Religion and giving

[lebowski]

I sometimes feel that if two people are equally compassionate and both demonstrate great actions of good. But that one of them was religious and one was not, that the non-religious person is arguably more self-less; because that person doesn't believe that they will be rewarded either in the after life or in another life or by God etc...

What do you think?

Also I dont know if this is the right section to post this, and I hope I've explained it well? :p

[deadpie]

Most religious people do good things because they don't want to rot in some version of hell. So they're not doing good things by heart, but for the "Lord".

[lebowski]

thats kind of my point yes :) haha

[Obscene Eyedeas]

Most people do good deeds for gratification regardless of their religious orientation

[Dorsum Oppel]

Well, I think that not all of it is in the name of the lord. Some morals may be attributed to the person, but it's hard to tell which. Most religious people have good intentions and genuinely want to help people, whether in the guise of the lord or not.

[deadpie]

thats kind of my point yes :) haha

And that isn't necessary make them a good person really. I'd like if someone was helping someone out and being a good person for them to do it because they did it from their heart, not for some fucking mystical creatures talked about in books.

[huginnmuninn]

if people give things out of the good of their heart good for them but i hate when people say that the churches should give to charity and help everybody its annoying. churches are their to learn about religion. its even more annoying when religious people do good things because theyre religious that doesnt mean all religious people who do good thiings only do it to stay out of hell but some do

[lebowski]

I just found this quote and I love it.

"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death."

- Albert Einstein

It pretty perfectly sums up my view point on this.