Christans: why is the concept of someone doing good w/o being motivated by fear so offensive to you?

Question

If someone in R&S points out that atheists do good acts of their own accord, not because they are afraid of going to hell, that seems to ruffle a bunch of Christian feathers, and I just don't get it.

Seriously, if they can't invoke a god to do good, would you rather they just all do bad acts instead?

Yes I am singling out Christians because I live in the United States -- the rest of the theists aren't interfering with individual freedom in the US so much as Christians.

cherylin: my "understanding" is based on my direct observation in this category .... fault some of your fellow believers in that case

Answer 1

I'm not offended at all by atheists who do good deeds. But in reference to what you're saying, just remember that not all Christians are alike. Yes, there are those who get defensive when their faith is questioned, but that's not the proper way to handle it. However, as I've said many times "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven.

Answer 2

Where did you get the idea that Christians do good because of fear?
Man, you really need to buy a bible and read it. Don't be so wise in your own understanding. It's obvious to me that you are not only a reader, a listener, and a watcher of men, you are also a judge. Don't just sit on your eminent bench, rise and go to the basics. Study. You don't want to be spoon-fed with junk food forever.
Christians do good because of the grace they have received from God. Doing good is not something to brag about. It is the result of being made right with God "by grace through faith..."
Those who claim being Christians, who do good out of fear are in error. Lastly, test every spirit. The deceivers have come.

Answer 3

It sounds as if you're implying that the only reason Christians do good is because they're afraid of Hell, and that would definitely ruffle feathers. That's not the case at all for most Christians. When they do good, it's for the love of our Savior Jesus Christ and concern for others.

I find your assumption that my motives for doing good are fear-based to be very irritating, that's for sure. You're generalizing and stereotyping my behavior as a Christian, and that's certainly not fair to me. Christian's motives are no different from Atheists' motives -- we both want to help others and leave the world a better place than we found it.

Answer 4

Perhaps they've been reading some of the atheist intellectuals of the last 200 years - Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Marx, Darwin, Freud, Sartre, Camus, de Beauvoir, Rand, etc - all of whom deny any basis for morality? If you could come up with a list of dead atheist intellectuals who provided a sound basis for morality it would be most helpful.

I do not deny that atheists can be moral and good people, and some of them can be better than some Christians no doubt. They too will receive their inheritance. It would not be hard to find novels - written by Christians - where the 'bad' person ends up acting better than the 'good' people. Dragon Seed, for example, by Pearl Buck. "Not those who say Lord, Lord, but those who do the will of my Father" and all that.

Answer 5

Well, I'd like to counter your last statement by stating that this is a matter of opinion. For instance, NBC recently refused to allow Big Idea Productions (Veggie Tales) to use any reference to God or Jesus (which is the basis for the videos) but at the same time, they allow the "F" word on the air. So, I don't necessarily agree that Christians are making the rules.

As Christians, I don't do good out of fear. I do good out of love to God. When I love and serve God, I show his love by loving others. This has nothing to do with avoiding hell, it's because I love God and his love has taught me a love for others.

Answer 6

I am christian and it doesn't "ruffle my feathers". I love to do service for others and just making someones day a little better because of something I did. I don't do it out of fear, but because I feel good when I do it.

Answer 7

Out of all the birds I have spoken with, none of them complain of ruffled feathers resulting from this question. I personally don't have a problem or concern with non-believers doing good, that is great. I do have a problem with someone that might think or say I do good out of fear. I know of no Christian that does good out of fear, who do so out of love for mankind. As Christ would do, so shall you.

Answer 8

As Christian,it does not bother me that any human being is capable of good.....even those who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord, have a God given concience and many have a strong moral base...This is what I have to share that is germain to this particular question.

Also,it would be nice of the Atheists to wire me some money,in good faith. I am confident that they will do the right thing.

Answer 9

The very foundation of the old testament is meant to instill fear in its followers. It did, and is still doing a great job of it too. The old testament reads like an S&M drama with God playing the major role.

The New Testament tries to add a more loving tone, but whenever violence needs to be biblically justified, they are quick to quote a few verses from that wicked S&M riddled tome.

Answer 10

Well I don't know what part of America you live in, but alot of people would disagree.

Christians do not do "good" just to get to heaven and not go to hell, Once again another person who does not understand Religion and twists it around for their own pleasure of disregarding it.

People do good for many reasons, some of which are self satisfaction (a good feeling) making a difference, and pleasing God...Whatever there reason, who cares...Doing Good is Good no matter what the reasons behind it.