Does religion make you good?

[Anonymous]

When I was Catholic, I was just as good a person as I am now. No better, no worse. What about you? I used to be worried about breaking the rules of Catholicism, but only because I was worried about going to hell. I don’t worry about that any more. It always seemed unlikely.

I ask if religion makes you good because I’ve heard people mention their religious teachings when they do something good or avoid something bad, as in “My religion teaches kindness….” or “My religion doesn’t allow that.”

[Anonymous]

Yes, I am much more charitable because of my religion. As someone who grew up poor and has a tight fist on money this has been the hardest thing for me.

[Anonymous]

How do you know that your religion didn't shape you positively as an adult? I'm Catholic and hell wasn't emphasized at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you know that your religion didn't shape you positively as an adult? I'm Catholic and hell wasn't emphasized at all.

I don't - and can't - know that my religion didn't shape me as an adult.

Hell might not have been emphasized for you, but if you're religious, I bet you knew full well that's where you'd go if you did something really bad. Lots of non-catholic religions believe that too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know that your religion didn't shape you positively as an adult? I'm Catholic and hell wasn't emphasized at all.

I don't - and can't - know that my religion didn't shape me as an adult.

Hell might not have been emphasized for you, but if you're religious, I bet you knew full well that's where you'd go if you did something really bad. Lots of non-catholic religions believe that too.

Except I don't believe that because sin is forgiven.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I am much more charitable because of my religion. As someone who grew up poor and has a tight fist on money this has been the hardest thing for me.

Are you saying that if you weren't religious, you wouldn't be charitable?

[Anonymous]

I think about this often, and I’m confused how some of the most backhanded people I know are “Christians.” I also know one deeply Catholic person who is a Trump supporter, which I find very confusing. How can you believe in the word of God and also defend Trump!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know that your religion didn't shape you positively as an adult? I'm Catholic and hell wasn't emphasized at all.

I don't - and can't - know that my religion didn't shape me as an adult.

Hell might not have been emphasized for you, but if you're religious, I bet you knew full well that's where you'd go if you did something really bad. Lots of non-catholic religions believe that too.

Except I don't believe that because sin is forgiven.

In confession, you mean? When the priest gives you absolution from your sins?

[Anonymous]

Sticking to your values will "make you good." Religion is one way, of many, to facilitate that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think about this often, and I’m confused how some of the most backhanded people I know are “Christians.” I also know one deeply Catholic person who is a Trump supporter, which I find very confusing. How can you believe in the word of God and also defend Trump!

It's a mystery - like so much in the Catholic Church

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know that your religion didn't shape you positively as an adult? I'm Catholic and hell wasn't emphasized at all.

I don't - and can't - know that my religion didn't shape me as an adult.

Hell might not have been emphasized for you, but if you're religious, I bet you knew full well that's where you'd go if you did something really bad. Lots of non-catholic religions believe that too.

Except I don't believe that because sin is forgiven.

NP. And this is exactly why I believe religion has zero correlation to goodness. If your sins can just be forgiven, then... that's pretty awful. It would be far more "good" if humans didn't do sinful and shitty things in the first place. Asking and receiving forgiveness feels like a major copout. Particularly if your motivation to good only comes with a selfish reward (heaven, etc).

[Anonymous]

So then, who determines what’s good and what’s not good?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So then, who determines what’s good and what’s not good?

You do.

Society does, through laws. Also, there is a built-in moral code that most people have irrespective of religion.

Certainly truly awful things have been done in the name of religion. Good things, too. Really, it's just people - sometimes they are good, sometimes they are bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So then, who determines what’s good and what’s not good?

You do.

Society does, through laws. Also, there is a built-in moral code that most people have irrespective of religion.

Certainly truly awful things have been done in the name of religion. Good things, too. Really, it's just people - sometimes they are good, sometimes they are bad.

So, Hitler’s determination of good was acceptable?

What complete horseshit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So then, who determines what’s good and what’s not good?

People do. They determine what's good for the community, and the people. It changes over time.

For the most part, most people think survival is good. Communities have evolved to learn that treating others how you want to be treated, is good by way of mutuality.