Do you have to be religious to be a good person?

Question

This isn't so much looking for answers as a debate.
Some people say that it isnt just a coincidence that crime and atheism have both risen recently. Personally i think you can be just as good without a god, and think of all the bad things done in the name of religions - basically religious wars - like all this protestant v catholics stuff that happened in Ireland and that was between relatively similar religious groups
PS I;m not trying to be racist or anything so no stupid comments pls

Answer 1

No. Just think positive, help in any way you can, be grateful, and be happy.

Answer 2

I see things a little differently than you do. I find that the majority of wars are caused be religions. Look back in history and look at today, everything done in the name of "God, or "Allah" or=====. It is not whether you believe in a God or not, or belong to a religion or not. It comes down to how one is living their lives. There is a basic spirit within each person and I believe the quote "We are human beings having a spiritual experience we are spiritual being having a human experience. If we can believe that then we can all work on being the best that we can be. Unfortunately however, there are fearful, judgemental people everywhere that feel with all their hearts, that they are right and everyone else is wrong. That one thought creates dissention and fear.
All we can do as individuals is be loving,kind, compassionate, forgiving, understanding and send out love in our hearts to all on this earth. Loving energy is so much stronger than hateful energy so if there were enough of the good stuff going out, we could possible slowly but surely, overcome the racism and wars. My answer to your question is NO you do not nee to be a religious person, you need to be a loving, positive thinking person, and that is the true escence of everyone is..

Answer 3

Goodness is "in the eye of the beholder", much like beauty. It depends on your beliefs. There have been many good people of various religions, such as Gandhi, Mother Theresa, and Buddha. What makes religious beliefs, or the lack of them a determining factor? If one person who is an atheist does some of the same good deeds as one of the above, does being a non-believer erase the good that they have done? I agree that religion is used as a reason for some terrible things. It is the deeds and not the beliefs (good or bad) that inspire them that make a difference in the world. All the talk (and believing) in the world doesn't make a difference, if it isn't put into action.

Answer 4

Yes you can absolutely be good without being a christian. The fact of the matter is that just being a good person doesn't get you into heaven the grace of God and the blood of Jesus do. You have to understand something about "religion" no one is perfect and many people do things that they truely believe are good when they are not and this points back to no one is perfect and many of them don't truely understand God and His ways or they wouldn't do things b/c they "think" they are right the truth is the should have asked God first. The fact is that being a good person is for religious and non-religious the difference is when christians mess up they can ask God for forgiveness and those who don't believe continue to build up sin in there heart which ultimately leads to self-distruction in one form or another.

Answer 5

No, you don't need to be religious to be a good person (and it's not racist, it's bigot (not saying you are)). I'm a christian witch and my best friend is and atheist. We get along great, for the most part. Except when she tries to talk to me about religious ****. It's a draining conversation on it's own but when two different religions butt heads... it's just exhausting. I still think she's a good person. Much peace!

Answer 6

Not at all...we know many people who claim that they are religious commit crimes, minor or major, this won't make any difference. To be good is relative, there are some works done good for the others to see but bad for the others . like giving alms to poor people,in your opinion this is good to do, but in the eyes of the others, this is terrible because you are helping someone to be lazy and dependent,,,see so goodness comes from the heart but then again. this will depend on who is perceiving the goodness you are showing..so don't worry, nothing to do with religion, or race it is just the matter of the goodness of the heart to do good deeds...

Answer 7

I believe organized religion is the most evil thing man has ever invented. It gives other humans control over you through faith, it does not matter if it is a pope, bishop, imam, mullah, pastor, rabbi or monk. A persons faith should be between that person and their god, no mortal should use it for control, wealth and power. Live a good life and be kind and compassionate to the other inhabitants of the earth and you will be a good person.

Answer 8

In my opinion, you do not have to be religious according to how society deems so. Look at Bush, who is suppose to be some type of religious person (I think goes to church, because that is an issue about who becomes President, what religious background or affiliation they have with the church) goes to church on Sunday. Monday bright and early order the death of people. Look at the so-call priest molesting children. Your creator knows your heart. keep it clean, honest, pure, kind and full of love, you can and are a good person. Other good qualities too, but can you hear me?

Answer 9

This really boils down to Karma, as ye sow, so shall ye reap.

Either you believe in it or you do not. If you are lucky and fortunate enough to have seen it in action then you will know the truth. If not then you will live in a doomed dream.

I say doomed because if you do not learn the lessons of history, then you will be surely doomed to repeat the lessons endlessly until you do.

Whether one believes in God, Buddha or the Nothing, Karma remains constant.

In this universe, for every action there exists an equal and opposite reaction. There is no escape from this fundamental law of life. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. With or without a belief in God, this law remains the same.

Answer 10

I know some people who are not overly religious and they are good people but I do think weather you have a particular religion or not you need to be brought up with some kind of right and wrong moral views

Answer 11

it rather is a annoying question to respond to for numerous motives. the 1st is that the term 'non secular nut' is very relative and in all probability no longer a mainstream term as, say, fundamentalist. That suggested a 'nut' would want to probable ideal be defined as somebody who's closed minded sufficient to insist that their way is the only ideal way and demand on maintaining this theory to the international with out asking if all individuals is involved first.