good for the sake of being good

[Nostradanus]

It is my firm belief, that someone who does something for a reward, should not be regarded with the same esteem as someone who does it just for the sake of doing it. So if you go through your life, doing good things for others, loving your fellow mankind, because your going to heaven if you do, I could care less, and will give the person who does similar things without expecting a reward such as heaven a million more times respect. Don't kill, don't steal, don't bang your roomates girlfriend while hes at work...just do these things, don't think of them as sins that will get you a one way ticket to hell, just don't do them because they are shithead things to do..

Everyone does it without even thinking about it....best example...
President Bush sends troops to Iraq, to rid the world of evil dictators and nonexistant WMD's...people who don't like him say that hes just doing it for oil (reward),because people who do things for a reward aren't aren't as cool as people who do it for the sake of doing it.

This is why i feel that being atheist, but still striving to do good is cooler and personally more gratifying then being scared into being good, for fear of punishment

[Colliohn]

Something as simple as holding the door for someone is a good example of a random, unrewarding (except maybe just by being kind to a stranger) act.
One of the things I can't stand the most is people who will actually speed up, then slip through a closing door, full well knowing it will close on people right behind them. Almost as bad is the wanna-be hold. They push it just enough to let themselves through, but not enough to hold it open for the next person. (Maybe that would work better in the venting section )

I always hold the door for people, whether they are strangers or family. I do it because it is the kind thing to do, expecting no reward for doing it.


Another thing could be gift-giving. If you give a gift expecting one in return, you're not really doing a nice thing. If you give a gift without even thinking you might get one in return, then it is truly a kind thing to do.

[Nostradanus]

your point got lost somewhere in the complaining about door holders, or the lack there of...sounds like your agreeing though

I really wasn't talking about small, inconsequential favors though, like holding a door. I meant it in a broader sense, just being overall a decent person, but i guess that is made up of all the small inconsequential stuff huh, now im asking myself questions, which tells me its time for bed...

[Colliohn]

Yeah, I think I get what you're saying.

Donating 10,000 dollars anonymously to a charity simply to do something nice for someone else is much better than donating 10,000 dollars because you are told that you need to 'tithe' 10% of your income because it is a church rule that god asks of you, meaning you are trying to gain favor in god and only donating to get a better shot at heaven.

[JohnnyJihadFace]

not in the mood for thoughtfull reply hhaaha, but I agree, to a great extent actually.

[joelhaldeman]

Colliohn said:

Yeah, I think I get what you're saying.

Donating 10,000 dollars anonymously to a charity simply to do something nice for someone else is much better than donating 10,000 dollars because you are told that you need to 'tithe' 10% of your income because it is a church rule that god asks of you, meaning you are trying to gain favor in god and only donating to get a better shot at heaven.

It is not for a better shot at heaven, you cant gain heaven by doing good works. God does not simply ask that you give money but that you give joyfully. not out of duty to the law but out of joy. The person giving money to an organisation that helps people should be giving money because he cares about helping the people and has a love for them.

[JohnnyJihadFace]

*should be* are your two key words joel. ;D