Why Why?

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

There are people whose belief system tells them that only science can say anything meaningful about the world. They actively discourage any questioning which isn't of the quantifiable empirical scientific type. 

Of course it's been pointed out that their beliefs rest on unprovable assumptions, but some people will still get angry if you say you doubt. Their certainty in their metaphysics appears to show that they are not comfortable with many kinds of doubt.

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That's strange, because lots of Christian thinkers have suggested reasons for our existence. Have you read Dante?

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There are pretty much two levels of religious thinking. One is for regular people who don't care much about theology, they just want to go to church and have community and hear pep talks. The other is for people who want to be educated about theology.

In the more educated version, God created the world (with people) because he is Goodness itself. 

Imagine a good person. What would this person do? If he or she just sat in a room all the time and met no one and did nothing, he wouldn't be very good, I don't think. Goodness would prompt him to act. 

This is the meaning behind the famous sentence "bonum diffusivum sui." Goodness spreads itself. A good person will do good for others. That is why God is said to have made the world -- as an overflow of his own goodness.

The important thing to remember is that God is complete, needs nothing, wants nothing. When people say that we are supposed to love God back, it means that we are supposed to aim ourselves toward the Good. In fact this is in our best interests. To the extent that we are good, we are doing what God "wants." To the extent that we are good, we avoid hurting ourselves and others and live for the best aims.

So in your opinion, can one "aim oneself towards the Good" without believing in God?

 
I think so yes.

Pretty sure some of the Greek schools do not require a belief in gods.

A more modern perspective; I'm an egoist. It is simply to my advantage to 'aim forth the good'. Essentially, I avoid doing wrong to others because there are consequences. I sometimes behave in a  benevolent way for the sake of reward. That reward may simply be a nice feeling. I think this a common human motivation. From time to time I will act in an altruistic way. IE doing what I see as right/good  for no other reason than it is right or good.

It's my observation (anecdotal evidence) that there are indeed altruistic acts, perhaps billlions on any given day.  However, as far as I'm aware I've never met or heard off an altruistic person. That doesn't mean there aren't any. However, it does seem to suggest such people may be bit thin on the ground. Of course it could simply be that I'm  a nasty and bitter old cynic who finds it hard to see the good in people.   

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My Reference: Egoism and Altruism  Ronald Milo