Just because someone is more religious than another or part of your religion does that make them a "better" person than anyone else?
Why do many people say that religious people and people of their religions are better people and non religious and people of different faiths are wrong?
Why can they not accpet that they just have different beliefs?
Why does one need religion to come up with morals and values?
Can you not learn those just by living life and interacting with others and forming your own opinions or following what you want?
Why do many people feel that people need religion to tell them these things and that no one can learn moral and values on their own?
I am a religious person but I am wondering what do people say things like "You are evil because you are not Christian" (just an example)
2007-08-23 15:56:28 · 17 answers · asked by Lindsey G 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm a Christian, but lots of people aren't. That doesn't mean that they're bad people, just that they have different beliefs than I do.
2007-08-23 16:03:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
People can believe whatever they want. What's important is how they act in the world. No murdering, stealing, raping, etc.
Judaism lists seven commandments that a non-Jew is held responsible for upholding, and none of them require believing the same things we do. They are:
1) Don't worship idols (this does not include paying respect to a concept a statue represents as a Buddhist does)
2) Do not curse the Creator (this necessitates acknowledgment that He exists as well as denial of His greatness or goodness)
3) Do not murder
4) Do not commit immoral sexual acts (this is different from the mere "no adultery" of the ten commandments as it includes rape and incest)
5) Do not steal (as opposed to the "do not kidnap" of the ten commandments)
6) Pursue Justice (set up a court system to uphold laws - no lynching or vigilante justice)
7) Don't eat flesh taken from a live animal
Bit of a nicer, and more plausible, system than, "Belong to my secret club or burn for all eternity," eh?
2007-08-23 16:21:25 · answer #2 · answered by Aliya 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
1.) *ALL* people are evil from the get-go. Not just the non-religious, not just the religious... every last one of us put our own heart's individual desires over what is good for our souls, good for us, good for our families, good for our communities, good for our earth, and good in God's eyes. If it were not so, we would not have everyone, religious or non-religious, proclaiming the other as being evil or hypocritical. We are *all* sinners. We have *all* committed crimes against God, and have missed the mark of 'perfection'.
2.) If it was right, in my belief, to kill someone in cold blood because they had something I thought was nice, should I be condemned by you? If you were my target, would you condemn me? After all, we have different beliefs, why couldn't you accept that? (Mind you, I don't honestly believe that, that was merely an example). The fact is, is that everyone has a semblance of morality... everyone knows that certain things are simply wrong: murder of the innocent, hurting children, theft, breaking your loved one's heart, disrespecting your parents, making people work without rest, deception, and their respective mental counterparts like hatred, greed, rebellion, a wandering eye, and so on. The Bible has these 'certain inaliable wrongs' as part of the Ten Commandments, and of parts of Jesus' sermons. These are things 'inscribed upon the tablets within people's hearts', so to speak, and the Bible elaborates upon them, showing that love conquers all; that if you love your neighbor as much as you love yourself, then everything the laws and prophets spoke about are being kept.
3.) If you saw your neighbor's house in flames in the dead of night, and you know there isn't enough time to call the fire department, would you run over there and do something about it... or would you sit there and let it burn down, with the sleeping occupants completely unaware. We Christians choose not to just sit there. "The wages of sin is death". And we desire none to die, either physically or spiritually.
4.) It's not about morals, or religion... it's about actually caring about other people, and what happens to them. To understand further, check out www.needgod.com . Trust me, you will understand more after checking that out.
2007-08-23 16:23:06 · answer #3 · answered by seraphim_pwns_u 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Religions hate competition, and hate skeptics even worse.
Religions talking about others is like Ford owners badmouthing Chevy owners. They hate the competition, but they still believe in having a car.
Atheists are more like people saying, "You don't need a car! You never go more than a mile - walk it! Save gas! Be healthier! Save the environment!"
All dealers hate those who expose their product as useless, at best.
2007-08-23 16:08:32 · answer #4 · answered by Brent Y 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Unless they are willing to cut my throat in the name of their god or belief,then no,I don't believe a person is a bad person because of their religion.
2007-08-23 16:06:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I will only show you what the bible says, not me -the bible, i'm a christian and will let the bible speak 4 me.
1 Peter 4
6However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
and
Luke 18
18A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
19"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.
---------
you may try to convince yourself that you're good, justifying yourself, but what good is it gonna do if God doesn't approve.
and i don't want to go into detail about being saved or not....
2007-08-23 16:29:45 · answer #6 · answered by smarty pants 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, I do not think I'm better than anyone else, I do not think people are "evil" if they are not a Christian. I'm not the one to judge them.
2007-08-23 16:05:34 · answer #7 · answered by michelle 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It's good to see some compassionate and understanding people here. I agree with your points, but I doubt you will change anything. Good luck anyways.
-Atheist
2007-08-23 16:05:07 · answer #8 · answered by eV 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
What value does man have? We are all sinners and no man is good, not one. The issue is not about who is better, it is about salvation and spreading the truth. Because God does not want anyone to perish, so we share the good news that is Jesus Christ.
2007-08-23 16:05:05 · answer #9 · answered by L.C. 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Actions speak louder than words.
Religious beliefs aren't bad, but those who use them to justify killing, are bad.
2007-08-23 16:31:04 · answer #10 · answered by BOOM 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋