Do believers only believe because they worry about the afterlife?

Question

Every action that a human makes is for selfish reasons. Even if we do a good deed, like help an old lady cross the street, its because it makes US feel better about ourselves. We have children to ensure our genes will pass on. Martyrs give their lives to ensure their entrance into heaven, etc.

So, with the theory that everything is done with an ulterior motive, what is the ulterior motive for being a devout believer? What is the dangling carrot that makes you go to church? Do people only subscribe to their chosen religion to ensure that they will be "taken care of" after death?

It's amazing how many answers have "me" or "my" in them.

Sunscour- if it gave you no pleasure in giving to charity and you hated doing it, you wouldn't do it.

Answer 1

Assuming that your first statement is correct, this is a logical arguement. I had a professor once give us a breakdown of the general fears of man chronologically. In the beginning, we were afraid to die because we had no idea what would happen. Then religion came along creating punishment to fear after death, so people feared doing things to make their god(s) angry. He then proceeded to theorize that in our current frame of mind, we fear that life has no meaning- end result be damned (so to speak).

Answer 2

I guess when you think about it like that....
....you have no idea what you are talking about.
Assuming that you are speaking of Christianity in general, as that is all I have experience in, "ulterior motives" as you put it do not exist. A true Christian believer goes to church for fellowship, not because we are scared of going to hell or anything, but to worship because we want to.
Jesus Christ ( I am imagining now you are not reading this), sacrificed himself as a blood offering so that we have direct access to God, and that all sins can be forgiven by just asking that they are, and "believing" in the One who forgives. Religion is a man made thing from a divine sacrifice. To believe in itself, according to scripture, is access. To ask forgiveness, that's everyones right and priveledge.
No dangling carrots. Just plain facts.
If you believe, you will want to be with those that do and join in worship. It's a priveledge, not a scare tactic.
Life with Him after death is a promise - just for believing.

John 3:16 says "for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotton son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life."

Simple. Not religious.
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I would believe even if there were no afterlife.

I believe because of what God has done in my life, and I am devoted to Him with everything I have because He changed by life.

I was incapable of changing myself by myself, but when I asked for His help and turned it all over to Him, nothing has been the same since. Life with God is wonderful, afterlife or not.

But there is an afterlife, and what relationship you have with God and His Son Jesus will determine where you will spend eternity. I know that is not popular, but it is the word of God, and that is what I believe.

grace2u

Answer 4

Whether u worry or not there is an afterlife.A life we can decide whether to stay with GOD or not to stay with him.

There is an afterlife available to every person.Its just where they want to stay is upto them.

John 3:16[kjv] "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." so when we believe in JESUS we have eternal life.JESUS lived a sinless life and gave up his life as a sacrifice so we can be sin free. Ask JESUS to come into your heart and forgive ur sins and cleanse ur past with his blood.

With a simple prayer like above u can be saved.JESUS loves u and wants u to be saved.

Answer 5

I go to church on Sundays and other days because I like going. And it is a place where I can fellowship with like believers and I can be renewed in my Spirit for the rest of the week when satan tries to wear me down. I serve God because I love Him and I want to please Him, living throughout eternity in Heaven is just a really good fringe benefit. May God Bless U.

Answer 6

I believe because Jesus changed my life. My life was at the bottom of the barrel with no place left to go. But when I accepted him with in a few days my life was going a totally different direction. Alcohol and drugs are not a part of my life anymore. AA couldnt change me. Rehab couldnt change me. The credit has got to go to Jesus.

Answer 7

No. I am a believer so I can answer for myself. I believe because I have experienced the Holy Spirit and have no doubts. I live my life as a Christian because that is a choice I made. It is a choice I make everyday, not for the sake of an afterlife, although I feel secure in that, but because of what I believe Jesus did for me. What greater love than to give your own life. Jesus is my Savior and my friend and I choose to walk with Him everyday because of His love for me.

Answer 8

I'm sorry I help little old women across the street because I honor them and respect their elder station, and want them to feel better. I do agree that it helps me as much or even perhaps more, but that isn't why I do it.

Answer 9

Actually you are talking about egoism, and egoism is ridiculous because it does not allow for any situation to not be selfish. What if I give to charity because I ought too? Even if I don't feel good about giving to charity i do it because it is my duty to help someone else. I feel no pleasure and no satisfaction of any kind from giving to charity.

So your entire premise falls apart.

Answer 10

I can not speak for anyone else. But I serve him because I love him and what he has done for me. Missing Hell is just icing on the cake so to speak.