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From my observations, a lot of people tend to be good only because of God or the fear of what awaits in the afterlife. The people who don't tend to be sinful and are consumed by all the pleasures being sinful brings. My question is, is it normal to want to be good WITHOUT a religion or faith?
I'd always considered that most people are good regardless of what's in it for them. IIN has actually changed my mind. I know not all answers are to be believed, but - if taken at face value - people are hugely cynical and the only reason they don't repeatedly rape and murder is because of the deterrent. That was a shock to me.
To talk about positive traits, though, I think the same applies. When I defended women on this site, people thought I was a woman. The intrinsic belief is that nobody does anything unless it directly involves them selfishly or they gain in some other way.
When I first came to this site I'd have said YES, it is normal to want to be good despite having no religion. Now I'm going to answer NO, it is not normal. And I can't tell you how sorry I am to say this.
if you saw some body drop some thing of theirs on the ground, you could just ignore it and continew what you where doing and you wouldn't be punished,looked down on, and (if you belive)go to hell for not doing it. but 92% of people would say -hey! you dropped your....- they will probably not be rewaded not even with a smile, or considerd to be a good person, simply a normal person.
that helping others regadless of personal gain is a built in human responce, an instinct like many others of ours written in our DNA
This.
Sorry to say but I have spoken to many people that agree that their reasoning for not killing, hurting or stealing is because the consequences are not worth their trouble. I'm hugely anti-violence, but I have a wicked temper and even I, on occasion, have to remind myself that he/she isn't worth 25 to life.
Religion and morality do not go hand in hand - they are completely separate constructs.
You can be a religious prick or an atheist prick.
You can be a religious cool guy/gal or an atheist cool guy/gal.
Others always considered me caring, sensitive, and generous- even during my time against God. I've known several good natured atheists, as well.
Believing in God does not mean that a person will be good just because of the fear of what happens after. That being said, many people who believe in God will be good not just because there could be punishment for the wrongs which they do, but because they are good people who also happen to believe in God. On the other hand, this cannot be said for all those who believe in God.
Also, those who do not believe in God could be good people as well. It is all dependent on who the person is and how they are as a person. Hence, if they want to be good they will be good, if they want to be bad they will be bad.
Normal. If you were good people, but god put you into hell when you are dead, screw god.
If intimidation is the only thing keeping you from being nice, then you need to see a doctor.
yeah, you should be a good person anyway. I choose to believe in God, some people don't.. where's the problem?
of course it's normal, I personaly belive that no relligion is the souce of morality, rather relligion simply hijacked morality. as an ex christian, my local pastor ( awsome guy I still admire him)when i was having trobule with my faith told me that a christian just because I think it's a "good persons" thing to be. and that to be a christian just so I will be forgiven for my sins and go to heaven is not a good excuse, so he told me that if I don't feel the need for god, then I shoulden't try to belive in him.
If you are a good person thats fine a true christian will not judge you if you do not beleive and you can be good without believing in god or any religion do not worry if you have no religion you are not bad by defualt religion however is a giude to what is good . you are judged by your actions to be good not what religion you are following I am a open minded christian I came from a christian household and I am open minded I think not that poeple should be judged by such things but by the actions they commit.
Religion gives people more "incentive" if you want to call it that, to act morally. This does not, however, mean that religion is the only reason to act morally.
Plenty of people with out any religion or faith believe in a kind of karma. Not in the spiritual sense, but more in the "people know that you're a kind person, so they return kindness to you" sense.
Also there are people that act morally, just because being a good person makes them feel good about themselves!
While I somewhat agree with you, being a kind person making one much more likely to receive kindness back isn't so much a religious concept as it is a studied, psychological fact. Approaching someone with a good attitude sharply increases your chances of being met with a good attitude, defusing a bad situation or even preventing yourself from becoming the victim of a crime (believe it or not, many criminals do have some empathy and are reluctant to kill someone who smiled, provided them eye contact and validated their existence by a nod or a wave).
Now I know that being a good person won't always save you from a terrorist attack or a drunk driver, but in a personal sense, being a good person and treating others with respect will get you much further with people unless you know how to do the asshole thing right.
im the same. im a nice good person. but i dont believe in jesus anymore been there done it.
i dont like being threatened these days by some god but i do care about my rep as a nice lad so that is what keeps me being nice. plus i woudent want to upset my mum.
Micro-morality is derived from some natural occurring mindsets that help ensure the continuation of our species, as well as some of the social and cultural customs we are exposed to during our life/upbringing.
Religions just jazz up these concepts, but usually add a bit of prejudice/bias to the mix.
Religion may play a role in ones morality, but morality is not a direct product of religion.
I think it's very normal. Goodness is human quality that can come from within, it doesn't need to be scared into you by a god.
all in all, being good has nothing to do with going to heaven or believing in god. Being good is a choice...it's simple alot of people who think they are going to heaven wont. alot of people who act nice arent nice,as alot of people who seem evil arent truly evil. to believe in god and giving him your whole heart and soul is the only way you will go to heaven period....So out of respect i will say it doesnt matter if your good or bad "if you dont believe in god your going to burn regardless".. and thats the truth !