How Do We Behave?

[diffidus]

the only rational course is to pursue those things that serve your own ends and maximise the pleasure and happiness

I think most folks, religious or not, subscribe to this. Even the most altruistic of actions, by the way, has some selfish motives. When you help someone out of a crisis of some sort, for example, it also affords you some happiness and self-worth. Help others help yourself.

But yeah life is fleeting. Might as well find some kind of distraction in the meantime.

I agree with you on this.

But what is strange about religeon, if you adhere to its rules, the selfishness gets directed at a reward that occurs after you die and so this gives an incentive to do good, out of a sense of duty (or possibly God fearing) in this life. (I realise that this imperative can backfire e.g. suicide bombers, but this is not the general case).

By duty I mean something that you really do not want to do but feel abliged to due to some imperative or religious belief.

Of course, if God does not exist, then you may have wasted your entire life!!!