Does religion make you good?

[Anonymous]

I have two uncles (one by marriage, one by blood) who were both ministers. They are both some of the worst people you ever met. One cheated on my aunt repeatedly and openly, the other beat his kids. My cousins don't speak to them anymore. Their congregations didn't have an issue with it.

I genuinely think the concept of confession and forgiveness causes problems because for some it becomes "Jesus forgave me so you can't hold me accountable for my actions".

[Anonymous]

I was forced to be pretty religious as a child - going three times a week, prayers at home, etc. I was a much worse person as a child than I am as an adult who never goes and never prays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

No one said what Hitler did was good. Obviously what he did was very bad. As said above "it's just people - sometimes they are good, sometimes they are bad."

[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!

Because both God and Trump are very powerful?

[Anonymous]

Some people might need the guidelines. Need a higher power to tell them not to lie, cheat, steal, etc..... Hopefully if you REALLY follow what your faith says like, feed the poor, heal the sick, etc. it does make you a better person.

Too many people pick and choose what parts of their faith they follow. And still want to be considered a "good person".

[Anonymous]

It can, or it can make you evil. It really just depends.

[Anonymous]

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

Do no harm. That's it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Do no harm. That's it.

So, Hippocrates determines what’s good and what’s not good?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Do no harm. That's it.

So, Hippocrates determines what’s good and what’s not good?

Hippocrates is just known for saying it. He doesn't determine anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

I would extend this to volunteering as well. Very few of my non-practicing colleagues, friends, and family volunteer at all, much less in any sustained way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

+100

I can’t understand people who claim to be religious but support hate, support the death penalty, but are pro life, support inflicting pain and suffering on the most vulnerable. It makes no sense. It’s sad but these people are not Christian.

[Anonymous]

"With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil - that takes religion."

--Steven Weinberg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

+100

I can’t understand people who claim to be religious but support hate, support the death penalty, but are pro life, support inflicting pain and suffering on the most vulnerable. It makes no sense. It’s sad but these people are not Christian.

Religious "Christian" means believing that Jesus Christ, the Son of God is your savior, not imitating Christ or following His advice.

Jesus of Nazareth was an ethicist. Thomas Jefferson was a non-religious follower of Jesus, who compiled The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, a non-religious compilation Jesus's teachings.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Bible

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was forced to be pretty religious as a child - going three times a week, prayers at home, etc. I was a much worse person as a child than I am as an adult who never goes and never prays.

If you were forced you weren't religious.

[Anonymous]

The short answer is no. To be good, you have to want to be good and make the effort to have empathy/compassion and be kind, patient, etc. For someone with that mindset, church and religion can be very helpful in reinforcing and sustaining that attitude. But it’s totally not required. In fact, I think it’s rather depressing to believe people will only be good if they’re being watched and judged by a god. Kindness has inherent value to our societies and lives.