[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

The fact that many Christians are brilliant people and that brilliant things are done in the name of Christianity / the church has absolutely zero impact on whether or not any of it (God, creation, miracles, the supernatural stuff) is actually true, though, does it.

What I see is good people who WANT to do good things, who just happen to get their heads together through their churches. Would they be doing the same things without the church? No, maybe not, because they wouldn't know where to start... but I do know that they would still want to. Good people want to do good things, whether they "believe in or follow Jesus" or not.

In fact, I find it all the more honourable when non-religious people give up their time and energy to help others in these ways. They're doing it simply because it's a good and right thing to do. When I see religious people being charitable... I have to wonder; are they being that way because they really want to? Does it come naturally to them? Do they simply WANT to help? Or... is the motive ulterior? Do they feel compelled to because they believe in powerful beings who are watching their actions? Naturally, it'll be a mix of both.

....hmm, I think that's maybe part of it though..(obviously only a part..)..of the emotions with religious beliefs and non beliefs/obviously it's flipping to the 'positive' rather than the 'negative' of 'in the name of religion/evil deeds'...that defensive/type thing from both 'sides' because although a religious belief may make someone aspire to..../the positives in their religion, they have to be that person who would want to aspire to positive/good in the first place, it's the person they are more than anything else and obviously the same with anyone who doesn't have a religious belief, if there is that aspiration then there is that aspiration regardless ..and as we know, also not 'good' people regardless as well...those are extremes though, good and bad, most people/humans I think are a mixture of both and many things...


...I do think that many people would know 'where to start' though/I don't think that the church necessarily is a big factor there but that's only my own personal experience which is less 'church' and more 'community', the community, which does very much apply to personal things/help and awareness within a community so more 'personal' but also applies to things more worldwide as well/a balance of both...and some are religious people and some are not/an equal balance I would say so very much not a religion 'monopoly' thing...I don't agree with more honourable or less honourable though/or ulterior motives etc...only because it doesn't really matter what the reason/motivation to someone who may benefit from 'good' and that's the point really isn't it of 'good' or helping..?..the people whose lives may have been made a difference to...that school in Africa that was so much needed by the children/that medical help etc..?...the importance is that those things happen and whether those things happen and if they do..?..then those people wouldn't really care what the intention/'ulterior motive', would they..I don't really care about 'motives' personally, with something like possible positive differences in people's lives, that's the only thing really that should matter to me...