Is goodness it's own reward or are you only in it for the "pay-off"?
2007-06-15 21:27:17 · 33 answers · asked by mesun1408 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Since most of you lot answer in the affirmative (except for the honest minority, lol!), let me ask you this: doesn't this mean atheists who are good people are actually more faithful than believers who are in it for the afterlife?!
2007-06-15 21:33:45 · update #1
Good question.I was taught good Christian values by my parents, who were in turn were taught them by their parents.Without Christ's teachings who knows what I would be doing...the same as these Godless hoodies and junkies now I should imagine.
2007-06-15 23:04:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hey Mesun,
Good evening. Actually this is a very good question that would and could check any of my Christian Brother's a Sister's in their intents in why they serve their fellow man. To make oneself feel good for helping someone is not enough....the intent is selfish and for self gain/exhaultation to build up self esteem thus promoting pride. The latter part of your question also basically is the same reasoning with the very same intent. As a Christian or any other religion the God needs to be given all of the glory, not the servant. As for the beggining part of your question;No, I don't think that I would be a good person.Not only would I be self seeking, but I would have no morals in guidance and good conviction (with a concience that screams what is right and wrong)to disprove my desires. I would have no other focal point but self to give glory to.Good is not always good.Especially when you acknowledge that you're doing it for that reason.When self is out of the equation, then good is truly Good, and the intent is Right where it should be.Pastor B
2007-06-15 21:46:18 · answer #2 · answered by brian b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I lack a belief in a god, and I am still a good person. Some call this humanism:
"Humanism is a philosophy which in most cases embraces Agnosticism or Atheistic belief about the non-existence of a deity. But it goes further to create ethical systems based upon reason and logic. It regards humanity as the measure of all things. Humanists emphasize a belief in the importance of doing good in society."
http://www.religioustolerance.org/humanism.htm
2007-06-15 21:35:09 · answer #3 · answered by Bad Kitty! 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
0n the basis of what I was before I came into faith the prognosis suggest I would have to say 'emphatically no'
I was hypocritical with a tendency to violence and am now a committed pacifist. God did it.
Having said that, I do not especially to consider myself 'good' when I see all that needs to be challenged. I do my bit...that is the most I would claim.
How good is good, anyhow? By whose definition?
2007-06-15 23:57:05 · answer #4 · answered by alan h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you have to be religious to be 'good'. Everyone can have a moral code, do their best to adhere to good principles and try to behave well.
Of course, everyone's also only human and we'll fail from time to time, but that is how we learn and grow.
Everyone has the power to do all these things whether they have a religious conviction or not, so I would say that we can behave well whether you believe god exists, or if you don't.
Best wishes :-)
2007-06-15 21:38:42 · answer #5 · answered by thing55000 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is no god and I am a good person. The payoff is that I make my own universe a better place by bringing joy where I can. Don't need a god to do that.
2007-06-15 21:30:20 · answer #6 · answered by Twisted Maggie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you shouldn't get a reward for being a good person. if it really came from the heart then helping out was the award. not because you were bribed. i'd still be good. i don't believe.
2007-06-15 21:30:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you could read my testimony on a Christian website to understand how I came to Christ. I was a pretty bad sort of guy until I got zapped...much like Saul (Paul) did in the Bible.
I have changed because God wanted me to...so in answer to your question...If there were no God I would not be a good person...Although..if there were no God..I would not be here anyway. http://groups.msn.com/allforourlordjesus look at 'Mikes Testimony' and 'Mikes Healing'
Best wishes, Mike.
2007-06-15 21:29:22 · answer #8 · answered by georgiansilver 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'll say "That is one good question" just because I don't really know at the moment.
.............thinking.................
If there were no God......... we would be just like animals, the only purpose in life is to kill, eat, reproduce, and live.
The thing that makes people special is that we have a third element, "goodness"...
SO! IF THERE WERE NO GOD, I WON'T BE A PERSON AT ALL, NOT TO EVEN MENTION "GOOD".
2007-06-15 21:38:32 · answer #9 · answered by blah 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe in God and much as I try to be, I cannot say that I am a good person. I am not good at times because I cannot control my impulsive thoughts.
2007-06-15 21:39:19 · answer #10 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course! I'm an atheist - morality is innate in humans. Moses didn't invent the ten commandments, humans did, for the benefit of all. No one follows them because Moses said so - do they?!
2007-06-15 21:36:46 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋