One of Ben Franklin's adages is "Well done is better than well said." While the question I asked has always bothered me, I just want to add my own "Well done!" to all of those who do volunteer to help others or to ease their suffering.
Satan: a non answer
Eddie J: LOL! You obviously did not read the question. I actually used what you said as an example of what atheists say.
dead fundie: you conveniently leave out that perhaps pain, suffering and death are part of a plan that you just do not understand.
Stacie: Good for you! Keep it up... it is important. When I have asked similar questions in the past I actually had atheists reply that they did not give a hoot about others. Their money was their money and they were going to use it for themselves
Gazoo: read my response do dead fundie.
Luna: What gold is that? The Catholic Church runs more organizations to help the poor than any other organization in the world including the United Nations. What have you done?
alwbsk: Wow! Thank you for affirming my point!
Caesar: I am not familiar with the Yakusa.... nor did I say that no atheists contribute.... many do. I was taking about those who use the suffering of others as a weapon but they themselves do nothing to ease that suffering. What Ben Franklin's religious views were have nothing to say about the truth of the quote which I cited. The question was not about Ben Franklin.
Loosey: You should try to take a "Reading for Comprehension" class. It will help you in the 8th grade.
Zapoid: Thank you for affirming one of my points. What have YOU done?
Everard: Wow... a lot of anger there. Did I hit a little close to home? I take it that means you yourself have done nothing?
Fabian & Envy: Thank you for your help of others. If everyone did as you do the world would be a much better place.
Bono: My point is that those who bring up this argument are generally NOT the ones who actually help others. The argument itself is absurd. I guess it never dawned on you that imperfection could be part of God's perfect plan? Without first learning the opposites of pain, suffering and death no one could ever learn true self-less love.
silly: Many do. Do you?
Ace: At best you can say that you do not understand it. Read my response to Bono. If you want more detail I would be glad to give it to you.
Mikey: I agree with you on many counts. Certainly there are many believers who have a distorted view. The folks at Westboro spring to mind. And certainly they are all human beings and subject to the same follies of all humans. But it seems it is always the good Christians who have led the drive to help others.
Magpie: I have not heard Christians say that it was God's job to ease the suffering of others. That was a task He assigned to man. Are you at all aware at how many Christians are part of the Red Cross? Certainly it is not part of any one religious faith, but the Red Cross is the outlet by which a huge number of Christians donate time and money. The largest single organization which runs by far the most organizations to help others is the Roman Catholic Church.
Daddy: Thank you. The fact is that everyone has heard of the contributions of Oprah Winfrey or Warren Buffet..... they went on TV to make the donations. It made their ultimate goal not their helping of others, but rather to gain fame as being generous. A billion dollar contribution from Buffet would be like a $10.00 donation from the average citizen.
