I'm afraid I'm about to stir up more shit than this is really worth, but I'm curious...
I've been talking to a lot of people recently about religion, and God, and various religious views. I've reached a few startling, and a bit unsettling, conclusions. I'd like to see if my conclusions are justified at all.
So, if you like, take a stab at the following question:
What is the ultimate reason for doing good works?
Possible answers could include:
Simply to make life better for others; in order to please God and thus get into heaven; in order to show love to God and others; because God said so; etc.
If you could, please also mention what relgion or spiritual beliefs you subscribe to, if any.
4 comments:
As a reformed protestant Christian, I believe Good Works are done to please God. More so, if one is saved, they will desire to do Good Works, and this will be evidence of their salvation. However, these works don't impact salvation at all, only Christ's death has any impact there.
I guess to support the above I'd say read Romans 4-5... it goes into good detail about Abraham not being saved by anything he did, but by his faith. Finally, Romans 5:1
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Another good one is James 2:14-26. It is probably too long for writing out here, but it basically says that works are what show our faith, and they are how we live out our faith.
But, of course, that is not the only reason that we do good works. We all strive for a better world, and doing good is how we do our part to contribute to that ideal. One could say, though, that since God is Love, and works are an expression of Love, that all acts of kindness, regardless of the thoughts behind them, are really a way of letting God shine through us.
(Roman Catholic)
Someone once said that virtue is its own reward.
I'm a Roman Catholic (and have been since before I was born), and my best friend often argues with me that the only reason Christians do good works is because they fear going to hell. Ask yourself - if there were no God, and no Hell, would you suddenly stop trying to do good? I can't think of anyone who would say so.
You should realize that there is no one answer. Understanding human motives is ultimately a frustrating (but entertaining) pursuit. I agree with all of the possible answers you mentioned, but most of all, I do good because I feel as though I must. Conscience? Guilt? Love?
Sure.
hmm well to stir the cynical pot Im going to throw it out there that in the end people do good works because ultimately it makes them feel better about their own lives.
Sounds pretty selfish huh?
BUT maybe the human need to reach out and help someone isn't such a bad thing after all, I mean what is so wrong or irrational about one's own feeling of well-being and satisfaction with life involving giving something of ones self to someone else?
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