Does It Pay To Be Good?

[james bond]

I think we should all try to be decent people and do what we can to help others as we go through life. Religion certainly doesn't always make you a good person, especially who are extreme in their beliefs.

How would you know what religion does and does not do? I would think the thinking in your post is not good.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Do you have to be paid to do good, now?

I do good for free. I need to be paid to do bad.

 

[Ricktheheretic]

As I've said atheism leads to Communism. We do not need the government for this. That's why the church does so much to feed and clothe and provide comfort.

Christian societies have been socialistic. Juan Peron was a Roman Catholic and in Argentina there was public healthcare. I know the Catholic church leans to the left on most issues, but they have always taken a stand against godless Communism. I have a couple of books on Catholic social teaching, really its good stuff, and I'm not taking a jab at Christian charity. I just think that government could do more to give people jobs so they wouldn't have to rely on charity, like when Roosevelt set up public works programs to end the depression. It can involve the free market too, by the government subsidizing companies to help out.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

As I've said atheism leads to Communism. We do not need the government for this. That's why the church does so much to feed and clothe and provide comfort.

So you're fine with socialism?

 

[lewisnotmiller]

How would you know what religion does and does not do? I would think the thinking in your post is not good.

Religion is an umbrella term encompassing a wildly diverse set of beliefs and worldviews. I think it's fair to suggest that religion doesn't always make you a good person.
I can happily provide some examples of religious folks who are not 'good' people. In much the same way, I can provide examples of atheists who are not good people.

it's when a statement like 'religion/atheism doesn't always make you a good person' becomes 'religion/atheism makes you a bad person' that the point has been missed, and over-generalising has occurred.

 

[RESOLUTION]

>>"No greater love has a man for another, than to lay down his life for them."<<

Yes, this is what I was getting to, but before taking this action one has to also understand their limitations or understand the dangers they are facing in a life and death situation. There has to be a preparation of how to rescue somebody before having to lay down one's life for them. This starts with being aware of the dangers. The last news I read about was a victim who was in a car accident that downed a power line and they were near the line and standing water. Some people rushed in to help and were electrocuted. Eventually, the injured person was rescued by firemen who took away the electrical danger before going in to take the person to emergency.

Assessing situations is a good idea where such perilous events and circumstances exist.
I am aware from education water is a conductor and that it would have been best not to enter water near a fallen power line.
The safest place is often in the car. Same when lightening during a Thunder storm a car is one of the safest places to be.

It is sad such things happen but safety needs to be assessed if we are successfully going to help others. Good Post.

 

[LukeS]

It does pay to be good.

Who to? To the person you are good to, and you are an option, and ought to be first choice - because in direct experience all value is realised most closely.

 

[ChristineM]

Being good? To whom? To what?

Being good is a very general term, a good mechanic will retain a loyal customer base who will recommend the services to others. By the same token, so will a good prostitute.

How about the person who received a windfall and donates a portion to various charities? Is such generosity good?

A nurse who suffers extreme anguish over a patient she cares for will feel great relief if that patient recovers. The reward is satisfaction in a job well done.

One close to my heart, the homeless guy who provides what aid he can to terror victims, returns to his doorway bed to find his whole world has been stolen. Good backfired.

Good works to needy causes are their own reward, no other payment needed

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

There are many extremely successful and wealthy, very evil criminals, some of whom die rich and happy.
there is no direct correlation between Good Rich Happy and bad poor and unhappy. It is for all intents and purposes Pick and mix.
As soon as you enter society, religion, ethics and justice into the mix other factors enter the frame.
But only in terms of other peoples view of you, or if you have one, your immortal soul.