Do you do these good things only because your religion tells you to do them? Or, do you think you would do them, anyway, even if you had no religion in your life?
Why or why not?
2007-05-18 02:59:41 · 18 answers · asked by Maureen 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religion keeps people from doing good works.
It is a great sorting tool.
Love and blessings Don
2007-05-18 03:04:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I would like to think that even without my religion I would have the morality to do good deeds. A lot of good deeds do not have to be religious based or through an organization, but giving the checker at you grocery a smile when there is a mix up instead of an insult, helping a mother with little ones by holding a door, giving directions to a lost person, holding your tongue when someone cuts you off in traffic. These are little good deeds that may make or break a person's day. No religion involved there just human kindness. The bigger things I do through my church would be harder without the organization to pull it together. I would still try.
Peace be with you.
2007-05-18 10:12:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am theistic agnostic. I help to look after my neighbour's needs because she has fibromyalgia and there are some things she needs help with. I help because it needs to be done and I can do it.
Certainly it feels good to help someone. Some will say there is no such thing as altruism because of this, but I would counter that by saying that I am not very sociable, preferring to keep away from people and avoid conversation in the real world. Of course, I do talk to my neighbour. This offsets the good feeling enough that I believe I can be considered altruistic.
2007-05-18 10:05:48 · answer #3 · answered by Dharma Nature 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My heart has always directed me to do good things for others. However, I can remember times when my pride has had me do good works in order to be seen as a good person. As far as 'religion' directing me to do good things, I think that is a little misleading. In my opinion, religion is how we live out our faith. So, it isn't religion' that directs us (even though Webster's dictionary would disagree with me), but rather it is us who define our religion. However, religion is also defined as the guidelines set forth to guide us, as in the case of Dogma that is set forth in a certain church. This isn't true religion, but rather the guidelines for someone to follow until their true religion is developed through their faith. This is why I wouldn't say that Christianity was someone's true religion until they started living out their faith in Jesus, rather than just following the 'rules' of their church.
Now, back to your question: I don't think that there is anyone who doesn't have some form of religion in their lives. People tend to follow what they believe, so all men have religion (as far as my definition goes). But, I don't think a man with a lack of faith won't do good things for others. It just might not have any meaning for them.
2007-05-18 10:31:23 · answer #4 · answered by Rob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think my religion plays a role in making me a better person but I think that the good in me would do good things either way....this is going to be a tough question to me.....
2007-05-18 10:03:10 · answer #5 · answered by mlp7 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do them in response to God's grace and the blessings he's showered me with. I can't imagine not having God in my life so I can only guess what I would do if I didn't believe, but I certainly hope that I would still do things for others and be as unselfish as I could be.
2007-05-18 10:03:36 · answer #6 · answered by They call me ... Trixie. 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Being religous doesnt mean your doing good things it just means you belive in a specific doctrine.i.e. Muslim, Budhist, Catholic tec. The act of donig good things falls more along spiritual lines. I've seen plenty of people who go to church who aren't nice people. Yes I would do good things because it makes me feel good and because thats why were here: TO HELP EACH OTHER
2007-05-18 10:14:03 · answer #7 · answered by Michael B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't speak for everyone else, but when I do community work or a work in someone's life I am doing it because I want them to get a glimpse of what Christ is like through me. Christ was a servant. During the last supper he washed the feet and hands of the Disciples, making himself a servant to them despite being the messiah, the savior. It is very important to me for people to see Jesus in me so that they too might be drawn to Christ and be saved by being shown the Father's love through me. God's love is so awesome and I give back so that others experience the love he has given to me.
Is the face that I see in the mirror
the one I want others to see
Do I show in the way that I walk in my life
The love that You've given to me
My heart's desire is to be like You
In all that I do, all I am
Do they see Jesus In Me
Do they recognize Your face
Do I communicate Your love, and Your grace
Do I reflect who You are
In the way I choose to be
Do they see Jesus In Me
It's amazing that you'd ever use me
But use me the way You will
Help me to hold out a heart of
compassionate grace
A heart that You're spirit fills
May I show forgiveness and mercy
The same way You've shown it to me
Now I want to show all the world who You are
The reason I live and breathe
So You'll be the One that they see
When they see me
2007-05-18 10:07:01 · answer #8 · answered by stakekawa 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The people that say they really only do them, or have the motive to do them, because of religion scare the crap out of me.
2007-05-18 10:04:13 · answer #9 · answered by Eldritch 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God's honest truth, It feels good!
Ever notice that when you buy something for yourself (car, purse, sports ticket whatever), you feel good for a while then it passes, but when you help that handicapped person get on the bus or help the old lady with her grocery bags, that feeling stays with you forever!
2007-05-18 10:05:51 · answer #10 · answered by Sir Offenzalot 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋