Truth hurts don't it? No, there's actually nothing trolling about this. These are facts. The only argument you can make is correlation does not equal causation. But these stats are in response to this notion that religion makes you a better person morally, when Atheists seem to be doing better at being "Christ-like" than Christians. Let's not get started on the lengths SOME religious institutions go to great lengths stunt scientific and technological advancements, and education.
not to play devils advocate...but the same issues/qualms you listed about why religion principles forced upon you is bad, you in turn praised (no pun) your parents for doing. The forcing upon/fear etc...aspect of it all that is.
For the sake of this argument let's lump atheists, authotheists, satanists, pagans, and agnostics into one. I might actually be a worse person, but who knows. I tend to be very liberal on social issues. I am a staunch supporter of women's and LGBT rights, I MAY not have been if I stuck to my Catholic beliefs.
If I didnt dedicate my life to God, I would prolly be smashing everyones girl, mom, aunt and sister with nooo regard. I would steal anything I want cus Ima go getta. I have that mentality. If i want it, its mine. I would be arrogant af, change my name to Sun Light (or something clever) cus the world revolves round me. I would be walking disrespect.
if i dedicated my life to a deity, i would prolly be in a monastery somewhere molesting altar servers, boys, nuns with nooo regard. i would steal anything i want cuz ima go getta. i have that mentality. if i want it, its mine. i would be arrogant af, change my name to Pastor Augustine St Peter (or something clever) cus the world revolves round me. i would be walking disrespect.
so in essense your basically saying your one f'uped individuals...with no regards for others...but it is a certain religious belief system...and the fear best way to put it of the reprocussions of your higher power...to which is the reason you are a decent person.
This. Not to mention that it's not actual morality if you're doing something out of hope for reward or fear of punishment.
This. To those saying they'd kill or smash everyone or whatever, no you wouldn't. If you were really intend on killing/smash then the fear of religion wouldn't stop you. The consequences of those actions is what stopped you.
So the fear of hell is keeping this side of you dormant? Wouldn't god know that and send you to hell anyways because you are truly a bad person at heart?
apparently a supposed supreme being of mind body spirit and all things great and small cannot do the simpliest of task such as see a person for who they really are. I guess the song what if god was once of us rings some truth.
While I admit this is anecdotal, I know a lot of dudes that have been in prison as well as family and of the ones that do practice religion now I know for a fact these _s weren't no damn Christian's or Muslim's before they did their bids. Religion is an integral part of the prison system, I assumed everyone knew this. So the fact that there were only 0.2% of atheist in prison's in 97' doesn't really say anything about the morals of atheist. As far as religious states having more crime, anybody that thinks religion is the reason states like Alabama and Louisiana have higher crime rates per capita than states like Oregon and Vermont is naive as hell in my opinion. Religious states are more likely to be found in the south but at the same time the southern states with a couple exceptions are the poorest in the U.S. In my opinion religion doesn't make you a better person but neither does being an atheist
Thanks for the explanation, but refer to where I said "correlation does not equal causation"....but you cannot deny there is a correlation. Shouldn't countries with more God be more prosperous? Or lemme guess its all part of God's plan. There is a complex interplay between religiousness, LACK of education, poverty, and crime in very religious parts of the world. If religious people are going to keep preaching "righteousness" they may want to have something to show for it.
Prison does that to some people. Some people have a long time to think about the consequences of their actions in prison.
I agree with the notion that neither or religion nor atheism inherently makes you a better person. I'm also getting tired of non-believers acting like "atheist" is a synonym for "enlightened." However, you have to ask yourself why are these areas so poor? Is it education? If that's the case, why is the education system so bad in these areas? High levels of religiosity most likely isn't the sole cause of these problems, but it certainly isn't helping if you ask me.
No. Its being humbled by my creator and marveling in His glory. That's what make me decent. I love Him for all that I am, all that he made me to be, all that He does in my life. And to bring Him honor and show love I obey his commands. Those commands ultimately teach me to love others more than myself. Its not easy but Its a vow to forever try to conquer my negative qualities and give Him the glory.
...so if you didn't believe in God you wouldn't love others? As long as it keeps your Antisocial Personality Disorder in check, I guess.
Whatever keeps you from raping my sister man. Do you. Some of us aren't born a spawn of possession. But if this keeps the rest of society safe from you, then keep doing what you're doing. :\