“Atheism and Judeo-Christian Belief and Outcomes”

“Atheism and Judeo-Christian Belief and Outcomes”

Recently in a discussion about the veracity of Christianity a comment was made about atheists and that it was secularism that is responsible for more death than all religions combined.  In response a comment was made something to the effect that, “You cannot lump all atheists together because there is a great difference in and among us.”

While only the most naïve would question the truth of the response, there came a further discussion.  You see the person defending atheism was very adept at dividing out all atheists while at the same time grouping all theists together.  Then as the argument progressed the theists would be labeled because of the excesses of a few.  

Among the arguments tendered was the notion that Theism in general and Judeo-Christian belief in particular was and is not a valid truth system because of the Crusades, the Inquisition, and other overreaches by “Christians.”  Thus the Christian “truth” system is invalid.  Of course no such criterion was applied to atheism.

So in the course of the discussion it became apparent that there were two different standards by which to evaluate belief systems.  The system embraced could be hospitably accepted despite its excesses while the other is disproved by similar excesses. 

However, while discounting a truth system based upon excesses may be valid and true, it is also legitimate to note that one can argue for the veracity of any overarching truth system by looking at general trends and outcomes.  For example while both atheism and theism can “take a bad rap” for the times in which they have devalued human life, there is a glowing difference and it is found in outcomes.

Travel from the destructive end of the scale to what have both systems contributed to the betterment of mankind.  Even a cursory reading of history (not revisionist history but genuine history) will show it is those who’ve embraced Judeo-Christian truth that have added to the quality of life for mankind in general and people in particular.

Those things that we assume and thus presume upon in the West like benevolent government, places that serve the sick and dying, and benevolent organizations etc. all had their start because of the Judeo-Christian truth ethic.  As well helping and service organizations in many cases had their start because of the Judeo-Christian truth paradigm. 

Look to science and medicine and one finds the same to be true.  Look to humanitarian organizations and one find that most of them come or at least had their start as faith based organizations.

So when one evaluated the claims of the atheist truth system in its multivariate sub-parts and Judeo-Christian truth system in its multivariate sub-parts there is one question that demands an answer.  It is not that of excesses and misdirected people for both systems have many.  However, it is this.  

"Generally speaking, which system has done the most good for humanity?"