If Jesus is necessary and sufficient for getting to heaven, why be moral?

[shira]

Edit: Or why Ann Coulter is a textbook psychopath who doesn't care about the welfare of others.

It seems I've heard it over and over and over again from the perversely religious: If you don't believe in God, you can't possibly have any motivation to be moral. But I was watching some videos of Ann Coulter in which she stated that she was a religious Christian and that good deeds won't get you to heaven; only the acceptance of Jesus will.

Yet if you look at Coulter's behavior, she's clearly devoid of any sense of dedication to the truth (find the video where Al Franken slam-dunks one of her outrageous lies, and she squirms in her chair trying to claim she was just paraphrasing). She's clearly motivated solely by greed - sell books, get speaking engagements, stay in the public eye. Even if she's just an act, she's an evil act.

And then it struck me: Ann Coulter can rationalize her disgusting behavior because she believes that her acceptance of Jesus immunizes her from hell; her morality is irrelevant.

Isn't that ironic?

 

[theflyingpig]

Isn't that ironic?

Don't you think?

 

[Ozoned]

It seems I've heard it over and over and over again from the perversely religious: If you don't believe in God, you can't possibly have any motivation to be moral. But I was watching some videos of Ann Coulter in which she stated that she was a religious Christian and that good deeds won't get you to heaven; only the acceptance of Jesus will.

Yet if you look at Coulter's behavior, she's clearly devoid of any sense of dedication to the truth (find the video where Al Franken slam-dunks one of her outrageous lies, and she squirms in her chair trying to claim she was just paraphrasing). She's clearly motivated solely by greed - sell books, get speaking engagements, stay in the public eye. Even if she just an act, she's an evil act.

And then it struck me: Ann Coulter can rationalize her disgusting behavior because she believes that her acceptance of Jesus immunizes her from hell; her morality is irrelevant.

Isn't that ironic?

And why are you motivated to share your thoughts about her. Is there something in it for you?

 

[sandorski]

Many Christians have asked the same question and chose to be Immoral. I think that answers your question.

 

[ShawnD1]

And then it struck me: Ann Coulter can rationalize her disgusting behavior because she believes that her acceptance of Jesus immunizes her from hell; her morality is irrelevant.

You mean textbook psychopaths don't give care about the welfare of others? No shit.

 

[nonlnear]

It's like a black fly in your chardonnay.

 

[shira]

And why are you motivated to share your thoughts about her. Is there something in it for you?

You think my post was about Ann Coulter?

Edit: Well, now it is, sort of.

 

[Rubycon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N4ckFN96-k

 

[dammitgibs]

How is this politics or news?

 

[brownzilla786]

Don't you think?

A little bit ironic...

 

[shira]

How is this politics or news?

See my edit to the OP.

 

[nageov3t]

people like you are keeping her in business.

if everyone stopped caring about the wise and beautiful woman, she'd go away.

 

[nyker96]

I am not a fan of Coulter but she is quite popular in certain circles. But I think to answer your question. Almost every religion and non religious group had done some unspeakable things in its past. I don't believe been religious makes you a different person, after all, god gave you a choice in life. Been religious means you know about god (of your choice) but you're still free to choose your actions and walk your own life. some use this life to do good others don't or still others use this time to sell books. It's all up to you.

 

[blackangst1]

It seems I've heard it over and over and over again from the perversely religious: If you don't believe in God, you can't possibly have any motivation to be moral.

Strange. I grew up in the church, and continue today and Ive never heard this. I quit reading at this point.

 

[sandorski]

Strange. I grew up in the church, and continue today and Ive never heard this. I quit reading at this point.

It's brought up all the time, even in ATOT and P&N each Religious thread.

 

[totalnoob]

Good deeds are always nice, but strictly speaking they don't matter to Christianity. (Ephesians 2:8-9). What matters is FAITH Genuine repentance, a plea for forgiveness, accepting that Jesus died for you, blah blah blah..so technically Hitler could have had a change of heart, repented, and asked for forgiveness before blowing his head off..and he'd be in heaven right now, while the 6 million unrepentant Jews he killed are still roasting in hell.

 

[woolfe9999]

And then it struck me: Ann Coulter can rationalize her disgusting behavior because she believes that her acceptance of Jesus immunizes her from hell; her morality is irrelevant.

Perhaps she actually believes that, or perhaps she is just a reptile who outwardly uses religion as a moral disguise.

- wolf

 

[Red Dawn]

How is this politics or news?

He mentioned Ann Cooter

 

[CycloWizard]

Strange. I grew up in the church, and continue today and Ive never heard this. I quit reading at this point.

This is a sviewpoint which seems to be most often held by Protestant sects. A quick Googling turned up this link, which I think is actually a pretty good way of looking at it:

http://www.biblebb.com/files/macqa/1301-e-10.htm

Essentially, the argument is that one is saved by faith, but that any "saving" faith will have corresponding moral behavior.

 

[MovingTarget]

Ah, the classic faith vs. works debate in Christianity. If ATPN were around at the time, this would be the mother of all reposts. Personally I think that they should go hand in hand, but that often leads to a chicken-and-egg argument. If you have faith, then you will be inspired to do good works. Faith without works (given the opportunity) is meaningless.

 

[Anarchist420]

Good deeds are always nice, but strictly speaking they don't matter to Christianity. (Ephesians 2:8-9). What matters is FAITH Genuine repentance, a plea for forgiveness, accepting that Jesus died for you, blah blah blah..so technically Hitler could have had a change of heart, repented, and asked for forgiveness before blowing his head off..and he'd be in heaven right now, while the 6 million unrepentant Jews he killed are still roasting in hell.

That's what I don't get. Hitler was a hardcore Christian, so according to the logic of Christianity, he went to heaven.

 

[StageLeft]

Edit: Or why Ann Coulter is a textbook psychopath who doesn't care about the welfare of others.

It seems I've heard it over and over and over again from the perversely religious: If you don't believe in God, you can't possibly have any motivation to be moral. But I was watching some videos of Ann Coulter in which she stated that she was a religious Christian and that good deeds won't get you to heaven; only the acceptance of Jesus will.

Yet if you look at Coulter's behavior, she's clearly devoid of any sense of dedication to the truth (find the video where Al Franken slam-dunks one of her outrageous lies, and she squirms in her chair trying to claim she was just paraphrasing). She's clearly motivated solely by greed - sell books, get speaking engagements, stay in the public eye. Even if she's just an act, she's an evil act.

And then it struck me: Ann Coulter can rationalize her disgusting behavior because she believes that her acceptance of Jesus immunizes her from hell; her morality is irrelevant.

Isn't that ironic?

The opinion I think many Christians would offer to this is that if you truly, honestly believe in Jesus you would by default act in a giving and selfless way. Although you would not need to do any such good deeds it would come naturally to you.

It's one thing to say you believe something and another to actually believe it, truly.

 

[manowar821]

"It's all bullshit, and it's bad for you." - Now these are words to live by.

 

[JSt0rm]

Some say christianity is a trick of the devil as it allows you to sin and still go to heaven.

 

[Jaskalas]

If Jesus is necessary and sufficient for getting to heaven, why be moral?

Think about the story. Watch the movie.

Jesus was horrifically tortured and would rather endure that than harm another human being. That passiveness is their morality, that is "Jesus".

Given that, your question which separates the two is rather asinine.