Reply to Why do only children believe goblins and Santa, but adults believe in God?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP because I want to. It's a free country so far anyway. [/quote]

Sure go ahead, and also don't denigrate people who don't believe[/quote]

Problem is people often feel denigrated by facts.  That’s a “them” problem.[/quote]

It's not a them problem. Religious beliefs have caused significant harm to society by fueling conflict and violence (Crusades, acts of terrorism, etc), justifying discrimination (women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of different faiths), suppressed scientific advancements (condemnation of Galileo e.g.), and fostered deep social divisions of mistrust and hostility (catholics vs protestants, condemnation of Jews, christians vs muslims). Additionally, believers often try to impose those beliefs whether directly (mandating bibles in schools) or indirectly (anti-abortion views) on others through laws.

It's not a free country when lawmakers try to force their religiously inspired perspective by passing laws that limit personal freedoms. [/quote]

People wouldn’t care what you think or do if you weren’t trying to take away people’s rights because of your religious beliefs. 
[/quote]

I'd still care that some people are religious, because a lot of them are so sure they're right and that non-believers are inferior.  If that changes, I won't care as much.

I'll still care, though, because I hate to see people wasting precious time in the only life they have for the false promise of an everlasting life after  they die.
[/quote]

NP: How are they wasting time living a life that brings them joy and comfort and way to live a good life? It doesn't have to be the same way as yours to also be a good life for them.[/quote]

They are wasting time trying to live up to the demands of their "God" expecting heavenly rewards which will not come.  Fine if their life brings them joy and comfort.  Not fine if they spend the one life they have striving to please an imaginary being[/quote]
What should they be doing with their life instead that they're not doing? There are many people whose belief in God leads them to donate time and money to help make the world a better place. Religious institutions organize food drives for food pantries, organize volunteer groups at soup kitchens and homeless shelters, plan fundraisers for refugees, and more. Are those activities a waste of time because the people participating are motivated by their belief in God?[/quote]

[b]Yes, because if you need a belief in god to act like a good person, then you are not a good person.[/b]

I do all of those charitable things you mention and then some (except for refugees) and I have never believed in a god.  [/quote]
Thank you for your charitable work. I'm sure that the good you do in the world is appreciated by those who benefit from it, regardless of your motivation.

Also, the bolded didn't really answer the question. I didn't ask if the motivation made someone a good person. I asked if those things are a waste of time, since PP's claim was that religious people waste time trying to live up to God? I don't wholly disagree, since I think there are ways in which people DO waste time, particularly by proselytizing and judging the beliefs of others. But I don't understand how it is a waste of time to help others in this life, even if you disagree with the reason why a person is volunteering/donating?[/quote]

So you didn't think that my response (which began with the word "Yes") answered the question, or just didn't agree with the answer?  The latter is fine as it is entirely your prerogative, the former is puzzling.[/quote]
I don't think you answered the question. "Yes" followed by your reasoning that didn't relate to wasting time didn't make sense to me as an answer. That's why I asked for clarification. Your answer struck me as the answer to the question, "Does motivation matter for being a good person?" NOT the question, "Are [good] activities a waste of time because the people participating are motivated by their belief in God?" I asked the latter, not the former.[/quote]

They had a goal. - please their god.  If there isn’t one then that was a waste of time.  They didn’t do the good things out of empathy and kindness, so also not good people.[/quote]

Perhaps, they did "the good things" not only for their god, but "out of empathy and kindness" as well. [/quote]

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