Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?

SarahPLiz

This is a P&R because I have shiittons of work to do, but I thought this article was very interesting. We have often covered the "atheism =/= evil" argument on this board, so I thought y'all might find it thought provoking as well

http://news.yahoo.com/atheists-more-motivated-compassion-faithful-161159711.html

LDYGTR13

I think that particular article can't decide if it wants to talk about Athiests or "less religious" folk. There's definitely a difference, IMO.

As a non-religious person, who can't exactly call herself Athiest, I've seen a lot of the compassion for people type of thing. Care about people, not about a being that may or may not exist, etc, but I can't imagine that religious folks would be less compassionate. That's definitely interesting. 

SarahPLiz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:be57d62b-afbf-4615-b4bc-3606b9afc40d">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]I think that particular article can't decide if it wants to talk about Athiests or "less religious" folk. There's definitely a difference, IMO. As a non-religious person, who can't exactly call herself Athiest, I've seen a lot of the compassion for people type of thing. Care about people, not about a being that may or may not exist, etc, but I can't imagine that religious folks would be less compassionate. That's definitely interesting. 
Posted by LDYGTR13[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I think the author took some liberties in equating less religious people to athiests, but it is an interesting study about the motivations. From what I am reading, the less religious were more motivated by compassion and the more religious were motivated more by doctrine or social constraints. So it would seem to me, by my definitions, that the less religious had more pure motivation for their compassion. <div>
</div><div>Definitely interesting to think about, like the author said, given the distrust of the non-religious in many parts of this country. </div>

[Deleted User]

It's interesting, but I'm one of the least compassionate people I know, and I'm an athiest. According to my mom, I suffer from "emotional deficiency."

That being said, I do think the article is accurate about the compassion argument. If/when I do something "good," it's not based on a creed or belief that's been religious moral that's been ground into me. It's just because I want to. But I'm sure you could argue that that compassion comes from somewhere as well, such as a parents' beliefs or whatever.

dmiller9274

I think it's an interesting study, but I'm not exactly sure what I think about it. One thing that is an instant turn off for me is the break down of "slightly religious vs. strongly religious." How is the amount of your religious beliefs calculated? 

I think religious beliefs might play a small factor into how generous a person is, but without doing any research myself, I personally feel like a persons generosity has more to do with the environment they were raised in, what their current financial situation is, and whether or not they've been able to first hand witness the impact of someone's generosity. 

Lastly, I don't think I know very many atheists IRL, but the people on TK (that I can think of) who have mentioned that they are atheists, all seem to be the type of people I would consider compassionate and have a genuine interest in caring for/about people. 

LDYGTR13

I agree with you (and the author) on that last bit. I was actually just thinking this morning that my boss was describing one of our vendors "goodness" by saying "Yeah, he's nice, and he's a good Christian Man" - WTF does his religion have to do with anything? Then it kinda sunk in that no one can say that I'm a "good Christian woman" and if that hurts me in the scheme of things, that's pretty effed up.

LDYGTR13

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:c6db3457-2ee7-425a-870f-5e83fe40206e">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]I think it's an interesting study, but I'm not exactly sure what I think about it. One thing that is an instant turn off for me is the break down of "slightly religious vs. strongly religious." How is the amount of your religious beliefs calculated?  I think religious beliefs might play a small factor into how generous a person is, but without doing any research myself,<strong> I personally feel like a persons generosity has more to do with the environment they were raised in, what their current financial situation is, and whether or not they've been able to first hand witness the impact of someone's generosity.</strong>  Lastly, I don't think I know very many atheists IRL, but the people on TK (that I can think of) who have mentioned that they are atheists, all seem to be the type of people I would consider compassionate and have a genuine interest in caring for/about people. 
Posted by dmiller9274[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Good point. I was raised in a "don't give money to people because there are scams" type of household, sadly. But H was raised in a much more giving household, eventhough they were much less well off than my family was. He's way more giving than I am (to strangers) - and he's a very outspoken Athiest.

</div>

NicoleSahara

I agree with dmiller. Also I'm sure most people have firsthand experience of someone who claimed to be a Christian (or some other religion) and was a very unethical person, and on the flip side I know there are atheists who have very good morals. I don't think because of this you can then speak for religion as a whole and say they only show compassion out of fear for being punished by God or something stupid like that. Everyone has their own reasons for showing compassion (or not showing it), and it can't be broken down into a simple survey of religious vs. not religious. For me, as a Christian, I am not compassionate out of "duty" to my belief system, nor out of fear.

brandichamberlain

I think it is really hard to make generalizations like this.  I know a few athiests IRL and they are split between compassionate and cold.  Same goes for "religious" people.  I will say that I often find those with extreme belief in faith can come off as very judgemental and cold to those who don't share their beliefs with them.  So if you're asking if I find that it is true when conversations turn up about actual religion, I can see where there might be some validity to it.

jcg98

In Response to Re:Lunch discussion Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?:[QUOTE] From what I am reading, the less religious were more motivated by compassion and the more religious were motivated more by doctrine or social constraints. So it would seem to me, by my definitions, that the less religious had more pure motivation for their compassion. Posted by SarahPLiz[/QUOTE]

This is what sticks out to me. In my opinion, "very religious" can often cross over the line to "self righteous" and the doctrines of religion inhibit a person's ability to be purely compassionate. For myself, I consider myself to be a person of faith, and while I practice a certain religion, I wouldn't think of myself as very religious. I also think my compassionate side is separate from my faithful or religious side, and I try to be compassionate above being religious. If that makes sense.

dmiller9274

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:ec403b43-d05d-470b-976e-a2faa1beca12">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>I think it is really hard to make generalizations like this.</strong>  I know a few athiests IRL and they are split between compassionate and cold.  Same goes for "religious" people. <strong> I will say that I often find those with extreme belief in faith can come off as very judgemental and cold to those who don't share their beliefs with them.</strong>  So if you're asking if I find that it is true when conversations turn up about actual religion, I can see where there might be some validity to it.
Posted by brandichamberlain[/QUOTE]
I agree with the first bolded sentence, but that's kind of exactly what you're doing in the second bolded sentence. That is one of the generalizations that drives me crazy. Sure there are plenty of judgmental religious people, but there are plenty of religious people who cringe when they see "their kind" behaving like that. Same goes for atheists, some are completely over the top in trying to prove that anyone who believes in God is a moron, and some that are just fine and dandy agreeing to disagree. I don't think it's fair to lump people together in those categories. 

ricksang

I am the most compassionate person I know and I am a pure atheist. People are really taken aback when I tell them I don't believe in God. That being said, my mom is very compassionate and she is a pure Christian.

[Deleted User]

I agree that environment is key, perhaps more so than religious beliefs. Neither of my parents are very religious so the things I believe in and stand for that come from them, don't necessarily come from religion.

But I also hold a lot of animosity toward religion for personal beliefs. So that clouds my judgment in many ways. That being said, I agree with dmills that regardless of what you belief, it's really annoying when someone from your "side" treats people poorly or like morons for believing something different.

allisong23

After the Haiti earthquake, I noticed that the friends I had on FB that identified themselves as conservative Christians and voted on the right wing of the spectrum were the ones that were posting complaining that we were sending all this financial to Haiti while "we were not taking care of our own here in America."

One person just really went off, going on and on how we shouldn't be sending them anything. This is the same person who frequently posted about his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and how wonderful it was to be saved. Finally I just wrote this long post in response, reminding him that Jesus didn't just save and care for those in his hometown of Bethlehem, but everywhere. He loved everyone, not just the rich, but the poor. I said that most of the people of Haiti made less in a year than I made in two weeks, so I had no problem skipping eating out once a week and sending the money to them. I was saying this all very carefully, and not trying to offend him. He flipped out on me, swearing, etc, and then unfriended me.

So, yeah, I have seen a tendency for some people that identify themselves as very relogious to be less compassionate.

brandichamberlain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:5dd491a1-4ab2-4bd0-a727-92360018a710">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks? : I agree with the first bolded sentence, but that's kind of exactly what you're doing in the second bolded sentence. That is one of the generalizations that drives me crazy. Sure there are plenty of judgmental religious people, but there are plenty of religious people who cringe when they see "their kind" behaving like that. Same goes for atheists, some are completely over the top in trying to prove that anyone who believes in God is a moron, and some that are just fine and dandy agreeing to disagree. I don't think it's fair to lump people together in those categories. 
Posted by dmiller9274[/QUOTE]

Perhaps I should have worded it differently.  I used the words "often" and "come off as" rather than "always" and "are" because in my experiences, I do see this <u>perception</u> frequently in religious conversations.  They may not mean to, and it is not all of them, but in our society perception is reality.

chelseamb11

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:5dd491a1-4ab2-4bd0-a727-92360018a710">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks? : I agree with the first bolded sentence, but that's kind of exactly what you're doing in the second bolded sentence. That is one of the generalizations that drives me crazy. Sure there are plenty of judgmental religious people, but <strong>there are plenty of religious people who cringe when they see "their kind" behaving like that. </strong>Same goes for atheists, some are completely over the top in trying to prove that anyone who believes in God is a moron, and some that are just fine and dandy agreeing to disagree. I don't think it's fair to lump people together in those categories. 
Posted by dmiller9274[/QUOTE]


I'm just going to hop in the dmill train here. Especially on the bolded.

And also nod along in general with what people have said.  I don't think that causation, religion (or lackthereof) and compassion can really ever go into the same sentence.  I know plenty of people across the religious spectrum (Atheist to VERRRY religious) that are extremely compassionate, kind, giving people. I also know plenty across the spectrum that are complete assholes.  To me comparing religious with compassionate people is like apples to oranges.  you're never going to find all of them clumped into the same category.

[Deleted User]

Alli, your post is interesting with the whole Haiti thing. My landlord, who is pretty religious, is a retired surgeon who goes to Haiti every year to provide free medical services. After the earthquake he spent a lot of time down there helping people, and his daughter produced a documentary that aided in relief efforts.

His work there has kind of opened my eyes. I always thought he was kind of a hard-ass, but really he's a damn good guy. Funny how people can surprise you.

dmiller9274

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:795eeb1f-150c-442f-ab4c-8c9ef9432b48">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks? : Perhaps I should have worded it differently.  I used the words "often" and "come off as" rather than "always" and "are" because in my experiences, I do see this perception frequently in religious conversations.  They may not mean to, and it is not all of them, but in our society perception is reality.
Posted by brandichamberlain[/QUOTE]
I guess the thing that bothers me about the generalization or lumping people into the "crazy judgmental Christian" category is because for every Christian that openly speaks their mind on the issue, there is at least one that is keeping their mouth shut because so many people are raised to not discuss their religious beliefs. It's easy to say that "most" of the Christian people you know are overtop in pushing their beliefs onto others, but the fact of the matter is, you have no way of knowing how many Christians (or any other religion) people you encounter on a daily basis that have no desire to push their beliefs because they don't discuss something that is very often considered a private decision. I geuss what I'm getting at is loud abrasive Christians are of course more obvious than (what I believe to be) the majority of Christians who you have no idea what they believe because they keep their mouth shut.
<div>
</div><div>I'm hoping that this will make sense because I always find it hard to type out what I'm trying to get across. </div>

chelseamb11

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:9db64352-0828-418a-8cd0-c759559996bb">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]Outside of a few posters on this board, I don't know any highly religious people. I'd consider a lot of the people I do know compassionate, however. I don't know if a lot of the people I know donate, but I've had enough discussions with them to know of their compassion for others.<strong> I also think it takes more than financial donations to be considered compassionate. </strong>
Posted by kodakitty[/QUOTE]

 This is very true. And to piggyback of what Alli said.. I think a lot of it too is this: Most people who consider themselves more religious are also rather politically conservative people.  Most people who are politically conservative are very against the "handouts"/"entitlement" mentality.  I'm not saying Haiti is a situation about entitlement, because obviously it was truly a disaster.. but many politically conservative people are careful what they do with their money and are picky about where they spend/donate it.  A lot of people who are religious give to their own organizations of choice as it is, so they probably go on the mentality that you can't fix everything, and they've already done their part.

arwo

I think am reading the results of these studies very differently than a lot of you. I don't think the studies show (edit: or were even TRYING to show) that atheists are more compassionate; rather, they found that atheists are motivated by compassion when it comes to helping others. The studies are not determining how compassionate people are, but rather differences in motivation. To me, those are two very different things.

brandichamberlain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:721a2bff-9e22-41bf-b3b2-5678591c25ca">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks? : I guess the thing that bothers me about the generalization or lumping people into the "crazy judgmental Christian" category is because for every Christian that openly speaks their mind on the issue, there is at least one that is keeping their mouth shut because so many people are raised to not discuss their religious beliefs. It's easy to say that "most" of the Christian people you know are overtop in pushing their beliefs onto others, but the fact of the matter is, you have no way of knowing how many Christians (or any other religion) people you encounter on a daily basis that have no desire to push their beliefs because they don't discuss something that is very often considered a private decision. I geuss what I'm getting at is loud abrasive Christians are of course more obvious than (what I believe to be) the majority of Christians who you have no idea what they believe because they keep their mouth shut. I'm hoping that this will make sense because I always <strong>find it hard to type out what I'm trying to get across. 
</strong>Posted by dmiller9274[/QUOTE]

I think I am having trouble conveying that as well I think.  I think that the abraisive religious folks (not necessarily just Christains) tend to be less sympethitic and compassionate to others who may believe differently (so looked up on as not as strongly or at all perhaps) in conversations specifically geared toward religion.  If two very religious people of the same faith/ Two extreme athiests get together they will  likely agree on almost everything.  In the conversations that I have been exposed to when someone with a strong religious background/belief comes in contact with someone on the other spectrum, I've seen them be more judgemental/less understanding.

Does that makes more sense?  I suppose I don't mean in every instance of life that they are more/less compassionate, but when it comes to acceptance of each other, <strong>my experience</strong> has been that the less religious have been more willing to accept the other. 

LetsHikeToday

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:c4abc8d5-acb6-4163-a088-e1aa0a5646d7">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks? :  This is very true. And to piggyback of what Alli said.. <strong>I think a lot of it too is this: Most people who consider themselves more religious are also rather politically conservative people.  Most people who are politically conservative are very against the "handouts"/"entitlement" mentality</strong>.  I'm not saying Haiti is a situation about entitlement, because obviously it was truly a disaster.. but many politically conservative people are careful what they do with their money and are picky about where they spend/donate it.  A lot of people who are religious give to their own organizations of choice as it is, so they probably go on the mentality that you can't fix everything, and they've already done their part.
Posted by chelseamb11[/QUOTE]
Then wouldn't that kinda prove the point of the article? I say that with the opinion that those studies were super small and, in my opinion, don't mean a thing. I have a hard time believe studies of only 1,300 people or 200 people like the one.<div>
</div><div>I am almost an atheist. I say almost because I still pray but I pray to my grandparents who are no longer living. Maybe that sounds weird? Anyway, I'm probably the most compassionate, bleeding heart person I know. I cry about others all the time, sometimes for the silliest things. I do agree that the compassion from an atheist doesn't come from God teaching us we should be BUT that doesn't mean it comes from the purest place in the heart. An atheist could only be compassionate because of how they want to be perceived by others.</div><div>
</div><div>So, like I said, I don't believe in the study or hold it to truth but I don't disagree that maybe those groups of people had the outcome that the religious people were less compassionate.</div>

aggiebug

I find this study to be ridiculous . I think it is full of flaws and assumption, not to mention it appears its definition of  compassion is quite flawed.

I think a lot of the "highly" religious people are more methodical and consistant about how they give in part because it is a part of their religious doctrine.  As a Christian my self, a certain amount goes to my church and a certain amount to other organizations I find important.  Now I do not hold that number as a hard and fast rule and if  I wanted I could (and have) given my "fun" money to an important cause etc.   But say I give an annual sum to UMCOR or Red Cross, when a world crisis happens I know my money is already being put to use so I am less likely to give money because of an image on a screen.  Does that make me less compassionate? I hardly think so.   I may go donate my time, or maybe give blood to the cause instead of more money.   

LetsHikeToday

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:777130f5-1f8a-4f26-8d0b-599cfd5ea39d">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]I find this study to be ridiculous . I think it is full of flaws and assumption, not to mention it appears its definition of  compassion is quite flawed.<strong> I think a lot of the "highly" religious people are more methodical and consistant about how they give in part because it is a part of their religious doctrine.</strong>  As a Christian my self, a certain amount goes to my church and a certain amount to other organizations I find important.  Now I do not hold that number as a hard and fast rule and if  I wanted I could (and have) given my "fun" money to an important cause etc.   But say I give an annual sum to UMCOR or Red Cross, when a world crisis happens I know my money is already being put to use so I am less likely to give money because of an image on a screen.  Does that make me less compassionate? I hardly think so.   I may go donate my time, or maybe give blood to the cause instead of more money.   
Posted by aggiebug[/QUOTE]<div>But are you doing the same thing but opposite by saying you think highly religious people are more consistent about what they give? I don't think that's fair.

</div>

aggiebug

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:04c886d1-0c17-418d-af45-e361dba17b85">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]I think am reading the results of these studies very differently than a lot of you. I don't think the studies show (edit: or were even TRYING to show) that atheists are more compassionate; rather, they found that atheists are motivated by compassion when it comes to helping others. The studies are not determining how compassionate people are, but rather differences in motivation. To me, those are two very different things.
Posted by arwo[/QUOTE]

<div>I think I read the article more like you, and the part that irritated me was the conclusion of the article made it appear that  less religious people are more compassionate.  </div>

aggiebug

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:11398d75-7340-4085-a35f-16aec2271180">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks? : But are you doing the same thing but opposite by saying you think highly religious people are more consistent about what they give? I don't think that's fair.
Posted by LetsHikeToday[/QUOTE]

<div>agreed, that is not fair to say and not really what I meant.  I just suck at explaining my thoughts on this article.   </div><div>
</div><div>Basically I think defining your level of compassion based on how they give money after viewing a scene is ludacris.  Just because I don't jump up and call that phone number to donate money doesn't mean I am not compassionate.  </div><div>
</div>

allisong23

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:75f63aaa-8d7e-45b0-a952-601738ebf20e">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]Not to threadjack, but our badges are all back? But they're all platinum?  That was easy. 
Posted by djhar[/QUOTE]

Yep, we all appear to be platinum. No more bronze for me! :)

Anysunrise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:04c886d1-0c17-418d-af45-e361dba17b85">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]I think am reading the results of these studies very differently than a lot of you. I don't think the studies show (edit: or were even TRYING to show) that atheists are more compassionate; rather, they found that atheists are motivated by compassion when it comes to helping others. The studies are not determining how compassionate people are, but rather differences in motivation. To me, those are two very different things.
Posted by arwo[/QUOTE]

<div>Yeah, this is how I read it too; less religious people give based on compassion, more religious people give out of more obligationishness. Which seems obvious, given that if you don't believe in God and don't go to church, you're not indoctrinated to help out your fellow being out of moral duty, thus your only pure motivation for doing so WOULD be compassion. Or at least, that's kinda how it works in my mind. </div>

SarahPLiz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_lunch-discussion-athiests-are-more-compassionate-than-religious-folks?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9de4b943-7dae-4555-a3be-912b19ba2bd3Post:6445bff2-3565-406e-94b3-f731631f805b">Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Lunch discussion- Athiests are more compassionate than religious folks? : Yep, we all appear to be platinum. No more bronze for me! :)
Posted by allisong23[/QUOTE]
Dammit, now everybody gets a trophy. What are we, a t-ball team?<div>
</div><div>At least they didn't redistribute our wealth (post count).</div>

aggiebug

you are ONLY platinum on the first page though.  2nd pagers are a measly gold

chelseamb11

I think it's based on the badge of the first person who posted on that given page.