If you didn't have a religion, would you still be a good person?

Answer 1

I don't have a religion and I'm still a good person. It comes down to personal morals and beliefs that are outside of religion.

Answer 2

Of course you would be a good person, having a religion will not make you a good person. Is the way you think, if you are a good person, you will think positively and cares about the people around you. But be smart to know when people is taking advantage of you.

Answer 3

Thank you for asking this important question. I think for an answer you might look to the following quote from an interview with Arthur C. Clarke.

Clarke: One of the great tragedies of mankind is that morality has been hijacked by religion. So now people assume that religion and morality have a necessary connection. But the basis of morality is really very simple and doesn't require religion at all. It's this: "Don't do unto anybody else what you wouldn't like to be done to you." It seems to me that that's all there is to it.

Answer 4

I don't consider myself a good person. I have feelings and try to do my best and I hope to do good before I die. Maybe my actions won't show that but all that I have are good intentions. I don't think anyone in this world is a "good" person completely. I think with or without religion I'll be the same.

Answer 5

Religion is man's teachings; whereas the gospel is God's plan of salvation.


"And he [Jesus] said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." ―Luke 16:15

God is not impressed by superficial manifestations of religious piety. God looks upon the heart, as we read in Luke 16:15 above. So many religious leaders today are on their way to Hellfire, having never been born again through faith in Christ Jesus.They have churchianity without Christianity. They have religion without truth. The average person today honors ministers and priests as if they are good people; but the Bible says in Mark 10:18, "...there is none good but one, that is, God." No matter how much we may admire a man or woman of God, we must never forget that they are still vile, dirty, rotten sinners at best, just like you and me (Romans 3:10,19-23).

Answer 6

I might still be a good person, but of course 'good' out of ignorance.

Some people might seem very religious but his deed shows that he is a bad person.

Bad is a no. Good only is not enough, as good deed is only for yourself.

Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah verse 110;

(Meaning)
110. And be steadfast in your prayers and pay the alms-tax. Whatever good you send ahead for your own selves you shall find the rewards with Allah. Truly Allah sees well all that you do

Good must come with faith, if not it means nothing.

God words in the Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah verse 264.

(Meaning)
264. O believers! Do not annul (the rewards of) your acts of charity by stressing your benevolence and hurting (the feelings of the needy) - just like the one who spends his wealth only to be seen and praised by men and believes neither in Allah nor in the Last Day. (The act of charity of) such a man is like that of a smooth rock covered with a thin layer of earth: when heavy rain falls on it, the earth will be washed away leaving the rock bare. (This similitude is equally applied to the disbelievers and hypocrites who spend their wealth to be seen and praised by men) for such people shall gain nothing from what they have earned. And (remember) that surely Allah does not guide the disbelievers.

Answer 7

My parents were disciplinarians. I feel I would have turned out the same way, more or less. But to be 100% truthful, probably less. The good lessons that you are to take away from religion are in the subconscious.

Answer 8

The problem with saying someone is a 'good' person is that it requires a value judgement. Religions create codes of moral conduct. People judge by their religious (or other) tandards, but if you are living my your ethics and morals you are a good person.

Answer 9

I am a very good person. But I don't require fear of punishment or anticipation of due reward in order to have good solid moral and ethical character. I don't believe in violence and certainly witnessed some very violent acts in the name of religion.

Answer 10

Anyone who feels compelled to ask this question is probably not a very intelligent person...

Many religions have morals which degrade and hurt others--such as Christianity which regards homosexuals as sinners in need of a lecture.

Why else do you think we have a legal system? Considering that most convicted felons are from religious backgrounds...