I'm an Atheist, and I don't care what your religious beliefs are, or lack of beliefs. As far as I'm concerned the most important thing in life is to be a good person.
So, to all the good people in R&S --- I have so much turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and apple pie left I hope you all come over and stuff yourselves silly! :D
2007-11-22 16:57:12 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank you everybody for all your heartfelt comments -- I respect them all.
2007-11-22 17:07:22 · update #1
Thank you Goat boy, that is very kind of you.
2007-11-22 17:11:26 · answer #1 · answered by Mariah 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hello my friend! I would love to come over and hang out. I however never want to see turkey again. :o) I also believe the most important thing is to be a good person. I was just discussing this with my father today. He said do what you think is right, make sure you take personal responsibility for wrongdoings, and most importantly, live and let live. He's a smart fellow.
2007-11-22 17:13:12 · answer #2 · answered by Linz VT•AM 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Uck. I'm an Atheist, and I disagree.
Yeah, you instinctively know what good and evil are. You instinctively know which action will ripple on throughout the course of human history as creating the most positive for all, and the least negative for all.
You're subjective, and wrong. Being a good person isn't subjectively deciding to give a bum money. Your refusal may have inspired him to get a job and get his life back on track, visit his son's soccer game and get him on track to curing cancer. You can't know these things. You can only guess at which option has the most potential for good and harm. Whether it actualizes or not is impossible to tell without prescience.
Being a good person then, by my rationale means not shaking things up until you understand the full scope of the causal relation between your actions and the well-being of those around you.
But you have a different definition of being a good person, and its that definition I'm disagreeing with.
2007-11-22 17:03:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes you are right. However, some people need something to believe in. They need structure and that's why they choose to believe in a religion. I am a pagan by choice. I don't have to sell my religion to anyone. I respect everyone's beliefs and ideas and know that as humankind we are all as one. I think we need to go about our lives as we choose and not shove our religion at anyone. It isnt us who determines who goes to hell or not for not believing in something. It is an energy that is beyond us. Hell is I believe our own creation. I think that if you live a good life and don't hurt anyone that you are a good person. It doesn't have to do with religion. Many a religious person has gone astray and done wicked things as well as those with no religion have done nice things in life. It depends on who you are and if you want a peaceful life. So mote it be. Maeve.
2007-11-22 17:05:21 · answer #4 · answered by queenmaeve172000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If one is NOT a good person there would be no reason to claim belief in any faith! For many people, however, the key to being a good person lies in the teachings of Jesus and the word of God. It's like a rulebook for them to follow. Take the 10 commandments for example. If one truly lives by them I would think they are pretty good people.
2007-11-22 17:07:34 · answer #5 · answered by Chris B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think religious beliefs should fit in with being a good person. I see every day how religion helps my friends to become their better selves. And striving to become better people makes them stronger in their faith.
It is possible to be a "good" person without being religious. It is possible to be a "religious" person without being good. But being a good AND religious person will make you happiest in the long run, because not only will you have the satisfaction of knowing you're trying to live life to the best of your ability, but you'll also know why you're living that way.
2007-11-22 17:07:08 · answer #6 · answered by csbp029 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're spot on. Some Christians say that if you only do good works, you won't get into their so called heaven. I guess Mother Theresa is out then. But I didn't like a lot of what she espoused anyway (anti birth control for poor countries) Anyway, your generosity is appreciated. Religion and knowing what's right and wrong are two different things. I don't need to believe in a fantasyland to think rationally.
2007-11-22 17:06:34 · answer #7 · answered by PURR GIRL TORI 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good behavior and religious beliefs are indeed different but some times the good and bad are defined on the basis of religious beliefs. That is a real problem.
2007-11-22 17:01:42 · answer #8 · answered by Swamy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religious beliefs have nothing to do with what kind of person you are. The world is full of evil people who claim to be "men of god". Treating others with love and respect is what makes you a good person...not believing in a particular god.
2007-11-22 17:06:01 · answer #9 · answered by sunshine 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I completely agree with you. I'm an atheist too and I think it is more important to be a good person. I hate to think that if there is a God he would let bad people go to Heaven because they truly believe in Jesus, and let good people go to Hell just because they don't. If I were God I would let everyone come to a good place after they die, I wouldn't torture anyone for eternity. Sorry I think I might be getting a bit off topic.
2007-11-22 17:02:54 · answer #10 · answered by Arête 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If Your a good person you are religious, don't let peoples Interpretation OR their dogma turn you from the Creator or cause you to turn from your light THE CREATOR is not male or female but LOVES US ALL THE SAME especially A GOOD PERSON GOD BLESS!
2007-11-22 17:05:00 · answer #11 · answered by the_one_real_servent 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋