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What does it mean to be a good human being?

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

Any thoughts?
 

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
I think a good person is one who's seen as an asset, rather than a liability, to society, according to the person saying it.

And no, they don't have to be religious.
 

England my lionheart

Rockerjahili Rebel
Premium Member
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

Any thoughts?

Some people thought hitler was a good human being,he thought so,I guess that judgement is in the eye of the beholder.

If being good was reliant on being religious we would really be in the **** so no,you don’t need to be religious to be good.
 

Nimos

Well-Known Member
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

Any thoughts?
Any person that doesn't intend to harm others (human or animal) on purpose or for pleasure.

Besides that, "Good" to me, simply mean something that someone think is advantages to themselves or what they believe is good. Often ending up being in conflict with what someone else think is good and therefore might as well be "Evil". It all depends on perspective.

But then again, I don't believe in "religious" good or evil.

So to me it simply doesn't exist, nothing is intrinsically "Good" or "Evil", there will always be a personal perspective, based on an
individual.
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
No matter what someone's intellectual beliefs are, a good person to me means that their hearts are in the right place. There's a song that speaks to what I believe:


The end of the first verse sums it up for me:

Let me be a little kinder
Let me be a little blinder
To the faults of those about me
Let me praise a little more
Let me be when I am weary
Just a little but more cheery

Think a little more of others
And a little less of me
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

Any thoughts?

I don't think an objective of "good" or bad" can be made. So at best it means they personally like something you did.
Obviously if you are looking for approval from this person, there is no need to alter you behavior.

However, what if someone tells you that you are a bad person. Because of their subjective opinion, are you required to alter your behavior?

I suppose approval is nice but ask yourself, are you acting the way you are acting in order to get approval from others?
Certainly there is no guarantee doing so is going to make you a "good" person.
 

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
Love is the product of virtues and the mark of a good person. Those who love out of virtue are good people, those who have no love cause trouble and war. Love cares for life and others out of a heart of virtue. They have healthy desires.

I see love erosion happening in today's world.

Arrogance is what makes for bad people and leads to hatred. Some people are all about hatred and look to do harm by it.
 

Altfish

Veteran Member
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

Any thoughts?
A good person is someone with empathy, a social conscience, wants to help others.

They certainly do not have to be religious
 

Vee

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

Any thoughts?

I think a person who doesn't hurt others deliberately and that contributes in a positive way to society can be considered a good human being.
Religion doesn't have that much to do with it. It comes down to your values and how you apply them. Religion can give you values, but if you chose not to use them or if you just pretend in public, but do the opposite when no one is watching, then it's all worthless. Like the bible wisely says "faith without works is dead".
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

I don't know. I'll have to let you know if someone tells me I'm a good person.

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Good question. I guess I really don't judge a person as good or bad. I see their behaviors as constructive or destructive, benevolent or malevolent.

Most people, even when doing something others might perceive as evil, typically think from their own perspective that they're doing the right thing.

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

I've seen many behave constructively or benevolently without being religious. I don't think religion is tied to moral values for most, especially those that don't consider themselves to be religious.
 

Alienistic

Anti-conformity
Wholesome, pure intention, genuinely kind to be kind- not wanting or expecting anything in return or having poor ulterior motives.

Not a harsh or hypocritical judge- has empathy, compassion, understanding towards others,

Words align with actions. Beliefs align with actions. Not a hypocrite. Not two-faced.

No pleasure from the pain and suffering of others. Respects all of life and sees it as equal.

Not of any bad ego- doesn’t want to control anyone else, handles rejection just fine, is not condescending towards others, not haughty, not vengeful, no bad hero complex, doesn’t care to be praised, worshipped, admired, not vain, doesn’t shame or guilt others.

Respects the privacy and freedom of others if not harming others.

Is just, fair, doesn’t only respect its like-minded or kind.

Loyal, faithful, having integrity.

Doesn’t see any other gender or race below it, or tries to control it.

Desires others to become as responsibly free, self-sufficient, and independent as possible in mind, body, spirit.

Will not try to coerce, manipulate, mold, or prey upon the weaker, more ignorant for its own bad personal gains.

Will not enable or assist the demise of others. Will express tough love when required.

Will not stroke the bad ego/inauthentic self of another.

Does not need to learn or know lessons or be thankful at the expense of others misery and suffering.

Will not violate the volition or freedom of another. Must be with consent.

Not physically or mentally or verbally abusive towards others.

Is not afraid to unleash tough love or resistance when seeing evil. Is not a pacified doormat.

I’m sure I’ve missed a lot, but this would eliminate almost every perception of “god” or most doctrines or practices. And all human beings to varying degrees at one point or another in “their” lives.
 

Jeremiah Ames

Well-Known Member
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

Any thoughts?
When someone says you are a good human being, you are benefiting them some way, or are agreeing with them.
 

Redemptionsong

Well-Known Member
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

Any thoughts?
I'm inclined to believe Jesus, who said, 'none is good, save one, that is, God'. [Luke 18:19]
 

Evangelicalhumanist

"Truth" isn't a thing...
Premium Member
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

Any thoughts?
This is, I think, a very good question. It is also a pretty philosophical one. It therefore deserves an answer that needs a bit of thinking, so I will not answer right now, but try to within a few hours or days.

I do appreciate, to repeat, the philosophical nature of the question. It does your thinking credit.
 

syo

Well-Known Member
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

Any thoughts?
All people have their complex. And there is nothing good in capitalism. There is no such thing as a good person right now.
 

Quagmire

Imaginary talking monkey
Staff member
Premium Member
When someone tells you, "you are a good human being" What does that actually mean?

Usually means I gave them something they wanted/needed.

How do we look at it when we think "Oh that is a good person"?

Usually means somebody gave me something I wanted/needed.

Does the "good person" have to be religious?

No.

Any thoughts?

I think the golden rule is a good guideline.
(Especially for other people).
 
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