(no subject)
I've been poking around on the internet and my pokings have led me to a question:
Can someone that believes in religion perform a moral act? After all, the religions of the world are all based around the idea that if you perform one type of act you will be punished, and if you perform another type of act you will be rewarded. Many of the religious right often argue that if there is no belief in god, there is no incentive to act in any way, and people will just run around like crazed criminals.
Is it possible to perform a moral act when you are being threatened with punishment if you don't perform that act? Obviously people make both choices, but is it really a moral act? You're acting fairly selfishly if you do what your religion tells you to, since not doing so will get you punished.
It's an interesting thought...
Can someone that believes in religion perform a moral act? After all, the religions of the world are all based around the idea that if you perform one type of act you will be punished, and if you perform another type of act you will be rewarded. Many of the religious right often argue that if there is no belief in god, there is no incentive to act in any way, and people will just run around like crazed criminals.
Is it possible to perform a moral act when you are being threatened with punishment if you don't perform that act? Obviously people make both choices, but is it really a moral act? You're acting fairly selfishly if you do what your religion tells you to, since not doing so will get you punished.
It's an interesting thought...