From what I undertand doing everything required in any religion will get you to heaven or whatever. I always thought that to be the ultimate selfish act. I am Agnostic and Athiest and I do good because it want society on earth to be better. I am not looking to be rewarded by heaven. thats not my motivation for being a good person.
2007-04-04 11:26:59 · 14 answers · asked by tkessandoh 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes. That's why we have to be careful to examine our underlying motives. Then again, an act of kindness, even if done with selfish motives, is still an act of kindness, nonetheless. Even if the motives are questionable, I'd rather see people participating in charitable acts than to go about openly ignoring the needs of others.
2007-04-04 11:35:46 · answer #1 · answered by solarius 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. It really worries me when I see so many people coming to this site saying things like "if there was no God, why would you even bother doing the right thing?" -- I mean, has our society reached a point where the ONLY motivation people have for doing good is the thought of a reward if they do or a punishment if they don't? Someone who only does the right thing because they think it's their ticket to Heaven isn't someone that I would describe as a "moral" person to begin with.
2007-04-04 11:33:55 · answer #2 · answered by . 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
come on now. You're really hurting my feelings and I'm tired after mowing the lawn for over 4 hours. I am a Christian and I'm not being good because I get to go to heaven. That doesn't get you there. Accepting Jesus as your savior is the only way. When you do, you will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Because I realize what Jesus did for me, I want to do even more for the people I meet. I don't have to, but I want to. I'm a nice person. I was nice before I became a Christian but now I do good and know that the Lord is pleased. Before I helped others and was looking forward to being thanked. It made me feel good. But will that matter when I'm dead? I don't care about people's praises anymore. Many deeds are done in secret. No one knows but the Lord. Yes, I am looking forward to heaven and I want the Lord to say "Well done, good and faithful servant."
2007-04-04 11:35:34 · answer #3 · answered by VW 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not selfish they are not taking away any ones privilege to do the same. It is just an act of ignorance to believe in a fantasy. You can't be an Agnostic Atheist you are a fence straddler or you are not. I have more respect for a Christian than a fence straddling, Agnostic Maybe. I am an Atheist thank God.
2007-04-04 11:45:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure that I will recieve at least two thumbs downs for this but I do want to answer this for you. You absolutely can NOT earn your way into heaven. Grace and Mercy is free for all. You just have to accept it as it was intended --a gift. The thing is-once you have recieved God's grace and mercy you WANT to change and be a better person. No one will ever be perfect and good all of the time. That is why God sent Jesus to take our "punishment" for us.
2007-04-04 11:43:33 · answer #5 · answered by kairos 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Jehovah's witness, doing good is a motivation of love for God and the people around you. Doing good is also magnifying God from whose image we humans are created.
We believe that there are 2 hopes given by God, those who would be in heaven (144,000 who will be corulers of Christ in God's Kingdom). Those who will live eternally on a paradise earth...so I personally know I will not go to heaven yet I do good. It's rewarding in itself anyway...do good feel good. =)
2007-04-04 11:39:49 · answer #6 · answered by Tomoyo K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
This was summarized by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), which is where the Beatitudes come from:
"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."
To be "pure of heart" means to be free of all selfish intentions and self-seeking desires.
2007-04-04 12:31:41 · answer #7 · answered by letsgostate05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once again, just being good is not going to get you to heaven. I don't know where people get that idea. It just doesn't cut it. There are lots of reasons I say this, but have no time to talk about it at the moment. If you want to know these reasons, let me know.
2007-04-04 11:43:37 · answer #8 · answered by Some call me "E" 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Very selfish. I think they should go to heaven with an Atheist on each arm.
2007-04-04 11:30:22 · answer #9 · answered by S K 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the Christian, doing good as you put it is not to get to heaven. We are already saved simply by accepting Jesus as our savior. Christians do good out of respect for and reverence for our God. In otherwords, we do good not to get saved but because we are already saved.
2007-04-04 11:34:37 · answer #10 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋