More On Remorse

[evildave]

Since I got no response in the original thread, I guess I'll start an opposing one.

Given the assertion: "Why would an atheist feel remorse? What would be the practical reason? I don't find any justification for an atheist to feel remorse about anything?"

After committing a heinous act under their god's direction (after all, religious leaders and voices in your head NEVER lie - by definition), why should any believer feel remorse?

To feel remorse after torturing and/or killing people and/or destroying their property in their god's name would be to show a definite and damnable lack of faith. Their belief is so shallow that they would feel sorry for doing what their gods tell them to do?

As an example, say a good believer has just blown up a clinic with people in it. It would be unjustifiable for that believer to then feel remorse. They did God's work. They're happy to.

As another example, another good believer straps on explosives wrapped in nails and boards a bus full of random strangers the believer has never met before. The believer waits until the bus looks like it's going to be as full as it will get. The believer detonates himself. In this case, remorse is impossible. Yay God. Or Allah, or Fred the Wonder Donkey, or whatever. It doesn't matter. In this case, remorse after the face is literally impossible. Unless you believe in all of that heaven/hell crap some religion or another has been cramming into your skull since you since birth.

It's especially touching when the family of a suicide bomber tells the camera how proud they are.

[DrChinese]

I think the question Christian was really trying to ask was:

Can a religious person enjoy rock 'n roll?

[evildave]

The "experts" disagree. Some believe only "Christian Rock" is acceptable, while others damn "Christian Rock" as sin. Still others believe certain "Christian Rock" is good, and other "Christian Rock" is bad.

Of course, we have our MODEL "Good Christian" to speak the final word on the subject.
http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0034/0034_01.asp
http://www.chick.com/catalog/comics/0110.asp

[Marquis de Carabas]

As a recent convert to the great religion of Southern Baptism (pass the meatloaf), let me assure you, Christian rock IS a sin. It's all about Christian Jazz-Funk-Fusion.

[Crossbow]

The question is:

Do people who do "God's Will" feel remorse over the atrocities they commit?

My answer is:

That really depends upon the the person, because everyone will have different reactions to such things.

I have found that some do not express any remorse since they believe that they are just a tool of god and as such, and since god is infallible, that means they are doing nothing wrong. Indeed, to oppose such action would be wrong.

However, I have heard from others who think they are doing god's work by doing bad things, and they feel very badly about it. I think that they hope that one day god will explain it all to them and that it is all really for the best.

Go figure!

[Thanz]

This seems to be a rather pointless and silly thread.

Stripped of the religious trappings and baiting, all you are really asking is "Why should someone who has done something that they believe to be right ever feel remorse?"

This question can be asked without the rhetoric. Really, it doesn't matter what the person's motivations are. If a person feels they are doing the right thing, for whatever reason, they are not likely to feel remorse.

So, if a rabid "pro-lifer" kills an abortion doctor because he (it's always "he", isn't it?) likens that doctor to Hitler in the "holocaust of the unborn", he is unlikely to feel remorse.

Did Tim McVeigh feel remorse? Or the Unabomber?

If someone broke into your home and you shot them, would you feel remorse?

People's motivations are complex. Whatever the reason is, if someone does something that they do not believe to be "wrong", they won't feel remorse.

[Upchurch]

Originally posted by Thanz
This seems to be a rather pointless and silly thread.

Stripped of the religious trappings and baiting, all you are really asking is "Why should someone who has done something that they believe to be right ever feel remorse?"
Actually, this could be a very profound question. Can one's personal feelings come in conflict with one's belief system? And in the case where it does, does (or even should) one feel grief/remorse/sadness for following one's religion over one's own feelings?

[Jethro]

Originally posted by Upchurch

Actually, this could be a very profound question. Can one's personal feelings come in conflict with one's belief system? And in the case where it does, does (or even should) one feel grief/remorse/sadness for following one's religion over one's own feelings? Well, there are certainly cases in which people feel guilty for doing things which conflict with their belief system, i.e. lying or killing or stealing. So one might suppose that, in matters of guilt, belief systems win out over personal feelings.

[chance]

Since remorse can be emotional painful, the alleviation or avoidance of the pain could be sought through religion, via transference of blame to the deity.

[Mercutio]

Can't a starving person feel remorse for stealing food--even as they felt it was completely justified? Much as I thought the premise of the original thread was a steaming load, by my same argument as that thread, religious people can be irrational, too. Much as you feel you are doing what you must do, you may feel remorse for it. In the parlance of the last thread, the logic and the emotion are independent.

[Skeptical Greg]

Originally posted by Thanz
This seems to be a rather pointless and silly thread.
To whom? Why did you respond?

Did Tim McVeigh feel remorse? Or the Unabomber?

About their bombings, or maybe soiling their underwear as a child?
Do you have any information about their thoughts on 'remorse'? What effect would your opinion of their claim, regarding remorse, have on the validity of their claim?
Do you think they might recant if you accused them of lying or being silly?
Could you trust their change of position, or would you suspect them of being remorseful about lying?

If someone broke into your home and you shot them, would you feel remorse?

I would.
Would you shoot them?
Would you feel remorse, if they managed to harm you or one of yours, in the event you you didn't shoot them?

People's motivations are complex.

Analysing other peoples motivations can be very complex.. It is very difficult if not impossible, to not project one's own motivations in doing so.

Whatever the reason is, if someone does something that they do not believe to be "wrong", they won't feel remorse.

But sometimes, the 'wrong' thing, is the 'right' thing to do.

[evildave]

Actually, it is a rather pointless and silly thread, as is the one that spawned it.

Wouldn't it be a bit of a vicious cycle, feeling remorse for doing God's work, then feeling remorse about feeling remorse for doing God's work.

Maybe best just bury yourself in the only "good" work you know how to do.

[Dancing David]

Wow, even pointless and silly threads can provide profound thought.

I would assume someone who feels they are doing god's work would ofeten wonedr why god wanted them to do things.

But I doubt they would feel more or less remorse than any pther person.

Eisenhower worried about all the young men he was about kill before D-day even though he knew his cause was just.

Peace dancing david

[evildave]

Yeah, but was Ike doin' the job for GOD, or for COUNTRY?

Mind you, many people don't know the difference. Even to the point where they believe their favorite imaginary friend should be put in charge of the country.

His desires and directives would (of course) need to be dictated by an annointed few who KNOW what God really, really wants. Not like all you sinners who like democracy.