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I'm An Atheist Who Follows the Golden Rule
- Thread starter PackJason
- Start date
SpeaksForTheTrees
Well-Known Member
No , only the lost sheep need a Shepard .
I don't think so -- not unless you treat other people as stupid simply because they do things that their religion agrees with as appropriate behavior.
If one sees wisdom and benefit in a certain behavior and would not do it, just because some religion endorses that behavior, I don't think that would be irony, either, just poor reasoning.
If one sees wisdom and benefit in a certain behavior and would not do it, just because some religion endorses that behavior, I don't think that would be irony, either, just poor reasoning.
PackJason
I make up facts.
Why would someone, anyone, who follows the Golden Rule be ironic?
(ironic no the right word methinks)
I appreciate good behavior from everyone that displays such.
Would good behavior be objectionable no matter who behaved in such a way.
Qualities such as this has nothing to do with religion.
(ironic no the right word methinks)
I appreciate good behavior from everyone that displays such.
Would good behavior be objectionable no matter who behaved in such a way.
Qualities such as this has nothing to do with religion.
If one recognized value and benefit in a particular behavior but refuses to follow that behavior because the person is more concerned with opposing a belief system than behaving in a way one sees to be valuable and beneficial, I think that is a sign of poor ability to prioritize, and would term that "poor" reasoning -- because one would be choosing a lesser standard of conduct for oneself because of one's opposition to another person/group.
Is that more clear?
PackJason
I make up facts.
I took what you said to mean I'm using poor reasoning by following the Golden Rule since I'm an atheist. Thanks for clarifying.
PackJason
I make up facts.
Does it then follow that a person doesn't need a religion to be a good person? If yes, then why is there such a misconception that atheists aren't trustworthy?
Poll after poll in The United States show that the general public trusts atheists less than any other group of people.
Poll after poll in The United States show that the general public trusts atheists less than any other group of people.
No. It's a pretty basic ethic found all over the world.
Demonslayer
Well-Known Member
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-secular-life/201406/why-americans-hate-atheists
The Pew Research Center released the results of a new survey concerning who Americans would want – or rather, wouldn’t want – for an in-law. While about 10 percent of Americans said they’d be unhappy if a family member married someone of a different political persuasion, and about 30 percent of Americans said they’d be unhappy if a family member married a gun owner, nearly 50 percent of Americans said that they’d be unhappy if a family member married an atheist.
The Pew Research Center released the results of a new survey concerning who Americans would want – or rather, wouldn’t want – for an in-law. While about 10 percent of Americans said they’d be unhappy if a family member married someone of a different political persuasion, and about 30 percent of Americans said they’d be unhappy if a family member married a gun owner, nearly 50 percent of Americans said that they’d be unhappy if a family member married an atheist.
Corthos
Great Old One
I remember how, in my old A.C.E. curriculum, they touched on how the Christian version of the Golden Rule was superior to other religions...
I'd be curious to know where these polls took place. A poll taken in a city in the bible belt would get different results than a poll in, say, Seattle, I would imagine.
I'd be curious to know where these polls took place. A poll taken in a city in the bible belt would get different results than a poll in, say, Seattle, I would imagine.
Marsh
Active Member
I too am an atheist and I have long observed the "Golden Rule". Just seems the right way to treat others, don't you think? You may have heard that the "Rule" had been stated many times before it's appearance in the New Testament. It is not exclusively a Christian concept.
Demonslayer
Well-Known Member
Typically polls like this try to sample more than one area. The one I posted was from the Pew Research center which is a pretty reputable survey organization.
Thief
Rogue Theologian
if you're really good at it.....
there's a big surprise after your last breath
Thief
Rogue Theologian
yeah....saw it in a documentary....
the rule was written in stone a thousand years before the Carpenter walked.
but He did say.....I have been with you always.....
I think He was inferring His Personification of the Living Law
I've watched a few episodes of....
https://www.viceland.com/en_us/show/gaycation
In 2 of the countries, Brazil & Jamaica, anti-gay & anti-trans violence is particularly commonplace & heinous.
It's closely linked to Xianity & its traditions.
The Golden Rule doesn't appear to be essential in this religion.
Corthos
Great Old One
Oh, I'm not doubting the validity of the poll. I think it's pretty apparent that the U.S. has a pretty vast religious majority. The U.S. is a regional country, though, so I find much more value (and general accuracy) in localized polls. =)
What would be "ironic" with anyone living by "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow"?
Seems like a perfectly reasonable philosophy for just about everyone to me.
Since the Golden Rule doesn't depend on religion or theism, I can't see why this would be ironic.