David B

Do you think that people of faith are more moral, in general, than the agnostic or theist?

And are some people of faith more moral than others? An example being, are those faiths which embrace polygamy more or less moral than those which promote monogamy?

David B (has found, in his experience, that the Quakers he has met have been very moral people)

Quetzalcoatl

Can it be said that since you are “moral�? you chose to become a Quaker since it fits your prior views? Do you see the problem in drawing a conclusion from this data?

theturtlemoves

Depends on your defintion of moral, doesn't it? After all, Islamic polygamy would be immoral to a Christian, normal western dressing styles would be immoral to many Middle Eastern Muslims, and so on and so forth.

If you give a limited definition as "Attempt to do as little harm to their fellow people as possible", I rather think my atheist friends are more moral than my religious friends, and I'm convinced that there has been more harm done by religious people than atheists, even adjusting for relative numbers.

seebs

I do not think I would draw very general rules. I have been positively impressed by some specific communities (Tibetan Buddhists and Quakers among them), but I have met many atheists that I believe to be very moral people.

I think some faiths pursue righteousness, and some claim to have it already. The former seems to produce people I am glad to be around, the latter not so much.

David B

Well, no it can't. Since I'm not a quaker. However, the quakers that I've met have been very nice people. It's only a sample of about half a dozen, though, and it's a very subjective judgement, so I wouldn't claim it as conclusive.

From what I understand, though, they are a contemplative group, who, as someone mentioned above, pursue good rather than thinking they already have it.

David B