Be Good for Goodness sake.
mid-afternoon on Tuesday, the 18th of November 2008 by Gypsy
I do agree with the idea of people just being good, without needing religion.. but I also realize there are many people who cannot manage being decent with out some form of guidelines set for them.. and then there are others who wholeheartedly and sincerely believe in their religion.
Other signs of the times include the Freedom from Religion Foundation’s efforts to install anti-religious billboards in 46 states, and the American Humanist Association’s so-called "Godless Holiday Campaign," which it launched Monday with ads in two major newspapers reading "Why Believe in God Just be good for goodness sake."
Sadly when it comes to someone who is religious vs. someone who is not, there often is animosity. Very few people from opposite sides of the fence can relate to one another. I find that so sad! I have allot of friends who are very religious and I respect them, they are truly good people. Some of my friends know where I stand, others don’t, and some who knew actually forgot.
I do understand the fight back being done by non-religious folk.. (just as Christians are fighting for the return of Christmas, and other Christian things that have been neutralized in recent years). I do not agree with how they handle it, but I do understand it. I often was/am treated differently (very negatively) for not being religious, some wanted to “convert me” and others would just shun me.
I am often afraid to reveal my (non) religious stance. I also don’t want to join up with the anti-religion people either.. just two extremes, extremes are never a good thing! Plus people too often love to classify people by their religious stance. Those who find that I am more of a conservative, instantly think I am also religious.
I prefer to respect others based on who they are and not because of their religious or other choices.. but too many people do judge people on superficial aspects.
I wish there was a way to help people come together, truly come together. To actually respect each other, other’s religious stance, etc.
Utopia.. a pipe dream, eh?
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November 19th, 2008 at 8:10 am
I have always believed that actions speak louder than words.
In this case, a person is “good” because of how they act, not because of any specific religion that they profess to.
One of the questions that I’ve always had in my head was about entering heaven. (And please, no ridicule about heaven…) But, how can a serial killer, who at the very end, professes a belief in Jesus, get into heaven, while a non-Christian, who lives a good life, does no harm, and even improves their world, be denied entry? (I frankly believe that the good deeds person gets in)
So, I’ve never really tied religion and goodness as one and the same.
But, I do get peeved at the need of some people to ridicule Christianity. I get tired of the superiour smugness of the likes of Bill Maher and others. Just because someone might have a religious conviction, doesn’t necessarily mean that they have the IQ of a two year old. I also do not like the “atheist tree” (Tree of Knowledge)
http://forums.bicycling.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/632104717/m/6951086883/p/1
but that is because it is something set up to ridicule the belief of others.
I’ve had friends of all religious and non-religious beliefs. I don’t look at someone’s religion (or lack thereof). I look at the behaviour of that person. And, I certainly do not criticize or try to convert people…
November 19th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
katie would never ridicule you about heaven.. and i do agree.. how can a person who follows the rules and is a good person get into the same place as a murderer who confesses and forgiven in his last moments.. that is disturbing and wrong to me too.
but i think the reason they say the murdered would be forgiven is so those who are bad seeds might turn things around at some point.. otherwise what would be the point for them to stop being evil..
but i honestly do not believe that those who are bad seens will have a final peace.. that is where we can tie into your interest of ghost stories, where it applies to the souls who could not find peace and so they haunt the earth for eternity.
people should not be insulted for belief or non-belief but by the person they are.. and for some they do sincerely do follow their faith.. not simily join a religion for a bs reason.. but this goes both ways there are arrogent people who use religion as a weapon, and those who use anti-religion the same way.. just ticks me off!