It's amazing to think what life would be like if the Bible were never written; maybe people would behave correctly because it is the right thing to do, not because of a moral set of obligations that promises a reward, amirite?

The word of Christianity would be even more screwed up because people would have to tell the stories by mouth. There would be WAY more interpertations than there already is. And someone would think to write down all the stories about Christianity anyways.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Obviously you misunderstood the point of this post.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Actually you can look at it the way anon did... it's not misunderstanding it, it's just taking it for face value

by Anonymous 14 years ago

...No I'm pretty sure I understood the point of my own post.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I have no doubt of that... if you word so badly so that no one else can understand it, then you can't blame them. YOU said, if the Bible didn't exist sounds to me like you meant if Religion didn't exist....

by Anonymous 14 years ago

162 other people didn't have a problem with my wording. Not my fault you're too dumb to comprehend simple sentences.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

162 people would have agreed with you regardless of your wording. Not my fault you're too dumb to construct simple sentences and read and interpret data.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Whats with all the God hate?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Just because you want to get to heaven doesn't mean you don't do things out of the good of your heart. "moral obligations" would also apply to your own conscience by the way.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

This is exactly right. People should learn to think for themselves. I'm not saying religion is bad, but people should be able to tell right from wrong without instruction.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

All people loosely base their morals on instruction, whether it's their religion, their parents, or their community. Only through your experiences can you then adjust your virtues.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

That's true, but like you said, experiences and your environment can change that. People shouldn't base all of their opinions on a book regardless of how faithful you are.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Why not? As far as I can tell, most religious virtues coincide with non-religious virtues. All people agree that we should be kind to one another and help others and generally be good people. Who cares if it's written in a book or taught by your parents or learned by yourself?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I guess that's sort of my point. It shouldn't matter, as long as you understand why these things are right and wrong. I just think it's a mistake to follow religion blindly, or anything for that matter.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

This is my exact point. The Bible teaches these things, but it's conditional. They tell you that through faith and good works you will get into heaven. The problem is these people aren't doing it for the purpose of being good, it's simply for a reward: the promise of happiness in the afterlife.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

How can you say that all theists attempt to be good people solely due to extrinsic motivation?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

When did I ever say that? I'm simply pointing out the fact that people in general should be good and find their own path to fulfillment through good works. Don't assume I think all Atheists are inherently good people.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

"The problem is these people aren't doing it for the purpose of being good, it's simply for a reward" ^ You are implying that theists act like good people solely because they are extrinsically motivated by a reward. In my experience with Christians, most act in good conscience because it's the right thing to do and most do not view salvation as a "reward."

by Anonymous 14 years ago

My apologies. I didn't mean all religious people, the problem is simply that a vast majority DO act this way. And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the point of believing in god to get into heaven? Doing good works is just part of it, and heaven IS a reward for that.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Well, you don't believe in God to get to heaven, you believe you might get to heaven because you believe in God. It's not a do this get that, its an understand/learn and the good people will be saved...IDK its hard to explain faith...And I guess its different for everyone.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

The problem with your post is that a vast majority do NOT act in that way. And, there is no "point" to faith. Christians follow their religion because they wholeheartedly believe that Christ died for their sins, so they must show their praise and thankfulness through benevolence, prayer, and repentance. As a result, they get into heaven...but that is not their reasoning behind their good works. I'm atheist, by the way.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Obviously. You don't exactly sound like a Christian, and you don't understand them either. Why do you think that you know the reason for other people's faith?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

He actually summed us up pretty well ^^. We worship and love God because we believe in who He is and how He loves us. Part of our worship of God is our love for others. It is not for reward, it is part of who we are

by Anonymous 14 years ago

So...I give you the tidbit about my atheism your hindsight bias appears. And, I can ask you the same question...why do YOU think that you know the reason for other people's faith? My answer: I was raised in a strong Christian household and my friends and family are almost exclusively Christian. I have had countless discussions with them because religion fascinates me.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

When did I say that I do know the reason? I'm just saying you don't

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Bible doesn't control our minds, kiddo.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Good for you

That's how it should be.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

That's how it IS.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Not with everyone. I'm glad you can think for yourself, but sadly there are plenty of people who just agree with things without knowing why. I'm just saying you should understand what you believe.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I have a feeling that this will get thumbs down just because I voted NW

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Wow, the anti-spam program came up with monkey see, monkey do.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

The difference between right and wrong is rarely obvious. Many Christians don't follow the Bible without thinking, some people just use it for guidance and reflection. It's the same for other religious texts too.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

What about all of the other religions that have moral codes? I wish people were just normally nice, but that doesn't happen.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

It wouldn't be much different. Mithraism (the major world religion before Christianity) and/or Judaism would take the place of the lack of Christianity. Religion and the search for faith is inevitable, methinks. Also, the fact that many people base their morals on what their religion says isn't inherently bad. And I highly doubt most people follow those morals because of extrinsic motivation.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I believe there was a quote in one of the Inheritance series books that said "A perfect world would be one where people do the right thing not because of fear of some divine punishment or reward, but because they know it is the right thing"

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Was that the one about Elva? I could be mistaken.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

A perfect world will not ever be possible until people stop criticizing, belittling, and insulting other peoples faith. A perfect world is a world where everyone has radically different opinions but nobody cares.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

what does this even have to do with the Bible?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

It is sad that some people think that the only reason they should do good things is to get into heaven or impress God. I once heard someone use the argument "If you don't believe in God, what motivation do you have to be good?" Is it that hard to believe that some people actually care about others and the planet and aren't just trying to get rewarded for being good? (I am not saying all Christians think this way)

by Anonymous 14 years ago

My sentiments exactly.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Likewise, maybe they wouldn't behave correctly because they didn't have something to guide them down the right path. Who knows.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

The Bible never says being a good person gets you to heaven.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

But isn't that common sense?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

No, believing in Jesus gets you to Heaven.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

So if I believe in Jesus, but I am a complete ass to everyone, I will still go to heaven?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Yes, as long as you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

You can't truly believe in Jesus and still be a complete ass... The more you know about Jesus the better you try to be, so unless you're faking it (which God will know), then you won't be both of those things at the same time.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Hmm wasn't that part of what Martin Luther was fighting for? Didn't he believe people should get into heaven based on faith alone?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

A mature Christian will hopefully live a lifestyle of love because that is what they value and what God values, rather than thinking constantly about heaven. Just like a non-Christian might value love for love's sake, so does a Christian. It just happens that this is also the mindset of Jesus

by Anonymous 14 years ago

The human heart is desperately wicked above all else. However, I believe that everyone knows right from wrong. It's just that not everyone would actually do what is right if there is no law or "rewards" as you put it.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

No, we'd just have more Jews, Hindus, Pagans, Buddhists, Scientologists, followers of Roman/Greek mythology etc. We'd still have religion, we just would use different texts. Followers of the Bible do use their own moral judgment, they just use the Bible for insight and guidance. After all, the difference between right and wrong is not always obvious.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

It's amazing to think what life would be like if [laws] were never written; maybe people would behave correctly because it is the right thing to do, not because of a moral set of obligations that promises a reward. Just saying, you can use the same logic to assert that society shouldn't have laws.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Umm you completely ignored a major part of it, being the reward that was promised. You can't just substitute the word laws for Bible.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

rewards, punishments: same concept

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Family guy said it best: Guy 1: I like you and have no reason not to Guy 2: I like you and have no reason not to (Man runs over to them) Guy 3: Did you hear about the magic baby born today? They all fight to the death I'm not saying you shouldn't have faith or your religion is stupid, but you should respect others no matter what their belief is.

by Anonymous 14 years ago