General Discussion

Jilly_in_VA

(9,983 posts) Sun Mar 3, 2024, 08:00 PM Mar 3

195

Just a little lesson to ponder in this climate of religious hatred [View all]

There is an old tale where the rabbi was asked by one of his students “Why did God create atheists?”
After a long pause, the rabbi finally responded with a soft but sincere voice. “God created atheists” he said, “to teach us the most important lesson of them all – the lesson of true compassion. You see, when an atheist performs an act of charity, visits someone who is sick, helps someone in need, and cares for the world, he is not doing so because of some religious teaching. He does not believe that God commanded him to perform this act. In fact, he does not believe in God at all, so his actions are based on his sense of morality. Look at the kindness he bestows on others simply because he feels it to be right.
When someone reaches out to you for help. You should never say ‘I’ll pray that God will help you.’ Instead, for that moment, you should become an atheist – imagine there is no God who could help, and say ‘I will help you’.”

-courtesy of Marginal Mennonite Facebook group

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Just a little lesson to ponder in this climate of religious hatred [View all] Jilly_in_VA Mar 3 OP

If fear of punishment or expectation of reward drives your actions towards others, you missed something there. rickford66 Mar 3 #1

Yes. It does soldierant Mar 3 #9

Weird. edisdead Mar 3 #10

Feeling good is the reward. nt Raine Mar 3 #13

yep what I said. edisdead Mar 3 #18

I believe in doing good because Sky Jewels Mar 4 #38

The New Testament Book of James says real religion IS helping people in need. raging moderate Mar 3 #2

Exactly... surfered Mar 3 #11

That's because they're taught since Sunday School slightlv Mar 3 #14

Yes, that's exactly that I was taught, growing up Southern Baptist! ShazzieB Mar 3 #19

For me, it was the verse where Jesus slightlv Mar 3 #21

I like that! ShazzieB Mar 4 #24

Jesus said those who give the needy food, drink, clothing, shelter, and care will enter Heaven. raging moderate Mar 4 #33

Beautiful, thank you... Think. Again. Mar 3 #3

Years ago, a friend of mine said something like, "If I didn't believe, why wouldn't I go out and rape and kill?" brewens Mar 3 #4

One take on that idea I really like... Silent3 Mar 4 #27

Ooooooooooh, that's a GOOD one! calimary Mar 4 #41

I like that Rabbi. Thanks. NNadir Mar 3 #5

The line "You won't be saved by doing good works GenThePerservering Mar 3 #6

Now that yo put it that way, I see why this is called "general" discussion. ancianita Mar 3 #15

This is the way I've always felt and its expressed perfectly. Couldn't have said it any better. Solomon Mar 3 #7

Who's the rabbi? bigmonk Mar 3 #8

Does it matter? Jilly_in_VA Mar 3 #12

It's a parable & doesn't really require names as such. It's a teaching. Hekate Mar 3 #20

It is usually attrubuted to Rabbi Moses Leib of Sassov Beastly Boy Mar 3 #22

If I told you it was Bernie who works at the candy store near the entrance of the Williamsburg bridge, 3Hotdogs Mar 4 #29

Im not a believer, but, kozar Mar 3 #16

Had that happen the other day.. Permanut Mar 4 #26

This is very nice. So nice, in fact, that I have bookmarked it. Thank you! n/t PatrickforB Mar 3 #17

Me too. KPN Mar 4 #30

Totally! calimary Mar 4 #42

Picking the correct religion has turned multigraincracker Mar 3 #23

OMG! Outstanding!!! calimary Mar 4 #43

Exactly. My morality comes from societal mores and personal common sense. Earth-shine Mar 4 #25

so tired of the idea that religion is needed to do good Skittles Mar 4 #28

Awesome thread. Thanks Jilly! KPN Mar 4 #31

Look up ..... usedtobedemgurl Mar 4 #32

Nice sentiment Icanthinkformyself Mar 4 #34

I think that we do good out of instinct nuxvomica Mar 4 #35

So why did this god create the Holocaust? Sky Jewels Mar 4 #36

You don't need religon or a church to be a nice person. nt Hotler Mar 4 #37

THIS!!!!! calimary Mar 4 #44

I wonder how many religious sociopaths rein in their impulses intrepidity Mar 4 #39

I don't have to "imagine" there are no gods. Red Raider 85 Mar 4 #40

I love this whole thread! calimary Mar 4 #45

We are having hot dogs for dinner, on the grill. Thought that might be more interesting. twodogsbarking Mar 4 #46