Can you tell the difference between an atheist good person and a Christian?

[ecman51`]

I deal with a lot of people. I can't tell one person from another. If the objective is to be this Christian, who God chooses to be with him in heaven, and I cannot tell who is who, based on anything that person does or how they act in life..................

 

[Father Heathen]

A person's religious beliefs don't often reflect their quality of character, and vice versa.

 

[ellenjanuary]

Ain't about them, it's about you. Read the book, trust in god, all will be well.

 

[Revoltingest]

I deal with a lot of people. I can't tell one person from another. If the objective is to be this Christian, who God chooses to be with him in heaven, and I cannot tell who is who, based on anything that person does or how they act in life..................

Atheists have puppy breath.

 

[Storm]

A person's religious beliefs don't often reflect their quality of character, and vice versa.

This.

 

[Penumbra]

I think the beliefs people have say a lot about their quality of character, actually.

They don't say much, if anything, about what sort of actions they'll take, but they do provide a lot of light on their desires, fears, and what they consider to be most important.

 

[Madhuri]

I think the beliefs people have say a lot about their quality of character, actually.

Beliefs perhaps but not just 'religion'. I guess it goes both ways but I have found that within even one small religious branch there are so many varieties of people. They might all hold similar beliefs but the way they approach that religion and their behaviour has a lot to do with the sort of person they are.

So you can be a Christian and be a horrible person. You can be a Christian and be a wonderful person.

 

[Madhuri]

To the OP, the impression I get is that one simply needs to believe and trust in Jesus in order to be a Christian and 'saved'.
Good people are everywhere no matter what they do or don't believe. Being good is not the criteria for reaching heaven, according to most Christians I have come across.

Then again there are those whose criteria of what is good and what is bad is entirely linked to belief or disbelief in Jesus/God.

 

[Penumbra]

Beliefs perhaps but not just 'religion'. I guess it goes both ways but I have found that within even one small religious branch there are so many varieties of people. They might all hold similar beliefs but the way they approach that religion and their behaviour has a lot to do with the sort of person they are.

So you can be a Christian and be a horrible person. You can be a Christian and be a wonderful person.

I agree.

I'm not asserting that something so simple as a label like "Christian" or "Hindu" or "atheist" or "Muslim" describes a lot about their quality of character. A single word like that describes next to nothing.

But understanding their specific outlook on metaphysical matters, including what they hope for, what they fear, what they think about others, how they explain good and evil, what they love, and so forth, says quite a bit in my opinion.

 

[Storm]

I think the beliefs people have say a lot about their quality of character, actually.

They don't say much, if anything, about what sort of actions they'll take, but they do provide a lot of light on their desires, fears, and what they consider to be most important.

True, but "beliefs" is at once broader and more narrow than "religion." Broader in that politics is just as relevant. Narrower in that it's highly individual.

 

[Madhuri]

But understanding their specific outlook on metaphysical matters, including what they hope for, what they fear, what they think about others, how they explain good and evil, what they love, and so forth, says quite a bit in my opinion.

Very true.

And to add, that is also why we all interpret the same things differently.

 

[Penumbra]

True, but "beliefs" is at once broader and more narrow than "religion." Broader in that politics is just as relevant. Narrower in that it's highly individual.

I agree for the most part.

Politics are boring to me, though. And it seems that in politics, there are a lot more variables to wade through, such as idealism vs. practicality.

So it depends on how one looks at it. I could see someone argue that politics would be an even better indicator of values because the person in question is being tested right now rather than in some distant metaphysical way, but on the other hand, examining their religion to see what they believe to be the most ideal or fundamental set of truths could be argued to be a sharper focus.

So I talk politics for the sake of politics (determining the most optimal governing solution), rather than to get to know people. I talk religion to get to know people and to debate, push them, see what they're made of.

 

[Quagmire]

I can't tell the difference between an atheist good person and a good Christian, except for the haircuts.

 

[Quagmire]

I can't tell the difference between an atheist good person and a good Christian, and according to Matthew 25: 32-45, neither could Jesus, and neither does God.

 

[Sunstone]

I can't tell the difference between an atheist good person and a good Christian, and according to Matthew 25: 32-45, neither could Jesus, and neither does God.

But I can certainly tell the difference between you and a good person, liberal pinko. Just sayin'.

 

[Quagmire]

But I can certainly tell the difference between you and a good person, liberal pinko. Just sayin'.

Oh yah? Well Matthew 4:16 says...........um.........er...

.....shuttup.