Can human beings do good deeds
without believing in a God?
Well, what is a selfish way of doing good?
I can admit, perhaps
that doing good only to look good
can be counted as hypocritical.
But,
(but but but!)
doing good things
out of a genuine love
out of caring for another's welfare
that cannot be selfish.
I admit, most people are in between.
A bit of the first is often mixed with a load of the second.
But pureness of the latter is entirely possible.
And, sometimes, is it required
to only have completely unselfish works?
Everyone's a little hypocritical.
May be miniscule, may be more
but as I said,
We are not perfect.
Even with that miniscule part
it still helps another person.
Not "ends justify means"
not "motive is all"
but a little bit in between.
I remember Christians doing things to look good.
I remember Christians with kind words and loving hearts.
And I remember the only girl
who took time out to help me
out of a whole Catholic school
unselfishly counseling me
saving my own life.
Aria was an atheist.
But she cared without selfishness.
And thus, I believe.
I've donated my lunch money to the UNICEF fund,
sneaking in quietly so no one would hear or see.
then hiding in the library during lunch
(so I wouldn't get ravenously hungry.)
I hid in my room and prayed
so it would be only me and God
instead of going 'round the flagpole.
And, as an act of slightly selfish belief,
I bet God that if our basketball team could only get to the Western Maine championships,
the team which won 3 games in 3 years.
I'd plop five dollars in the Salvation Army bin
(a huge amount for a teen with a cash flow of $1 a week)
We did.
And I stuck it in,
while no one was looking.
I don't say I'm perfect.
But we don't need to be perfect
to make this world a better place
A riddle...
If a Christian gives, knowing it strengthens his place in Heaven
If an Atheist gives, not expecting anything in return but another human bettered.
Which is the better for the giving?
Are they equal? Or unequal?
I'd like your opinion - I really don't know myself.
Hmmm...
~~~~~
If you have reviewed or written here
I probably know your beliefs.
And I have no problem with you stating them.
But I have one sane request.
Respect me and my friends, and everyone here.
To the Atheists/Agnostics/Non-Christians:
If they have God, it is fine with me.
If they are comfortable with their beliefs, let them live them.
If they are annoying, talk about how it angers you, fine.
But let us try,
attempt at least,
to not attack them.
Offer suggestions, point out problems, sure.
Tell your side of the story, good.
But...
I leave it to your judgement whether or not to listen to them.
To the Christians:
If you believe in God, I can accept it.
If you pray to God for me...
Well, I'd prefer if you didn't pray only
to accept your religion.
For my problems, sure.
I guess, slowly, I can accept it.
But.
(but but but!)
I have a religion
(or a philosophy...Buddhism is called a religion, why can't mine be?)
It is called Secular Humanism.
Information on my side can be found in these pages,
or at http://religioustolerance.org/humanism.htm
I like my religion.
I believe very deeply in it.
I am not really interested in changing my beliefs.
Neither are many other of my kind.
So, ranting and raving about my lack of spirituality
and telling me that I'm going to hell
is to change my belief system
asit is possible to teach a cat quantum physics.
Talking sanely and calmly
might work better,
but probably will result
in a dialogue, not a conversion.
Mkay?
~~~~~
On good behavior:
I believe...
that a man can do good work
be full of mercy, forgiveness, and love
be a great person,
go home,
and be whipped with a cat'o'nine'tails
by his wife, steady girlfriend or boyfriend or civil unionmate
then have lotsa kinky sex
and still be a good person.
Sexual immorality is overrated.
True, some murderers do horrible things
and pedophilia is BAD
and so is stuff without a consenting adult
but between consenting adults
and without death
you can do whatever you want.
And still be a good person.
~~~~~
I think I know what the difference is.
Perhaps.
It's all in the view of things...
If the world is inherently evil
then everything in the world
is inherently evil
and only abstaining
from the material world
will bring us to "heaven."
But if the world is all we have...
then we must work
to make this a heaven on earth
for all creatures.
Mkay?
without believing in a God?
Well, what is a selfish way of doing good?
I can admit, perhaps
that doing good only to look good
can be counted as hypocritical.
But,
(but but but!)
doing good things
out of a genuine love
out of caring for another's welfare
that cannot be selfish.
I admit, most people are in between.
A bit of the first is often mixed with a load of the second.
But pureness of the latter is entirely possible.
And, sometimes, is it required
to only have completely unselfish works?
Everyone's a little hypocritical.
May be miniscule, may be more
but as I said,
We are not perfect.
Even with that miniscule part
it still helps another person.
Not "ends justify means"
not "motive is all"
but a little bit in between.
I remember Christians doing things to look good.
I remember Christians with kind words and loving hearts.
And I remember the only girl
who took time out to help me
out of a whole Catholic school
unselfishly counseling me
saving my own life.
Aria was an atheist.
But she cared without selfishness.
And thus, I believe.
I've donated my lunch money to the UNICEF fund,
sneaking in quietly so no one would hear or see.
then hiding in the library during lunch
(so I wouldn't get ravenously hungry.)
I hid in my room and prayed
so it would be only me and God
instead of going 'round the flagpole.
And, as an act of slightly selfish belief,
I bet God that if our basketball team could only get to the Western Maine championships,
the team which won 3 games in 3 years.
I'd plop five dollars in the Salvation Army bin
(a huge amount for a teen with a cash flow of $1 a week)
We did.
And I stuck it in,
while no one was looking.
I don't say I'm perfect.
But we don't need to be perfect
to make this world a better place
A riddle...
If a Christian gives, knowing it strengthens his place in Heaven
If an Atheist gives, not expecting anything in return but another human bettered.
Which is the better for the giving?
Are they equal? Or unequal?
I'd like your opinion - I really don't know myself.
Hmmm...
~~~~~
If you have reviewed or written here
I probably know your beliefs.
And I have no problem with you stating them.
But I have one sane request.
Respect me and my friends, and everyone here.
To the Atheists/Agnostics/Non-Christians:
If they have God, it is fine with me.
If they are comfortable with their beliefs, let them live them.
If they are annoying, talk about how it angers you, fine.
But let us try,
attempt at least,
to not attack them.
Offer suggestions, point out problems, sure.
Tell your side of the story, good.
But...
I leave it to your judgement whether or not to listen to them.
To the Christians:
If you believe in God, I can accept it.
If you pray to God for me...
Well, I'd prefer if you didn't pray only
to accept your religion.
For my problems, sure.
I guess, slowly, I can accept it.
But.
(but but but!)
I have a religion
(or a philosophy...Buddhism is called a religion, why can't mine be?)
It is called Secular Humanism.
Information on my side can be found in these pages,
or at http://religioustolerance.org/humanism.htm
I like my religion.
I believe very deeply in it.
I am not really interested in changing my beliefs.
Neither are many other of my kind.
So, ranting and raving about my lack of spirituality
and telling me that I'm going to hell
is to change my belief system
asit is possible to teach a cat quantum physics.
Talking sanely and calmly
might work better,
but probably will result
in a dialogue, not a conversion.
Mkay?
~~~~~
On good behavior:
I believe...
that a man can do good work
be full of mercy, forgiveness, and love
be a great person,
go home,
and be whipped with a cat'o'nine'tails
by his wife, steady girlfriend or boyfriend or civil unionmate
then have lotsa kinky sex
and still be a good person.
Sexual immorality is overrated.
True, some murderers do horrible things
and pedophilia is BAD
and so is stuff without a consenting adult
but between consenting adults
and without death
you can do whatever you want.
And still be a good person.
~~~~~
I think I know what the difference is.
Perhaps.
It's all in the view of things...
If the world is inherently evil
then everything in the world
is inherently evil
and only abstaining
from the material world
will bring us to "heaven."
But if the world is all we have...
then we must work
to make this a heaven on earth
for all creatures.
Mkay?