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Sometimes, but that is not my reason for doing it. See the difference?When you "do something for some one else", do you not gain an increased measure of sukha/satisfaction from that act, for yourself?
Did you or did you not quote it? Did you or did you not direct it at non-believers?God says you are a fool, not me.
No, please explain what your reason is for doing it.Sometimes, but that is not my reason for doing it. See the difference?
I do stuff for others, even if it is not appreciated, because I would experience more dukkha if I didn't do it.And honestly, sometimes doing stuff for others, and not being appreciated for it just sucks, but that's not a good reason to become weary with well doing. Life isn't about making ourselves happy, or at least it shouldn't be.
The same thing applies to work, it's not done to make me happy, it's done because it needs to be, and actually it's my attitude that determines whether I get happiness from it, or as Solomon says, "pain and grief."
God says you are a fool, not me.
That's also the thing,Did you or did you not quote it? Did you or did you not direct it at non-believers?
Take responsibility for your actions.
You actually think those people were sane?Was Hitler insane? Was Manson insane? Was Timothy Mcveigh insane? Manson, maybe. They all killed for reasons they thought were justified, but were just really just evil.
Because God himself said it's more blessed to give than receive. Truth is we don't always get that blessing in the here and now. But even doing it for eternal reward is missing the point. Doing good should flow naturally from the Spirit's work in us. It's part of giving God glory, which is why we are here in the world. Everything should ultimately be about him. There's no higher purpose for doing anything.No, please explain what your reason is for doing it.
Let's pretend you were an agnostic, investigating a number of different religions you are considering adopting.Because God himself said it's more blessed to give than receive. Truth is we don't always get that blessing in the here and now. But even doing it for eternal reward is missing the point. Doing good should flow naturally from the Spirit's work in us. It's part of giving God glory, which is why we are here in the world. Everything should ultimately be about him. There's no higher purpose for doing anything.
If you think that is what Christianity teaches, you are mistaken. I'm not sure I understand the question. God isn't willing that any suffer for eternity, but he won't force you to join his kingdom.Let's pretend you were an agnostic, investigating a number of different religions you are considering adopting.
If a deity of a specific religion you were studying promised you an eternity of suffering for doing certain things for his glory, would you seriously consider that religion?
My point was that people join religions for their promise of eternal sukkha, which means that our highest purpose is our search for that eternal sukkha.If you think that is what Christianity teaches, you are mistaken. I'm not sure I understand the question. God isn't willing that any suffer for eternity, but he won't force you to join his kingdom.
I think this is at best an oversimplification. We follow God for his glory, more than our own. Yes, it results in rewards eventually, but most often they are not immediate, and we should be doing good for the love of others, not just for the final reward. It's not "just a means toward that end." Love is only pure when it's unselfish. Jesus gave himself, his very life, in this way for us, and of course, that is our greatest example of how we should be towards others. And of course, what is our reward? It is a relationship with God, not material goods that soon break. So, even the reward really glorifies God, because he is most glorified when we are the most alive in him. As Iraneus said. "The glory of God is man fully alive."Honoring the god(s) of that religion/doing good/doing good for others/etc. are just means towards that end.
IMO pretty much everything we do - even "unselfish" acts - are ultimately rooted in selfish reasons.I think this is at best an oversimplification. We follow God for his glory, more than our own. Yes, it results in rewards eventually, but most often they are not immediate, and we should be doing good for the love of others, not just for the final reward. It's not "just a means toward that end." Love is only pure when it's unselfish. Jesus gave himself, his very life, in this way for us, and of course, that is our greatest example of how we should be towards others. And of course, what is our reward? It is a relationship with God, not material goods that soon break. So, even the reward really glorifies God, because he is most glorified when we are the most alive in him. As Iraneus said. "The glory of God is man fully alive."
I want the same for my children. I also recognize that my desire for them is because knowing that they're living fulfilled lives gives me a sense of fulfillment, and if they aren't, it gives me a sense of suffering as well.I don't think so. I want my children to have fulfilling lives for their sakes, not mine.
I want the same for my children. I also recognize that my desire for them is because knowing that they're living fulfilled lives gives me a sense of fulfillment, and if they aren't, it gives me a sense of suffering as well.
You've run the tests and can verify that theyOf course. Being insane and being evil are two different things.
This just underscores ananda's point even further.Jesus turned selfishness upside down. He made suffering redemptive. He works even the bad things in the world for good for those who love him.
Which is it? Alleviating suffering for others is not the same as advancing personal happiness.This just underscores ananda's point even further.
Ultimately we all do what we believe will result in
the least suffering/most good, whether that good
comes sooner or later.
It all comes back to alleviating personal suffering
and advancing personal happiness. The act of
transforming suffering into redemption or even
into joy illustrates this.
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