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Mike Dilger | 6 months ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 I don't myself think poor behavior is only restrained by one's religious beliefs. But I've heard some religious people talk as if that was the case.
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Daniel Wigton | 6 months ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 I don't doubt they exist, but I am skeptical that anyone who practices religious in the negative is actually restrained much by it. By that I mean the difference between

1. I accept the challenge of trying to be a better person as laid out by these helpful cheat codes
2. "I am afraid to violate these cheat codes for fear of wrath." Or "I do it for social or political gain" crowd.

1. Attempts to do better because they love the good.
2. Just want the appearance of virtue for others esteem. Due to the overhead of paying attention to one's own behavior I doubt their stated beliefs actually affect their actions much.