If you don't believe in God, then why would you send your child to a Christian school? Not that I don't think it's a good thing, I'm just curious.
I've met several atheists who were also very nice people who possess many of the character traits your mentioned, they just happen not to believe in God. I've always wondered (in relation to these folks), what does it hurt to believe in God, since you're already living many facets of a Christian life, and just think...what if you're wrong, and God really does exist...wouldn't it be better for you to give Him the benefit of the doubt?[/quote]
"Facets of Christian life" and ethics & morals are not mutually exclusive. The world is loaded with good people that don't believe in Christ. It would hurt my logical & reality based belief system and defy common sense. I'm a good, kind moral person because I choose to be, not for some reward at the end ...like eternal life. I have no need to hedge my bets by claiming to believe in God anymore than I could convince you not to. I believe a person only gets one chance at life, so get it right.
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Not all Christians live the way they do for a reward at the end of their life (like, if I live a good enough life, I'll get to go to Heaven). We live the way we do because we are Christians. We're already assured of going to Heaven, based upon what we believe. Good works don't get us into Heaven.
Note: not all who call themselves Christians believe this. Some believe, as you described, that good works will get them into Heaven.
I'd just hate to see you, Linda, get to the end of your life, and find out that God does, indeed exist, and He's looking at you, saying, "What would it have hurt to believe in Me?"
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