(September 5, 2015 at 2:50 pm)Pyrrho Wrote:(September 5, 2015 at 2:30 pm)Lemonvariable72 Wrote: ... So yes I think that most Christians are decent people because for 90% of their lives they really use the same moral systems we use and largely ignore their religion the 10% that they use the religion that is truly horrorifying as that is what leads to things like Catholics donating to support pedo priests and opposition to gay marriage. But they don't do it because they are evil, but misguided into thinking evil is actually good. ...
Doing evil crap 10% of the time is something that would automatically get me to not call someone "decent." If we call everyone "decent" who intends to do good, but is "misguided into thinking evil is actually good," we will end up saying that many white supremacists and members of the KKK are decent people, too. I do not think that is a good use of the term "decent."
Perhaps it is just a difference in terminology, as we agree that religion is a corrupting influence on morality.
As for the idea that anyone can be wrong and anyone can be misled, that is true, but one does not need any extra help being corrupted by religion. One can make more than enough mistakes without it.
Yes, but kkk memeber actively seek to harm members of society, most christians don't. Take catholic lady here as an example okay? (I hope you dont mind) she has demonstrated to us that she is mostly a kind and patient person. She also sees the catholic church through colored glasses, she likely sees the catholic as in line with her own moral values of kindness and patients, but because of preconceived notions, doesn't even really see the evil that it does. I hope this doesn't sound condescending as I am basing this on my own experience, but I don't think she sees the true harm in the pope saying condoms are a sin or the shuffling around of pedophile priests. This is because as a christian she sees the catholic church that she wants to see instead of the one that is there. This is as a christian she has never taken that secular morality (which she clearly uses) and applied it to the actions of her church. I say this because I went through as a christian believing the bible taught love, equality for women, peace, and kindness. Then as I was having some doubts I reread the bible with less certianty in it. Then as I was reading exodus I had a hard time reconciling the story with god being all knowing and it hit me. without even realizing it I had applied my already established secular morality to gods actions in the story and I could not come to any conclusion except that god was evil. After that the flood gates opened and I began to remember all the text from the time i'd previously read the bible. Unfortunately Christians haven't had that experience and they see in christianity what they see instead of what is. Another example, is if we take one our resident protestants, say GC, the catholic church could be transform into a organization devoted to the highness goodness possible and he still would think it was evil.
So in short I say christians are decent people mostly because they like most people of any kind work out of a evolved sense of gregariousness and cooperation instead of malice like say the KKK.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
