Atheist
Ramblings by Stephen F Roberts issue 2.4 June 1999 Things I ramble about: Holier than thou? ![]() ![]() ![]() |
...It seems like every night someone is making the claim that xtians are more moral or ethical than atheists. I've talked some about this before (see A Question of Morals, Moral Absolutes?), but I wanted to touch the issue again. ...I was prompted to re-touch this issue because of a message from Dan Barker (of Internet Infidels) that I picked up across a mailing list. He recently read the book The Second Coming of the Church by George Barna (Word Publishing, 1998). He posted some interesting information from it and I'll post some of his findings. ...Barna is a born-again Christian, sociologist, and the founder and president of Barna Research Group, which releases many meaningful survey results. He reports some frank statistics showing how the present church has "failed" in its mission. The numbers are based on his own studies, and other national studies. On page 6 he gives a table: "Examples of the Similarity of Behavior Between Christians and Non-Christians." The 25 items on this list include: "Have been divorced (among those who have been
married)" "Gave money to a homeless person or poor person,
in past year" "Took drugs or medication prescribed for depression,
in past year" "Watched an X-rated movie in the past 3 months" "Read all or part of a book for pleasure, in the
past week" "Donated any money to a nonprofit organization,
in past month" "Bought a lottery ticket, in the past week" "Attended a community meeting on local issue,
in past year" And so on . . . ...On page 121, he gives another table, "Examples of the Similarity of Attitudes Between Christians and non-Christians" "Feel completely or very successful in life" "It is impossible to get ahead because of your
financial debt" "You are still trying to figure out the purpose
of your life" "Satisfied with your life these days" "Your personal financial situation is getting
better" ...Barna concludes: "We think and behave no differently from anyone else." [p. 7] ...He also sheds some light on the definition of "God" that most Americans claim to believe in:
...So, according to Barna, one American out of three does not really believe in "God" at all. ...Personally, I find it quite comforting to hear a xtian, particularly a vocal xtian, all but admit that xtians are not better than atheists and non-xtians. With any luck, his message will stick around and spread and irradicate the silly idea that only xtians are 'moral' or that non-xtians are somehow worse off than xtians. ...Well, one can hope at least. |
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Back Issues: On Goodness My Quote The 100% Problem God and Hell The Problem with Faith The Missing Link Random Thoughts My beliefs The Design Problem Is there a problem? Know god, know fear Christians vs. Death RIFRA and You The Problem with Salvation A Question of Morals It boils down to faith The Wow! Factor Why not Faith? The Banana Trick Something to think about Why? Moral Absolutes? Why so scared? Perfect Deity? Apologetics |
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Atheist Ramblings Copyright © 1997- 2001 by Stephen F Roberts Rights reserved except where noted |
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