For both Theist and Atheist: Question on ethics?

Question

http://refugeesg.wordpress.com/petition/
What many of us dont know, is that there is a refugee crisis going on in Southeast Asia. I dont want to elaborate too much on it, as it is all in the link, above. What you need to know, is that it is happening now, it is not being stopped, and it is not going to be stopped unless we take some action.

My question is this. While we both (theists and atheists) claim to have morals and ethics, how many of us has any real moral courage? Stand up for what we beleive in and try to make a difference? Please share your experiences, on how it was standing up for a cause you believed in, and share with us whatever difficulties you faced, that got in your way.

Its very heartening to hear so many people being involved in a cause all over the world. Oh, and by NO MEANS am I saying the southeas asian refugee crisis is more important than any other!! haha. I was just using it as an example. Peace. =)

Answer 1

athiest:

i try to make a difference on a small scale each day in my community. I make my friends laugh and show love, respect, and compassion to everyone I know and meet. Each time I pass him, I give our town's one homless man a meal and talk to him for a bit. I volunetter at a women's center to help educate/prevent/cope with eating disorders, rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and women's health issues. I vote to follow my consience, not blindy by a political party.

i stand up for my beliefs but am not just tolerant but accepting of all other faiths. In an art class when I was very young, I was told that because I had a cross in my painting but was not christian I would go to hell. I told the person who said that "believe what you want and I'll do the same" and kept my painting the way it was. it bothered me for the lognest tiem that someone who knew nothing about me would think that I deserved Hell just because I wasn't a christian. I could have let it get to me in a way that would make me feel hatered towards everyone who shared her faith, but I followed my path and spent my time in high school and college seeking out christian friends that would remind me that not everyone is like her.

i think everyone, in even a very small way, tries to make a stand or make a difference every day of their lives.

Answer 2

There are crises taking place all over the world, that doesn't mean that anyone is immoral for not participating in one over another. Regardless of religion or lack there of, people will be drawn to those things they are most passionate about. For some it is feeding the hungry, for others it's education. You don't have to go out and be physically involved in a crisis to show that you have moral courage, and you certainly don't have to become involved in issues overseas to prove it when there are many things going on here at home that are being overlooked.

Answer 3

I stood before a school board in defense of a great teacher who had an err of judgement and had used crude humor in front of an adolesent student. The press became involved, and criminal charges were filed. The school board had already enacted discipline, and the teacher issued a sincere apology- but the school board had yet to decide if this was sufficient. At the meeting of the school board I attended, the board had just this last chance to end the entire affair- some of us in the community appealed to the board to do so. Standing in front of the microphone, I poured out my heart in support of this man who had been my most admired teacher and friend.

The school board did not make a decision in favor of the teacher. They remained unreasonable, and sited "bad press" as the reason for perpetuating his crucifixion- the bad press they referred to wasn't what had already been written on the subject, but what they were afraid _might_ be written if they decided to reinstate the teacher immediately. They were afraid it would damage their standing in the community if they decided justly. Only one board member abstained from the vote, and resigned immediately. The rest covered their reputation at a good man's expense. In the end, my friend lost his job, even though the criminal charges were (literally) laughed out of court, and dropped.

Countless young people in my community could have benefitted by the exceptional personal interest shown by this expert educator in each child he encountered. While some time later, he did begin to teach again, it was in another town some 50 miles away.

Standing before the school board that day may have been the hardest thing I have ever done. You see, this teacher had helped to save me from the very brink of suicide, and trying to explain that to a room filled with hundreds of people all from my own small town- well it wasn't easy. But I felt that it needed to be said, to be explained, just how much this man mattered to the community and to me personally.

I did all that I could do when faced with these men of small and fearful character who had the power and inclination to ruin a single good man's life. I have never regretted standing up for my friend.

Answer 4

Vietnam war vet. You decide for yourself if I have the moral courage to stand up for what I believe in and try to make a difference. Beyond that I've nothing to say on the subject other than religion has nothing to do with morals and ethics.

Answer 5

I am proud to say that my husband has outstanding moral courage, and has given me a push to be more assertive along that line, too. He is a Pagan in overwhelmingly conservative Christian Idaho. He has gone publicly numerous times openly as a Pagan to support causes and to speak out. He's been involved in the Boise Patriots, a local anti-war group. He is part of an interfaith hunger coalition to address hunger in Idaho. Right after 9/11 he stood with other religious leaders to support the local Muslim community who were being unfairly targeted by Homeland Security. He routinely writes letters to the editor of our local newspaper. Through our business we donate and solicit donations for the local rescue missions and women's shelter. We are openly Pagan and do these thiings. I am very proud of him for being who he is and standing up for what he believes in. It takes guts, especially where we live, to do this.

Answer 6

I am a Filipino, I have and always stand up for what I believe is right. I am a former Atheist. You know what you just stopped me momentarily from spamming. Anyway I already signed it and I'm going to spread it.

Answer 7

I can not do everything. I work in my corner of the world with problems here. It's what I can do. Why your cause and not another? Is your cause more moral? and to who?

Answer 8

Well, for the most part, I have gone I have witnessed about Jesus Christ to everyone I've encountered, the majority of the time what I run into is people are rejective of what the Words have to say, and I think in large part because they don't want to have any responsibility for what they say and do, they want to be their own "god" and completely reject what God's commands are for their life!!

God commands us in His Word that we must 'Go unto all the world and spread the good news, keeping steadfast in the faith.'

The only way to have real Courage is through dedicated prayer to God, take your burdens to God and He will answer them, He will give you the Courage that is necessary in order to win souls to Christ!!

Answer 9

You never heard of Vietnamese Boat People.

The US has one of the LARGEST Vietnamese communities outside of Vietnam.

Answer 10

I'm sure people on both sides stood up for what they believed in , just because they arent caught up in your cause doesnt make people amoral or immoral