Posted by Dinah on December 30, 2004, at 0:02:14
In reply to Back when I was a primate....., posted by 64bowtie on December 28, 2004, at 13:30:32
Did you used to do good or avoid bad for the carrot and stick of heaven and hell? I never did, I don't think. I'm not sure I know anyone who did either... At least not that they decided to broadcast, and I never thought to ask.
I don't have much of a belief system about the afterlife. I figure this life is God's gift to me and it's more than enough. It would seem almost rude of me (to my notions of politeness anyway) to ask if he intended better for me after I died. At any rate, I trust God with all my heart and mind to do what's best for mankind in general and me in particular with regard to whatever happens to the "soul".
I think I know people who do good in part because they love God and want to celebrate him by doing his will. But that's a different thing altogether.
I would think that God would prefer that good be done for goodness' sake or for his sake rather than in hopes of reward or fear of punishment.
But then, I'm not God so I shouldn't speak for him, I guess. (Surely the matter must be addressed in the Bible somewhere though.)
poster:Dinah
thread:434308
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20041120/msgs/435584.html