Spirituality
12 Apr 08
14 Apr 08
Originally posted by AThousandYoungI went to a Catholic Secondary School and have never met any more dedicated teachers before or since.
I'm always bashing religion - especially Christianity and to a lesser extent Islam. I know about Benny Hinn the Healer, the Inquisition, Muslim terrorists, bla bla bla.
Tell me some nice stuff. Give me the other side.
The Catholic Church also runs many hospitals, orphanages etc.
What I do not know is whether or not religious people give more to charity on average than non-religious people. I do know that a lot of money people give at church goes where it shouldn't - but then that is a major problem with all aid organizations.
14 Apr 08
Originally posted by twhiteheadoften believers give for the wrong reasons. most believers would give because god says so rather than because it's just. atheists don't have this problem. then again, the orphan getting the money doesn't care the reason. and neither does the pope benny when he gets a new gold(Au - real gold, not the color gold) robe and prada shoes(me wants to strangle that guy)
I went to a Catholic Secondary School and have never met any more dedicated teachers before or since.
The Catholic Church also runs many hospitals, orphanages etc.
What I do not know is whether or not religious people give more to charity on average than non-religious people. I do know that a lot of money people give at church goes where it shouldn't - but then that is a major problem with all aid organizations.
well i am a cynic in this matter so i might be subjective. i believe that most if not all acts of compassion are selfish(to feel righteous or good about ones self)
14 Apr 08
Originally posted by ZahlanziAbsolutely right!
often believers give for the wrong reasons. most believers would give because god says so rather than because it's just. atheists don't have this problem. then again, the orphan getting the money doesn't care the reason. and neither does the pope benny when he gets a new gold(Au - real gold, not the color gold) robe and prada shoes(me wants to strangle that ...[text shortened]... hat most if not all acts of compassion are selfish(to feel righteous or good about ones self)
Everything humans do have a self-serving motive. Whether or not it's a conscious decision is beside the point.
You name the deed, and I'll prove it's selfish.
14 Apr 08
Originally posted by ZahlanziI disagree. I think a lot of people do acts of compassion simply because they think it is the right thing to do. They do not knowingly include the need to feel righteous in the decision. I do think that you are right about some people, and that some people do good simply to buy their way into heaven.
well i am a cynic in this matter so i might be subjective. i believe that most if not all acts of compassion are selfish(to feel righteous or good about ones self)
If you saw a child fall over in the middle of the street and a car is coming, would you rescue the child in order to feel righteous or good about yourself?
14 Apr 08
Originally posted by twhiteheadthat is true also, but i bet the thought of being a hero would still enter your mind as you jump to the rescue. also we (men) feel much better if we save a beautiful woman than a fat, less "miss universe" kind of beautiful woman. when we save a grandma we hope she will have lot's of money and name us sole heirs. or a gorgeous "miss universe" kind niece that would fall in love with us as a result. and so on. (don't know what selfish thought women have, can i get an opinion here from one? 😀)
I disagree. I think a lot of people do acts of compassion simply because they think it is the right thing to do. They do not knowingly include the need to feel righteous in the decision. I do think that you are right about some people, and that some people do good simply to buy their way into heaven.
If you saw a child fall over in the middle of the st ...[text shortened]... d a car is coming, would you rescue the child in order to feel righteous or good about yourself?
14 Apr 08
Originally posted by ZahlanziI agree that we may often have selfish reasons but that does not mean they are the primary reasons. I believe we have a fairly strong instinct to help others - especially children.
that is true also, but i bet the thought of being a hero would still enter your mind as you jump to the rescue. also we (men) feel much better if we save a beautiful woman than a fat, less "miss universe" kind of beautiful woman. when we save a grandma we hope she will have lot's of money and name us sole heirs. or a gorgeous "miss universe" kind niece that ...[text shortened]... o on. (don't know what selfish thought women have, can i get an opinion here from one? 😀)
14 Apr 08
Originally posted by twhiteheadIs the instinct not selfish?
I agree that we may often have selfish reasons but that does not mean they are the primary reasons. I believe we have a fairly strong instinct to help others - especially children.
Think of selfish as a definition of the human state, not in negative connotation as it is often used.
We are selfish beings that serve our own purpose. Self-preservation is the greatest motive we have.
The strong instinct you mention is debatable, but it can be said that children are an extension of ourselves which is why some may have that feeling.
Also, to look in a different way, you may not save the child because you want to be a hero, but you save the child because you knew you couldn't live with yourself if you didn't, and that's the selfish motive.
15 Apr 08
Originally posted by broblutoUm, why not just save the child because the child needs to be saved? Why not help people because they need it and you happen to be able to at that point in your life?
Is the instinct not selfish?
Think of selfish as a definition of the human state, not in negative connotation as it is often used.
We are selfish beings that serve our own purpose. Self-preservation is the greatest motive we have.
The strong instinct you mention is debatable, but it can be said that children are an extension of ourselves which i ...[text shortened]... ecause you knew you couldn't live with yourself if you didn't, and that's the selfish motive.
15 Apr 08
Originally posted by AThousandYoungMatt 5: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I'm always bashing religion - especially Christianity and to a lesser extent Islam. I know about Benny Hinn the Healer, the Inquisition, Muslim terrorists, bla bla bla.
Tell me some nice stuff. Give me the other side.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
15 Apr 08
Originally posted by AThousandYoungFirst, some questions, mostly rhetorical:
I'm always bashing religion - especially Christianity and to a lesser extent Islam. I know about Benny Hinn the Healer, the Inquisition, Muslim terrorists, bla bla bla.
Tell me some nice stuff. Give me the other side.
Why do you think you're always bashing religion?
Why especially Christianity?
If you can give some honest answers to those questions, perhaps you' ll know what motivated you to start this thread to begin with.
I don't know if this is what you had in mind when you asked for 'nice' stuff, but here goes (somewhat along the lines of things that have been discussed here already) -
"Scarcely on behalf of a good man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."