What exactly does it take to be a "good person?"?

Question

I mean is it not killing? Not stealing? What really makes you good, and who decides if you are good? And why does it matter to those that don't believe in heaven or hell? If you believe when you die you just quite being, then shouldn't you be going out and having as much fun as possible?

And who really decides what is good and what is not? Who is the judge?

so Don, by your own statment, you are saying we just don't understand those that brutally rape, then kill children? There really is an excuse for that? I would LOVE to hear what that is. And if you have children, or even know a child, I would love to hear you say that when one you know has been victimized!

Answer 1

ok, killing is not good. stealing is not good. society as a whole judges you as good or not good. i dont believe in a heaven or a hell, but my parents have instilled me with good enough values that i have managed to become an eagle scout. i do go out and have as much fun as possible, but as im not a sadist, i dont believe that hurting something else is fun. i dont want to go out and kill someone, i dont want to go out and steal, i dont want to go out and have as much sex as possible no matter who i hurt, i dont want to go out and get as wasted as possible, it doesnt matter to me, because i truly want to be a good person no matter if i get the carrot or not and i dont care if someone else thinks im going to get the whip (the whole donkey with a carrot on a stick analogy). again, society as a whole judges your moral character, but in all gray areas, you have to decide that for yourself judging on what YOU think is the right thing to do. no one else can decide that for you.

and for mom1025, i dont think youre right, but if you draw comfort in the knowledge that you think youre going to heaven for thinking im going to hell, go right ahead, in the end, its all about the friends you have and the people you love, so ive decided not to hate anyone no matter what. i hope you can do the same.

Answer 2

There is no evil

All people are good people. We just call the people who do the things that we don't like, bad or evil.

We of course are only seeing the situation from our own limited perspective. To us it fits the definition of bad or evil.

From the perspective of the other person it always looks like the correct or logical thing to be doing.

To the British in the 1700s George Washington was a terrorist commander.

To Americans he was a hero. All ideas of good and evil are point of view specific.

We are just silly enough to believe that our idea is always the only possible correct way to be thinking.

Silly little dream of superiority we are having isn’t it.

Love and blessings.
don

Answer 3

According to the Word, there is none who is righteous, no not one, there is none who do good. We are born sinners, born to do evil. Most unbelievers do "good" out of self interest or fear of being punished by the law authorities. But you are right as far as why unbelievers do anything good. What's the point? In a hundred years, will it matter whether you were mother Theresa or Hitler? There are three sources of our moral code, ourselves, meaning we will do whatever seems right in our own eyes, which is a frightening prospect, society, which is equally frightening since we have history to show us were that leads us (slavery, holocaust, etc) or an eternal law giver that cuts through all times, places and situations.

Answer 4

Great question! You are well on your way to finding truth. I encourage you to keep searching that one out.

In response to your question, "why does it matter to those that don't believe in heaven or hell?" If heaven and hell are real, it doesn't matter if every person on earth denies their existence, that won't change the fact.

To illustrate with an example: I may come to believe that no harm will come to me if I stand in the middle of the highway during rush hour. Despite my staunch belief that no harm will come to me, if I do it, I will likely die. My particular belief won't change the reality of the situation.

May you find the peace and security that is in Christ Jesus.

A helpful link: www.biblegateway.com

Answer 5

And do u really think that there could be good & evil pple? Well if ne1 kills/steals then yeah pple r going 2 b afraid but the persons still good. And really the judge is God.
Bottom line: Every1 is good.

Answer 6

The Bible says that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory (perfection) of God" and that is true- do you know anyone who is perfect? That's impossible because as humans we ALL have a tendency towards selfishness and self preservation, even to the point where we sacrifice moral principles and others' well-being to be temporarily happy. "none are righteous-no, not ONE." It didnt say "some of ya'll are all right and some of you guys are great and some of you suck" because none of us can live up to GOD's goodness. God can forgive ANY sin because He loves us so much, but you are still subject to the consequences of that sin because He is just. So the answer to your question is that a person can try all they want to "make up" for their sins superficially here on earth and sincerely try by their own human intellect and effort to be a "good person" in the world's eyes, but when it comes down to it, our souls are only made righteous in God's eyes through the sacrifice of HIs Son, Jesus Christ, who died to forgive our selfish tendency toward sin. Through the acceptance of Christ as your Savior, the Holy Spirit of God will enter your soul and direct you to live for God doing "good works" for HIS glory, not for your own personal esteem on earth. "only what we do for CHRIST will last..."

Answer 7

There is no such thing as a 'good person' ... Jesus said only God is good. He alone decides what is good ... He alone is the judge.
We can never be good enough, or do enough good things to merit heaven.

And yes, you're right ... if you don't believe there's a heaven or hell, then there's no reason to even try to be good. You might as well just do what you please.

Answer 8

Well, I am offended by your comments. That makes you bad!!

How's that for being "the judge"? It depends on the audience (and the laws)