Do people need religion to be good?

format_quote Originally Posted by Nicola

For me I don't need religion.. I believe alot of religion is man made...I just need the word of God.
Though we need laws to keep order within a country and God tells us to obey those laws of the land where ever we should live..so we should do that..
If everyone would follow the laws God gave us the 10 commandments(for our own good) then Jesus broke down into the 2.
...there would be no need for prisions, no more murders, rapes etc.. and no more hurt.

Well put, Nicola.
Unfortunately, so much of humanity refuses to acknowledge. Then we wonder why we have so many problems worldwide. It stems from humanity's attempt to play God instead of recognizing we are part of His creation.

format_quote Originally Posted by Michael Samuel

Unfortunately, so much of humanity refuses to acknowledge. Then we wonder why we have so many problems worldwide. It stems from humanity's attempt to play God instead of recognizing we are part of His creation.

Salaam,

True to the last word...

Wassalam

format_quote Originally Posted by renak

Do people need a religion in order to be good, humane, productive people?

No. They do not. But it all depends on the definition of 'good'. People who are not religious may be 'good' by secular standards, but not by Islamic or Christian standards. The other way around is possible as well. I am sure many secular Westerners would cringe at behavior Muslims find 'good'.

Therefor, I do think it is unfair to demand from people to follow rules which they do not believe are from God. The only way to really judge whether someone is 'good' is to use something like the 'harm principle'. Otherwise religious or cultural prejudices would make it an unfair assesment.

In my humble opinion one does not need religion to be able to seperate good from evil. As such, one does not need religion to be good or humane.

format_quote Originally Posted by Issa

As-salamu Alaykum,

I don't think that religion makes us civilized. People are acting uncivilized now and some are active in their religion. I know people who don't follow any one religion but are good people. I am sure they struggle with temptation but I am Muslim and so do I.

I totally disagree! Religion is what makes us who we are - if we all followed our religions properly then there wouldn't be all this trouble in the world!! :rant: If people didn't know what was right or wrong then how would we behave. Why don't u ask yourself what is the meaning of civilised? How many times have u not known what is right or wrong and u've needed 2 consult someone? Well that's wat religion is for!

format_quote Originally Posted by islam-truth

Salaam

Absoulutly, back to the topic I've got a few non-muslim friends they're good people, but the fact that they're disobeying allah's laws seems to stop are friendship from growing.

I agree brother, but U too disobeyed ALLAH as per my understanding by making them a few non-muslims ur friends.

[3.28] Let not the believers take the unbelievers for friends rather than believers; and whoever does this, he shall have nothing of (the guardianship of) Allah, but you should guard yourselves against them, guarding carefully; and Allah makes you cautious of (retribution from) Himself; and to Allah is the eventual coming.


[4.144] O you who believe! do not take the unbelievers for friends rather than the believers; do you desire that you should give to Allah a manifest proof against yourselves?

Plz let me know if I m wrong brother.

format_quote Originally Posted by islam-truth

Salaam

Absoulutly, back to the topic I've got a few non-muslim friends they're good people, but the fact that they're disobeying allah's laws seems to stop are friendship from growing.

So being 'good' or 'evil' is then entirely subjective? After all, from a Jews point of view you would probably not be a 'good' person then, being Islamic and all that.

format_quote Originally Posted by HeiGou

Really? Are you sure that we wouldn't have trouble in the world? The Jews' religion tells them that Palestine is theirs. Islam tells Muslims that Israel is theirs. Myself I think they ought to give it to the Jehovah Witnesses (It is not anything against Jews or Muslims I am just sick of those guys ringing my door bell). How is following either or both religions going to help make peace?

Well obviously all that trouble would be avoided if the jews and muslims followed their religions properly. If someone is living somewhere u can't tell them 2 leave their homes and move out. Where are they gonna go? Isn't their something telling u 2 be moral towards people in jewdaism? It would be different if they gave them somewhere else 2 live, but that's not the case. If u want something there are ways of getting it.

Do people need Religion to be Good? I sometime wonder!

but here's a Video that might answer you'r question, visit the thread below for a link.
Fallujah:The Flame of Atrocity

Edit. Double Post

My experience in life has been that people who are loosely affiliated with the religion of their upbringing and/or choice tend to be more moral and overall better people. I am not referring to measurable characteristics which are put on display for other people to witness. Instead, I am referring to the compassion people show other humans, the degree of honesty they possess, and the inability to hurt other people.

I am puzzled by my observation that people who would be considered "decadent' or "nonbelieving" by religious people, tend to exhibit the fundamental truths put forth by all the major religions in the world. It just makes me ponder on the necessity, and corruption of organized religion.

I wonder if nonreligious, but otherwise humane and caring people are actually following the true teachings of Islam, Judaism, Christianity, etc...?

format_quote Originally Posted by renak

My experience in life has been that people who are loosely affiliated with the religion of their upbringing and/or choice tend to be more moral and overall better people. I am not referring to measurable characteristics which are put on display for other people to witness. Instead, I am referring to the compassion people show other humans, the degree of honesty they possess, and the inability to hurt other people.

I am puzzled by my observation that people who would be considered "decadent' or "nonbelieving" by religious people, tend to exhibit the fundamental truths put forth by all the major religions in the world. It just makes me ponder on the necessity, and corruption of organized religion.

I wonder if nonreligious, but otherwise humane and caring people are actually following the true teachings of Islam, Judaism, Christianity, etc...?

People who don't believe in a set of divine rules or laws are by default not affected by the whispers of satan. Satan does'nt really care for these people because he knows that people who carry disbelief in their hearts are doomed for a miserable punishment(forvever). Satan's real enemy are the believers...he's trying his best to cause as much destruction possible inside a believers life by whatever means he's been provided with. So..thats what my justification for the disbelievers or athiests good conduct and morals.

The purpose of our existence is not just to be kind, generous, gentle to everyone around us although it is an important part of our belief system...

The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "He who is not grateful for a little cannot be grateful for a lot, and he who is not grateful to people cannot be grateful to Allah [whereas] to talk about blessings is gratitude, and leaving it is ingratitude (kufr).
But if a human does not have that basic requirement of his..that is belief in the Existence of God...no matter how great that person that might be..he is for sure heading for a painful punishment.

If you want to start quantifying the numbers of 'so called' good people...lets study some history and we will realize what going on...
- The bloodiest century in human history was a secular century..World War I , World War II ...Hitler and so on all these were secular people fighting secular wars. The massive destruction caused in these secular wars can never be reconciled for.
Islamic rule has been the only benign force on this planet until the last century..Muslims are chivalrists..they have to be. Sharia clearly forbids harming innocent people, women and children even while defending in war(Jihad)

So the point is that religion is not a problem..religion comes as an excuse..religion is being played with...most of what is happening today is resentment and a feeling of slave morality amongst the oppressed.

According to your understanding..all of this hatred and violence and anarchy going on today is being perpetuated by the so called 'believers'..which,if it is true, should be definitely be corrected and taken care of...nothing of this kind is sanctioned in Islam nor in any other religion...
but let me tell you this...irrespective of what the 'believers' are doing...
- according to the rule of God..the worst criminal amongst us is the one who carries kufr(disbelief) in his heart..disbelief in God;s signs, His books, His prophets, angels and so on...If a person dies in a state of disbelief...really has lost. a loss for all to see.
and i dont mean in any way that thhe wrong actions of the 'believers' is justified..they will be accountable too.
but atleast they are on the safe side...they believe and praise the true Lord of the universe.

format_quote Originally Posted by cool_jannah

People who don't believe in a set of divine rules or laws are by default not affected by the whispers of satan. Satan does'nt really care for these people because he knows that people who carry disbelief in their hearts are doomed for a miserable punishment(forvever). Satan's real enemy are the believers...he's trying his best to cause as much destruction possible inside a believers life by whatever means he's been provided with. So..thats what my justification for the disbelievers or athiests good conduct and morals.

This is a great explanation. I've never thought of it in this manner.

I wasn't so much viewing the actions of nonbelievers on a global level, just on a personal level. I would honestly say that I'd much rather be around people who are not active in religion, than those who are.

I also understand what you mentioned about people denying the existence of God and the Angels. However, I've known very few people who have no religious background, who would deny their existence.

Thanks for your imput.