User talk:SouthWriter/sandbox/An atheist's objections/@comment-257949-20100809154654

Most religions and philosophies espouse creating a better world for the others. What does this mean for the devout of another religion? Does God punish the Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims who have striven all their life to better the lives of others?

I would describe myself as a utilitarian humanist: as long as the ends of something bring more happiness than the means did pain, then that is fine. (The Humanist part comes in because I hold that no other life on the planet holds the same priority as man as a sapient being.) Because I am trying to better humanity as a whole (regardless of cost), despite not being Christian, does this earn me condemnation?

And if it comes down to goodness, how would God look at the religious zealot who slaughters hundreds because the zealot believes it will better humanity? The zealot in question might be Christain, fundamentalist Islam, or any faith.

And whilst we're talking about books, I would recommend Philip Pullman's 'The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ', which looks at the story of Jesus Christ as if he (or is it He?) were twins. A very interesting view on the dawn of Christianity.