As Einstein said, 'If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed. ' Michael Shermer, In The Science of Good and Evil, calls it a debate stopper. If you agree that, in the absence of God, you would 'commit robbery, rape, and murder', you reveal yourself as an immoral person, 'and we would be well advised to steer a wide course around you'. If, on the other hand, you admit that you would continue to be a good person even when not under divine surveillance, you have fatally undermined your claim that God is necessary for us to be good.
Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion

I read this somewhere.

"If the only things keeping you from being a bad person are the reward of heaven or the fear of hell, you're already a bad person."

I think it was a rabbi who told a story of a man who acted on behalf of another (sorry, I don't recall the details) and, in the process, is told he will never be allowed into Heaven. The man smiled and, when asked why, replied that now he could finally lead a good life for the right reasons, without the promise of an eternal, blissful life as reward. I always liked that general idea, even though it was told from a religious perspective.

Some people are like Slinkies. They aren't really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to my face when I push them down a flight of stairs.

it's nature that needs help the most even from a selfish human perspective. no bees no us. no trees no us.

Love this! I do my best to be a good person because that’s what makes me feel good about myself. Idc about some possible afterlife I care about the here and now.

Whoever wrote that quote must have known my first wife.

Sometimes one must in self defense adopt the 'asshole shield'' to ward of righteous spirits...

INDEED

agree. It feels good to do good. that way when something bad happens to me... Is not karma for my bad deeds. is just what it is and is easier to overcome without having to bitch about or worried that negative deeds are catching up to me.... Always wonder how assholes feel at night alone.

I love the magicians in my life!

I'm seriously digging the cloud quote, yo. -sneaks it off to Facebork-
Is that your own or do you know from whence it came?

Funny when people think those without religion lack morals. So often they're hypocrites

I agree with the first part, but sometimes being an asshole is necessary, and sometimes it is just plain fun.

There are two kinds of people in this world. Some take you to your goals some take you from your goals. And they both are believers...

Yep, agreed. It's actually EASIER not to be an asshole.

I really like the picture. Great wisdom on clouds.

Sadly, to some people it seems to feel very good indeed to be an asshole. A certain US president does not just feel good being one, mocking anyone who chooses not to be an asshole and calling them "losers", he has millions of followers who seem to especially like that aspect about him.

Ha!

I agree and often help people for me not them. I much prefer helping animals.

Love this

I'll have to remember that one lol

Awesome

I presume that many people within the ranks of believers are members to prove to others that they are "good" people. I think humans are by nature, though that can be corrupted by early life experiences, "good" people. In other words, humans have an innate function which gives us satisfaction in helping others, the internal gratification does not come from an outside source.

I love this. I've seen this before on Facebook.