To ask if you are not a Christian, what non Christian values you live by?

[BlossomBlanket]

Just that really!

This came to mind while reading through, particularly about the archaeological finds, predating Christianity, which illustrate values which have been adopted by Christianity at some stage, to a greater or lesser degree;

"Margaret Mead, a renowned anthropologist, posited that the first sign of civilization is a healed human femur. She argued that in the animal kingdom, a broken femur would be fatal, as the animal would be unable to survive without the ability to hunt or escape predators. Therefore, a healed femur in humans indicates that someone was cared for long enough for the bone to mend, suggesting a level of social cooperation and compassion that is a precursor to civilization."

I'm not contributing this as a gotcha, or to pretend to any particular level of learnedness on any related subject. I guess though, that perhaps, religions, as well as individuals, could perhaps aspire to emulate the humility that they exhort individuals to have - to acknowledge their own roots and sources as it were?

I suspect what the OP was hoping for was a thread whereby they could prove that all the values most people try to live by are actually 'Christian values', whether people accept it or not.

But if you start with a belief that our intrinsic nature as human beings evolved to bend towards altruism because of the necessity of community for human survival, it's reasonable to argue that religiosity is simply an expression of our intrinsic human nature, and a tool to promote optimal social functioning.

Bill & Ted.

“be excellent to each other”

Human rights predate WW2 - is it Christians with all the guns in the middle East and Iran?? I think it's a different religion altogether, these are not the West

What rights are being removed by religious people in the US?

I stand by this. I'm a far better representative of the atheist position than you are because I was one for so long. There are a handful of arguments that are powerful challenges, but I've not heard of them from you yet. This isn't about atheism vs religion though. This is about non Christian morals and your morals are, broadly Christian

Ffs
I don’t need the opium of the masses to have decent morals, ethics and values.
Neither does anyone else.
The arrogance!

Respect and integrity. Kindness and empathy. People who can speak their truth with these values in their heart.

Sex, drugs and sausage rolls.

I love an analytical and philosophical mind. I can never identify with an ideology because my mind is far too analytical. Perception is as unique as a fingerprint and we all have our own version of the truth. I want to examine things from all angles, and I can often find myself in two minds about something.

Could you explain in what way you think you are a good representative of the atheist position? Because I think your very dim view of humanity and modern society is far from being representative of most atheists. I can't help but wonder if it was your own unhappiness, arising from that rather warped view of the world, that led you into seeking solace in religion. It's a well trodden path, but happier atheists generally don't perceive the need.

My DH grew up in a non-Christian society in a remote community that had very few external influences. We have very different cultures and beliefs, but his moral values are very similar to mine...indeed, that was a big part of what drew us together. Do you think that the morals which his mother passed on to him were Christian in nature, even though she had almost certainly never heard of Christianity or met any Christians?

What rights are being removed by religious people in the US?
Are you serious? Do you pay ANY attention to the news? Let's start with these:

• the right to safe, legal abortion - this to include actual healthcare for women who are miscarrying. Women have died because of US abortion bans. Educate yourself!
• the right to a broad education. Book bans are rife in red states.
• the right to due process - have you heard of Juan Garcia Abrego, who was illegally deported to a hellhole prison in El Salvador? And JD Vance has justified this using his own interpretation of Catholic doctrine, and was quickly set straight by the Pope.

This is being done in the name of Prpject 2025. Maybe read up about it - these people want to create a dystopian nation along fundamentalist Christian lines. I'm not saying that they are Christians, they are entirely self styled, but they are certainly doing this in the name of Christianity.

Again, you are claiming to be right and to know better. You claim that my morals are Christian when it has been pointed out to you that the morals we have in common are the same across many societal groups, both religious and not. Christianity doesn't own morality. However much you want it to.

Your opinion of my arguments and those of others is just that - an opinion. Oh and... I used to be religious. Up until I was 23. So by your logic, I'm a better representative of the religious position than you are - see where that falls down?

It's a long way to the shops. If you wanna sausage roll. . .

That was before technology. What happens when we only need to depend on our tech overlords for survival, genuine question.

You can't destroy human nature. You can't destroy humanity. Honestly, I really think you need to seek out some support to deal with these feelings of being lost, threatened by technology, adrift in the world as it is now. These are not normal or healthy feelings. The world is not a bad place. It is full of beauty, full of good people doing great things - and technology is a part of that. It is full of grace, selflessness and love. You just aren't seeing any of those things. I worry that you are deeply depressed and carrying it alone.

And of course, there has always been 'technology'. The invention of the wheel was technology. We're all still here.

Life is too short for shit wine.

I'm not the one suggesting we destroy human nature. Religion to me is the defense of the human against forces which seek to act against and engineer our nature. Human nature changes on a dime depending on what conditions it finds itself in. When humans are doing well and are economically prosperous, they're open and amenable. Introduce scarcity and threat and you have a frightened tribal animal.

"Introduce scarcity and threat and you have a frightened tribal animal."

Is that one of the reasons evangelical Christianity is doing so well in the current trying times? People seeking a tribe out of fear?

Very possibly. I know in France many young men are being Baptised. People do feel incredibly threatened. I know I do.

Islam is also doing pretty well...

Can you tell us a bit more about what you feel threatened by, OP?

What do you feel threatened about? We’re in France at the moment - no one is looking threatened.

Why do you think we will need to depend on our tech overlords for survival?

Is religion not a force which seeks to engineer human nature? Because I would argue that it is. Is religion not a force which introduces scarcity and threat? Because I would argue that it is.

Very true.