The question in Genesis that Cain asked "Am I my brother's keeper?"
My understanding is the answer to this question is Yes.Becuase what one does can affect many and what many do can affect one;so we must mainly be accountable for ourselves;but to also be accountable for correcting others when their beliefs and actions are in the wrong. Atheist tend to give a lot of answers to the effect of "people can believe what they want to" "do what you want as long as it doesnt affect me" ect ect...
Is it correct to say atheist dont agree with the answer to Cain's question?Or that ya'll agree with it in part, up to a certain point that's convient for your atheist beliefs?
2007-11-22 05:17:57 · 19 answers · asked by Maurice H 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As an atheist, I have been trying to educate people on the genocide in Darfur while providing the refugees there with food. I have fought to have sanctions placed against the Sudanese government for backing the genocide.
Christians here seem more concerned in making sure no one goes to see The Golden Compass.
Two years ago, while Christians in the U.S. were spending all their time and energy worrying about gay marriage, I was raising money and awareness for the more than 15 million African children who have been orphaned by AIDS?
Who do you think is acting more like "his brother's keeper"?
2007-11-22 05:34:14 · answer #1 · answered by Pangloss (Ancora Imparo) AFA 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you are missing the nuance.
I am an atheist. I cannot and I do not want to control what others believe. I can and I do control how they behave, by supporting legislation in my local community.
Yes, there is a causal relationship between belief and behavior. However, the behavior is the one that we can all regulate. And as behavior is the one that affects society in general, it is up to us to control it.
You are also mistaken in assuming that there is an atheist belief. There is no atheist belief. There is only one DISBELIEF that an atheist must have to be an atheist. That disbelief is in any gods. Other than that, atheists do not need to have anything else in common, beliefs or otherwise.
2007-11-22 05:37:30 · answer #2 · answered by CC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cain was in the process of perjury when he asked that question.
To answer the question, yes and no. You have an obligation to protect others, but that ends where they have the right to make their own choices. You have to discriminate wrong in your book from wrong.
It is easier to go with John Donne:
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main..."
2007-11-22 05:52:26 · answer #3 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're over reading.
The story is cautionary tale, telling us not to follow Cain's path of doing harm, and not admitting to it.
God's response isn't to tell Cain that he is his brother's keeper, He immediately chastises Cain for his crime.
How can we apply this scene to our lives? Well, do we harm others, and then lie to ourselves and God by saying that we are not responsible for them?
Like when we as a country attack others, then blame them for being terrorists? Like when we buy expensive things for ourselves, and don't contribute to charity? Like when get on Yahoo answers and spout off to people, but neglect our loved ones nearby?
(I know I do some of those things, and I bet a lot of others do, too.)
2007-11-23 00:01:08 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Bad Day 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're asking, do we believe in the philosophy behind it, the answer is, some do, some don't. All atheists are different. Humanists, on the one hand, will probably mostly say they disagree with it. Others would probably say the agree. It all depends upon the personal philosophy of the atheist.
2007-11-26 04:30:34 · answer #5 · answered by Byron A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see what this has to do with gawd as a sibling could have to take care of their less responsible sibling.
I have to look no further than myself and my sister. She's sick and relies on a lot of meds to keep her mentally stable, but even they only keep her on an even keel they don't fix the underlying problem. Right now it's my parents that take the brunt of her care. When they get too old that responsibility will fall in part to me.
Gawd has nothing to do with the equation and neither does atheism.
2007-11-22 06:23:01 · answer #6 · answered by JavaJoe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You elevate yourself by saying " to also be accountable for correcting others when their beliefs and actions are in the wrong". Others have no obligation to consider you as their authority as to whether their beliefs are right or wrong. Put your book away and start respecting the opinions of others.
2007-11-22 05:35:47 · answer #7 · answered by Incognito 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It would however be accurate to say I don't agree that Cain and God are actual beings and not fictional characters in a poorly-written myth.
2007-11-22 05:24:55 · answer #8 · answered by Jesus Chrysler 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How did Cain ask god anything ? Was is by mental telepathy , in person , in his superstitious imagination , telegram , e-mail , just what ?
Without know how he asked the question, there is no sense in speculating on it .
2007-11-22 05:47:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um, cain, abel and god all have one thing in common; they are all fictional characters in a book of mythology.
Try to learn the difference between reality and make believe ok?
Trust me, you'll be SO much better off if you do.
2007-11-22 05:20:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋