Theists: What is the point of being good, if being good doesn't get you to heaven?

Question

Religious folks are fond of telling us that the only way to heaven is to worship the right god in the right way, and that no matter how kind and generous and compassionate and helpful you are in life, it won't get you to heaven if you don't grovel to their god.

So, in that worldview, what is the point of doing good?

Answer 1

Salvation is free,it cannot be earned.But Christians have a word that's called sanctification.It will cost you everything.

Answer 2

I recently answered a question very similar to this one - here is my response:

Basically, when you become a Christian, Jesus changes you and the evidence of the change is shown through how you live your life. People are not saved by works, but once they are in fellowship with God they desire to do good works. There are some who say they are Christians but do not show it - there is no evidence in their lives that they are. Are these people really Christians? Or are they deceiving themselves and others? Only God knows the hearts of each of us. I don't believe in judging others, so I don't purport to know the answer. But I would say that after I became a Christian, my views on why I did things changed. I no longer did things so others would think I was a nice person. I did them because they were the right things to do. I love the Lord and I want to live a life pleasing to Him because I don't want to hurt Him. Do I fail! Oh yes. I fail daily, in my words, and in my deeds. When I fail, I ask for forgiveness, from God and from those whom I have failed.

Answer 3

First of all, you're generalizing about theists, about religious folks.

There are thousands upon thousands of religious people who don't believe that either heaven or hell exist.

But, to answer in a more generalized way, the most important thing in my life is being able to meet my own eyes in the mirror without flinching or looking away. In order to have that, I have to live by my own ethics, my own definitions of right and wrong, good and ill. Specifically, I have to do what I know to be right.
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Answer 4

The point of being good is to show people how you would like to be treated. If you kicked an old lady in the shin, would you want someone to do that to your mother? No, you wouldn't..i hope. If everyone was bad in this world, just done as they pleased, I for one wouldn't want to live in it. I'm a Christian, I believe in God, but don't ram my opinion down peoples throats. I believe that everyone is given a second chance, when we pass over. I don't ask you to grovel to my God, since you don't believe, and I respect your choices

Answer 5

Do you know what the two terms :"condition precedent" and "condition subsequent" mean?

Condition precedent : certain conditions must be met BEFORE a right is bestowed. For example, a foreigner must live 5 years legally in U.S.A. to qualify for citizenship. Most religions function on this basis. Some Christian denominations are included here.

Condition subsequent: you don't have to do anything in order to gain the benefits but once you have accepted that benefit, there are certain conditions that you must live up to in order to keep the benefit. This is true Christianity.

I don't think I need to elaborate on these concepts; that would be an insult to your intelligence.

God bless.

Answer 6

As a non-Christian, or an irreligious person, you can do good works and credit them to your own righteousness, and make yourself out to look like a good person. As a Christian or religious person, you do good works to bring glory to God and happiness to mankind, but you realize that no matter how many good works you do you won't impress God. Faith is invisible, but works are visible, so works done on account of one's faith is faith made visible. Either way, whether doing it for your religion or doing it simply because you want to, good works are a positive thing. I have no doubt Atheists can be good people, and I have no doubt Christians can do evil things and contradict their creed. Nonetheless, good works, no matter where they come from, are always good. But on account of Christianity, good works are never sufficient. But never are good works pointless or without some good consequence.

Answer 7

In the Bible, God gave the commandments for our own good on this earth. If you follow them, you will feel guilt-free, and you will be happy. But if you commit murder, you will feel guilty and unhappy, and face problems with the law.

I used to not care, but when I started to watch what I was doing and saying, I made more loyal friends, and somehow I was more happy and I felt better about myself, and gained self-confidence.

Answer 8

I think that you miss the point.

The simple Scriptural (i.e., according to we "theists" who accept the Christian scriptures) answer is:

Epistle of St. James 2:14-26

14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Answer 9

You missed the obvious - everyone understands doing good.

Being holier than thou they think they own it!!!!

Morality was around way long before Christianity. Non Christians must be much better at being good because they do it because they think it is right and moral to do so. Christians - it appears - only do it because their God tells them to!!!!!!

Answer 10

i do worry about people who really believe this
i find it scary that people need to believe in God to be good .... what in the world would they do if they didnt

being good has or should have nothing to do with a belief system , but everything to do with your conscience and love for this earth and those on it