QUESTION for EVERYONE -- Why do you do "good" things?

Question

"Good" being: "kind", "charitable", "helpful", "thoughtful", etc.

Do you "do good" because others will appreciate it or because "good" simply ought to be done?

Or are there other reasons?

Answer 1

I do good because it makes me feel good. I do good because it makes me feel good to make other people feel good. I do good because I feel that the more good I put into the world, the better the chances are of maybe a little bit of that good becoming something that benefits me. I do good because I hate pain, suffering and unreasonable amounts of unhappiness. I do good because, well, it's good to do good.

I think a lot of the reason that I do good is because I had parents that were fairly good and I have seen so much pain and suffering caused by the absence of good.

Good is just...good. And I feel that if you take away any of the good in the world, all you have left is...god. And that's not cool at all, because I'm atheist.

Good question. Thanks. :)

Answer 2

It feels good, it's the right thing to do, God wishes it of us, I like it, there are a lot of reasons. I try not to think about what other people will think, but let's be real, that has entered into it before, though I 'm not proud of that. The Bible says that faith without good works is dead, so that's another reason. Also, why not do good things? The world has so much evil in it, there are so many who don't do the right thing, why not help the balance come the other way? Sometimes it's actually EASIER to do the right thing and it takes more effort to do wrong!

Answer 3

I used to go to a chatroom where we argued endlessly over the existence of altruism. There are good arguments for both the point of view that it exists and that it doesn't.

The reason I do good things for complete strangers is because that is what I was taught to do when I was a child. In my family, we all go out of our way to help others, but I'm not really sure why. I know afterward I have a good feeling, but in no way is that good feeling enough of a reward to merit some of the lengths I've gone to in helping people.

I believe altruism exists because there are good people in the world, just like meanness exists because there are bad people in the world.

Answer 4

I do it because I believe that it will make people more likely to be good to other people, who will then be more inclined to do the same, and so on and so forth until eventually more and more of the people I encounter and deal with will be affected by this and will therefore be good to me. Some might say that's purely selfish, but I don't see why it's not a legitimate reason to be a good person.

Answer 5

Sometimes I do it to see a smile on someone's face. Sometimes I do it without even thinking. Sometimes I do it because somebody needs something I have, whether money, things, friendly support or time, so I give them. Sometimes I do it because that's the way I was raised. Sometimes I do it because I think I know what's best, which is a bit presumptuous but I only mean it in a thoughtful way.

Mostly I do it because I'd want someone to to it for me if I needed it.

And it makes you feel nice!
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Answer 6

I just try to make this life a bit more tolerable for the rest of the world and hope others return the favor by doing something kind to someone else

Answer 7

Civic virtue, i do it because it is the right thing to do. I don't care if it is the best or worst.

hope will not fix problems or move anything forward- only doing something will.

plus, it gives a good feeling to yourself and others- a type of high so pure and great it is unattainable through any material means.

Answer 8

I just read Fr Joe's blog about Calvinist idea that we are all evil to begin with. So you two must be connected somehow in your thoughts. *goes to search for link*

I just finished watching Jackie Brown (again), so I'd have to think that noble things are something we are all capable of, even if we say the f-word. XD

Ah, here we are: link is in question, little pigeon.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlZyYzY7Vj911m7fBoBA_Arsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071014182638AApESwq

edit: ah, me personally. Doing good is a drag. I have to force myself. But I am TRAINED to be civilized. My parents were excellent teachers on that.

Answer 9

Because it gives me pleasure to do something kind for someone. I like seeing the effect a good thing has. I've done my share of bad things, it has the opposite effect, it takes me apart inside bit by bit. And I love Jesus and He asks me to follow His example.

Answer 10

There are other reasons for doing good... but they're all similar to what you've already named. Doing good just feels good.all around. The tough question, however, is over what defines good ?

Is it a good thing to go around "God blessing" everyone you speak with or do some people seem a little annoyed by that behavior ?

[][][] r u randy? [][][]
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