

Or look at other animals. Many species kill for food or in competition for territory, but few go about marauding.

Don't fall for the fallacy that religion is required for good behaviour. It just isn't.

Answer 7

I've noticed alot of people, "Chistians," that is, who seem to have just this utter love for people, anyone off the streets...not because they are concerned with salvation, but because of this crazy compassion and empathy they feel with humanity. What about denominations that believe in the priest hood of the believer? That, it isn't good works that allows them into heaven, but just on faith alone? I think that leaves room for those who are genuine to truly utilize their compassion and love for others proactively...without being concerned with selfish reasons...hmm...Yeah, religion definately has it flaws. Just look at the spanish inquisition! But i've realized that there are actual church-goers out there that live for the sake of others' benefit...not religion...and frankly it baffles me.

Answer 8

people can be good for the sake of being good, that is sure. i t depends on your culture, your upbringing, the society around, traditions, and peer groups, your personality. Most countries have laws that are not religious by nature that can control the behaviour of people.

Answer 9

It depends what you mean by "Atheists". Most of the people I know who don't believe in God or are just token Christians, don't seem at all interested in thinking about right and wrong. They watch TV and read newspapers, and that's their Bible.

Answer 10

I think that if religion left then people would start realize there is no heaven and hell and that this life is the only one they have and that its just that more precious. I think you would be surprised how many people would be good just for being good. but there is only one real way to find out.