Do people need god to be morally responsible?
93923
Well...  What religion does is make morality an objective idea instead of a subjective one; people obey the tenets that a certain religion sets forth.  Morality without religion is subjective; it is every individual's own perception of right and wrong -- which often differs.  Very similar is the difference between Christianity and humanism; one sets God as the absolute of all reality, and the other sets humankind as the absolute of all reality.  \nSo, do people need "god" to be morally "responsible" to their own concept of morality?  No.  Whether their idea of morality is correct, on the other hand -- take Hitler's morality for instance; he may very well have been responsible to his idea of morality -- is a totally different question.
1041648
I don't think so.  I believe that people who do put alot of faith in god are giving the credit of their actions to another being.  God didn't create or plan your actions- you did!
1166632
Very critical...good for all of us?  I am hesitant to agree to your code, as it may be best for one of us to break it at some point.  Fairness and justice are intrinsic concepts to most people, and they are not the domain or invention of religion, but they are still not real.  An ethical code is imaginary and is the seed of a religion.  A responsible individual should consider murder, rape, and lying as viable actions in a given situation, and then choose action based on desired outcome.  That is responsibility.
1033827
No...all humans inspire other humans...for better or worse. \n\nAn excuse is not the same thing as forgiveness.\n\nYou can't have "a completely moral existence" without having having a universal standard of that morality. That's what God is...the standard of perfect morality...something most humans never achieve. (e.g. Cannibalism is considered to be completely "moral" in some cultures!)\n\nSo, if Jesus isn't divine, He's not perfect...which leaves His teachings open to the question as to whether they're right or wrong.\n\nThe problem isn't that faithful Christians are threatened by the possibility that the Da Vinci Code is true. The real issue is that many non-Christians are afraid that Jesus' divinity is true.
980749
Even if God doesn't exist, a code of ethics still would. You can't just do anything you want, because if we all did that, we'd make each other miserable.\n\nFor instance, if I felt like driving somebody down in my car [ALA Grand Theft Auto], the same fate could be awaiting me. God or no, a code of ethics is needed for maintaining civilized society.
742445
I've never heard anyone blame God for anything.\n\nI think the general rule of thumb is that we (the opposition) generally wonder why, if God is all-loving, AND all-powerful, AND all-merciful, AND all-compassionate,etc... does he not step in to STOP (or at least intervene in) the 'destruction and unexplained deaths'. \n\nThere is no answer for that. The whole claim is perposterous!\nI think if anything good did happen - we would jump up and down looking for the 'God' behind it. But so far.... the well has been found to be dry and wanting.
719797
No.  Morals developed out of religion.  Care and concern for human kind evolved from man's relationship with God.  While I realize it's a source of fanatical rampages, it's also a source of good in this world.  Without it, people would be a lot worse to one another.
401224
It is the responsibility of everyone who is a believer to pray for those who govern over us. Th bible states that there is no authority in existence that is not placed there by God. There are multiple insights in how God works through government in the first and second book of Kings. It is important to have our trust in God since the outcome of our prayers "let it be thy will" will result in just that. The right decisions are not always aligned with our expectations and this is where we must increase in faith, by knowing that God is in Control and utilizes even evil acts by humans towards the good of those who trust in him.
71600
All and none are right. The answer depends on the religion of the person you ask. Ask a Christian, and he'll say you can't get to heaven without Jesus. Ask a Muslim, and he'll tell you that it's honorable to die in the service of your superiors. Ask an atheist, and he'll most likely blame religion for every evil act humanity ever committed.
282927
If you are a weak individual, then yes.  It gives you some purpose in your otherwise droll life.  If you are capable of logic and reason, there is no need for an excuse such as god.
284778
The Bible says that we have a moral obligation to God, and that includes caring for animals.\n\nProverbs 12:10\nA righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.\n\nPsalm 8:3-8\n3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; \n4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? \n5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. \n6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: \n7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; \n8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
629764
actually, God does whatever he pleases, so I think you can. \n\nIn fact, the Bible is plagued by "disturbing" episodes regarding people who ask for things that arent very honest. So I dont see a problem. God is god, he will do what he wants. And if you are religious, you will believe God has a higher plan, and "bending" the rules for you is part of that.
996608
Is it only God that motivates your behaviour?  Where is personal responsibility for interaction with others?
931566
Not necessarily.  I've seen alot with belief who step outside of what is considered moral, even by their own religions standards and then hypocritically justify it with that same religion.  I wouldn't consider that person better for their belief.  Though, on rare occaisions, I do find people with belief who have become better people for it... those are usually the one's who don't pressure others about belief.  Sad thing is, they're greatly outnumbered by those that step outside of the moral boundaries believing they are Better than others.
258264
I concur.  I feel like adherence to a prescribed moral principle removes personal responsibility.  I've felt that way (only perhaps less eloquent!) since I was eight.  If you are a good person because you adhere to the Bible / church values unquestioningly, you aren't actually a good person.  You are only truly good if you are the person choosing your own behavior.  I think fundamentally it boils down to manners - in greater or lesser dimensions.
13222
it can be justified as in today's fast moving world you cant afford 2 sit and keep calling God when you dont want anything from him.(This is jus my personal view)
728601
Yes: as a rule Christians are less moral than the average non-Christian person. Absolutely. Their morals are based on something other than morality per se.