This is NOT about who's faith/religion is "better", but a question about how people might put whatever faith they have to practical application in the world.
Please read all the details.
In an attempt to debate, yesterday, with someone about religious beliefs I was asked two very odd questions - and I would like to hear other people's thoughts.
(I say attempting: it became a pointless task as he is a very ignorant and bigoted man, who descended rapidly into patronising abuse)
When I told this man (a man who claimed strong faith) that I had spent Sunday working as a volunteer at an orphanage, he asked the two following questions:
1) "And that gets you?"
2) "If you are not ashamed of anything you do, why do you find it necessary to volunteer at an orphanage?"
MY QUESTIONS:
1) Can most people do "good deeds" out of simple kindness?
Or 2) do some (many?) people consciously think about, and expect, "reward" for helping others? (what about fear or guilt?)
.
2007-02-11 22:52:34 · 7 answers · asked by abetterfate 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I've read it 3 times but still don't get it - why do you have to be ashamed to help others? is it impossible for a person to really want to help regardless of what they do?
I believe there are quite a lot of people who do good deeds out of simple kindness (or maybe I've been just lucky to meet so many kind people)
I think that most kind people consider your remembering them a reward, it's pretty easy to remember people who hurt you, but more difficult to remember people who helped you
2007-02-11 23:26:38 · answer #1 · answered by Samantha W 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
We do good deeds in an attempt to make the world a better place ("simple kindness",perhaps), and in the hope that we will set an example and others will follow suit. It often has nothing to do with Christianity or any other religion. It makes us feel good. We don't expect a reward, but we do have a conscience,and so would feel guilty if not helping others,or worse, if harming others.Good for you!
2007-02-11 23:05:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The answers to both your questions are "obvious". Thus, I suspect you've asked them for other reasons. I'm not sure if it's for validation or approval??? :)
Of course the answer to both your questions is "yes". People perform good deeds due to kindness, and also for selfish or negative reasons. It is the intent of the heart that matters.
You might want to consider a more important question. Why did you feel the need to reveal your volunteer activities to this gentleman and here on a public forum? Our kindness should not be used to obtain recognition or appear better than others.
Those who give freely and quietly from the heart, are very rare. :)
Be careful that your acts of kindness are not for selfish reasons, and if you truly volunteer out of "kindness", try to display that same kindness in all areas of your life.
Your comments here were very judgmental as you've used the words: bigoted, ignorant, patronizing, and more. When the heart is TRULY kind...the actions of others do not bring out the worst in us in speech and actions. That "kindness" will motivate us to be forgiving and patient as well. Just a thought.
2007-02-12 02:05:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You have to realize what that man did to you|
He was not at all looking for knowledge or enlightement|
He was only setting you up to look foolish|
If you try to answer, he comes back with something else, which in turn elicits a response from you| Then he comes back with something deeper that makes you angry| When you respond in anger, he then comes back with something that makes you look like a monkey|
What he did on you was a form of psychological terroism|
It is a game that many malicious people are into these days (both men and women)|
But just be wary of that the next time|
A lot of people are into that sort of thing now|
---
2007-02-11 23:17:23 · answer #4 · answered by Catholic Philosopher 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People who are empathic types don't do things for others because it makes them feel good, but because they empathise with how the other person feels and therefore want to alleviate their pain, or help them with whatever is going to help their situation. Random acts of kindness are usually a result of empathy and being sensitive to the situation of others. It isn't necessarily an act that makes the giver/doer feel better, that shouldn't be the motivation. but it does ultimately put a smile on both people's faces!
2007-02-11 23:15:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Compassion, love. Its a God thing.
I Cr 13;8a
2007-02-11 22:55:35 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it just makes a person feels better about him/herself.....helping someone makes u feel better plus if u are a believer u do it for God ...He ordered us to...for me its both it makes me feel better about ME and i think God will forgive me on other things i ve done
2007-02-11 23:22:25 · answer #7 · answered by me 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋