linwood
Well-Known Member
I am sorry if this is in the wrong place and it may be a bit off topic, but if one does not believe in God or any reward or punishment for that matter after death, what motivates them to live a moral life? What keeps them from doing the most evil and outlandish things in the world if they feel they shall not be judged for it? What reason is there for living at all but just to survive? I am just confused that if you have no faith in God, why live a moral life at all? Sorry but I have been bugged by this question for a while now!
No problem, in fact as an atheist this is my favorite question to answer.
As far as morality goes I believe if the only reason you respect the lives of others is to gain the rewards of a heavenly afterlife or to avoid the torment of eternal hell you aren`t really basing your actions on morals.
You`re basing them on fear and or desire.
Niether of these concepts is at all selfless.
I have respect for others because I recognise their right to a safe, happy life.
I have respect for others because our society would be Hell on Earth of anyone could do anything they wanted in any self serving manner regardless of the pain it might cause others.
Our society would collapse and everyones life would either cease to exist or become intolerable.
After all, I am judged for whatever evil I may commit, I am judged by myself and the rest of my culture.
My reason for life.
When you get right down to it we all make our own reasons for living..even you, you just think they`re from God.
My own personal reasons for living and living well..
My daughter, if I weren`t here who would explain to her why chickens don`t actually "poop" eggs out, why Barney the Dinosaur doesn`t have a last name, why we have to respect other people even though they may sometimes make her mad?
Have you ever seen a 4 year olds face the very moment she realised she just tied her own shoe for the first time without any help?
If that isn`t a reason to live then there is no reason to live.
I have literally thousands of moments exactly like this one in my future.
Who would want to miss that?
My stepsons,
The schooling and the concepts of life they are just learning about are so hard to understand from an adolescent perspective.
Who would guide them through these situations that adults even have a hard time understanding?
The pride in their accomplishments.
Understanding that I am in some way responsible for the poise and grace they show when they fail and the humilty they have when they succeed.
My wife,
This is the person whose shoulders all of the above would fall on if I didn`t recognise my reasons for living.
I love her and I wouldn`t want to leave her .
We`ve promised each other we would build a life for our family that will be safe and happy.
This is not an easy job in this day and age, how could I leave her to finish this task alone?
The world..nature..sunsets..friendships...hot apple pie ala mode!
I could go on and on giving my reasons for living, I believe they may be infinite.