Why Does an Atheist Give to Charity?
Posted on: March 15, 2008 - 2:45pm
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Why Does an Atheist Give to Charity?
For no reason other than I feel for their pain... I cringe at the sight of a beaten animal, and I tear at the sight/sound of a hungry animal (human or otherwise) grasping for life.
I give so at least 1 more animal, 1 more human, can wake up the next morning and eat. So that they can get up and walk outside and not fear death and decay the way they did the day before. I give so they can enjoy life, even if only for a minute.
I don't give because God said so, I don't give because I want their opinion to be in line with mine, I don't give because my mom and dad will find me "unholy" or "improper".
I give, we give, because their pain is a horrid thing to experience, witness, have to go through.
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Why do atheists give to charity? Because BBQing kittens isn't that popular?
Empathy is why humans do it, labels don't matter. We see mammals in other species do the same thing. Being godless doesn't mean we have to ask ourselves such a question., when "human nature" will suffice.
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I help people because it fucking feels GREAT! The rush I get from helping someone has been more addictive than any substance I've imbibed.
I receive extra special tingles when I relay HOW I have helped someone else ESPECIALLY when I'm the only one to help in certain situations.
Some people have to look into the mirror and convince themselves that they are a good person. I look into the mirror and blush from past accolades and future expectations.
Conversely when I can't help people, it affects me in much the same manner as withdrawal symptoms.
It isn't from any kind of programmed 'altruism' either. It's not my 'anti-drug' either. Charity IS my drug.
It's gotta 'start at home' though. My 'own' have to be served long before others. That means family, RRS, and then the wayward.
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Because God certainly isn't helping.
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
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God helps those who help themselves.
...
Ba-hahahaha!
Hanging on to money like it's your balls when other people are in a shitty situation would be a pretty unfortunate way to live. You don't need anything supernatural to know that.
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I give to charity because I'm a care bear. I'm religious and all but I think giving to others to please God is selfish in nature. "Yay I gave, now God will like me" - nonsense! Give because your heart tells you that those in need are living hell not because your arbiter says so.. Seems pathetic, cowardly, etc that people give solely "because God wants that."
It is said the great ones catch teardrops in their hands.
Sounds rather convenient.
Personally I only support one small charity. it has a simple aim, to try to give every person on the planet access to clean water
Giving to organizations that provide food aid ? is this the right thing to do ? in some cases long-term will this not increase and perpetuate the suffering ?
Give someone a fish and they'll eat for a day. Teach someone to fish and they'll eat for a lifetime. Tell them to pray for a fish and they'll fucking STARVE.
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This reminds me of the unspoken motto of the Republican Party: "We help those who already have the means to help themselves".
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In part it's selfishness. I hope that the agencies I have given money to will be still around one day to help me if i need it. And this contributes to a better world that I live in.( the only one atheists have)
In part, because it's simply the morally right thing to do. Why do theists have to put a god in the picture?
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Religion is about answers that can't be questioned.
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I disagree. I work hard for my money and don't see anything 'unfortunate' about not sharing it with people who are having a shitty time. To be perfectly honest, it's not my problem that the homeless guy down the street has a drug problem and needs my money. It's his problem.
That being said, I do contribute to charities when I can afford to (I'm not even remotely wealthy by any stretch of the means). I contribute to causes or organizations that I feel are valuable and important in some way.
If god takes life he's an indian giver
...Because I feel like it, basically.
I donate to a charity if I like the cause...I would rather have everything run through charities rather than government hand out programs.
Those are probably the same people who only believe in god (or say they do) because they are afraid of hell and are just hedging their bets.
"Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise."
-James Madison-