What motivates you to live a moral life?

Question

I

Thanx to everyone who indulged me by
answering this. I was very encouraged that no one said:

1. "Hell is hot and I do wanna go there.
2. "I want God to bless me with a bigger SUV than the next guy".
3." I want to go to paradise and be attended by 72 virgins".
4. I want to be one of 72 virgins serving some righteous old dude".
5. I don't want to be a social outcast.

I got a lot out of everyone's answers
but related to Jim San Antonio's the
most because he talks about how our
actions affect the emotions and well
being of others. I could not have worded as eloquently as he did.

Answer 1

What other way is there to live. If you do not live a moral life you and the people around you will not be happy or content. You might get momentary happiness like when you take drugs, but then after a while, you have come down and the happiness is no longer there. If you want to be happy and you want the people around you to be happy, you have to live a moral life. How can you make your wife/husband, children, parents, siblings or even friends happy if you are immoral. It is impossible. You will only bring negative emotions by leading an immoral life.

Answer 2

I think that lying to people is wrong. I am guilty of it myself. I have recently lied to my Mother and it is kind of a big one. The feeling of having a lie hanging over you is the worst feeling in the world. I am struggling with telling her the truth. I know I must, but I am trying to wait for a time that feels right. I think what motivates people is having a clean conscience. That is a really good feeling. You feel like such a good person when you do things for others or you tell them the truth no matter how hard it may be. It's just a better way of life overall.

Answer 3

For better or for worse, I would have to say a lot of my morality comes from luck.
I am fortunate enough that I enjoy helping people, so many of my choices in life involve being in a position where I can help people. So I could be as selfish as anyone else who mostly focuses on doing what they want and what makes them most happy, but lucky enough that what I want is seen as a moral endeavor.

Also, being mean and hateful or short with people makes me feel terrible. I don’t like the way I look or feel when I look at the world with anger, so I work to get rid of the anger and hate. But once again, it is luck that I feel that way.

I am also fortunate enough that I do not want many expensive things. While I would like to be financially secure one day, and while I do hope for things like a nice home and nice furniture, I do not want extravagant examples of those things. Because of this, I am able to choose a career that allows me to help people and be of service, rather than striving for jobs that pay a lot.

I am in no way saying that people who don't work in public service are being immoral, but part of me thinks that maybe when people get too buried in desires, they may end up in more situations when they have the opening to make immoral decisions.

I am also very sensitive. I am hurt when people are mean or when I see mean actions. While I was growing up my sensitivity seemed like a curse, but my being able to feel pain that I do not personally experience made me naturally want to follow the golden rule.

Another curse that ended up as a blessing is what I call my “insta-karma.” When I do something I know is wrong or feel ok with something I did that hurt someone, the universe immediately busts me. Either I am caught in the act, or I am immediately put into the very same situation, but on the other side. I know it sounds crazy, but I am being quite literal, and it is amazing how fast it happens.

Even after all this, I still wouldn’t consider myself a moral person (and I feel very odd/silly describing "good" things I do.) I can be mean. I gossip; I snap; I hurt people’s feelings.

I don’t know if there is something inside of me that would make me the way I am even if circumstances were different. And it may be true that I am only as “moral” or “good” as I am because of negative and positive reinforcement, and not because of anything inherently me. But I suppose that is a debate to be had in the philosophy section.
:)

I have no idea how ridiculous or stupid I just sounded; regardless, these are the thoughts on the matter that came to mind

Answer 4

staying away from religion...

religion has NO morality !!!

Here's the best way to live a moral life and is the Solution for religion:

Create a Private, Personal, Direct, Divine Relationship with Our Creator and save Your Soul from religion's and atheist's beliefs and start Your journey back home, to Heaven.

<<<<<<< UnConditional Love is the only answer >>>>>>>

Love and Believe in Our Creator;
Love and Believe in Yourself.

Only with Our Creator's Love and Peace will we be Truly Free!

Answer 5

Complex question, life is an experience we share with our fellow humans, showing respect and consideration for others leads to real quality of life for us all. I don't mean you should ignore your own needs and desires tho, give and take is the name of the game

I think *hope =)* I'm pretty ethical, such people are usually more aware and openminded with a good sense of justice and fairness.

Answer 6

the frontal lobe of my brain. if you don't use it you lose it(ever heard of picks disease?)...i know that wasnt the answer you were looking for. sorry i'll stop being an a**

i am motivated to lead a moral life because i enjoy it. it feels good to do the right thing.

Answer 7

If we betray each other all the time, this will be hell with guns and knifes. If I am kind once, I'm helping for a better world.

Answer 8

My conscience motivates me to try to live a moral life. I always want to sleep with a clear conscience!

Answer 9

My relationship with God.

Answer 10

I agree with Macharia - God is counting on me to be His hands and feet while I'm here. I don't want to let Him down.
I also am looking forward to spending my afterlife with Him...I won't get there if I don't act appropriately!