Do Atheists & Agnostics have more of an altruistic nature than Christians?

Question

Altruism: the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (dictionary.com)

Some (but not all) Christians seem to claim title on altruism & that without belief in God, atheists & agnostics have no concept of morality. However, many of these same Christians do 'altruistic' deeds in order to get into Heaven.

Doesn't that count as 'selfish', and therefore not count as altruism as defined above?

Answer 1

Yes, it does.

I believe that many agnostics and atheists are wonderfully kind and altruistic people. So are many Christians.

Answer 2

I think all of us do our good deeds mainly for the good feelings we get from doing them. Good feelings is just as much a selfish reward as anything else so it is not altruism. We like to think ourselves as altruistic (inherently good) so we pretend that good feelings are just an afterthought and not the motive. And if you believe that, I have this bridge I would like to sell you.

Without God, there is no logical foundation for morality other than good feelings. Without God, there is no such thing as a moral authority over us, which is why many of us reject God.

Doing good deeds in order to get into heaven is the antithesis of Christianity, but anyone can call themselves Christian, even those who believe in the opposite of Christianity.

Answer 3

Thanks for defining Altruism. I'd have had to go to dictionary.com.... Seriously though, this is the question. Are any Christian's "good?" What is their motivation for acting a certain way. Is it selfish fear of some big bad bully in the sky?

Answer 4

I'm agnostic and don't claim to be anything better than that of any other group. Does that make me more altruistic?

And the good things I do...I just do.
Same as the bad I suppose. :)

Nifty question though.

Answer 5

There is an ancient German proverb that states: If we help each other, we both become strong.
Is it altruistic of me to want for myself the same benefit as the guy I help gets? You bet!

Answer 6

based on charitable giving and volunteerism, perhaps the only two objective measures, atheists and agnostics appear to be the second most selfish people on the planet, right behind the French.

Answer 7

By definition, yes (unless they have ulterior motives, like proving that atheists can be altruistic),

Answer 8

Liberal Church right? Why would atheists be wanting more people to have heathcare on their expense if they were not altruistic?

Answer 9

The prefix A, actually means indifferent. So where all you charismatic atheists and agnostics come from is beyond me!

Answer 10

Christians "tithe" money that pays for the church infrastructure--Atheists--like Bill Gates are more interested in seeing their donations actually benefit those who need it the most.