Who are you "better" than?

[chuck010342]

I see alot of religions base the end of their lives on judgement from a higher being, and you must try to be the "better" person in order to ensure your passing judgement in the end.

from the biblical perspective this is not true. You don't pass judgment because your 'better' then anybody else in fact you are worse. Scripture tells us that "no not one is righteous no not one" if you admite you are in need of a savior then judgment is passes over you.

Thus if you believe in God and someone else doesn't you think yourself as better than that person, right?

Or am I confused?

like Paul says "oh horrible man that I am" I agree with him. I am a sinner, of the worst kind, I don't desirve the love of the Lord Jesus, however his grace more then makes up for my sin.

 

[Fluffy]

Better in terms of moral superiority? Sometimes yes I do think that.

Better in terms of worth or potential? Never, in fact, always the exact opposite.

 

[fromthe heart]

Well I think maybe some are missing my point. In the end if you believe you go to heaven or hell, someone could go to hell.

Lets say X goes to heaven and Y goes to hell, then X would be better than Y.

So if your doing everything you can to achieve heaven then you are trying to be "better" than someone else.

Point well taken...BUT those who go to heaven aren't trying to out-do the other guy they are only protecting their own souls through Jesus Christ who gave His life for all to take advantage of...just because some do and some don't doesn't make anyone better than the other...just a little wiser. You aren't BETTER due to wisdom you just 'got it' before the next person...it doesn't mean they won't in the end. We are all on the same plane as people,we are all sinners in one way or another...but when person X decides a different course in life than person Y it's a personal decission and should not be confused with quality as a person.

 

[Natas]

Let's be honest, everyone (myself included) is consciously or unconsciously judgemental of others and Christians just as much or more so then anyone.
Phrases like, "they will come around", or, "they will see the light", or, "they will wise up", when speaking of people who disbelieve, indicate a feeling of superiority by the speaker.

It's a bit amusing that phrases like these are used almost exclusively by Christians. I never hear any believers of Wicca, Paganism, Taoism, etc. using terms like these. But I notice that so far not one "Christian"will admit to making even the smallest judgement of anyone.

 

[Jaymes]

I wouldn't be so quick to say that, Natas... I've heard Wiccans and pagans say the same of Christians before. I guess it just depends on who you hang out with, but some still say it.

 

[Fluffy]

It's a bit amusing that phrases like these are used almost exclusively by Christians. I never hear any believers of Wicca, Paganism, Taoism, etc. using terms like these. But I notice that so far not one "Christian"will admit to making even the smallest judgement of anyone.

I reckon this is simply because there are more Christians. Bad eggs and disfavourable attitudes would be more prevalent (though still the same percentage) but make a comparatively louder noise.

 

[Natas]

I wouldn't be so quick to say that, Natas... I've heard Wiccans and pagans say the same of Christians before. I guess it just depends on who you hang out with, but some still say it.

That's why I just said, "I never hear", as opposed to, "We never hear". I do believe you that others say it, but with the people I, "Hang out with", it's predominantly Christians who do.

 

[Natas]

I reckon this is simply because there are more Christians. Bad eggs and disfavourable attitudes would be more prevalent (though still the same percentage) but make a comparatively louder noise.

Good point, and maybe because I have KNOWN more Christians also.

 

[matey]

Let's be honest, everyone (myself included) is consciously or unconsciously judgemental of others and Christians just as much or more so then anyone.
Phrases like, "they will come around", or, "they will see the light", or, "they will wise up", when speaking of people who disbelieve, indicate a feeling of superiority by the speaker.

It's a bit amusing that phrases like these are used almost exclusively by Christians. I never hear any believers of Wicca, Paganism, Taoism, etc. using terms like these. But I notice that so far not one "Christian"will admit to making even the smallest judgement of anyone.

I wouldn't say that's always the case or what is going through the minds of all Christians, though assuredly it goes through some minds. But is that the feeling indicated? Superiority. Or is it something else? Compassion or hopefulness or love. Maybe it's in the way it is said.

 

[Riven]

We are all not only equal, but the same. It is impossible for one to be better than oneself.

 

[Natas]

I wouldn't say that's always the case or what is going through the minds of all Christians, though assuredly it goes through some minds. But is that the feeling indicated? Superiority. Or is it something else? Compassion or hopefulness or love. Maybe it's in the way it is said.

"Maybe it's in the way it is said."

Possibly in the way it's read even? Perhaps you have a point there.

"Or is it something else? Compassion or hopefulness or love."

Doubtful, but yes, a possibility.

 

[Natas]

We are all not only equal, but the same. It is impossible for one to be better than oneself.

That may be true, but it doesn't exclude some from having the feeling.

 

[feedcrib]

hi all im an athiest

 

[michel]

Hello feedcrib,


Welcome to the forum -

You might like to have a look at :- Articles for New Members ; from there, there is a link to the forum rules, which you ought to see.

Perhaps you might like to post on Are you new to ReligiousForums.com? , so that you can tell us a bit about yourself..........

Hope you like the forum, and I look forward to seeing you arund.

 

[MagickIsFun]

my answer to the topic is I'm better than....i was yesterday!

 

[Katzpur]

I see alot of religions base the end of their lives on judgement from a higher being, and you must try to be the "better" person in order to ensure your passing judgement in the end.

And that judgement is made upon how you were as a person as pertains to your "good" book of worship dictates.

Thus if you believe in God and someone else doesn't you think yourself as better than that person, right?

Or am I confused?

In my opinion, fundamental righteousness is based on adherence to what you know to be right. That's not to say that I believe "truth" is relative, because I don't. But I do believe that "righteousness" is relative. So it would be impossible for me to say that I was a "better" person than a Catholic, Methodist, Jew, Muslim or non-religious person who lived his religion to the best of his ability. It's all about personal integrity.

 

[Aqualung]

I know a lot of people who are "christians" who are not better than a lot of "athiests." At least for me, being better than people has little to do with religion. It does, however, have a lot to do with the religious principles I hold to. For example, if I thought of an athiest as being better than a christian, it is because the athiest is doing a better job adhering to the morals set out by my religion (christianit) than the christian is. I generally try not to think of myself as "better" than someone, though. (just thought I'd throw in that disclaimer, to let people know that I'm talking in theory, and that I generally don't go around trying to see who I'm better than.)

 

[ChrisP]

I thought that God loved everyone as individuals. As such there is no better or worse merely a judgement as to whether or not you meet the standard required to enter heaven.

On the other hand I haven't read the bible in nearly 10 years.