or any reward at all really (except for, I dunno, the satisfaction of having done *the right thing)
Would you still turn the other cheek if all it meant was you'd have a bruised other cheek, and not a single thing would be divinely accomplished to assuage your discomfort?
2007-07-31 16:23:49 · 17 answers · asked by Moodrets 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hmmm, I didn't phrase the question correctly. I meant would you still do the things specific to your religion if it were without promise?
Being a good person doesn't count. Anyone can be a good person.
I'm talking about things like baptism and the like. Would you do those?
2007-07-31 16:32:47 · update #1
My religion isn't necessarily about doing the "right thing" whatever that may be. As for the promise of a blissful afterlife, I think that is more or less a carrot dangled in front of the metaphorical donkey's head. Actually, I think that you have misunderstood what religion is all about, though, I don't blame you because most people misunderstand. Religion isn't or rather, shouldn't be about a blissful afterlife or anything of the sort. Actually, the idea of God is merely an idea, it has no real substance logically. The idea is there to help facilitate a change in consciousness to that of something ineffable and beyond logic. This may not be something that appeals to you but that is what religion and ideas about God are there to do. Religions that do not offer something that facilitates union with what is, offer nothing with credibility.
2007-07-31 18:02:49 · answer #1 · answered by hrld_sleeper 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course I wouldn't. You think I like getting beat up in here by atheists all night? You think it's fun being called stupid an ignorant because the concept of an omnipotend God is actually a rational concept to me? And "doing the right thing" SUCKS sometimes; often there's little or no satisfaction in it, and you just end up getting screwed over by someone who only cares about themself today.
On the other side, I follow my beliefs not out of a fear of hell--like some people feel Christians do--but about blissful anticipation of what does await me after this life. The afterlife is where my reward is supposed to be.
2007-07-31 23:33:08 · answer #2 · answered by SDW 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Moodrets,
In my opinion, I believe it all comes down to truth. You ultimately choose what you're going to follow and not follow based on whether you believe it or not. In otherwords, it's not really the promises of blissful afterlife that make me follow my religion (Christianity), it's my belief that it is the truth and what the Bible says is true.
If I followed the Bible or anything else based on the "reward", and not the conviction that what I'm following is the truth then it is foolish. If what you are following is untrue then so is it's promise of a blissful afterlife.
Peace
2007-07-31 23:33:59 · answer #3 · answered by Harold 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because after all we have no guarantee of an after life, and doing the right thing doesn't neccessarily mean you will be rewarded either. But hopefully being a person who is loving and seeks the best interest of others brings some fulfillment in living this life.
2007-07-31 23:29:23 · answer #4 · answered by keri gee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I would prefer it if there were no afterlife. Then I would not ever have to worry that some people might go to hell, and I would be happier.
My beliefs work well in this life, and by doing "the right thing" I have never regretted it and have happy and positive relationships.
2007-07-31 23:32:09 · answer #5 · answered by greengo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aside from the fact that I have no clue how my life would be enjoyable if I chucked away my morals...I have something to say.
I would not have a religion without the promise. It is the foundation of the Old Testament and all that follows. This includes beleiving that the purpose is why we were created.
2007-07-31 23:37:12 · answer #6 · answered by AdventGrEd 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't follow a Religion, but if you mean would I still believe in God, the answer is yes, I don't believe because of a promise, I believe because of the blessings and the feelings that come from God. The fact that Jesus Christ willfully gave up his life for me, is enough in its self. There is a little more to that turning the other cheek, It isn't in a physically sense, If someone hits my cheek, theres a real good possibility that the fight is on.........we can defend ourselves.........and I do. We are not suppose to start fights, and we are suppose to walk off from one, but if someone comes after you and hurts you, you can defend yourself. God protects his children and keeps them safe, he said that if any one does something bad to us, we are suppose to let it go, He said revenge is his, not ours.
2007-07-31 23:40:35 · answer #7 · answered by sparkplug 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Regarding the afterlife -- yes. The afterlife does not concern me; living in tune with natural rythyms and the Gods in the life I know I have, does.
The single "commandment" of my faith is: "If you harm none, do what you will." This suggests that all actions which minimize harm are permissible; however, self-defense is certainly permitted, and if the person who is attacking me is likely to attack someone else, striking back and showing him that such actions are not acceptable to me might cause him to rethink his actions and avoid doing harm to others in the future.
2007-07-31 23:28:41 · answer #8 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I like this question. To bad I'm not qualified to answer it. But, I am interested in reading the responses.
2007-07-31 23:28:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I already do.
I follow the wisdom of Jesus and God, even though Revelations says God has final say in who stays and who goes back.
That has no affect on me. I try to do what God and Jesus tell me, if I do it wrong, so be it!
2007-08-01 00:06:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋