Morality is not determined by the church you attend nor the faith you embrace. It is determined by the quality of your character and the positive impact you have on those you meet along your journey
Sunday, August 26, 2012
The difference in case you were wondering.
Of course that does not describe EVERYBODY on either side, but still it IS a pretty good base line.
No, it isn't a pretty good baseline. This is quite possibly one of the stupidest generalizations I have seen of the differences between believers and non-believers.
It could just as easily read to the effect that a believer will spend their life doing their utmost for "the least of their brothers." Or that for a non-believer, there is no karma or ultimate justice. If you can get away with it, do so, for you only get one life.
This is on par with the ridiculous post which posited that believers only do good out of fear of God's wrath, whereas atheists do the right thing out of the goodness of their hearts, where the truth is that believers may do the right things out of love, and atheists are just as capable of doing the right thing out of self-interest as anyone else.
Intelligent discussions of philosophy, cosmology, and the universe are one thing.
Simplistic neener-neener bumper sticker platitudes are another.
position: "there are two sides. right and wrong. good guys and bad guys." question: does this narrow view come from an inerrant fundamentalist or a freethinker?
The sweetest breath I ever drew was the one I took after shaking off the yoke of religion. That was the moment when I suddenly felt fully human, and understood the responsibility that came with such a revelation.
The bravest soldier on the battlefield is the Atheist who understands completely that he is risking his one and only life, and knows there is NO reward waiting for him for the sacrifice of that life, yet runs forward to face the enemy still.
The most altruistic person on the planet is the one who does not require the carrot and stick implicit in Christianity to do right, yet does so simply because it is indeed right, with no threat of punishment nor reward to pressure him toward the path of goodness.
A religious person may not consciously realize what motivates their actions, but embedded deep within their psyche is the fear of eternal punishment, combined with the fear of missing out on eternal bliss.
O/T in a big way (or is it?) but your mention of the soldier on the battlefield spurs me to link you this astounding recent effort from Tom Waits, video directed by Matt Mahurin: Hell Broke Luce
I agree with you so wholeheartedly. Having myself been reared without religion the entire concept feels so foreign to me and I can't wrap my head around the need for it, or especially why people would spend their hard earned dollars engaging in it. Your use of the word "contamination" is so very apt and thanks for explaining so very well how it feels.
I studied religion extensively in College and I used to work in an office with a few women of different christian faiths. When any sort of discussion re: christian dogma arose one of the women would always recommend me as the "go to " person for answers on religion. These women were so full of faith but had no knowledge of the bible or many aspects of this religion that their lives revolved around. One would think that a deeper knowledge of something that you dedicate your life to and dictates most of you actions would be desirable. Perhaps to some but definitely not all; these gals were simply following along in a family tradition without any background on why they were doing it. That to me seems like relinquishing an awful lot of personal power to something that you've not put too much deep thought into.
I believe it's long past time folk recognize the Adversary--the one who seeks to grind us and this marvelous World down--has long since dropped the old name "Satan" and appropriated a name which more serves his efforts and designs... and there was no constraint on the choice. Identity theft it was, in today's terminology. Is it not well known that "the devil can cite scripture for his purpose"? Does this not imply a smart moniker for the Imposter?
My Master directs we make this World work. The Bible tells me so.
Gryphen, isn't it true that we are all imbued with curiosity; it's an instinctive part of us as beings. We want to find out where we began, where the universe began, where we are going. We don't yet have a provable cause although there is evidence, but no PROOF. What is our purpose?
For some, these unanswered questions don't affect them. They just live a full life and accept the process of life and death. For others, the unanswered questions motivates them to find their creator; it inspires people to believe in hope and wanting a hopeful outcome without seeing the future requires faith.
I find it funny how some think an educated person need not live by faith. Somehow it's frowned upon to mix science with religion. That it's an either or thing. Many combine both and it works well for them. "Faith" in God can be an awesome thing to have as it keeps a person honest about their limitations and requires that innocent child-like curiosity. A person with faith has hope in a promise which keeps them feeling secure and wanting to pass on that hope to others. I expect President Obama has faith in God as well, he said he prays, and he believes in a hope and change, not by human effort only, but by believing that other child-like seekers want the best for their citizens. It's not by compulsion for many, either.
Hope you don't mind, but may I suggest the verse, "only believe" and another in Isaiah where God says "prove me" - it always gives results in ways you never expect.
Oh, please. The first picture is me when I'm depressed. The second is when I'm manic. Hasn't a damn thing to do with whether or not I believe in god. Has everything to do with the cosmic lottery I won -- a fucked up brain. Spare me the motivational poster quips.
I don't know you, Gryphen, but the impression I've formed after reading your blog for a few years is this: You're too smart to turn IM into another atheist jihad site characterized by simple-minded depictions of believers vs. atheists.
Since you like blogging about reality shows, why not drop the Palin gossip and write about Honey Booboo. She's smarter and cuter than Bristol.
No, it isn't a pretty good baseline. This is quite possibly one of the stupidest generalizations I have seen of the differences between believers and non-believers.
ReplyDeleteIt could just as easily read to the effect that a believer will spend their life doing their utmost for "the least of their brothers." Or that for a non-believer, there is no karma or ultimate justice. If you can get away with it, do so, for you only get one life.
This is on par with the ridiculous post which posited that believers only do good out of fear of God's wrath, whereas atheists do the right thing out of the goodness of their hearts, where the truth is that believers may do the right things out of love, and atheists are just as capable of doing the right thing out of self-interest as anyone else.
Intelligent discussions of philosophy, cosmology, and the universe are one thing.
Simplistic neener-neener bumper sticker platitudes are another.
So well said! Perfect response.
Deleteposition: "there are two sides. right and wrong. good guys and bad guys." question: does this narrow view come from an inerrant fundamentalist or a freethinker?
ReplyDeleteThe sweetest breath I ever drew was the one I took after shaking off the yoke of religion. That was the moment when I suddenly felt fully human, and understood the responsibility that came with such a revelation.
ReplyDeleteThe bravest soldier on the battlefield is the Atheist who understands completely that he is risking his one and only life, and knows there is NO reward waiting for him for the sacrifice of that life, yet runs forward to face the enemy still.
The most altruistic person on the planet is the one who does not require the carrot and stick implicit in Christianity to do right, yet does so simply because it is indeed right, with no threat of punishment nor reward to pressure him toward the path of goodness.
A religious person may not consciously realize what motivates their actions, but embedded deep within their psyche is the fear of eternal punishment, combined with the fear of missing out on eternal bliss.
Human beings should require neither.
I "thank god" every day I was extended the grace of being raised religion-free; no contamination, you see.
DeleteO/T in a big way (or is it?) but your mention of the soldier on the battlefield spurs me to link you this astounding recent effort from Tom Waits, video directed by Matt Mahurin: Hell Broke Luce
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fju9o8BVJ8
Face palm, Gryphen. Do you have a book called Comebacks For Atheists where you find these simplistic generalizations?
DeleteTheNastyLiberal:
DeleteI agree with you so wholeheartedly. Having myself been reared without religion the entire concept feels so foreign to me and I can't wrap my head around the need for it, or especially why people would spend their hard earned dollars engaging in it. Your use of the word "contamination" is so very apt and thanks for explaining so very well how it feels.
I studied religion extensively in College and I used to work in an office with a few women of different christian faiths. When any sort of discussion re: christian dogma arose one of the women would always recommend me as the "go to " person for answers on religion. These women were so full of faith but had no knowledge of the bible or many aspects of this religion that their lives revolved around. One would think that a deeper knowledge of something that you dedicate your life to and dictates most of you actions would be desirable. Perhaps to some but definitely not all; these gals were simply following along in a family tradition without any background on why they were doing it. That to me seems like relinquishing an awful lot of personal power to something that you've not put too much deep thought into.
Sorry, Gryphen.
ReplyDeleteThis post is borderline moronic.
I believe it's long past time folk recognize the Adversary--the one who seeks to grind us and this marvelous World down--has long since dropped the old name "Satan" and appropriated a name which more serves his efforts and designs... and there was no constraint on the choice. Identity theft it was, in today's terminology. Is it not well known that "the devil can cite scripture for his purpose"? Does this not imply a smart moniker for the Imposter?
ReplyDeleteMy Master directs we make this World work. The Bible tells me so.
"[S]erves his efforts and designs"
Deletestrike his insert such
Gryphen, isn't it true that we are all imbued with curiosity; it's an instinctive part of us as beings. We want to find out where we began, where the universe began, where we are going. We don't yet have a provable cause although there is evidence, but no PROOF. What is our purpose?
ReplyDeleteFor some, these unanswered questions don't affect them. They just live a full life and accept the process of life and death. For others, the unanswered questions motivates them to find their creator; it inspires people to believe in hope and wanting a hopeful outcome without seeing the future requires faith.
I find it funny how some think an educated person need not live by faith. Somehow it's frowned upon to mix science with religion. That it's an either or thing. Many combine both and it works well for them. "Faith" in God can be an awesome thing to have as it keeps a person honest about their limitations and requires that innocent child-like curiosity. A person with faith has hope in a promise which keeps them feeling secure and wanting to pass on that hope to others. I expect President Obama has faith in God as well, he said he prays, and he believes in a hope and change, not by human effort only, but by believing that other child-like seekers want the best for their citizens. It's not by compulsion for many, either.
Hope you don't mind, but may I suggest the verse, "only believe" and another in Isaiah where God says "prove me" - it always gives results in ways you never expect.
Oh, please. The first picture is me when I'm depressed. The second is when I'm manic. Hasn't a damn thing to do with whether or not I believe in god. Has everything to do with the cosmic lottery I won -- a fucked up brain. Spare me the motivational poster quips.
ReplyDelete8:01
DeleteI sympathize with you struggling with what sounds like bipolar. However, the way you described it was hilarious.
I don't know you, Gryphen, but the impression I've formed after reading your blog for a few years is this: You're too smart to turn IM into another atheist jihad site characterized by simple-minded depictions of believers vs. atheists.
ReplyDeleteSince you like blogging about reality shows, why not drop the Palin gossip and write about Honey Booboo. She's smarter and cuter than Bristol.