Does religion actually promote laziness? (This is actually a serious question for everybody)?

Believing God will provide means that you believe God will open the doors of opportunity for you. But if you don't walk through those doors or even look for them then you'll get no where.

Well, I'm not a christian myself, but the christian woman is right isn't she? They get enough food, clothes, and a place to live. Not everybody needs a career to be happy. As long as she's not waiting for a miracle to happen because she is miserable about how she lives now, I don't see anything wrong about it. Why do you need a lot of money for anyway?

You can put it in a different perspective. You don't have to lift a finger to live. We pretty much haven't, before we got more "civilized". Move into a good forest with some people. All you have to do is hunt once in a while. What many calls God, will provide you fruit, berries, meat and fur to wear. Maybe he'll also provide spiritually and mentally? Many people lives like this today, and they're not less happier than we are. In fact, to me they seem happier.

As for the atheist woman, if she wants to change some things, she is definitely doing it the right way by grabbing life by the horns.

What they call God, seems to have given us everything we need in life. The tools to live simple and the tools to change our lives. Keeping to live a miserable life, just waiting for a miracle to happen seems to me both lazy and stupid. God doesn't throw happiness and changes at you, but he gives you the opportunities to find it yourself. There's opportunities everywhere!

I don't think that religion promote laziness, there's just some people who misunderstands the points.

The difference between the two is some 'christians' do not know they have done it themselves. Example: a college student studying for a test. Studies every night and doesn't slack off. then passes test. Instead of recognizing that they themselves did it, they thank 'god' for letting them pass. Also some like to think that 'god' will do everything for them, even though they have the power to do it themselves. I think they don't know that the real 'god' not religions' idea of god gave you a brain so you could succeed.

Atheist believe there is no god or religion at all. Everything they do, they've done it themselves. They have no one to blame or thank but themselves. And they think without religion the human race can advance faster. So in a way religion and it's effects on people do slow the rest of us down. Just a thought though.

She's a single mother and works in a restaurant, and that equals doing nothing? It sounds like you think how much money a person makes is an indicator of how hard they are working, in which case you need a serious reality check.

And shame on you for justifying your ignorant beliefs by painting her as the ignorant one for trusting in a higher force. Believing in God does not make a person lazy, it keeps people positive. How much harder would her already hard life be without her hope? And you want her to give that up to make YOU feel better because you don't think there's any evidence for God. How very selfish of you.

I have to wonder, all of my life, why people desire to believe a lie, and become a slave to that which is dead. Money. We cannot worship God and Mammon. Living as I see it isn't giving the best of this life to those who don't have to work, yet is making millions and billions as the corporation. Every time you buy a possession, the cost is only beginning.

I do believe if someone can truly imagine that God will supply all things it will happen, but, I have yet to see any belief in humanity other than to elevate ones self.

Of course the church promotes working, how else are these to get paid? For doing nothing.

Good Question which requires heavy consideration.

If one were to single out the statement "God will provide" and assume that no action is required on an person's part to have peace and happiness, then yes, a religion of said belief would promote laziness.

However, I know Christian religions promote, "If God's Will is done, then God will provide and 'things' will get better."

Please consider that your neighbor is doing far more than meets your eye. A "single mother of two working as a waitress" is a very challenging situation.

Uhhh well, the Gospel taught to go out into the world and preach the gospel into the ends of the earth, is that encouraging laziness?

The apostles and the men like the apostles would literally travel on foot or by horse from eastern Asia to western Europe, Does that sound lazy?

It's a lazy generation, and being a "single mother of two" isn't easy.

Maybe you should be realistic.

Not only that, but just because a few Christians aren't psychotically active, that doesn't mean anything.

Many Christians, that's right many Christians spend their lives on the move to preach and help others.

So please, be realistic.

No, it is people in general. MOST Christians (at least the older denominations) know that GOD helps those who help themselves. IE in order for GOD to provide you must put forth an effort on your part. Many people who live on welfare have been taught (By the actions of the government and others) at an early age that this is FREE money. You don't have to work for it and as long as you are one of two ethnic groups or are an unwed mother popping out babies you get this money. Nasty program with no limitations. Should be only allowed for a year or two max not for a life time. Many who look for the rapture in this life time (usually the so called born again christians who have no formal denomination) are the ones who think that they don't have to put up much of an effort because they are taught this from an early age. Now I too am not saying all are like this. But it is taught if not formally, but by the actions of others of their family/group. I am sure I will get thumbed down for this, but this I have found through research, living around areas where welfare and those types of people are predominate, and observation of human nature in those areas.

How do these sorts of half baked concepts survive? All I have to do is sit back, pray, and God will give me everything without any effort on my part? Where exactly does it say that in the Bible? I mean, exactly word for word. It does not say that anywhere in the Bible.

Your assumptions and leaps of extrapolation are mind boggling, to say the least. Anyone who believes that all one must do to succeed in life is to "grab the bull by the horns" and make necessary changes in their lives, is living a pipe dream and have not succeeded in life. People try this approach every day and fail. Why? Because they are screwed up inside and forget that no matter how much you may change your environment and the external "you" all of your problems are still going with you everywhere. A person must change their heart, then everything else can begin to get straightened out. But no one is promised a rose garden, not even Christians.

What you are getting at sounds like "prosperity theology," believe in Christ and He will prosper you financially. Again, that is not found anywhere in the Bible.

Not at all. I mean it's a valid question, because I think a lot of Christians have an unbalanced view toward the Bible and toward God. They see God as for them instead of them being for God. And they only look at the scriptures that pertain to what God will do for them and ignore the ones that challenge them to change...anyway, I know from studying the Word, there are a lot of scriptures that say hard work is important...taking care of your family is important. It says not to be anxious/worry and to trust God...but also to be diligent and not lazy. Hope that helps. :)

I've known women who were waitresses and they worked their butts off. The problem with your scenario is that the Christian is shiftless to a fault and the atheist is motivated to a fault. In other words, no one that you've depicted are real. You've weighted the story in favor of the outcome that you would prefer, so it can't be considered an example of a test, or even a very likely occurrence.

You forgot the verse that states, "God helps those, who first assay to help themselves." In other words, if you aren't going to make the effort, don't expect God to.