Reply #56: The real question is

[rrneck]

why keep score at all?

Religious people do good or ill because of their religion or in spite of it. Athiests do good or ill according to their own moral compass or in spite of it. Such matters surely deserve a more comprehensive discussion than "how many did what".

The Christians that do bad things because of their faith annoy me. The good Christians fail to inspire me beyond the value of their good deeds.

If religion in general and Christianity in particular offered even an adequate solution for the inequities of human behaivor it should at least offer it adherents the tools to police their own ranks.

I was raised southern Baptist and grew beyond it years ago. I have been told by DUers in A/A that I am an atheist. And to all outward appearences I am. I am certainly an iconoclast. But I think I may not be an atheist depending on the time of day.

My moral compass is in my own head. If I do good it's because I figured out how and cared enough to make it happen. If I fail it's my fault. The motivations of others are of no concern unless their reasons convince me or their passion inspires me.