Do theists have a true morality (details inside)?

Question

I've noticed recently that many theists seem to think they are superior because they have religion. As I've seen many claim that since they believe in hell that stops them from doing evil things.

But I just want to know if that is true morality. I mean, if a person helps someone because he thinks it would help him get to heaven is that being moral or looking out for yourself? How about helping someone just because you feel like it? Is that any less moral?

I'm getting the impression here that many believers are only behaving because they are afraid of hell. And if that's true then it means it's not true morality because it doesn't come from within, from your own desire to do good but out of fear.

under the weather · Accepted Answer

When i was a practicing Christian, my morality did not come from a fear of hell because i believed I was saved and going to heaven no matter what anyway. The good things I did were because i loved God and wanted to do nice things and make him happy. This thinking came from Mathew 25:40, 

The king will answer them, 'I tell you with certainty, since you did it for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.

Watev · Answer

Actually, I've only ever once (maybe twice) see a Christian say that they only believe in God because they were scared of going to hell. Safe to say, that person got trashed by other Christians.

I'm not saying I disagree with you because I agree completely. People shouldn't be good out of fear or else it'll only be done half-heartedly. It's the same thinking as a citizen of the US only being a good citizen because they fear the punishment of hell. But really, hardly anyone thinks.

Science &gt; Religion · Answer

Very good question.
You will probably get a lot of we have the 10 commandments so we are moral, from the christians.  However, the 10 commandments were in their Old Testament and most of them claim that the Old Testament doesn't apply anymore, so where does that leave them getting their morals from?

Amarie · Answer

Hell is the epitome of the idea "FEAR created by RELIGION" in order to control people.

I think being morally correct has something to do with a personal choice to do good, because you intend to be good, not because you are scared of going to hell. 

I find it pretentious when people do good just because they are afraid of eternal damnation in hell. These people are acting in fear.
.
.

Anonymous · Answer

What's a 'true morality' anyway? Do theists have it? Is fear morality? I don't care, I have morality enough to keep me from causing physical or emotional harm to others or myself.
That's enough for me.

Exoskeleton · Answer

I don't know who you have been talking to, but I have never seen a theist say they are good only because of Hell.

єηуgмα · Answer

That isn't new, because of that "High morality" religious people have committed several crimes, and they cannot stand that atheist live our lives in peace and with moral principles

xoxo

Lighting the Way to Reality · Answer

Anyone who believes that his or her wrongdoings can be atoned for by the suffering and death of someone else has no understanding of what morality is.

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Do theists have a true morality (details inside)?

8 Answers