Ah, but I did say that people should love their neighbor because it's the right thing, not because "God" or the Church or whomever tells them they should. Kindness, generosity, charity: these things should come from the heart. Those things which are given out of a sense of obligation or duty aren't genuine.
Well, in an ideal world sure. But we don't live in an ideal world.
I was told once that Jews rank mitzvah's or blessings. The greatest blessings are when you act out of love of god and others. Then if it gives you some sort of advantage or glorifies yourself in some way. Kindness done out of a sense of duty is STILL a kindness although it is a lesser one than the others.
Different people are on different levels of enlightenment. Some people need God sitting sternly in the clouds and looking down in judgment to do the right things. Others are doing the right thing because they want to be seen as good. Still others do good because they believe it is right to be good.
Most people go through their day at different levels of enlightenment. I can be a selfish bastard one day, and generous saint the next.
Religion is a way to urge people towards the better. It doesn't always work out like that, but I think that is what it is supposed to do.
I understand where Speaks is coming from - early society pretty much required a religion to survive. The instruction of the priests kept people in line. Without fear of a lake of fire, probably quite a few people would never bow to the laws and strictures of society.
Imagine what some of today's religious fascists would do to planned parenthood doctors if there weren't a prohibition on killing (yes, the irony is delicious, isn't it)?
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Imagine a world where no one says "Love your neighbor as yourself" and that you are your brother's keeper.
Imagine a world that teaches "You only get one shot so take all you can and screw the rest."
Think of the countless people that would have starved to death, or died of their injuries but for the charity work of different religions.
Think of what life would be like if people didn't feel it was their responsibility to do good in this world.
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I was told once that Jews rank mitzvah's or blessings. The greatest blessings are when you act out of love of god and others. Then if it gives you some sort of advantage or glorifies yourself in some way. Kindness done out of a sense of duty is STILL a kindness although it is a lesser one than the others.
Different people are on different levels of enlightenment. Some people need God sitting sternly in the clouds and looking down in judgment to do the right things. Others are doing the right thing because they want to be seen as good. Still others do good because they believe it is right to be good.
Most people go through their day at different levels of enlightenment. I can be a selfish bastard one day, and generous saint the next.
Religion is a way to urge people towards the better. It doesn't always work out like that, but I think that is what it is supposed to do.
Reply
Imagine what some of today's religious fascists would do to planned parenthood doctors if there weren't a prohibition on killing (yes, the irony is delicious, isn't it)?
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