How Come Faithful People Are Not Necessarily Good People? (Jesus, paradise)

[Sunstone]

Why is it that faith alone does not make someone a good person? How come faithful people are not necessarily good people?

Is it a flaw of some religions to put so much emphasis on faith and not a similar emphasis on living a good, decent life?

[Panda]

Faith doesn't change who a person is. People are either good or not, faith doesn't really change that.

[James the Persian]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Why is it that faith alone does not make someone a good person? How come faithful people are not necessarily good people?

Well, depending on the religion, I'd have to question quite how faithful someone was if they were a genuinely bad person (as opposed to displaying the same sort of flaws we all suffer from from time to time).

Is it a flaw of some religions to put so much emphasis on faith and not a similar emphasis on living a good, decent life?

Yes. It's my biggest gripe with sola fideist Protestantism, particularly of the OSAS sort. Of course most religions do emphasise living a good life either alone or alongside faith. Faith alone is the peculiar position.

James

[FatMan]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Why is it that faith alone does not make someone a good person? How come faithful people are not necessarily good people?

Is it a flaw of some religions to put so much emphasis on faith and not a similar emphasis on living a good, decent life?

I don't know about the first question posed, but regarding the emphasis religions have on faith, I can address that.

I don't believe religions put such an emphasis on faith as the emphasis they put on being a devout follower, and the restraints that can cause.

My belief is that religion, by design, does not promote people being well-rounded. While one CAN be deeply religious and well-rounded, it will have to be of their own motivation. Most religions do not actively promote that you seek out information, because the more information you know, the more apt you will be to question dogma and ultimately faith.

[Cordoba]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Why is it that faith alone does not make someone a good person? How come faithful people are not necessarily good people?

True faith with a correct understanding of God's Guidance always make good people. The problem arises with a wrong understanding, which may be caused by a misguided teacher

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Is it a flaw of some religions to put so much emphasis on faith and not a similar emphasis on living a good, decent life?

In Islam, faith on its own is not enough to be saved in the Hereafter

Belief in God and doing good in this world is the path for salvation. If you read The Qur'an, you will find that always faith and good deeds are mentioned together

Example:
Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - they will have the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging
(18:107)

[Nanda]

Because by and large, people are big, fat hypocrites.

[porkchop]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Why is it that faith alone does not make someone a good person? How come faithful people are not necessarily good people?

Is it a flaw of some religions to put so much emphasis on faith and not a similar emphasis on living a good, decent life?

From faith, if truly saved, comes good works, as the Bible says, it is by their fruits you shall know them.
I would be suspicious of a person who says they are saved ( you use the term faithful) and is not a good person.

Its not a flaw to talk about faith more than good works cause good works mean squat unless youve accepted Jesus as your saviour.

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Why is it that faith alone does not make someone a good person? How come faithful people are not necessarily good people?

Why would they be? How many religions even teach them to be?

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Is it a flaw of some religions to put so much emphasis on faith and not a similar emphasis on living a good, decent life?

Definitely.