This was a comment I wrote responding to a post on my Uncle Dave's blog. Seeing as I've been writing more in his comments section lately than on my own blog, I thought I'd share this particular thought as a post here.
Even Mother Teresa died doubting the existence of her god.
I think the trick may be to live a moral life, as she did, not because we were told to by some deity or because we fear the repercussions of sin in some afterlife, but because doing so creates more happiness in this world than a life of dishonesty and wickedness.
I'm not even sure I believe anything in this world is inherently right or wrong, good or evil. All I know for sure is the observable effects of a person's actions. And with that in mind, I fail to understand why anyone would intentionally act in such a way as to cause another person unhappiness or suffering.
That's not to say I'm not guilty of it, only that I don't understand why I do it. And that, for the most part, I try not to do it intentionally.
And yet there remain in this world believers, priests and disciples both, who would insist our moral actions be dictated by some invisible entity. If such a belief never led to unhappiness, I'd say where's the harm in it. But, as we know, belief in a deity is arguably the number one cause of unhappiness in the history of this world.
And so I ask: why can't we just be good... because it makes the world nicer? Why do we NEED a god? Why do we insist on treating ourselves like little children incapable of self control or discipline?
When are we going to grow up?
Even Mother Teresa died doubting the existence of her god.
I think the trick may be to live a moral life, as she did, not because we were told to by some deity or because we fear the repercussions of sin in some afterlife, but because doing so creates more happiness in this world than a life of dishonesty and wickedness.
I'm not even sure I believe anything in this world is inherently right or wrong, good or evil. All I know for sure is the observable effects of a person's actions. And with that in mind, I fail to understand why anyone would intentionally act in such a way as to cause another person unhappiness or suffering.
That's not to say I'm not guilty of it, only that I don't understand why I do it. And that, for the most part, I try not to do it intentionally.
And yet there remain in this world believers, priests and disciples both, who would insist our moral actions be dictated by some invisible entity. If such a belief never led to unhappiness, I'd say where's the harm in it. But, as we know, belief in a deity is arguably the number one cause of unhappiness in the history of this world.
And so I ask: why can't we just be good... because it makes the world nicer? Why do we NEED a god? Why do we insist on treating ourselves like little children incapable of self control or discipline?
When are we going to grow up?
2 comments:
Dave here, Dan. I'm trying hard to grow up, Nephew. It's a messy business that requires blood, sweat and tears. No easy answers exist and simplistic solutions don't cut it. In the end, all of us will find what we're looking for, I think. What works for you might not work for me...and that's okay. It's the PROCESS that's important.
OBAMA, BIN LADEN IS NOT A "MUSLIM LEADER"
HE NEVER DESERVED A CEREMONY!!
BIN LADEN'S DEATH MAY BE A FAKE!!
http://bizzarebloggin.blogspot.com/2011/05/obama-bin-laden-is-not-muslim-leader.html
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