Are We Kind Because It's the Right thing to Do/Or Because "God"Tells Us To?

by flipper 17 years ago 29 Replies latest 17 years ago jw friends

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  flipper 17 years ago

  In seeing the " debates " the last couple days of religionists debating with atheists I couldn't help but start a thread on what I have noticed since leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses religion. Personally just to set the record straight on my views personally I consider myself a strong agnostic, perhaps a weak and learning atheist, if that makes any sense . Oh well. Anyway here are my points of concern.

  While in the witnesses, I was always annoyed ( for 44 years I might add) by some who considered themselves very " spiritual " being kind to others in a facade kind of manner. It's like they were nice at the kingdom hall , would give you the time of day when they knew " Jehovah" was looking and had to be kind to impress Him and others , but if I saw the same person somewhere else as at a store or movie theatre or just bumping around outside of spritual activities, ie, meetings, service, etc. it would be like I was talking with a different human being. They would be cold, condescending, or totally avoid saying Hi! in other words fake. It is like some of them knew they had to put that kind personality "ON " at the meetings but let their guard down away from meetings. I was married 19 years to a witness wife like that. Same principle applied, nice at kingdom hall , mean at home and away from the " spiritual cameras rolling " ! LOL!

  So, it seemed to me that some who claimed to be "christian " in the witnesses were kind because they had to, or in hope of getting approved by God, the elders, getting more privileges in the congregation, but always with the hope of a reward from God to do what? Just be nice to others? Even after not being religious myself for 4 years now, when I meet somebody who is going to church or considers themselves a "christian " they will always make a point of telling you that ! Example of a typical introduction : " Oh Hello my name is Mr. Flipper nice to meet you ! " They say, " Oh! Hello my name is so and so, We're Christians. " Or they say, " Our name is so and so, we go to the such and such church. " So, to me it immediately tells me they equate getting to know me based on my reaction to their statement , We go to church"!

  That's all well and good, however when I meet someone the first thing out of my mouth is not, " I'm an agnostic. Don't know if I believe in God or not , but hello ! " You see my point ? It's just frigging weird ! Listen I'm the first to say here that each person here has the right to worship or not worship as they want , however I get more joy personally from doing things for people because it's the right thing to do and makes me happy. I don't need a " God " or Bible telling me to be a decent person so I can reap an "imagined " reward for it. To me it taints the joy I get from doing kindnesses for people if I'm just doing it to be approved by God. So there ya have it, Mr. Flippers take. Does anybody else out there feel as I do ? I am happy in life, and hope all you church loving, christians are too ! And I hope all my atheist friends are too ! I respect ya all and I think everybody definitely brings a variety to the board. So, with respect for everybody, I look forward to your respectful replies as well ! Peace out to all of you, Mr. Flipper

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  SacrificialLoon 17 years ago

  I try to be a generally agreeable person because it's the right thing to do. In order for society to prosper most people have to be nice to one another. I think the "golden rule" should be a good idea no matter your belief system.

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  flipper 17 years ago

  SACRIFICIAL LOON- I agree with you. It makes society run smoother. Relationships smoother. It is better for us physically/ emotionally for our health and makes us and others happier. It's a win/win situation. But I don't do it to be rewarded by a " God "

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  sweetstuff 17 years ago

  If you do something for a reward then it was a selfish motive to begin with. That is not true kindness at all. That's self-preservation/self-gain. True kindness is an act or acts you perform that you receive no reward for, want no reward for, but feel motivated to do, out of pure love for your fellow man.

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  prophecor 17 years ago

  I would hope that it would six of one and half a dozen of the other. It takes effort to be good. We come out of the gate twisted. We are good, or at least we should be, because its the only responsible choice to make in world that is mostly seeking out its own self interest. We are good because when it all comes down to it, we are the reflection of God in the form of flesh, and God is good. My desire is to be as close to God as can be gotten, that requires me to be a little better than I would normally, as I am seriously laden with sin and imperfection.

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  kerj2leev 17 years ago

  If you do something for a reward then it was a selfish motive to begin with. That is not true kindness at all. That's self-preservation/self-gain. True kindness is an act or acts you perform that you receive no reward for, want no reward for, but feel motivated to do, out of pure love for your fellow man.

  So is that why you date guys with 3 inch pee pee's?

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  darkuncle29 17 years ago

  I treat people the way I do because I am the one who has to live with the memorry of what I've done-good or bad, pointlessly mean or generally kind. A babble GaWD is the furthest from my thoughts, but Karma and Dharma do come into consideration and I've seen and felt them play out. What I aim for at the end of the day is "No regrets". For me that means not being too pasive and letting schmucks say what ever swill, but usually I just try and ignore them, and see if there is someone else who needs a "Hello" or a point in a direction. I hate cold meds, I get so mucked up in my head, but I think I got most of what I wanted to say out.

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  eclipse 17 years ago

  I think we are born good.

  I think we are taught kindness and hurtfulness...

  if no one ever hurt us, or was mean to us from early childhood to adolescence, but only kind

  then as adults we would have no concept of hurting another human, and would only know kindness..

  Humans have learned that if we treat others nicely, we will get treated nicely in return.

  Don't need god or religion to figure that out.

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  Gopher 17 years ago

  I find it interesting what Prophecor just said. (No disrespect at all is intended.)

  As a believer he said "God is good". That is a statement many people would find debatable. But it's a belief, honestly held. Some people's god would motivate them to warfare and violence. I won't name any gods, but I don't think I'd be disputed on that point.

  Then Prophecor - as a believer, said we're born twisted (not good), and we need to copy a good God in order to do "better than normal". So the believer thinks he is inadequate somehow.

  I would encourage believers to know that we do have strong impulses for good, and I personally believer that's part of being human rather rhan religous.

  As an atheist if I do good, I could never be accused of doing it for a reward a god holds out. However, I could be indirectly guilty of self-interest in that by contributing to the good of others personally and the community at large, then maybe the chances increase that others will do good to me as well.

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  momzcrazy 17 years ago

  I am usually a kind person initially. But if I find the recipient is undeserving I will change. I have been downright mean but generally I will just become cold, depending on how unkind the other person is.

  I have found that even false kindness will usually be responded with in kind.

  momz

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