A moral dilemma

[TalonXXX]

First some background on myself. I was raised Lutheran and wen't through my confirmation (the act of accepting your baptism as your own) and was devoutly christian until about the age of 16. At that point my pastor was thrown out of my church because she asked the congregation if they thought that the congregation should discuss the topic of homosexuality in the church. This ridiculous reaction opened my eyes and I started to ask questions. I was not happy with the answers. I came to realize that much of Christianity essentially preached that 2/3's of the planet would go to hell for not believing in Jesus, for being homosexual and other related reasons. I can't bring myself to believe in something that in my mind preaches hate against so many people. I found some guiding words for lack of a better term that has allowed me to accept my lack of religion,

“Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.”

― Marcus Aurelius

But I was wondering what those of you of various faiths might think about this type of belief from the perspective of your belief Thanks a lot guys!
I would greatly appreciate some discussion on this . Also Sorry if I broke any forum rules, this is my first post so please just let me know .

 

[F0uad]

About homosexuality? In Islam you can be ''Gay or Lesbian'' but not practice it its simple as that at-least this is how i understand it.

 

[Man of Faith]

I'm confused. The OP quotes someone who says that the gods will welcome you based on the virtues that you will live by, yet condemns Christianity for its virtues. If the gods will welcome you by your virtues, then won't they also condemn you for your virtues also?

 

[beerisit]

I'm confused. The OP quotes someone who says that the gods will welcome you based on the virtues that you will live by, yet condemns Christianity for its virtues. If the gods will welcome you by your virtues, then won't they also condemn you for your virtues also?

If you re-read the OP you will see that it condemns Christianity for it's unreasonable condemnations of others, unless you want to claim such crass behaviour is virtuous?

 

[Man of Faith]

If you re-read the OP you will see that it condemns Christianity for it's unreasonable condemnations of others, unless you want to claim such crass behaviour is virtuous?

The quotation in the OP condemns people that don't live a good life. Why is it okay for them to do that and not Christianity?

 

[beerisit]

The quotation in the OP condemns people that don't live a good life. Why is it okay for them to do that and not Christianity?

It's funny but I don't see that in this quote.

“Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.”

It actually condemns an unjust god.

 

[Breathe]

But I was wondering what those of you of various faiths might think about this type of belief from the perspective of your belief Thanks a lot guys!
I would greatly appreciate some discussion on this . Also Sorry if I broke any forum rules, this is my first post so please just let me know .

I'm fine with it.
I'm also a universalist, so I believe everyone will ultimately go to God.

 

[Oryonder]

But I was wondering what those of you of various faiths might think about this type of belief from the perspective of your belief Thanks a lot guys!
I would greatly appreciate some discussion on this . Also Sorry if I broke any forum rules, this is my first post so please just let me know .

“Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.”

I think this quote hits the nail on the head.

If God is just then one is judged by deeds/works and what kind of life one leads and perhaps the enlightenment one achieves.

I have always been confused about the doctrine of salvation by faith alone.

Does this not make God both unjust and plain silly ?

 

[Storm]

First some background on myself. I was raised Lutheran and wen't through my confirmation (the act of accepting your baptism as your own) and was devoutly christian until about the age of 16. At that point my pastor was thrown out of my church because she asked the congregation if they thought that the congregation should discuss the topic of homosexuality in the church. This ridiculous reaction opened my eyes and I started to ask questions. I was not happy with the answers. I came to realize that much of Christianity essentially preached that 2/3's of the planet would go to hell for not believing in Jesus, for being homosexual and other related reasons. I can't bring myself to believe in something that in my mind preaches hate against so many people. I found some guiding words for lack of a better term that has allowed me to accept my lack of religion, ― Marcus Aurelius

But I was wondering what those of you of various faiths might think about this type of belief from the perspective of your belief Thanks a lot guys!
I would greatly appreciate some discussion on this . Also Sorry if I broke any forum rules, this is my first post so please just let me know .

I agree entire. I'd go so far as to say most UUs would, a risky proposition!

 

[tumbleweed41]

“Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.”

An excellent philosophy to live by, and much more reasonable than following dogmatic beliefs.

 

[fantome profane]

It seems to me that the question comes down to this. Is it better to do what you think is right because you think it is right, or is it better to do what you think is wrong because your religion dictates? And if that is the question it doesn't seem to me to be to me much of a dilemma.

 

[Penumbra]

My life philosophy is closely related to stoicism, which Aurelius followed. I agree with the quote, although I view relating morality, the afterlife, and gods together as always being an odd combination despite being so commonplace.

The compiled Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, translated by Gregory Hays, makes for a good read in my opinion.