Forget about Karma, Heaven and God. Here's why without being an atheist or fundamentalist.?

Question

What is your view on the following;
All religious figures have preached a message of kindness and love, passion for life and compassion for the living. Under the banner of various beliefs we march to do service to humanity. Well-how about a change folks? How about we be kind to one another not out of getting good Karma or pleasing a God or getting to heaven? Lets be kind for the sake of kindness, for the good in itself. If we do it for a belief we dont do it with love and respect for the person we are kind to. So, let us impress with our personal faiths and express with our respectful kindness. That way perhaps we may all be dignified without trampelling on others over belief. Kindness in every act, love in every word, appreciation of the action in its doing, not in its reward.
What do you think that kind of living might achieve in the world?

Answer 1

Many Religions adopt the entire field of ethics and pretend like they alone are the arbitrar of all that is good or evil. Ethics however can and should exist outside of religion.

One of the many problems associated with religious-based ethics is that once people become disenchanted with the religious dogma and ceremony, they often dump the ethics too with bad consequences for society at large. (thats not really the issue you are addressing but I thought I would sneak that thought in)

I think that what you are talking about is the difference between intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. It would be nice if all people, or even more people would do the right things for the right reasons.

Intrinsically motivated people tend to work because they want to work, they learn not to get grades or degrees but just to acquire knowledge. Intrinsically motivated people are driven from within and where this 'drive' comes from is quite mysterious. I think that more people can learn to be intrinsically motivated but in general these kinds of learners are rare.

Extrinsically motivated people do something for a reward or to avoid punishment. This can pervade all aspects of a person's life, from school to job to religion and ethics.

Moral education is a tricky field because to have true ethics there has to be a choice and yet it has to be guided by cultural norms. There has to be choice but we have to withold that choice until people are ready. For example there's a good reason why we don't let children drive cars even if they have the physical ability.

The highest state of morality is to do something without any thought of reward or without any thought of avoiding punishment - to do something just because it is the right thing to do and for no other reason.

We don't even need to have every human act like that but if even more people could forget the punishments and rewards and just get on with doing nice things, it would be a lot better world.

Answer 2

Very good insight. I really wished we could live like that. Unfortunately we cannot live like that. Nature always has a balance. Lets say there was nothing to persuade peoples way of living ( no religion or law) then those who sought to be kind and passionate for the sake of being kind and passionate would be faced with the people who are not. It is unfortunate that most of our society needs to be bribed or threatened to be kind to our fellow human, but that is what keeps a balance in our society. Otherwise we all would be living in an anarchical world and it would most likely end our civilization.

Answer 3

I don't think that's possible. Because too many people need a reason other than, just because I felt like it... to do something for someone else that is good. It's a nice idea, but there aren't very many people who would do such a thing. ANd even if there are, those people get trampled on, a lot of times by the one's they've helped, so then they too, turn for the worst, and wondery why they should even do nice things just because, because they got attacked for being kind, but for being mean and vengeful...no harm is being done to them. So hey, it's only ur soul that's dying...it's a small price to pay for some, in this big, big world.

Answer 4

Your question is very interesting. You outline a standard of life you would like to see the world follow. And your outline is probably the most admirable I've read in any of these questions/ answers. The interesting part is, you say do this without regard to religious beliefs but you have outlined the number one recommendation of GOD. You are right. It doesn't matter why you follow your guidelines, only that you do. However, you can be sure you just outlined the wishes of GOD. Thank you.
Vaya con DIOS

Answer 5

Bravo!! This is quite well said, and an excellent point.

Often people claim that if there is no god there can be no basis for morality. They apparently don't ask why not, and I don't know of any good argument why there can't be. I firmly believe that there are absolute morals, and that they do not come from anything as shallow as "god's will", but run far deeper, as deep as the natural laws of the universe.

Answer 6

You just gave the true message the bible said all along.
No religion, just walk down the road less traveled.
I bless you.

Answer 7

You have described the way I live my life. If everyone lived in such a manner........

Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.


Blessings )O(

Answer 8

"LOVE: See Charity." pg 887
"Charity: The theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God." pg. 870, Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Since I was taught that love is God and God is love, well that ditto's your message providing that God is love (which he is).

Answer 9

Just Kidding.
This pursuit is impossible, as peace is only to be achieved by the means of God's Kingdom.

Answer 10

nothing if you take into account tht most people arent able to practice what they preach.,..