Attention anyone who believes in a life after this!!
By cyntrow
@cyntrow (8523)
United States
March 21, 2007 5:04pm CST
Do you do good deeds and take care of your fellow man because you feel that it will gain you points in the afterlife, or do you do it because it makes this life worth living? I have always been taught to live for others. I am a person who places humanity over my own self interests. Although I do believe in an afterlife, I do not help my fellow man in order to gain "heaven points." I do it because it is right and because it feels right. I help my fellow man because I believe it the responsibility and obligation of people who have some to give to people who have none. I want to make THIS LIFE a better place to live.
What do you think?
3 people like this
5 responses
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
22 Mar 07
What a lovely topic!
I also believe in an afterlife, and I also do things for others not because of the afterlife, but because of this life. I have known so many people who seemed only to want to help others because they'll gain something from it in the afterlife, and I just can't understand that way of thinking.
It's like a bonus prize for me. If the Gods decide to reward me because I helped people, great. However, helping those people is its own reward, and I'd do it no matter what, whenever it was possible.
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
22 Mar 07
So, Bride, you are saying that you can be a complete a$$ to everyone you meet and that's OK, because you belief in Christ and that is it's own reward. Sounds like very flawed thinking.
Lecanis, I so agree with you. I think that we as human beings have an obligation to make THIS life a better one, for everyone. When I help someone who needs help, it makes me happy. And if I can add a small amount of joy to someone else's life for just a short period of time, it is right.
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
28 Mar 07
"When I help someone who needs help, it makes me happy. And if I can add a small amount of joy to someone else's life for just a short period of time, it is right."
I agree with both you and lecanis....I dont believe in an afterlife in the sense of heaven or hell and all that but I do believe in reincarnation etc however that has nothing to do with my being a good woman with a kind heart, open arms and strong shoulders ya know...I'm that way becuae its the right way to be..and like you said, even if only its a small amount or short term happiness that I can give someone or ease their load just a tad etc then thats enugh for me....I dont want or need paybacks from any source...and all I ask when ppl offer is to just make sure they help out someone when needed ya know...I could care less about any payoff be it now or after I die/next life etc...
@Springlady (3986)
• United States
27 Mar 07
There is only ONE way we can get into the Kingdom of Heaven and that is thru Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. We cannot "work" our way there nor can we be "good" enough. We are all sinners and we all have fallen short of the glory of God.
I know I will go to Heaven when my life here is over. It will not be because of anything wonderful I have done, but because of something wonderful God has done.
Praise the Lord Who gives us victory over the grave!
God bless!
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
27 Mar 07
So I'll ask you the same thing that I asked the Bride above. Are you saying that you can treat your fellow man like crap and you are fine because your belief is it's own reward? I think thats sad. And, although I would never presume to speak for God, I know that is not how he would want us to behave.
@Springlady (3986)
• United States
27 Mar 07
Why would I want to treat my fellow man like crap?
If you know Jesus as Lord and Savior, then you have His love in your heart. You want to be good and kind to others because you want to be like Jesus.
When you come to know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, He changes your heart and He guides you. You let go of any hatred or bitterness you had before. You are a new person in Christ.
God bless.
@Stiletto (4579)
•
22 Mar 07
Well I have no religious beliefs so I don't believe in heaven or an afterlife although I admit they both sound like nice ideas! I've already been told in another discussion on here that as an atheist it doesn't matter how I live my life - I'm going to hell anyway so it's pointless me trying to collect "heaven points" (which I thought demonstrated a good Christian attitude - lol). If I believe in anything I suppose I sort of believe in Karma so I try to treat everyone the way I would want to be treated mainly because it just makes life more pleasant.
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
27 Mar 07
That's the most important thing. Human beings deserve to be treated with humanity. Thanks for responding. And anyone who would think to damn anyone to hell is not following the teachings of the man they claim to worship. Good people get good things in return.
@zakaya (23)
•
22 Mar 07
Like you I do it because it's the right thing to do and it helps to make the world a better place. I also believe in the saying 'what goes round comes round'. So I like to think that when I do good to others it will return to me. And it works because I have seen it for myself. Doing good deeds to get me a place in heaven wouldn't work because I'm doing it for all the wrong reason.
