Christopher Hitchens thinks it does so “ by insisting that we believe absurdities that are drawn from the mythology of paganism and barbarism.”
I think he has a point, what do you think?
2007-12-17 04:44:11 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes.
Whose morals are stronger?
ATHEISTS - who have an intrinsic sense of positive and negative behaviors, understanding that each situation is unique calling for flexible rules. Atheists possess an internal compass -- a golden compass -- to help guide them toward positive and negative outcomes. Atheists possess great courage by taking a stand on something they believe.
BELIEVERS - who would have no sense of morality in absence of god or bible. Believers whose only sense of morality comes from an external source yet possess no internal compass to guide them through life. Believers only have a book to point to for their beliefs.
2007-12-17 04:47:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 6⤋
#1: they're not absurdities. Even if you reject them as being God-given, the vast majority of the precepts represent well thought out wisdom on life's realities.
#2: by no stretch of the imagination are Bible teaching drawn from paganism and barbarism.
#3: I don't know too many people who have raised children, and seen the unmitigated selfishness of babies and children, believe in an innate morality.
2007-12-17 12:57:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes. I'm always amazed that people can truly believe:
1 - virgins have babies
2 - dead people resurrect (from real death, not near-death experiences or zombification)
3 - most of the population has done something so terrible that only death by crucifixion will pay for it
4 - one person's crucifixion (Jesus') can pay for all the sins committed by everybody else through time (even people he didn't even know, who weren't even born then)
5 - all you have to say is "I believe" and "I accept" and you don't have to go to hell for your alleged sins
6 - there is such a thing as "hell" in the first place
Come on, now. Don't those things sound pretty farfetched to you? Where is the EVIDENCE for any of it?
2007-12-17 12:54:01 · answer #3 · answered by catrionn 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think "you atheists" are missing the point here, and making a broad, incorrect generalization. We, as Christians, don't need the Holy Bible to teach us morality. The Bible is a tool to help guide us on the path to Heaven.
Humans, by nature, are NOT moral creatures. We have to work at it. If that were not true, then why does society have laws that are punishable if we violate them? It is unlawful to commit murder. It is unlawful to steal. It is unlawful to lie and present yourself falsely (scams, fraud), especially when bound in court to tell the truth. If you do not follow these laws, which are also MORAL codes that happen to be in the Bible, you are punished justifiably.
So what is so wrong about looking to the Bible for guidance in living morally? Even if you don't believe that Jesus was the Messiah, his teachings of love and morality are still worth knowing. Working to better every aspect of ourselves is far from absured and insulting.
2007-12-17 13:04:20 · answer #4 · answered by ♛Qu€€n♛J€§§¡¢a♛™ 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
No. I don't think he has a point. Asking someone to believe something that one normally wouldn't believe in is not an insult on one's intelligence. It's an invitation for thought. What innate morality does Christianity insult? Christianity tells people to love one another, to serve them, and to do good. If that insults your innate morality, you may want to take another look at your innate morality...
2007-12-17 12:50:34 · answer #5 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
You bet! It is impossible to see God (or Jesus) without having the faith of a small child. A child will believe what a grown-up tells them. And if you don't have the faith to see God, you'll never see him. We're talking about a God who is a gentleman. He won't force his way into your life. But whoever seeks him diligently, will find him.
As far as morality, what morality? What is moral about a person who has no faith in the absolute truth or reality? What morality could such liars and the deceived possibly have, rejecting the living God?
2007-12-17 13:20:06 · answer #6 · answered by nobleservant 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I agree with Hitchens. Not only is it absurd, I hate it when people tell me I need the Bible for morality, and without it I am evil. I mean common, its not like I'm gonna go burn villages and eat babies without it......
2007-12-17 12:50:58 · answer #7 · answered by Dr. Facepalm 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I agree, Christianity is a direct assault upon Free Thinking or Freedom of thought.
2007-12-17 12:48:16 · answer #8 · answered by MoPleasure4U 4 · 5⤊ 2⤋
It definitely causes problems, and looking at it pragmatically does both.
But sometimes you just have to go with your gut and thats what people do all the time.
2007-12-17 12:47:50 · answer #9 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, it depends on whether you're a fundamentalist or not.
Not everything in the Bible is inspired, but a lot of it is.
2007-12-17 12:48:02 · answer #10 · answered by 2kool4u 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋