Are Christians Morally Superior to Non-Christians?

timewerx said:

I think an Atheist on the same moral ground as a Christian is morally superior....

Because such Atheist didn't have to be motivated by an eternal paradise or eternal damnation to be good!

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I actually agree here. Even on these forums I've seen some Christians say that if they thought God didn't exist they'd go around hurting and killing people and destroying things.

In that case, it seems that Christians are actually morally inferior to non-Christians.

timewerx said:

I think an Atheist on the same moral ground as a Christian is morally superior....

Because such Atheist didn't have to be motivated by an eternal paradise or eternal damnation to be good!

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You make the assumption that reward and punishment is the only reason a Christian would act morally. I disagree with this assumption.

I try to act morally because I want to be like and I want to love, my Savior Who loved me, not because of a promise of reward or damnation. Walking His path because He is my role model, the archetype of "Good".

Edit: if we are truly His followers, we should try to make Him our focus, not what we can get out for it...not that I do that very well.

timewerx said:

I think an Atheist on the same moral ground as a Christian is morally superior....

Because such Atheist didn't have to be motivated by an eternal paradise or eternal damnation to be good!

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Yeah but I don't think all Christians are motivated by the reward of Paradise in the next life. Some just live for the love of Christ.

jimmyjimmy said:

Are you, as a Christian, better, smarter, more humble, etc., than non-Christians? Are you superior?

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Nope. But Jesus is.

Is it possible that a Hindu man is a better husband than a Christian man? Can a Muslim woman be a better mother than a Christian woman?

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Lots of moral possibilities exist; but before the Holy face of God, so what?

It isn't about superior performance. Committed Christians have (at least) two advantages:

1. Our sins have been washed away; we are prepared to stand before God.
2. We have a Paraclete who is willing to take us from where we are and is molding us into Christ's likeness. (Where we are may not be all that superior to those who have some of their ducks in a row, now.)

Those who do have some of their ducks in a row --on their own terms-- will not gain these two benefits.

See Matthew 22:1-14

verses 11-13 said:

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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There will be no party-crashers in Heaven!

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:20

rockytopva said:

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:20

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...the trick word here is "your"........

No, but I would say we have an "advantage" over non believers, which is the guidance of God in our lives.

jimmyjimmy said:

Are you, as a Christian, better, smarter, more humble, etc., than non-Christians? Are you superior?

Is it possible that a Hindu man is a better husband than a Christian man? Can a Muslim woman be a better mother than a Christian woman?


Superior
adjective

1. higher in station, rank, degree, importance, etc.:
a superior officer.

2. above the average in excellence, merit, intelligence, etc.:
superior math students.

3. of higher grade or quality:
superior merchandise.

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Is the Christian better than any other person? Absolutely not.

Is the Christian better off? Yes, if a person is in Christ, they have eternal life, not because of anything in and of themselves, but solely by the grace and mercy of God in Jesus Christ.

Zoii said:

If christianity was so morally superior we wouldn't have such a high level of sexual predeation amongst our religious leaders.

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And those who practice such things are either not Christians, and they do not in any way represent the doctrines of Christianity or the teachings of the Bible.

timewerx said:

Because such Atheist didn't have to be motivated by an eternal paradise or eternal damnation to be good!

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The Atheist is not good, nor has any ability to be good.

Romans 3:10-12 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; (11) no one understands; no one seeks for God. (12) All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

jimmyjimmy said:

Are you, as a Christian, better, smarter, more humble, etc., than non-Christians? Are you superior?

Is it possible that a Hindu man is a better husband than a Christian man? Can a Muslim woman be a better mother than a Christian woman?


Superior
adjective

1. higher in station, rank, degree, importance, etc.:
a superior officer.

2. above the average in excellence, merit, intelligence, etc.:
superior math students.

3. of higher grade or quality:
superior merchandise.

Click to expand...

I would think it is wrong to think of yourself as being “superior” to anyone, since the only difference between the other person and myself is the indwelling Holy Spirit and my allowing the Spirit to do what He can easily do.

If good stuff is done through me it is not me doing it, but the Spirit I am allowing to do it.

I did in the past look down upon people who were big time sinners, but some of them became Christians and shoot right by me to become Spiritual giants in the Kingdom, so how can you tell?

God seems to look at us from the perspective of what we can be and not what where we are.

jimmyjimmy said:

Are you, as a Christian, better, smarter, more humble, etc., than non-Christians? Are you superior?

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No, though many religious organizations seem to make that a priority.

jimmyjimmy said:

Does Christianity rest upon men's moral superiority?

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No.

jimmyjimmy said:

Are you, as a Christian, better, smarter, more humble, etc., than non-Christians? Are you superior?

Is it possible that a Hindu man is a better husband than a Christian man? Can a Muslim woman be a better mother than a Christian woman?


Superior
adjective

1. higher in station, rank, degree, importance, etc.:
a superior officer.

2. above the average in excellence, merit, intelligence, etc.:
superior math students.

3. of higher grade or quality:
superior merchandise.

Click to expand...

Where God is concerned .. No..

jimmyjimmy said:

Are you, as a Christian, better, smarter, more humble, etc., than non-Christians? Are you superior?

Is it possible that a Hindu man is a better husband than a Christian man? Can a Muslim woman be a better mother than a Christian woman?


Superior
adjective

1. higher in station, rank, degree, importance, etc.:
a superior officer.

2. above the average in excellence, merit, intelligence, etc.:
superior math students.

3. of higher grade or quality:
superior merchandise.

Click to expand...

This question is tough bc it's so subjective. What is humble to one person, might be an enabler to another. Parenting... everyone has there opinion on that which differs. So there's not really an accurate way to answer this.

To me...
Yes, a Muslim women could be a better mom than a Christian mom. Are they a true Muslim or a true Christian though? That makes a difference. Is a Muslim woman teaching her kids to hate christian and jews like the Quran teaches.... while a Christian mom teaches her kids to love everyone? On the other hand, God speaks to everyone. So are they instead ignoring that part and listening to God? To me, part of being a good parent is teaching your kid love, faith, and hope. But above all love.

As far as me, as a Christian am I superior? No.
Is there a difference in me? Probably. I'm always the favorite....kid, grandkid, neice, daughter-in-law, teacher, loved immensely by my husband. I'm not a mother yet, but if I had to guess I'll be the favorite. Lol I always felt like Joseph growing up with his brothers and even use to beg my parents/grandparents not to treat me different bc it was too obvious.

I'm not sure if that says more about them or me. But I listen to the voice of God... and i always felt loved. I would count that as feeling superior.

jimmyjimmy said:

Are you, as a Christian, better, smarter, more humble, etc., than non-Christians? Are you superior?

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Not necessarily. Of course, because I have a regenerate heart and because Jesus is actively working to sanctify me, I should be moving in a better direction, morally speaking, than a non-Christian.

Is it possible that a Hindu man is a better husband than a Christian man? Can a Muslim woman be a better mother than a Christian woman?

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Most definitely possible. And it often is the case. The church is a mess.

jimmyjimmy said:

Are you, as a Christian, better, smarter, more humble, etc., than non-Christians? Are you superior?

Is it possible that a Hindu man is a better husband than a Christian man? Can a Muslim woman be a better mother than a Christian woman?


Superior
adjective

1. higher in station, rank, degree, importance, etc.:
a superior officer.

2. above the average in excellence, merit, intelligence, etc.:
superior math students.

3. of higher grade or quality:
superior merchandise.

Click to expand...

Paul said love is the highest that every Christian should follow and we should love our enemies as ourself. A real Christian should follow this and love others. If we cant do this, then we must ask Jesus to give us a Heart of loving.

Coming to your question, a genuine Christian should be superior to others because he understands and receives Jesus love. Others can be superiors to Christians only if the so called Christians are in fact semi Christians

jimmyjimmy said:

Are you, as a Christian, better, smarter, more humble, etc., than non-Christians? Are you superior?

Is it possible that a Hindu man is a better husband than a Christian man? Can a Muslim woman be a better mother than a Christian woman?


Superior
adjective

1. higher in station, rank, degree, importance, etc.:
a superior officer.

2. above the average in excellence, merit, intelligence, etc.:
superior math students.

3. of higher grade or quality:
superior merchandise.

Click to expand...

Not many Hindus or Muslims are creating breakthrough cancer treatments. I would like to think Christians may do better. If you look at one of the poorest nations on earth, you might find Afghanistan. You asked if Muslims were better than Christians, what would you find there? Hindus worshiped many gods. I met a Hindu who told me he worshiped the monkey god. If you trust in a monkey to be your guide, you might not find the path to enlightenment.

Zoii said:

All the qualities you talk about are not dependent on religion and christianity specifically. If christianity was so morally superior we wouldn't have such a high level of sexual predeation amongst our religious leaders.

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...you almost make it sound like sexual predation only happens in Christian Churches.

CrystalDragon said:

I actually agree here. Even on these forums I've seen some Christians say that if they thought God didn't exist they'd go around hurting and killing people and destroying things.

In that case, it seems that Christians are actually morally inferior to non-Christians.

Click to expand...

I wonder what percentage of Christians would actually say that they personally WOULD hurt, destroy and kill if God didn't exist. Somehow, I don't think the percentages in the 'yay' category would be very high, Crystal.