A highly unpleasant dogma

[Desert Snake]

There are no get out of jail free cards.

Explain..............

 

[Desert Snake]

Is it really a bother to do the right thing? We all acquire rules of behavior from parents and community. It doesn't require belief in heaven or hell to make people want to do the right thing.

Great. However you're making that statement like it applies to everyone. Why assume that? Do you realize how many people take their religious beliefs into account when doing something right/wrong........

 

[idav]

Explain..............

I don't believing some dogma over another is going to make much of a difference. In fact the NT states that there is much more to it. People would rather believe that their belief will save them as if they won't be accountable. Being accountable for your actions may be unpleasant for some but it beats punishing people for having the wrong conception of god or some silly thing like that.

 

[Desert Snake]

I don't believing some dogma over another is going to make much of a difference. In fact the NT states that there is much more to it. People would rather believe that their belief will save them as if they won't be accountable. Being accountable for your actions may be unpleasant for some but it beats punishing people for having the wrong conception of god or some silly thing like that.

It seems to me that most Christians believe that Jesus absolved everyone of their sins, do you disagree with this idea, and does it state in the NT otherwise.

I started a new about this idea BTW.

 

[Copernicus]

Originally Posted by Copernicus
Is it really a bother to do the right thing? We all acquire rules of behavior from parents and community. It doesn't require belief in heaven or hell to make people want to do the right thing.

Great. However you're making that statement like it applies to everyone. Why assume that? Do you realize how many people take their religious beliefs into account when doing something right/wrong........

But pay attention to what I actually said there. I never said that religion had no effect on moral behavior. It does, and I'll explain how in a second. It is true that we all acquire our sense of right and wrong from parents and community. Religion may or may not be part of that process. Not all children are given religious rationales for rules, and a lot of what they learn is picked up by exposure to the behavior of others. I'm just saying that religion isn't a necessary part of that education. Nor is belief in ultimate rewards or punishments in heaven or hell, respectively.

I agree with you that religion influences moral behavior in people, but not necessarily in the way that you think. In my opinion, religion amplifies behavior that has been established by other means--primarily instinct via observation of the behavior of people in their life that they wish to emulate. It is a natural process that does not need to be taught, but it is strongly shaped by the environment. Religious belief motivates some people to extremes of compassionate behavior. Unfortunately, it also motivates some to extremes of hatred and violence. It may also mitigate tendencies towards extremes. In my experience, people with strong religious beliefs can behave well or poorly, but one thing remains fairly constant about the role of religion. They almost always use their religious belief to justify their behavior. The Bible can be used to rationalize mercy or revenge. It isn't necessary, but that is often how people use it.

 

[Ingledsva]

Why does it tell you that? What is it about deities that would indicate they wouldn't do such things? I've never met any deities myself, so I wouldn't venture to guess what they would or would not do.

Indeed, however, it is the dogma of man to say, believe and behave as I want you to, or I will make sure you suffer.

The idea behind most Deities is - superior, - and as has been pointed out - this and other ideas in the Bible are human - not superior thought.

Good people, just because they don't believe a dogma, are tortured forever?

Babies are murdered by YHVH for supposed crimes by adults?

The laws, supposedly from YHVH, say you can own, and beat, and rape slaves?

These are the things nasty humans want.

I might add they haven't proven any Deity exists.

 

[Ingledsva]

I think it gets back to, 'if there is no Hell, why bother doing the right thing?'

Societal reaction, shunning, and punishment.

The same way we got our laws in the first place.