Morals and religion?
This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by MineralMan (a host of the General Discussion forum).
"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you"! That is a good rule for life whether you are religious, or, atheist. I think once the atheist get 'organized', they become very much like a religion - the want to preach and try to convert you to their way of thinking. So, these 'preachers' aren't all that much different from a religious preacher. Neither side can prove they are correct, right? And, no one can prove either side wrong!
I was brought up in the Methodist church, but long, long ago, I lost my ability to believe their side of things.
But why 'preach' this when you just live it and don't worry about the others.
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and their personal experiences.
"Christianity" (please note the quotation marks, for I do not personally believe what most people call Christianity is what Jesus intended) is the dominant belief system in this country. Although, there are many different versions of this particular belief system. Inherent in this belief system is that the "true believer" proselytize, in order to convert (or "save"
others. Many "Christians" do not bother for several individual reasons. One of these reasons it that many of them simply assume that because it is the dominant faith that everyone they know and personally like must also be a "Christian".
So, in many cases, non-Believers are simply trying to gain understanding and try to explain "why" they don't believe the Mainstream or common beliefs. They are not actively trying to convert others to their beliefs, but simply attempting to deflect the accusations that are flung against them.
There some cases, however, that believe as you suggest - that try to "enlighten others" and convince them to believe the same things they believe.
Full disclosure - I am a Neo-Paganist/Taoist/Agnostic. I like to believe in the Spiritual World as described by Paganism, and I have personally experienced things that cannot be explained. I temper it with my strong belief in philosophical Taoism (more correctly "Daoism" which is basically Agnostic in nature.
Finally, I am the first to admit that I only believe what I believe in order to "make me feel better" and that I COULD BE WRONG. If I had "perfect knowledge" that would make me God.
Which puts me firmly in the Agnostic category.
