Does a belief in God make an individual a better person?
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.
1174281
I believe in god by going to church, reading bibles, and praying! Maybe you should try them.
131193
Acting on faith strengthens it. Testing God might not be the same thing
84706
I dont think people neccessarily need "God"... people just need "something" to believe in. When you think about it, people believe in God because they need a purpose in their life. They need to believe that there is a reason to live...something to look forward to, something to believe in. For some people, its God, for others its buddah, or the Sun.. and for me... its karma. I believe I exist because things happen for a reason... and good things will come to those who do good things. To me, all of those things are the same... its just how people conceptualize them and what they do with it. :)
252154
People who think they are better than others, havenot learned of GOD's love. Since I beleive we all came from GOD, how can one be better than another? I feel with age, and much lessons in life, one learns not to be judgemental with any one. We are all here for the same reason, but some think they are better because they arenot really sure of themselves and to compensate that their ignorance, they make others feel bad to try to make themselves feel better.
1145668
I don't just believe, I "know" from deep within. I can't look at all of the good around me, all of the gifts I've been given, the lessons I've learned, and the "coincidences" that appear right as I need them and not believe. But, I also don't push my beliefs on others. I consider myself an "independent spiritual" as I do not lock in to one religion but take wisdom from numerous religions. God loves everyone whether they believe or not. I find that things go best when I remind myself to relax and trust in God's plan.
840398
I think it would be more appropriate to call that person an agnostic, one who is not certain that God exists but is open to the moral code of the faith.  Tradition, theology, ideas and behavior are different things.  One may find value in one but not another.
923788
You ask a good question, and one that is misunderstood by a large portion of the Christian world. There are good people in all faiths, countries, lands, etc... I believe some are closer to the truth than others, and some are way off in lala land. But as long as their focused on their beliefs, they try to be good people, they are a positive influence on society; they will have their just reward. If you never believe in God, or you never had a chance to hear about God (if you lived in some small country with no TV and no radio or outside visitors), then why wouldn't you get the chance to hear about God later (after death)? Everyone will have a chance to hear about God, to accept his teachings, or to deny them. Whether it’s in this life or the next. The true test is while on this earth, if you have had a chance and believed and then denied your belief, you are screwed. If you never believed, you will have to accept God after death, which isn't a sure thing. We will carry our personality with us into the next life. Some will still deny God even after death. Search your heart while on earth. There is truth out there. If you never find it, just be a good person and contribute positively to those around you. Forgiveness is nothing to God, almost all sins are forgivable. What will be determined in the end is where your glory lies. In Gods house are many mansions, not all in Beverly Hills, some are in the slums, which do you want to live in? Remember, there is not just one degree of glory in heaven, there are three. Each determined by your worthiness. We all will go to heaven; we just won't all be in the same neighborhood. Also, it’s not just about accepting Jesus. You also have to do good things. Just saying you follow Jesus and actually following are two separate things.
314784
How about a non-believer's impression of you?\nWhy are you threatened by people who do not believe the same thing as you?  Why do you think that you're a better person because you've "found god"?  Your original question was why do people not believe in god, and would have been a great opportunity for you to actually learn something about other people, but then you ask what is your impression of non-believers.  So all you wanted was someone to validate your beliefs. \n"Too selfish and too high and mighty"???? I spend my life helping people and trying to do things for others, regardless of my faith.  It's the self-righteous jerks like you that are too high and mighty.  So go ahead, pat yourself on the back, you believe in god.  Whoopee-freaking-doo!  Aren't there christian chat rooms are something you can go to, if all you want is people to agree with you and tell you how right you are?
1139034
god to me is a belief , to help be on our right path, by loving him ur promosing to ur self to TRY to avoid dong sin.But no one is perfect, if god exist and he will understand it too
480384
I'm religious, but your question is still offensive.  If someone doesn't believe in God, she or he can still be "nice and kind and good".  (And, as you noted, there are religious people who are not.)  But someone who doesn't believe in God *does* lose something by somehow being forced to believe--her/his freedom of choice!\n\nJust as you have the freedom to believe in your religion, and I have the freedom to believe in what I assume is a *different* one, others have the freedom to believe that we're *both* full of crap!
676981
WELL I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYONT ELSE BUT GOD IS THE SOURCE OF MY BEING AND ALLOWS ALL OF MY TRAITS TO BE SEEN BY MANY WHILE STILL GIVING HIM PRAISE. GOD ALLOWS ME TO BE CARING, THOUGHTFUL, LOVING, CONSIDERATE, WELL MANNERED, INTELLIGENT, RESPONSIBLE, TRUST WORTHY AMONG MANY POSSITIVE THINGS. BUT THATS ME SO I CAN'T COMPARE MYSELF TO OTHERS.
7145
No, on the contrary. Many people (non-religious people) that don't believe in God, has a more open mind to other people and are more tolerant. I guess history has shown more killings in the name of the Lord than in any other figure.
1036821
That more often than not , we continue to believe in\n God as a superior being, and ourselves as the examples\n of a less superior' \n\n  But the truth is that he would set us apart from being an   example................................ to be like him...  \n\n                                                          thanks/&#92;/&#92;/&#92;
156728
For me, a belief in God through Jesus Christ is not a vehicle by which I seek to attain the lofty heights of “good person” status, neither is it inspired by something as vague as a “feel”. It is far more definite than that and I thank the Lord that He has helped me to see these things with clarity.\n\nBut getting back to the crux your question, there are many people that have led a more righteous life than I (and others professing to be Christian), who perhaps from our limited human perspective would “deserve” to be way ahead in the queue for receiving God’s salvation.\n\nThe properly understood, “Good News” of the Gospel however is that we do not (and can not) receive the gift of God’s salvation by means of any good deeds or works that we can muster. There is simply nothing that we can do well enough to “earn” our salvation.\n\nWe need no preparation, (it’s futile), we come as we are (because God’s love is unconditional), we do not put it off (it’s the devil at work), we place our trust in Jesus, the Son of God (His blood, our only means of salvation), and we believe it in our hearts, confess with our lips and receive…… We are born again …...and with God’s help and the guidance of His Holy Spirit we become His “work in progress”.\n\nAs for being a good person, I believe that every true Christian strives to fit that bill as indeed plenty of non-Christians do also.  You do not need to be Christian to be good, you do not become Christian by being good but good (or heading that way) is what every true Christian should be.\n\nMat 6:33\nBut seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
445739
No. Absolutely not. The fact that I have a strong faith is a personal decision. What anyone else chooses to believe in is entirely up to them, and I do respect that. I wouldn't be living the way my faith requires if I were to push it onto someone else. I respect their beliefs the same way that I would want someone to respect mine. (Lutheran)
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.