Thoughts Vs Actions

[TouchingTestimony]

Is it only our actions that we will be held responsible, or do we also have to account for our thoughts that do not translate into actions???

 

[Exiledoomsayer]

I do not believe in thoughtcrime.
That is all.

 

[lisah]

I've always been under the presumption that the importance on thought was a means to control action. Seems to me it is action that injures others, thus punishment for action would be the rule. Although, thought may injure the self as an "act" I suppose.

Would people be punished for wrongful inaction as well as action? (is there such a thing)

I could not understand the point in something like that at all.

 

[Wayte]

In reality? Not really. Thoughts are not and never should be a crime.
With regards to God(theoretically)? Most likely. He seems like the kind of being to do that.

 

[Ken-1122]

Is it only our actions that we will be held responsible, or do we also have to account for our thoughts that do not translate into actions???

Even though the bible may say differently (Matthew 5:28) I believe that feelings and thoughts are neither right nor wrong; they just are. That the right and wrong is determined by how we react to those thoughts and feelings.

K

 

[Paradoxum]

Assuming we are judged after death I will say maybe. It could be said that it is wrong to entertain evil ideas. If I am really angry at someone and so want to hurt them in some way, I might not actually do anything but my thoughts expose my imperfection. So it isn't wrong in the same way hurting someone is wrong, but it is still better if I don't have those thoughts. Does that make sense? XD

 

[lisah]

Assuming we are judged after death I will say maybe. It could be said that it is wrong to entertain evil ideas. If I am really angry at someone and so want to hurt them in some way, I might not actually do anything but my thoughts expose my imperfection. So it isn't wrong in the same way hurting someone is wrong, but it is still better if I don't have those thoughts. Does that make sense? XD

Is imperfection a judicial offense to God?

 

[Ken-1122]

Assuming we are judged after death I will say maybe. It could be said that it is wrong to entertain evil ideas. If I am really angry at someone and so want to hurt them in some way, I might not actually do anything but my thoughts expose my imperfection. So it isn't wrong in the same way hurting someone is wrong, but it is still better if I don't have those thoughts. Does that make sense? XD

Let's "flip the script": How about if you think about doing something GOOD! You don't really do anything good, but you think about it! Would your God give you extra points when you walk past a person in need without helping; simply because you thought about helping them?

Ken

 

[Gracchus]

Well, I remember that the nuns would insist that merely entertaining sexy thoughts was a mortal sin. They mentioned it repeatedly. (Don't think of a polar bear!) I knew even then that it was a tactic to convince us of our own hopeless sinfulness, to make us afraid of hell, and thus good collection-basket-filling Catholics. It is such a well developed strategy that it even works for protestants.

 

[Mling]

Depends on what you mean, and how we're defining "action." Some thoughts can't not translate into actions. I mean, if you think somebody is beneath you and not worth listening to, you're probably not going to treat them very respectfully. In that case, I think it's important to address the underlying attitude.

If you're talking about, like, imagining murdering people, or fantasizing about things which would be harmful in real life, then no, I don't think there's a problem there, as long as you're able to keep the thoughts and real life separate.

 

[blarg the 2nd]

Is it only our actions that we will be held responsible, or do we also have to account for our thoughts that do not translate into actions???

yes you do that was a knotty thought and im disappointed in you
-god

 

[blarg the 2nd]

but that's all he will do so don't sweat it

 

[TouchingTestimony]

and again, thank you guys

 

[Paradoxum]

Is imperfection a judicial offense to God?

No, but perhaps it should be improved upon.

Let's "flip the script": How about if you think about doing something GOOD! You don't really do anything good, but you think about it! Would your God give you extra points when you walk past a person in need without helping; simply because you thought about helping them?

Ken

I would say that there is some what of a difference though. I have a duty not to harm, I have to not do it, but I don't have a duty to be charitable, its my choice. That might not be a good answer though.

 

[KCfromNC]

Let's "flip the script": How about if you think about doing something GOOD! You don't really do anything good, but you think about it! Would your God give you extra points when you walk past a person in need without helping; simply because you thought about helping them?

Ken

I thought that most brands of Christianity rejected the idea of salvation through works - so neither thinking nor doing good things make a difference in the end. Not sure why thinking or doing bad things would matter either, given that assumption.

 

[Ken-1122]

No, but perhaps it should be improved upon.



I would say that there is some what of a difference though. I have a duty not to harm, I have to not do it, but I don't have a duty to be charitable, its my choice. That might not be a good answer though.

These duties you mentioned may apply to you, but the person I responded to was a christian and according to the Christian Bible; in James 4:17 says: To him who knows good and doith it not, to him it is a sin
So an argument can be made from the Christian standpoint that they are requiried to do good.

Ken

 

[Ken-1122]

I thought that most brands of Christianity rejected the idea of salvation through works - so neither thinking nor doing good things make a difference in the end. Not sure why thinking or doing bad things would matter either, given that assumption.

Being an atheist and all, I am sure you are aware of the many contridictions of the bible, The bible was written by a lot of different people and they often contridicted each other.
True there are parts of the bible that says belief is everything and works mean nothing; and there are other parts that say works are important as well. As I mentioned before; James 4:17

K

 

[Jade Margery]

I'd say that we are responsible for our actions, but held to that accountability by the perceptions of others. We are also responsible for our thoughts, but only held accountable by ourselves. If we have a thought that seems to us wrong or mean, it is up to us alone to decide if that thought is who we want to be.

 

[Girder of Loins]

Being an atheist and all, I am sure you are aware of the many contridictions of the bible, The bible was written by a lot of different people and they often contridicted each other.
True there are parts of the bible that says belief is everything and works mean nothing; and there are other parts that say works are important as well. As I mentioned before; James 4:17

K

James says works without faith is dead. For even the demons believe and shudder. He acknowledges that faith saves us. Nothing else does. However, if we do truly "believe in our hearts", we will "confess with our mouth". Faith translates into action. Faith gives us salvation freedom from sin, and that will translate into works done for God. When James wrote that book, many were becoming Christians and then spending their life meddling in sin. Revelation tells us that these "luke-warm" Christians will be spit out of the mouth of God.

 

[Ken-1122]

James says works without faith is dead. For even the demons believe and shudder. He acknowledges that faith saves us. Nothing else does. However, if we do truly "believe in our hearts", we will "confess with our mouth". Faith translates into action. Faith gives us salvation freedom from sin, and that will translate into works done for God. When James wrote that book, many were becoming Christians and then spending their life meddling in sin. Revelation tells us that these "luke-warm" Christians will be spit out of the mouth of God.

Yeah as I mentioned before, there are plenty of areas of the bible that suggest that actions are important.
Sounds like we agree!
Ken