(January 5, 2015 at 12:43 pm)robvalue Wrote: It's hardly selfless when you are trying to earn your way into paradise.
I say give credit where it's due. And blame where it's due, too.
Well there's no immediate gain. We're talking universal benefit.
(January 5, 2015 at 7:38 pm)whateverist Wrote:(January 5, 2015 at 12:41 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: Why can't people do good things without having to take the credit themselves? Sounds like that's what you are suggesting. Religion, in that case, is promoting selfless acts. Something I think is far better than selfish acts.
That seems to make sense but then think of all the theists we get through here who think that without god a person would have no reason not to rape and steal to their heart's content. Haven't they taken it a step too far if they think giving credit to god is the only way to achieve good ends? Or don't people who give credit to god think they deserve any credit at all for good acts?
Also, isn't it at all laudable to do really good things for yourself? Like making the effort to get a good education or following through with medical treatments or taking time to meditate or getting exercise. In other words, is it important to leave yourself entirely out of your concerns or is it more a question of keeping self concern proportional?
Those are religious people making a point. If all humans have a God given moral sense as I'm pretty sure the bible states then that's incorrect.
God being the ultimate and absolute moral standard then sure, nothing trumps that.
It is a Christian idea that nothing apart from God is worthwhile. That more speaks to the ultimate motive being pure. Anything less has to have a less pure motive.
Not giving yourself credit when deserved would be masochistic, and we certainly see that with some fanatical practices outlined here on AF. Self-flagellation, for example, is just wrong and warped.
I think it's encumbant upon all of us to take care of ourselves, everyone else, and everything. The negative of that are selfish, greedy actions that serve ourselves to the detriment of others.
I think we all want the same thing if we were honest.
(January 5, 2015 at 7:42 pm)abaris Wrote:(January 5, 2015 at 12:41 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: Why can't people do good things without having to take the credit themselves? Sounds like that's what you are suggesting. Religion, in that case, is promoting selfless acts. Something I think is far better than selfish acts.
Saturday an old woman dropped her shopping at the cashier. For me it was a natural thing to pick up her stuff and put it back into her bag. No religion needed. It's just the decent thing to do and I would have felt bad if I hadn't done it.
Sometimes religion might stop you doing the right thing.
