Yuyutsy: because "it's the right thing to do under the circumstances" (and always avoiding doing other things that are "not the right thing to do under the circumstances"), is not easy.

Oh, BS. Most people I know who aren't religious in any way shape or form & they, like me have no trouble avoiding "wrong" at all.

Yuyutsy: Most people cannot do it straight away, so religion helps them to develop their character, so they may gradually reach this level.

Oh, BS, again. Right & wrong is a built in human concept, (is that the word I'm looking for.) It has nothing to do with being "Christian" even indigenous people who have no GOD at all (spirits maybe, but not a concept of a "GOD" in any sense have a sense of right & wrong.

I find "Religious" people of all types have a smug holier than thou attitude to those that don't, which, when you look at It, is incongruent with their supposed beliefs.

Phanto, don't let Nightmare get to you. He's been of his meds for a while now. We really should have pity on him because it's the "Christian" thing to do. ;-)

Dear Jayb,

<<Oh, BS. Most people I know who aren't religious in any way shape or form & they, like me have no trouble avoiding "wrong" at all.>>

Good on them - I have.

Not even once straying from their healthy diet and eating something "wrong" - that's admirable! Myself, I hardly know a single person who is up to that high standard.

Now what makes you believe that your friends/acquaintances aren't religious? Just because they don't practice this or that particular religious technique (such as going to church or believing in God), it may simply mean that this particular technique doesn't suit them, or that different religious techniques suit them better.

<<Right & wrong is a built in human concept>>

That's off-topic, so I won't waste my words on that: I only mentioned "the right thing to do under the circumstances" because you did, then I acknowledged that acting for that reason is a valid religious technique (perhaps even the one which suits you most, perhaps you are already doing so).

<<indigenous people who have no GOD at all>>

You must be confusing God with a "concept of God". No Concept is a requisite of religion (although some concepts help some people at some times).

<<I find "Religious" people of all types have a smug holier than thou attitude to those that don't>>

I am glad that you placed "Religious" in quotes: how can one tell a religious person anyway? do they wear a special hat? Declaring oneself "religious" doesn't guarantee that one is indeed so (nor does declaring oneself to be "irreligious" guarantee that one is not). In any case, is there something wrong about being holy? Is it feasible for everyone to be equally holy? otherwise isn't it inevitable that at any point in time, some people would be holier than others?

Terrific article. Thank You.
Suggestion: Make all those Christian persons and organisations listed in this article core teaching/learnings. Make sure the National Australian Curriculum has this aspect of our culture included.
All glory goes to a loving and merciful God and on the national day of Prayer (in all schools) we thank god for these Godly minded individuals who thought of others needs, as Jesus did.
Even the Santa Claus (saint Nicholas) of the Christmas season goes back to jesus the babe in the manger who is the jesus of the cross. Giving being the common thread. God the father giving His son as a babe, Jesus the Son giving His life for us. Redeeming us from the awful end we deserve. "Heaven will be a beautiful place filled with glory and grace" This is the grace of God. grace upon Grace. Each Christmas we need to reflect and remember why we make such a fuss of Santa. Santa was originally Saint Nicholas a genuine saint who gave to the poor(loved). A saint is someone who loves jesus. Jesus loved us. Gave the gift of Himself for us. Remember Jesus. Jesus is the whole reason for the season - we so easily forget. AND the reason for the Holidays (Holy Days). Remember and give thanks to the Creator God - The father of all mankind and the universe.
Loved this article.

I pray God will Bless the people reading my posts. The glory goes to God not me. My purpose of life is to point people to the Living and true God…. not about me.
Aspect 1. "Religion" "Religious" One can behave religiously about football attendance or even work.
Faith in the Living God is a free choice. "I freely choose to be identified with Christ" FREE CHOICE. Free to worship and praise Him. etc. If one is not free to choose this then you have a cult. Maybe even a "religious cult"…..
Aspect 2. The main purpose of life is about (not contesting with one another) but to come clean before God. Know God, learn about His character. Internalize His promises and mercy.
It is about our attitude to God. Do we have a heart for the things of God? God IS love. He LOVED mankind. It is mankind who causes all the chaos on earth not God. When mankind does not listen to God there is no LOVE (agape love). I am not talking about eros love here. Yes God allows man free choice and He allows all the hurts and troubles to occur because He wants each individual to SEEK Him. Each individual needs to seek God for themselves. God draws people to Himself and gives everyone an opportunity to trust in Him. Acknowledge Him now and you can have a new start in you life. Guaranteed in the Name of Jesus Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Dear Canary,

Amen. Thank you for your blessings. May God bless you too.

Just one remark:
You mentioned free choice and you mentioned National Australian Curriculum, but the two don't go well together.

Let glory be to God in the highest and peace on earth, good will towards men!

Well there ya go, Yutsy. The Canary in the Coalmine, or Religious Taliban. I find there is, in reality, no difference between The Canary, OUG & the Taliban. I'm sure they are all good charitable people in their own right, but if allowed to, would equally cut a disbelievers head off. That's what Canaries with Sugar Plum Fairies in their heads do, given the chance. Just looking at past History.

Yutsy: Right & wrong is a built in human concept>>

That's off-topic, so I won't waste my words on that:

I don't see why it's off topic. Your claim is that only Christians can have knowledge of Right & Wrong, so they give to Charities because it's the Godly thing to do. If an Atheist gives to Charity then they must also really believe in God & that's why they can know Right from Wrong. Rather convoluted but also wrong.

The "Fear of God" drives most Religious people. The reason for the Inquisition & Muslim Terrorists. I guess Atheists are lucky in that respect as there is no God so there is nothing to fear. We use the built in Right & Wrong to decide what Charitable actions to take.

Now here's a question. Would you donate to the Taliban Widows Fund? knowing that only 25% of your donation would get to the Widow. The rest going to make Christian Widow.