Can only atheists be TRULY charitable and compassionate?

Not necessarily, although I am also an atheist.

True charity is not throwing a dog a bone, but rather sharing a bone with a dog when both are hungry.

it is the rare Christian or atheist who can accomplish this.

Nope. Charitableness and compassion are traits which many humans have, regardless of belief.

Let me go ask the people who started the St. Atheist Hospital as well as the local Atheist homeless shelter.

I'll get back with you.

Y'know, boasting about your charity on the internet to get people to think you're a swell guy doesn't help your case for sincere altruism.

Since when did atheists have the monopoly on basic human empathy anyway? I'm not saying there aren't a bunch of religious folk who give to others for purely selfish reasons, but there are also plenty who give to others because they genuinely want to help them out. Maybe that's why they were attracted to a religion that preaches generosity in the first place?

You don't *need* religion to behave altruistically. That doesn't mean religious folks can't be genuinely altruistic.

Looking out for other members of our species is pretty hardwired into human nature. That's a side effect of being the social creatures we are.

No, not only atheists. Just look at how many theists are not charitable or compassionate and it will show you that those who are don't just do it for reward.

No.

I have worked for various charities over the years, and other volunteers have been Christians and other theists. I don't see that their compassion was any less than the atheists who volunteered, and I don't doubt that those people would become any more compassionate if they ceased to be theists.

While religion may motivate some people to do things they otherwise wouldn't (both good and bad), I still see charity as mostly coming form the heart and irrespective of belief.

I also volunteer and do annual charities time to time, like Unicef around Halloween. I guess I do this because I want to, and think it worthwhile. I also boycott Christian charities for fear that they won't help anyone but Christians, and part of the cash will go towards their own uses.

I appreciate actions that benefit others. Not intentions.

Seems so.

ALL christians I know who do "charity" work do it because it will get them points with thier imaginary sky pixie, not because it's the right thing to do.

Yes, atheists aren't driven by the desire for mythical rewards.