dds08 said:
What incentive do atheists have to be kind, loving, and truthful? What is the driving force behind them not taking advantage or using anyone, for their own selfish gain or evil intentions?
Who do they answer to? If they answer to no one, freedom goes so far till you start breaking laws. I doubt man made laws dictate the direction for their life.
Unless they do their best to live within the man made laws, then I guess that's their life. Perhaps they rely on what they are innately attracted to/drawn to for inspiration.
I could respect their decision making if they act in a way that allows them to progress in a fashion that leaves them in a better predicament than in the past. They have goals in certain areas and they try to build something worthwhile, be it friendships, wealth, political power, vocational, intellectual, or philanthropic. Once we get here though, purpose becomes a big question. Why? Why do these things.
My direction comes from the Lord.
My 2 cents:
1) Point #1- We are all unique and different and learn differently, one size does not fit all (this applies to everyone Christian to Atheist). We learn at different speeds. I know personally it was not until I had kids of my own in 30s and had some maturity that I really started focusing and understanding Catholic faith and God.
Would say Atheist see nothing wrong in how they are living. I know personally I acted as a selfish jackass in my teens and 20s and while doing so thought I was a good guy. It was only when I realized how I should really be living my life (compared my self to Jesus), Did it hit me to repent and change my ways.
Example: Amazing Grace- John Newton (bad dude, slave trader) probably did not realize who he was until he had time to reflect and compare himself to Jesus. " Who saved a wretch like me"
Question-I wonder if Hitler,Stalin,Pablo Escobar ever thought they were bad guys? Easy for us to fall into trap and believe we are the gods and get into false worship of self- ME, ME, ME, it is all about ME. This is why it is important to go to church and pray, keeps us in proper alignment.
2) Point #2 - St. Paul, says even the ignorant, nonbelievers have right and wrong written on our heart.
" Even Gentiles, who do not have God's written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it." Romans 2:143) Point #3- Agree with your final point- "my direction comes from the Lord". Christians have a huge advantage, as does the Western Christian culture (way the truth and the life) of having Jesus as our Lord as our goal on how to live our life.