Do you feel it is important to share your views on faith or atheism?

[gingerdodger]

This is a genuine question, I am not asking to promote a faith vs atheism debate as we have plenty of those.

My question is whether people feel that it is part of their faith to share those beliefs with others? How far do you take this and how do you approach it? Similarly for those who are atheist, do you feel it is important to share your opinions and in what ways do you do this?

I know some faith groups see this as absaloutely fundamental to their faith whilst others are more relaxed. I also see that those who do not believe in God(s) also often wish to share their opinions widely. It interests me to think about what this achieves in terms of sharing opinions, understanding of each other etc.

From my point of view I strive to be open about my faith, I like to listen to other's perspectives as this makes me think (providing they are listening, I tend to bow out when it starts to feel adversarial and not inquisitorial). I don't feel compelled to actively knock on doors (metaphorically or otherwise) to share my faith but rather subscribe to the view that I hope my approach to life and openness about faith allows me to discuss my faith openly and honestly. I do believe actions speak louder than words and the best form of 'preaching' is to live Christian values of love (not saying I am good at this).

Hak true professional honest integrity would have made a vast difference. These decisions were without God, they were not based in religious belief. In this way they were atheist.

Other factors, than what was right for the individual (child / patient) concerned formed the basis for them. In Christianity, love involves sacrificing self interest and places the welfare of others above self. Where securing funding or professional status is put above children or patients in a professional's care this is not motivated by Christian belief. These factors arise from atheist (in the sense they are Godless) motivations.

I would not say, at all, that Christians cannot make decisions in the same Godless manner, we are all fallible. However I was talking in terms of beliefs affecting others. Non religious beliefs can affect others detrimentally.

Capsicum-I'm wondering if you realise how incredibly offensive your last post was?

saying people call themselves christian

With just as much reason for it as you call yourself one.

It is not my intention to offend Hak. Would you say the cultural motivating beliefs I am talking about are not atheist ones? I do recognise not every atheist holds these cultural beliefs, just as I recognise Christians can succumb to them. My point is that these destructive motivating beliefs are not Godly, according to Christian belief, so I used the word atheist which, literally at least, denotes without God.

So caps if it's as you say then we would have a much clearer defining line between Christian and non-Christian professionals who work in healthcare measurable in the outcomes of their work. Do you have any evidence for this? I assume you check wether a GP/consultant is atheist /non-Christian before a consultation? Is it the same in other areas? Would a Christian teacher be superior to an atheist teacher seeing as you feel an atheist teacher is going to have an inferior ability to care about people? Oh, and evidence please.

So you attribute all the negative aspects of culture and society as atheist? How rude.

So caps, atheists are unable to put anyone before themselves?

So you are saying that atheists cannot be professional, honest or have integrity. You are saying that they cannot put what is right for someone else centrally. You are saying that they would put professional status or securing funding above a child's welfare.

I an outraged and angry that you have the temerity to say those things.

Evidence that their false gods are real

It's the same as the evidence you have for yours. (None)

head not necessarily. As I have said Christians are still fallible, we expect Christ to change us for the better but come from different starting points in terms of strengths and weaknesses. I believe we all are made in God's image so everyone has strengths. Everyone is fallible, so all have weaknesses. So I do not think you can judge. This is what I believe.

Although I do really respect true humility, usually shown when someone admits their mistakes and misunderstandings.

The racism is that he used an analogy that portrayed her as less than human compared to the disciples because of her race. If a GP initially refused to treat me because of my race saying that 'why would I take my children's food and throw it to a dog* I'd be disgusted and so would the medical council and the police! And rightly so. If the GP tried to defend himself muttering stuff about pecking orders and what not he would not do himself any favours and would merely confirm my accusation.

So you are saying that atheists cannot be professional, honest or have integrity. You are saying that they cannot put what is right for someone else centrally. You are saying that they would put professional status or securing funding above a child's welfare.

I an outraged and angry that you have the temerity to say those things.

Absolutely not Hak. You misunderstand me. See my 22.48 post for clarification. I am talking of beliefs not people. Some people can be atheists but have some values and beliefs in common with those that (I believe) are from God and are good. Some Christians believe differently to myself. I stand by what I say, no more no less, no additional inference really works to convey additional meaning.

loving they don't have any, same as you. That's the point.

cant see inside the heart and minds

Whoa, I take them at their word when they talk about the depth of their belief as I do yours. Are you saying they're pretending to feel as strongly about their particular belief?

You know I really do try to be polite and respectful to people of all faiths and none. Then somebody comes along and does the atheists are all morally bankrupt narcissists routine.

That person is not me Hak, I do not believe that. You are projecting something I don't believe onto me.

"That person is not me Hak, I do not believe that. You are projecting something I don't believe onto me."

So when I asked you to tell me a way in which atheism has had an impact on your life in the way that Christianity has had on mine, and you listed some bad medical decisions and said they were made because of atheism, yob didn't actually mean that? Then why did you say it then? And why don't you address the serious points about the position of privilege Christianity has in our society?

Hak I listed some beliefs which make no reference to God, in this sense they are atheist beliefs. How else can you define atheist beliefs? If they are the same as Christian ones are they not then Christian (ditto for other religious beliefs)?

I cannot really address the position of privilege Christianity has in society. As a Christian I feel blessed.

^ talked about some beliefs, not 'listed' . Typo.

"Hak I listed some beliefs which make no reference to God, in this sense they are atheist beliefs. How else can you define atheist beliefs? If they are the same as Christian ones are they not then Christian (ditto for other religious beliefs)?

I cannot really address the position of privilege Christianity has in society. As a Christian I feel blessed."

An atheist is someone who does not believe in God. Any other beliefs he or she might have are completely irrelevant to their atheism. If an atheist believes in honesty and fairness and altruism that does not make them a Christian. It makes them an honest, fair and altruistic atheist.

And why can't you address the position of privilege Christianity has in society? As a Christian, surely justice is important to you? Or are you only interested in being just to other Christians?