Is it fair to say that atheists are typically more compassionate, giving and loving than Christians are?

Question

Christian promote and to some extent enjoy the idea of sinners burning in hell, their own reward in heaven and dead babies as gods plan.

Science aside, atheists have a hard time believing in a loving god due to all the violence and hate in the world, view the bible as disgusting and cruel and are sympathetic of innocent people being taken advantage of financially and in others ways by churches etc.

(I realize that I am generalizing a lot here but something to consider)

Answer 1

I'm neither Christian nor Atheist but look at it this way: in the past when Europe was VERY Christian and the Church had a massive influence on the lives of most Europeans, they used to be the most violent and warlike people on Earth. They colonised most of the world, killed millions and millions of civilians, carried out many many genocides, plundered and pillaged the world, took slaves and used the Bible to justify all of it. When church had influence on the lives of most Europeans, they used to be very racist and regarded non-White people as inferior or subhumans. There's a story in the Bible about a character called 'Ham' who gets cursed without even committing any sin or crime (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_of_Ham) and it is declared that he's descendants should be enslaved. Colonzation era Christian Europeans believed that Africans are the descendants of Ham and that was a major justification for the Atlantic Slave Trade. Now that Europe broke away from the influence of the church and a lot of Europeans became Atheist and most became just 'Christians by name' (more Atheist inside), Europeans have became the most peaceful people on Earth. Since they broke away from Christianity, they are no longer violent, warlike or racist. In fact they even help others (e.g. accepting refugees from war-torn countries). So yes, Atheists are far more compassionate, giving and loving than Christians are and I'm unbiased since I'n neither Christian nor Atheist.

Answer 2

I am an atheist married to a Christian woman for twenty years.



My wife has none of those tendencies you describe and is an exceedingly decent person to people of all cultures and faiths.



Clearly in this instance, you are the ignorant and intolerant person which doesn't fit well with "compassionate, loving and giving" qualities you profess to value.

Answer 3

Well it depends on the person. I've seen people of both groups act quite compassionate, giving and loving, and I've also seen ones of both groups act nasty and even terroristic-an atheist on youtube of course. I've also seen that atheists online are more vulgar than evangelical Christians.

I think God is showing the church the time of when people will have a form of godliness but that deny the power thereof, and showing that we need to get our act together since we are supposed to be the light of the world.

Answer 4

Women are typically worse at driving. Is that something fair to say? Or is that just foolish and prejudice? You tell me.



Please note - I'm not speaking for God, I'm not speaking for Christians, I speak for myself as that is the only person I'm qualified to speak for. Me, the one and only.



PS - I believe there is no everlasting hell and torment like many Christians seem to think. That would by definition be everlasting life.



If you don't follow the way of God, you die, cease to exist, simple as that. Though I don't care what you do or what you believe, as long as you aren't trying to inflict severe harm on me or anyone else within my vicinity, we're cool. No problems from me, do and say what you want, it is not for me to decide. Unlike many Christians, or unlike many people who choose to label themselves Christian.



You can stick that label on me if you want, but I'm probably more of a Taoist than anything, if you insist on labeling me. The thing about being a Taoist - we understand that life is change, that words of wisdom can appear out of the minds of any person. There is no one way to live, there is only right now. The eternal present moment is all you will ever have. The words you're reading are just the dust that has been left behind.



How best to reflect and express harmony within any given moment changes all of the time, because life is change. I could say - you should not steal. That is pretty good advice for generally remaining in harmony with your surroundings. But if you're starving to death, maybe you should steal, if you want to keep living. I'm fairly certain that God would forgive you for that.



What's best for you right now is not the same as what's best for me right now.



Perhaps consider trying that for awhile? Doing what is best for both you and the people you care about, as well as all of those around you, in every single moment given to you. Instead of just blindly following the will of your own greedy ego as it inevitably leads you further into your own mudpit of suffering.



From my own personal experience, following the will of nature (God) - that's how to get the highest, how to feel the happiest. I can't tell you though, what is best for you right now. However, God can, if you're willing to listen.

Answer 5

I think as a group Atheists spend WAY less time condemning or judging others and are more accepting of other people, but individually some of us can be just as dispassionate, selfish and hateful as any other human is capable of.

Don't judge the book by the cover (for good or bad) but do so by the character of the person.

Answer 6

There are many intelligent and well educated people in this world and they tend to demonstrate compassion. That is where the line is drawn.



Those who demonstrate no compassion are the uneducated morons who make up most of humanity they are the ones who drown sacks of kittens and shoot animals that they have no intention of eating.



It is the misfortune of christianity that they attract the bottom most dregs of society. They literally troll the prisons, homeless shelters, drug clinics, and alcoholic treatment centers because that is where you find the knid of people who would be christian.

Answer 7

Atheists aren't typically any one thing or the other. The only thing they share is lack of faith in the gods. The compassion expressed by human beings actually has nothing to do with their faith or lack there of.

Answer 8

I think in your typical case there is probably no discernable difference. Your typical christian does not go about spouting hell fire left right and centre. Those that go on about this are in my experience atypical, and tend to be either nutters or those trying to justify their beliefs to themselves!

Answer 9

Yes it's fair to say that to some extent

Answer 10

My "compassion" is not based in what one believes.

Answer 11

I believe this is correct.