Why do you create a scenario that is so ridiculous? Do you always create your own crazy scenario?
Are you being serious here? I have LITERALLY been asked exactly this sort of question by theists many multiple times. My example was a bit paraphrased, but that's the gist in its entirety. This forum is replete with posts that ask very similar questions or make similar claims. The question is just that: "What keeps you from doing whatever you want?" Within which they include hurting people to further yourself, taking things you want that don't belong to you, etc. - even killing. I guess only atheists who come up against this stuff see this as one of the oldest tricks in the book. I suppose it is never used in believer-to-believer interactions - so I will give you the benefit of the doubt, perhaps you have never seen this line of reasoning or tactic used. Doesn't make it any less prevalent to those of us who argue the other side.
I view it quite differently (of course). When I hear of a person who thinks so highly of himself, I think pride has gone to his head. It takes more to admit where he isn't as good as he would like to be. I guess the person who thinks he is all that, in reality, has no strength at all.
And this is the assumption I have to deal with at all times from believers. That my non-belief is tied to some form of "pride." Believe me, I understand that I amount to nothing at all in the grand scheme. I buy next to nothing for myself - many times not even essentials until I am thread-bare in need, my time is sparingly spent on myself, I abhor social media and the people who vie for attention on it, I don't discuss unsubstantiated personal matters or "gossip" - I literally could not care less about people's personal disparaging words against one another unless there is a lesson in it to be learned about the person/people involved, the source is credible, and I know it isn't just gossip - and even then I wouldn't even think to bring such things up in conversation with anyone else - it literally does not cross my mind to do so. I don't brag, don't climb social ladders. Don't toot my own horn to get ahead. None of those things even matter in the slightest from my perspective. I do make judgments, of course - but it is only when I feel some behavior is at odds with what the person/ideology portraying itself is truly trying to represent that I bring any judgments forward. And I only ever speak from my own, personal experience. If I haven't experienced it, I tend to only let information become background - for future use only if any personal experience I gain verifies the information. In all the examples I brought up, I either witnessed it first hand or talked directly to the people involved (for example - the couple who tithed, asked the church for help, and were summarily denied - I was close to them, knew exactly what they were going through, and managed to overhear some parts of their conversations with the pastor on a few occasions, besides speaking with them myself).
nobody can be as great as you are. I guess you are just above everybody else. Well... at least we can look up to you to emulate.
Do you think I haven't been taken to task by my "own kind" on occasion? Are you joking? Do you think I believe I didn't deserve it when it did happen? I am, by no means, "great." In fact, NONE of us are. The sooner
everyone learns to accept that, the better in my opinion. No "celebrity" is worth following, no leader automatically worthy of allegiance. People must prove themselves, and their importance is entirely subjective - held by none but the group to whom they have proven their ability to respect and garner respect - and even those "important" people always have to be cognizant that they aren't truly important - that anyone outside their circle only holds them in the regard of a fellow human. Greater or lesser respect comes with the building of relationships. No one is automatically or objectively "important" beyond basic human considerations. It just doesn't work that way.
