If you're good because you think God is watching you, or because of the promise of heaven or the threat of hell, then that is self-interest, not morality. If you would be good anyway, without those motivators, then you don't need God in order to be good.
Either way, morality has nothing to do with God. Agreed?
2007-09-11 14:35:07 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Daisy Indigo: Very perceptive observation :-)
2007-09-11 14:44:29 · update #1
Frappuccino: What works would be considered good. Being social animals works - i.e. it makes us a highly successful species.
2007-09-11 14:45:46 · update #2
All morality is self interest in the end, isn't it? If being good makes you feel good then who are you really doing it for?
2007-09-11 14:42:56 · answer #1 · answered by Daisy Indigo 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I do believe there is a God thus I know I am not a good person.
In respect to your statement,"Either way, morality has nothing to do with God. Agreed?" I do accept that such is a point of view and I do respect yours and will admit it is right for you. I do have my own point of view and will maybe someday discuss it in detail with you if the opportunity does arrive by "random selection".
Do have a good day and smile as the ICBM;s [Individual Concepts By Confusion] are being stock piled.
2007-09-13 14:27:38 · answer #2 · answered by cjkeysjr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What were the morals before God gave us the morals? I understand the point that you are making, but let's take it a step back, and let's say over time people evolved, and the first mean were descending, and evoloving into what we would classify as a human being...
What morals would those people have? I mean, how can something be considered good, when there is no known evil? How did people pass down the thoughts of right and wrong, I mean look at the first kingdoms and laws... Carpenter's work fails... kill the carpenter... how are those laws moral?
Another question is.... What if the morals that we have are indeed the opposite of what morals should be?
2007-09-11 14:43:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Agreed
Morality taught from the bible is based on fear, or divine retribution. Hell, the morality of the bible is unacceptable in today's world. Morality is a dynamic social construct. As time goes by, society's view of morality "evolves". I do not think there are many Christians out there that think slavery is ok, or that women should be obedient, or that we should kill disrespectful teenagers. Or at least, I hope not.
Of course, I am equating God with the Bible, since God is supposed to be the author.
Lots of immoral people out there that are suppose to be "God Fearing". Look at Hovind and Haggard, just to name two.
2007-09-11 14:40:55 · answer #4 · answered by Thor 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
To put it simply, morality does not need to have come from an outside source. If doing an action hurts someone, that person is likely to retaliate. The first person, not enjoying this retaliation, realises that simply not doing the action is the best way to conserve fighting energy and keep everybody happy, thus a moral is born.
Think about it for a while.
2007-09-11 14:47:45 · answer #5 · answered by DoctorScurvy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think i have better morals then some christians and others who believe in God. Many seem like posers. I believe there is a god, i am agnostic, but nevertheless, i have not been to church in who knows when. Yet, i push myself to take AP classes at school, never gotten into a fight, i dont argue with others, and i try to be kind. What peeves me is that people think atheists and agnostics are all rebellious teens who are rude and obnoxious.
2007-09-11 14:43:46 · answer #6 · answered by babsa_90 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Morals are the accepted customs of a group of people.
Cannibals are viewed as moral people in their society.
The bible tells believers to live holy lives because God is holy.
2007-09-11 15:04:18 · answer #7 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am good, but not for fear or promise of what happens next.
as for god being a standpoint of morality, i believe he has some "interest" in it.
perhaps i can put it like this:
i am good because it feels right to me, it is "logical", but then where do we humans get set notion from? most animals do not seem to posses such knowledge. maybe, just maybe, that is god's interference in the way of good & bad.
2007-09-11 14:44:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anarchist Skywalker 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I"m not better than my cat.
I agree Fear to end in Hell or Fear to loose Heaven are the principal reason to justify a punishment from a god.
Morality and Religion are not parallel lines.
2007-09-11 14:54:44 · answer #9 · answered by Lost. at. Sea. 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
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2016-11-10 04:34:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋