I was raised as a Buddhist (now atheist), but what does theravadi buddhist scripture say about the advantages Buddhists have over non believers. I remember a sermon where a monk explained it when I was little, but I didn't pay any attention. You gain merit and karma whether you're a buddhist or not. Buddhists are told to not expect anything when doing good deeds because doing them while expecting something in return (hoping it'll have a good karmic effect in the future, or another reincarnation for ex) will cheapen that deed. It's hard for a Buddhist to not think about the karmic implication when doing good deeds, so wouldn't a non believer's meritorious actions be more pure in this sense?