Comments on: Poll: Do Motivations Matter? http://www.godlessgirl.com/2009/11/poll-do-motivations-matter/ ... and her adventures in Atheism Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:05:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: @blogmum http://www.godlessgirl.com/2009/11/poll-do-motivations-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-1254 @blogmum Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:08:51 +0000 http://www.godlessgirl.com/?p=1382#comment-1254 I think it depends on the results of your motivations. If you go to Africa to build wells because your god tells you to, and you build wells, then that's a good thing. If you go to Africa to build wells because your god tells you to convert people and building wells is a good way to get to vulnerable people who might be easily converted, then you're a hypocrite. One might equally take the view that it is better to have a well built by hypocrisy than no well at all. Which is why I think as atheists/humanists/freethinkers, it's desperately important that we also do good works, and that we do them openly, and talk about it, and why we're doing it: not for the glory of a god, but because we care about our fellow human beings. I think it depends on the results of your motivations.

If you go to Africa to build wells because your god tells you to, and you build wells, then that's a good thing.

If you go to Africa to build wells because your god tells you to convert people and building wells is a good way to get to vulnerable people who might be easily converted, then you're a hypocrite.

One might equally take the view that it is better to have a well built by hypocrisy than no well at all. Which is why I think as atheists/humanists/freethinkers, it's desperately important that we also do good works, and that we do them openly, and talk about it, and why we're doing it: not for the glory of a god, but because we care about our fellow human beings.

]]> By: Eliza http://www.godlessgirl.com/2009/11/poll-do-motivations-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-1248 Eliza Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:11:17 +0000 http://www.godlessgirl.com/?p=1382#comment-1248 The recipients of good works are better off, regardless of the motive of the person doing the good works. But... the transformational quality of service is lost if it's done as a reaction to fear, belief, etc. Doing "good works" from a sense of love and connectedness with others brings the do-er closer to a sense of one-ness with humanity (the only "religion" worth having). The recipients of good works are better off, regardless of the motive of the person doing the good works. But… the transformational quality of service is lost if it's done as a reaction to fear, belief, etc. Doing "good works" from a sense of love and connectedness with others brings the do-er closer to a sense of one-ness with humanity (the only "religion" worth having).

]]> By: CestMoiTom http://www.godlessgirl.com/2009/11/poll-do-motivations-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-1243 CestMoiTom Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:16:29 +0000 http://www.godlessgirl.com/?p=1382#comment-1243 Depends on what the motivations are. If you are passionate about something then you are more likely to do a good cause and do it well. If it is out of fear, because you think you will get something out of it, or to show off, yes it helps the people but you are only doing it because your feel you need to for a personal benefit. I understand that when donating money the money itself will not be different because of the reason you donate, it will go to the same place. So, if you are going to have a motive, make it one because you care about others, not yourself. Depends on what the motivations are. If you are passionate about something then you are more likely to do a good cause and do it well. If it is out of fear, because you think you will get something out of it, or to show off, yes it helps the people but you are only doing it because your feel you need to for a personal benefit. I understand that when donating money the money itself will not be different because of the reason you donate, it will go to the same place. So, if you are going to have a motive, make it one because you care about others, not yourself.

]]> By: @ElGatoCello http://www.godlessgirl.com/2009/11/poll-do-motivations-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-1242 @ElGatoCello Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:11:09 +0000 http://www.godlessgirl.com/?p=1382#comment-1242 I think it is deplorable that someone wouldn't want to do that of "their own volition." But, as we know, religion is fairly cafeteria style, rules wise. As a result, I think there is a subconscious desire to do the good deed. I think it is deplorable that someone wouldn't want to do that of "their own volition." But, as we know, religion is fairly cafeteria style, rules wise. As a result, I think there is a subconscious desire to do the good deed.

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