Religion turns the focus towards the individual, admonishing his crimes to a god (see confession and prayer)
all an atheist has is their conscience to live with, it is harder to forgive yourself than just believe a mighty power has forgiven you.
Religious gatherings can be seen objectively as the tradition and social events that they are by atheists, and the bible as a fine collection of stories, historical comment and ancient fokelaw, and not the word of a god.
2007-09-04 02:21:58 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes I believe so.
Much more worldly.... because that's all there is to them.
2007-09-04 02:29:42 · answer #1 · answered by sassinya 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I wasn't gonna comment till I saw Jacob’s little priestly propaganda of deceit, lies, mis-information and wilful ignorance.
An atheist will do the right thing cos it'd the right thing to do not cos some old man with a beard in a book of Bronze Age myths and superstitions threatens to send him to hell if he doesn't do the right thing.
The laws of any country are much the same in many ways and they're made so people like me can have a set of rules to live by so we can all get along in society and our families and our stuff will be safe.
Jacob on the other hand needs a special book with special punishment, like torture in hell for all eternity if he doesn't behave, to keep him in line otherwise he'd be raping and pillaging cos he has no conscience or self-discipline.
Jacob is a much more dangerous member of society than I am.
Jacob is a xian; I'm an atheist.
.
2007-09-04 03:06:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a very odd rationalization of Atheism. So now we are to believe that Atheist are morally superior to everyone else? That they are somehow smarter than everyone else?
I don't see where a true Atheist would have a conscience. What would it be based on if one believes, as Atheists do, in moral relativity? If there are no moral absolutes for you to violate, then why feel guilty? One would have to be some kind of masochist to self flagellate when one has the ability to rationalize away any perceived misdeed.
I mean, what the heck? There is no ultimate judgment or day of reckoning for Atheists. They should do whatever is the most expeditious to achieving their desired ends. All any Atheist should concern himself with is his own pleasure since this world is all there is. You either get it now or you don't get it at all.
.
2007-09-04 02:41:30 · answer #3 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, if you want to redefine words, then you can prove anything you want.
According to the Bible, TRUE religion is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, help meet the needs of widows and orphans, etc, etc, etc.
If you do those things, you are religious. If you do NOT help the needy, then you are not very "socially orientated" at all, and you point at yourself.
You own question convicts you because you don't believe in religion.
Jesus, said "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Do you have a problem with that, or are you not "socially orientated"?
So, do you ALWAYS tear down the straw men of your own imagination?
Doesn't that make you a hypocrite when you (falsely) point your finger at others, when you, yourself are guilty of the same thing you (falsely) accuse others of?
2007-09-04 02:33:15 · answer #4 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
"Religion turns the focus towards the individual, admonishing his crimes to a god (see confession and prayer)"
You seem to be talking about a particular religion here, not all of them are like that!
2007-09-04 02:27:31 · answer #5 · answered by Diane 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it's the individual that either is, or is not socially oriented. I really don't believe it's a question of their religious creed, or lack there-of.
I'd look more at family, and family structure to find a better answer to your question since it is a family that raises a person and not a secondary factor, like religious affiliation, schooling, etc.
2007-09-04 02:36:11 · answer #6 · answered by kill-joy 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No
It's a false assumption to believe that most religious people stop, think, assess or even consult to see what Jesus or God would do.
Religious people are just as prone to speeding up on the Yellow light to make it accross the street as anyone else is.
2007-09-04 02:51:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that athiests are more likely to be as christians and others will be more inclined to blindly follow a book, it's pathetic how christians talk about love in one breath and then they want to see people suffer and die in the next breath
Edit: I agree with Everard G
Jacob is wrong and a typically religious response, athiests have consciences too and do not need a book to obey at all times
2007-09-04 02:29:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I strongly agree with the statement you made above saying:
"all an atheist has is their conscience to live with, it is harder to forgive yourself than just believe a mighty power has forgiven you."
It is much harder to forgive yourself than it is to "know" that some being will automatically grant you forgiveness if you ask for it. Learning to forgive yourself is a hard task but worth it for mental and emotional health.
I think religious people are taught more to be social with people of their 'kind', if you will. They are taught to socialize within the church but, in a way, to look down on non-believers or to pitty non-believers and "help" them "find their way".
2007-09-04 02:31:29 · answer #9 · answered by Christy ☪☮e✡is✝ 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋
No, I wouldn't say it's a rule that atheists are more socially oriented than religious persons. It depends upon the individual--his or her personality and background.
2007-09-04 02:29:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It's still hard to forgive myself at times, Christian or not.
Also, one needs to be aware that a non-belief can turn into a sort of religion of self. Not good either.
2007-09-04 02:29:59 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋