then are they really good people, or are they just being logical? are they just using self-survival skills...i mean think about it......i would truly respect a moral athiest
2007-07-31 09:39:00 · 8 answers · asked by boredatwork 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I will tell you personally that I do not do things soley for the purpose of going to Heaven and I am a Christian. I could not possibly hold out a whole lifetime on the "hope for Heaven" nor could I remain faithful a whole lifetime for "the fear of Hell".
It is Christ's love that drives me. Before I was a Christian I would do things that I knew were wrong and I would let it dwell with me for a long time and feel bad for it. For example, I had an abortion when I was 18 and I was not a Christian and was told that it was the logical thing to do and that what was inside me was only a mass of cells and not a baby. Yet, the minute I came out of anesthesia I started crying (and was told that was a very common response). Why, because I knew deep down it was wrong. But once I became a Christian I realized that my sins have been paid for and once I became baptized and accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, all my sins are washed away.
No one is perfect, we all do things against our consciences at some time or another because we all have our weaknesses in one way or another.
Now though, because I know that Christ is there for me (even when no one else is), I have someone on my side and who will always love, protect and be with me, and because of that love I am stronger in WANTING to do what is right.
I have very poor health and there are days that I want to bite or snip at others, but I hold my tongue. I ask God to guide me and to help me stay on His path. The mere "hope for Heaven" or the mere "fear of Hell" would never help me to keep my tongue, but knowing that Christ loves me and having his Holy Spirit in me, helps me stay along the straight and narrow.
I too, respect a moral atheist, but I know that they don't have the Holy Spirit in them, and I feel for them because they don't have true happiness that can only be found through Christ.
2007-07-31 09:56:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you can't get to heaven by doing good deeds. If you're religious, then you should be doing what you feel would be God-pleasing because you love God--not because you hope to get into heaven. We will always fall short on our own--that's why we need Jesus to get into heaven. It is only through His sacrifice that we are able to get into heaven.
I respect people no matter what their religion (are lack thereof) so long as they are kind towards others and show compassion and understanding.
2007-07-31 16:44:57 · answer #2 · answered by April W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I read some study that doing good deeds makes you feel good so it probably has nothing to do with being of any religious affiliation.
2007-07-31 16:42:13 · answer #3 · answered by triston b 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Deeds are not the way to be saved. Deeds are the proof of being saved. The way it should work is, you do the deeds because you want to, because you know you're saved, and because you want others to become saved as well.
2007-07-31 16:43:36 · answer #4 · answered by Joshua B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I commit good deeds because I want to not because I have to. All will enter Heaven, for there all will be judged.
2007-07-31 16:43:18 · answer #5 · answered by Lady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good deeds will NOT get you into heaven. Even heathen do good deeds.
Peace & God bless from Texas <><
2007-07-31 16:42:37 · answer #6 · answered by jaantoo1 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good deeds are done to do good in this world.
I don't think religion has much to do with it, as non-religious people are also involved in charity work etc.
2007-07-31 16:44:11 · answer #7 · answered by ahedou2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most will start out that way, but then do good deeds out of not only their desire for salvation, but out of their love for God.
2007-07-31 16:43:45 · answer #8 · answered by lawlzlawlzduck 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋