It was completely serious, Loki, and everyone here agrees with it. 100%. Yes.
(been meaning to tell you that I find your name very clever, btw)
Tammy
Belief does not define character
by Nickolas 25 Replies latest jw friends
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Low-Key Lysmith
Thanks. I took it from Neil Gaiman's book "American Gods". Loki Lie-Smith.
As to MLE's statement. I can say that, as an atheist, I have a strong moral code that is based on not causing harm to my fellow man. I believe in doing the right thing because it's the right thing. Not because I'm afraid of disappointing an angry, jealous genie. I believe in cause and effect, that good results cannot come from negative acts. What's unscrupulous about that? I think that not doing wrong because you genuinely care about your neighbor is much more honorable than not doing wrong because you fear punishment from your Sky-Daddy.
It all boils down to another classic example of pious, sanctimonious, Christian hate-speech.
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palmtree67
I've been reading a book today that was recommended by OTWO, and I highlighted this quote:
"....a good and righteous life is not always a matter of simple obedience to what we imagine to be the moral structure of the Bible."
(The book is "The Harlot By the Side Of the Road")
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Nickolas
It was completely serious, Loki, and everyone here agrees with it. 100%. Yes.
Gotta love that Christian sense of humour.
If belief defines character, as some have countered, then why do people of the same belief system (or non-belief system) exhibit such variablility in their actions? Why are there pedophile priests who are otherwise devout, Jesus-loving Roman Catholics? The answer is because their character rises above what they believe and it takes precedence over how they behave.
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tec
I'm so sorry, Low-key... I was only teasing. So was Misery. I should have put a winky smilie ;)
Nickolas - I think there are three answers to your question about variability in actions - 1) they don't really believe (faking it - such as a pedophile searching for a place to be in an 'ideal' position. 2) they interpret their belief system in a way that makes it synonymous with what they already do or want to believe. 3) What you said: their character rises above what they believe and takes precedence over how they behave.
Tammy
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Nickolas
and I agree with you, Tammy.
This thread, incidentally, was inspired by negative comments made in a recent thread toward a devout Christian on this board. I am in fundamental disagreement with this person's perception of reality, what she believes, but I have come to understand from reading her posts that she is of high character (at least in my own biased estimation). There are other Christians in here who do not convey the same impression. And, of course, the same can be said of atheists on this board. I am learning not to judge people on the basis of what they believe. It's refreshing. Everyone should try it.