Still perfom acts of kindness, sometimes I get the impression they would not.
2007-06-19 00:54:31 · 20 answers · asked by Link , Padawan of Yoda 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I did not check my spelling I acknowledge that, I still don't think it is a sound reason to discredit the question.
Thank you anyway.
2007-06-19 00:59:18 · update #1
Sorry for double posting this I hit the back button on my browser window.
2007-06-19 01:05:53 · update #2
Oooh, I love that word, hyperthetically. Thanks, I'll remember that.
Some would, I'm not so sure about others.
2007-06-19 00:57:04 · answer #1 · answered by angafeabeta 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I understand what you mean. I think you are asking about altruism - the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others.
Does altruism really exist?
I couldn't possibly know the answer to that, but I agree that heaven and hell are the carrot and stick of Christianity. I am not a Christian so I probably shouldn't even be answering this question!
One thing I do know is that you don't need a religion to be a good person, and being religious is no guarantee of good character.
If I turn your question around: are Christians who believe in heaven and hell the only people who perform acts of kindness?
No, they are not.
True altruism is to perform an act of kindness for NO personal gain. I think it is extremely difficult to define an occasion where this happens, as a feeling of contentedness could be classed as personal gain. I suppose sacrifice without belief in heaven or an after life is the only true altruistic act, so perhaps true kindness can ONLY be performed by people who don't believe in heaven or hell.
2007-06-19 08:11:05 · answer #2 · answered by mant 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They should do also...
Heaven and hell are not mentioned in the bible. The depictions are purely a Victorian idea to scare people into going to church. Thats where Christianity entered its dark age of burning witches etc...
There is however a place which is longing for God where you are lost and just simply have to face your own faults and then admit your error. In Christianity it is accepted you will fail the point is to at least try and you will always be welcomed. Hell in a word is one's own conscious kicking the s***t outta you for being so stupid when the truth is right there in front of you. But as we know, egos are terrible things.
2007-06-21 23:27:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, we don't love people because we are afraid of hell or because we want to go to heaven. We try to love and be kind to everyone but we don't succeed all the time. No one can do that. But as long as that is what you strive for you are doing well. I think I see your point. You question some Christian's motives. When I see certain things sometimes, I do, too. Sorry for the bad ones.
2007-06-19 08:09:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
heaven and hell are a big part of the religion so wouldn't exist if they didn't. But yes I do think they would. Hvaing said that people at my church are very nice to everyone til they get out of the gates and then turn into the nasty bitches they actually are.
2007-06-19 07:59:43 · answer #5 · answered by Charlene 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why 'hypothetically'. There is no Heaven or Hell but people still perform acts of kindness, it is built in to most of us and doesn't need anything for it to develop.
2007-06-19 08:32:19 · answer #6 · answered by focus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If that was the only thing removed from their religious doctrine, obviously they would still be taught that that is the right way to behave. Just have to use more of the carrot, less of the stick.
2007-06-19 08:01:35 · answer #7 · answered by =42 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that some would because they are decent people anyway but I know others that would not give a care in the world the only reason they are nice to your ace is because their god is watching
2007-06-19 07:58:41 · answer #8 · answered by soundofsettling 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The God of heaven and earth teaches us what kindness is.
Those Christians who don't actually believe in God but just say they do to issue warnings about behaviour that make them money probably don't care about heaven or hell. They just like talking about it for the financial benefit.
2007-06-19 08:06:30 · answer #9 · answered by MiD 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Gee, since I did so before becoming a Christian, I'd have to say the answer would be yes.
2007-06-19 08:03:24 · answer #10 · answered by Machaira 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there were no heaven or hell there would be no Christians, just people.....Some people are kind and some are not.
2007-06-19 09:49:34 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋