can religious persons ever be altruistic (doing good with no expectation of reward)?

Question

because it seems that the only reason the religious are 'moral' is fear of punishment or expectations of later reward

Answer 1

they can

Answer 2

I don't really know why religiousness is part of the question. I suppose if you are religious you may have some expectation of reward in the afterlife but I doubt that to be anyones motivation. All people, religious or not are capable of doing good without expectations of reward. There is a reward in the good feeling you get within yourself knowing you have helped someone in need and for me, that is reward enough.

Answer 3

Anything I do for anyone I do privately and I do because they need the help, period.
I do not do it for reward from man or from God for that matter. I also have no fear
of God, since there is no reason to. God is not angry nor is he going to take vengence, on his own. There is no reason for one of Gods people to be fearful. If I were a person who sat here constantly mocking and ridiculing God, or trying to get others to think He is fake, then I would be REAL AFRAID AND HAVE GOOD REASON TO BE AFRAID. That is not my case, though.

You certainly are judging people by the millions by suggesting that everyone of faith only does things for reward. Thats probably one of the most insulting things
I have ever heard on this forum, and thats
pretty bad.

Answer 4

In Christianity you don't get punished for doing bad or rewarded for being good per se. I think a lot of people do good things for that warm fuzzy feeling lol. I guess that may be a reward but I don't think it is the kind u are talking about.

Answer 5

I actually do a lot of good without expecting recognition.
I can't list those things that I do, that would be expecting recognition.
And, I don't do it because I fear punishment. I do the things I do because a person is in need of help and I am there at the moment.

Answer 6

That's not true of all religions. Judaism is about living life today -- not about future punishment/reward. We learn that there are different levels of charity with the highest level being that of giving anonymously to an anonymous recipient, but all charity is good regardless of the intent.

btw, there is no eternal torment in Judaism, and all the righteous of the nations have a share in the world to come.
.

Answer 7

Oddly enough the old TV show FRIENDS answered this question I think best when it showed "There is no such thing as good deed or act without the it also being a act or deed in which the doer does not get something in return" - even if its nothing more than a good feeling.
This is not limited to a belief of any God.

Answer 8

I think you are talking about two different things. First, many Christians as well as those from other religions, or no religion get the most pleasure in doing good without desire for recognition.

Second, most Christians as well as those with different philosophies strive to be moral because living a moral life brings one peace!

Answer 9

In Judaism there isn't really a punishment (from G-d) for not doing good. You're really just hurting yourself and staving off the Messianic era. But I say yes. We don't really have a hell and I do good things all the time w/ no expectation of return.

Answer 10

It is the lowest form of morality akin to little children and the punishment/reward cycle from parents, and arguably not morality at all.

Answer 11

No one can be truly altruistic. Every one that does a good and seemingly selfless deed feels good about doing it. If they didn't they wouldn't do it. Take fire fighters for example. I'm sure most fire fighters will tell you there's a rush associated with saving lives. People are incapable of being selfless.