01-May-2012, 8:23 AM
Personally, I don't think there's such a thing as a "bad reason to be good." I'd prefer to have someone help out orphans, starving people, etc. even if it's for the "wrong reasons." Of course, if that person is then profiting at the expense of others because of this, then it's problematic, but hey, a dollar given to charity is a dollar given to charity, whether it's given altruistically or because of a more cynical reason.
I can see the utility in pointing out hypocrisies, but frankly, I don't think it's worth it, particularly if you're genuinely searching for answers. Like ManipulatorGeneral said, a plurality doesn't change the morality. I don't care if every single self-identified Christian is a raging hypocrite; it doesn't invalidate the religion itself.
That said, in my experience, many religious people tend to explain away serious problems by saying, "Oh, it's God's will," or "Pray, and it'll be better." That can be a problem, imo.
I can see the utility in pointing out hypocrisies, but frankly, I don't think it's worth it, particularly if you're genuinely searching for answers. Like ManipulatorGeneral said, a plurality doesn't change the morality. I don't care if every single self-identified Christian is a raging hypocrite; it doesn't invalidate the religion itself.
That said, in my experience, many religious people tend to explain away serious problems by saying, "Oh, it's God's will," or "Pray, and it'll be better." That can be a problem, imo.
Quote:In Jr. High School, I would take a gummi bear, squeeze its ears into points so it looked like Yoda, and then I would say to it "Eat you, I will!". And of course then I would it eat.