Is being a theist immoral in your opinion?

[Whateverist]

...Just belief in God in and of itself. Is that an immoral thing?

Nope, but the OP Q was whether or not being a theist was an immoral thing.  The answer that that one is; yeah, probably.

Cue Christ as scapegoat rant in 10 .. 9 .. 8 ..

[Brian37]

CL, you don't do to others what those of antiquity did to others. And that includes what polytheists did to other polytheists too. Our knowledge of the world has changed since antiquity. Most humans back then lived under very tribal local rulers, and females even in polytheism were considered property to be bartered between families. When you defeated a rival ruling family, even in polytheism, it was quite common to take your prisoners and make slaves of them, and take the females as your concubine. I am not singling out Christians, even in prior polytheism, even in Buddhism and Hinduism, this was the case. The religions of antiquity worldwide, reflect the social norms of that time, back then. They do not reflect modern western pluralistic values. NOT even the ancient Greeks and Romans had modern governments, even they were ruled by ruling families and were quite brutal to rivals in war.

[Whateverist]

On bed rest while recovering from surgery, so super bored if you can't tell lol.

Anyway, as the title said, I'm curious to know from people's perspective here whether you consider it a sort of negative point against morality to believe in God. Is doing so immoral in your views? No need to get into details such as "well, it depends on what you believe about God and yadda yadda...."

It could be seen as a strike against your motivation for acting morally if it turned out you were really just trying get your ticket to heaven punched.  But in general wicked is as wicked does, whatever your motivation.  Of course if you cause harm to an innocent in the belief that it was God's will, your own perception that you have acted within your moral precepts wouldn't prevent you from being perceived as a cunt.

...Just belief in God in and of itself. Is that an immoral thing?

I'd say that is morally irrelevant.


Now if you want to compare the praiseworthiness of an act (I sound like MK), this is something that came up in studying ethics.  For what it's worth (not much in my opinion), I think the person who visits his ailing mother in the hospital out of love and empathy has the more admirable character than the person who does it because he deems it his duty but really doesn't care about his mother.  I.e., doing things because they are deemed good doesn't make you a good guy - in my opinion.  But I personally dislike the idea of doing anything for the sake of your moral reputation.

[Chad32]

There are benign reasons for being a theist. The kind that just goes to church, helps the community, and thinks they're going to go to heaven (like my grandmother) are not immoral. It's those that try to interfere in other people's lives who are immoral. Pushing beliefs on other people is where religion goes wrong.

[Seraphina]

On bed rest while recovering from surgery, so super bored if you can't tell lol.

Anyway, as the title said, I'm curious to know from people's perspective here whether you consider it a sort of negative point against morality to believe in God. Is doing so immoral in your views? No need to get into details such as "well, it depends on what you believe about God and yadda yadda...."

...Just belief in God in and of itself. Is that an immoral thing?

What an odd question. No is the answer.
Is being an atheist immoral in your opinion?

-Teresa

[Catholic_Lady]

On bed rest while recovering from surgery, so super bored if you can't tell lol.

Anyway, as the title said, I'm curious to know from people's perspective here whether you consider it a sort of negative point against morality to believe in God. Is doing so immoral in your views? No need to get into details such as "well, it depends on what you believe about God and yadda yadda...."

...Just belief in God in and of itself. Is that an immoral thing?

What an odd question. No is the answer.
Is being an atheist immoral in your opinion?

-Teresa

If atheism is a person's sincere conclusion, I don't see how it can be immoral. As someone else stated in this thread, a person can't really control what they do or don't honestly believe to be true.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I've known moral and immoral theists, moral and immoral atheists.  I'm not sure that morality and religious belief are necessarily connected.

So, no - being a theist is not immoral.

Boru

[Catholic_Lady]

Im pleased with the answer everyone gave. I figured most people would say "no", but didn't know if maybe there would be a couple folks who thought it was immoral to believe in God because maybe they considered it intellectual laziness or dishonesty or something.

[Brian37]

What an odd question. No is the answer.
Is being an atheist immoral in your opinion?

-Teresa

If atheism is a person's sincere conclusion, I don't see how it can be immoral. As someone else stated in this thread, a person can't really control what they do or don't honestly believe to be true.

Look if you are trying to corner us to point out that some atheists can do bad, no sane atheist should deny that. Deflecting is not an argument.

I already said our behaviors are not in our labels. AND yes, that includes atheists. I also said that theists can do good as well. BUT, what you keep missing is that I keep saying that our BEHAVIORS, good or bad, are not in labels, but in our genes, in our behaviors as individuals. 

Our species was around before any written language. I've posted videos before of other animals displaying acts of compassion, AND acts of empathy.

If any one religion, political ideology, or economic view were a silver bullet the entire world SHOULD adapt that position, but 7 billion humans wont.

ALSO if you can accept that others outside your label can be good and do good, AND I AGREE, then that again, proves my point that our behaviors are not in labels, but have always been in our evolution as individuals. AGAIN, the only thing many of us here disagree with you on is where our behaviors are coming from, not your intent, but your logic.

[Mermaid]

What an odd question. No is the answer.
Is being an atheist immoral in your opinion?

-Teresa

If atheism is a person's sincere conclusion, I don't see how it can be immoral. As someone else stated in this thread, a person can't really control what they do or don't honestly believe to be true.

Perfect answer.