Do you do good because god tells you to? or do you do good for the sake of doing good?

Question

basicially the philisophical question of god and good

Ahhh but if you are doing good because you do it for god, what if god wasn't there? Will you still do good, is religion a crutch for us to do the "right" thing? If god told you to kill someone ie. Abraham and Isaac, is this "good?" Or is it evil? ill let you decide

Answer 1

I dont think about it..mine is the right to be wrong too.

Answer 2

It's the standard of right and wrong that is innate in everyone that compels each of us to categorize a deed or thought as either good or evil. And then, it's anyone's choice if we decide to do good or evil--nobody's that brain-dead not to be able to tell the difference.

But most of the time, we need an outside source to remind us or reinforce our choice. Some people consult the Bible, some seek other people's advice, some pray, some merely rely on what they know--like atheists, for instance. It's a combination of all these things.

Your question puts a limit on the human mind and mores. Would you begrudge people who do good their good deeds simply because they believe God wants them to do good? If they believe in doing good in obedience to God as good, isn't that goodness already by itself? As an atheist, you should know more.

The bad--and I mean THE BAD--thing that people like you should be most concerned about is people who can't decide on anything at all. Peace.

Answer 3

If there were no God, I would do some good and some evil.

Given that the Christian God exists and I have grown to be convinced of this, I am more motivated to do good (than if God did not exist).

I used to be an atheist. Over a period of time however, I grew convinced of the existence of the Christian God, and ultimately committed my life to Christ (e.g., see http://www.godsci.org/gs/chri/testimony/seek.html ).

This has made a huge difference in my life as far as my motivation to good (rather than to do evil).

Answer 4

If you are a Christian, the "doing good" portion comes very natural. For the Natural man or woman, it is a conscience choice, sometimes a difficult one. It contends with the very nature of the natural person and conveys a false sense of "if I do good, then eventually I will get to heaven", when in fact, it is a way to placate feelings of inadequacy or guilt. The Christian, on the other hand, does good because that is the nature of Christ...to give to those who don't have; to do for those who can't; to supply the need out of our own abundance.
Does this help?

Answer 5

This Question Reminds me a lot of The divine commant Theory. Does God Command things because they are Good or are they Good Because God Commands them? If he says they are good then his commands are arbitrary. He could say go murder someone and it would be right. I think there has to me another Moral Standard outside of God.

Answer 6

As a Christian I try and do good because I love God and He's pleased with goodness. Not for mere self-glorification. He (God) will always look at the motives of your heart when you preform good deeds.

Answer 7

For the sake of doing good, as it should be. And because God tells us to, but we should want to do it.

Answer 8

I do good for both reasons. I think that if God hadn't instructed me to do good then I would probably do it just because that's my personality.

Answer 9

People should do good because it pleases God and thats what we are here for. God created us to glorify him and by doing good we are pleasing him and that should be enough to satisfy yourself.

Answer 10

I do good for both, I do good because its the right thing to do and beacause I have faith in God.

Answer 11

I just do what is needed to be done in every present moment.
If people take it as bad or good is their interpretation and has nothing to do with my intentions.
so I cannot be bothered about who ( or God) tells me to do what.
it's simply not my problem.
I do my best. that's all.