What's the motivation to be good and not be a horrible evil person, if what Christians say is true, and Atheists are going to hell anyway? Why not get all those abortions, do as many bad things as possible?
But mostly, What is the Christians motivation to be good if there is no reward and not to be bad if there is no punishment,
even if you killed a child......
If all judgement comes down to believe or disbelieve, than what is the motivation at all in life to be 'moral'? Why does morality even matter for believers OR atheists???hmmmm?
Or does God not care about that?
2007-01-04 12:32:53 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Somebody needs a Xanax.
2007-01-04 12:35:36 · answer #1 · answered by DishclothDiaries 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
I don't think you understand what Christianity is all about. it is a lot more than whether you go to hell or not, Because folowing the same argument, one could say: If you are an atheist, it doesn't matter if you're good or not, there is no afterlife or no judgement anyway." But that is not the case. An atheist is concerned about right and wrong too. because, like the Christian, he knows that other things are important - not only the question of heaven or hell.
In fact, a Christian claims to have the Spirit of God in him. If this is true (and I believe it is), then the conscience of that Christian ought to be more active, don't you think?
2007-01-04 20:37:30 · answer #2 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As far as Catholics, and most other Christian denominations are concerned, you will not be saved by faith alone. If you are truly Christian, then you will be motivated and inspired to do good, even when you want to do bad, you just can't. Sometimes, I really think about doing bad things, but I just can't anymore. This did not happen overnight, it was a long process that took years, and will continue to take years.
Sort of like that little sin you first commit, like stealing a pack of gum. Then the next time you sin it gets a little bigger, and bigger. Next thing you know, you are stealing money from your job or something. When you decide to be a Christian it is easy to give up stealing from your job, but maybe you occasionally take a pack of gum. You are still working on that and praying and repenting. I hope that analogy makes sense to you.
As far as morality goes, all of it comes from the bible. That is all of societies code of conduct. If atheisim continues to flourish and grows, then all is up for debate. It will be difficult to come to an agreement since it will be based on each persons own feelings.
God cares about what we do, and we will be held accountable for it. Satan believes in God, so faith alone cannot save you. True faith is like a tree, and the works that come from that faith are like fruit.
2007-01-04 20:44:27 · answer #3 · answered by Krista13 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Whenever I talk with atheists they always berate Christians for assuming atheists don't know anything about CHristianity. The sad part is, I never have to assume anything - the atheists show it.
No Christian ever has said it doesn't matter if you are good or bad. That's a simple-minde atheist fable. The Bible is replete with telling us to be kind to people, and to abstain from evil. The book of Romans, in particular, addresses people like your imaginary "Xtian". Paul says: should we sin more so that grace may abound? Then answers his own question: may it never be!
2007-01-04 20:39:48 · answer #4 · answered by Gary B 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What ever gave you that idea? The Bible repeats, over and over, that we will be judged according to our deeds.
Psalms 28:4
Isiah 59:18
Jeremiah 5:28 & 25:14
Romans 2:6
This is not an isolated passage in the Bible, it is THE theme.
Being a Christian (and being saved) does not come down to believing in Jesus Christ. It comes down to believing in Jesus Christ as being the alternative to evil AND to do good deeds INSTEAD of evil. Not because we have to, or that someone could make us,but because we willingly do good. Christians do not do the good deeds for the sake of Heaven, they do them because doing them is the right thing to do. (not love in words, but deeds- 1John 3:18)
It is amazing how people make simplistic statements about things that they have no clue about.
2007-01-04 20:46:34 · answer #5 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if Hell is a punishment that results of a divine judgement, I assume that the degree of punishment you recieve in Hell would be proportionate to whatever actions you committed to deserve them. Again, that's only what I would reason personally, I may be wrong.
However, I think you should be kind to yourself and others no matter what you believe about the afterlife, because it affects how things go for everyone in this life as well. You reap what you sow, and all of that jazz.
2007-01-04 20:36:39 · answer #6 · answered by The Doctor 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm not a Christian, but,..Would you rather have people in your home whom will smash the furniture and steal, or people that are good and won't do that? Forget about religion, God cares if you are good or bad, but He keeps everyone anyway. The more you love life, the more you get when you get to Heaven.
2007-01-04 20:42:25 · answer #7 · answered by spir_i_tual 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our motivation is God. Our reward is Heaven. Our punishment is Hell. God cares greatly about us, but we have to return the respect.
Just because we can't see something does not mean it doesn't exist. We can't see your brain. We can't see your heart. We can't see love, hope, joy, or hatred. Then how do we know it exists? Because we have faith. Faith is a meaning of life that brings you to love someone or something you cannot see.
Those who have little faith will regret it.
Maybe to see it, you have to believe it.
I'd rather die knowing there is a God, than die thinking He's just a myth and find out He does exist.
Faith......you just need faith......
2007-01-04 20:42:00 · answer #8 · answered by Ironica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is mostly important to be good. "doesn't matter" is just a trick god plays to kick out the truly bad people.
I don't think you should take one type of christianity to seriously. The diversity of religions out there is pretty good indication that no one really knows what they are talking about. I dont think that part of the deal really motivates them to be good or bad, but there are other parts that tell them to behave and why it is best to honor god's wishes.
2007-01-04 20:37:02 · answer #9 · answered by Ilooklikemyavatar..exactly 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
And this question gets asked yet again because Christians can't conceive of the fact that morality is not dictated by any god but by the society in which we live.
Let me ask you this...
Isn't it nicer to live in a world where everyone isn't always trying to hurt everyone else? Yeah I think so too. Aren't you capable to figuring out that little tidbit all by your lonesome or do you need to be scared into it by an ancient book?
Last I looked, people with no moral center have a specific name from psychologists. Sociopath. Does that mean that all Christians are Sociopathic? Because they obviously have no morals without being threatened with hell.
2007-01-04 20:36:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
understand the Christian beliefs before you cast judgement. Christians upon accepting Christ are held accountable if they dismiss the word of God and live by their own rules.
2007-01-04 20:37:27 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋