Why be good?

[JuliaL]

Well, I am.  Were they an accurate reflection of reality, they would be critical to my primary goals-- to avoid suffering, specially my suffering.
It's just that I find the proposition that the scriptures are a collection of bronze age tribal histories and mythical tales of greatness much more plausible than the one where it contains distilled truth from some ultimate supernatural being.

Thank you, Julia. Many people find the ethical teaching of Jesus to be very inspiring...what are your thoughts on them?

Some good, some not so good.

Granting as a hypothetical that the attributions of the biblical authors were accurate quotes:

I wasn't too keen on his advice for slaves to obey.  Col 3:22
The deal about hating your family in favor of the cult was pretty heinous. Matt 10:37
As is killing your kids for misbehaving.  Matt 15:4 Mark 7:10
I don't think castrating yourself is a good idea.  Matt 19:12
I'm not sure I can render Caesar Caesar's stuff because I think he's dead.

Some of the other points were pretty progressive for the ancient world.
Don't step on the weak just because you can.
Living in Wisconsin, I really liked "Blessed are the cheesemakers."

He got the untouchables together and created a constituency with staying power.
All with just a few 'you are special' memes.
Respect (makes vague hand motions signifying gang signs without actually knowing what they are.)

Overall, I'd give him a B- with a C+ for style (downgraded for copying from others.)