Religion gives people more "incentive" if you want to call it that, to act morally. This does not, however, mean that religion is the only reason to act morally.
Plenty of people with out any religion or faith believe in a kind of karma. Not in the spiritual sense, but more in the "people know that you're a kind person, so they return kindness to you" sense.
Also there are people that act morally, just because being a good person makes them feel good about themselves!
While I somewhat agree with you, being a kind person making one much more likely to receive kindness back isn't so much a religious concept as it is a studied, psychological fact. Approaching someone with a good attitude sharply increases your chances of being met with a good attitude, defusing a bad situation or even preventing yourself from becoming the victim of a crime (believe it or not, many criminals do have some empathy and are reluctant to kill someone who smiled, provided them eye contact and validated their existence by a nod or a wave).
Now I know that being a good person won't always save you from a terrorist attack or a drunk driver, but in a personal sense, being a good person and treating others with respect will get you much further with people unless you know how to do the asshole thing right.
I very much agree with you. Upon rereading my post however, I did a terrible job expressing what I was trying to say. Guess I was taking a mental vacation!
Is it normal to want to be a good person without believing in God?
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Religion gives people more "incentive" if you want to call it that, to act morally. This does not, however, mean that religion is the only reason to act morally.
Plenty of people with out any religion or faith believe in a kind of karma. Not in the spiritual sense, but more in the "people know that you're a kind person, so they return kindness to you" sense.
Also there are people that act morally, just because being a good person makes them feel good about themselves!
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NeuroNeptunian
11 years ago
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While I somewhat agree with you, being a kind person making one much more likely to receive kindness back isn't so much a religious concept as it is a studied, psychological fact. Approaching someone with a good attitude sharply increases your chances of being met with a good attitude, defusing a bad situation or even preventing yourself from becoming the victim of a crime (believe it or not, many criminals do have some empathy and are reluctant to kill someone who smiled, provided them eye contact and validated their existence by a nod or a wave).
Now I know that being a good person won't always save you from a terrorist attack or a drunk driver, but in a personal sense, being a good person and treating others with respect will get you much further with people unless you know how to do the asshole thing right.
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Captain_Kegstand
11 years ago
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I very much agree with you. Upon rereading my post however, I did a terrible job expressing what I was trying to say. Guess I was taking a mental vacation!
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NeuroNeptunian
11 years ago
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Was it fun?
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Captain_Kegstand
11 years ago
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Sad part is I didn't realize I was on vacation, must have zoned out! I do feel more relaxed though so that's good!
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NeuroNeptunian
11 years ago
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Shit, I need to take a zone-out-cation :(
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Captain_Kegstand
11 years ago
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Stare up and to the right, glaze your eyes over, and think about something that makes absolutely no sense. BANG! You did it!