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Originally posted by logical7
i have heard a lot on ATS that "HELL" is a not a good motivator and that its just is a tool invented by man to control the masses.
I do agree that it is used to keep people believing without questioning much.
Then the threat of "pain"/"punishment" is also used to control people, doesnt mean that pain doesnt exist. Pain however is a good motivator till a limit. I'l expand on it a bit later.
What if hell does exist but is also used by power seeking people to control masses, paradoxically if these really believed in hell, they would be worrying about other things than seeking power.
.
We as humans have basically two driving forces.
1)seeking pleasure.
2)avoiding pain.
But they come to a serious conflict if they clash with the "right thing to do" and then depending on the person he/she can choose to obey the basic forces and give in or stand up for the right thing.
But whats the motivation to do the right thing if their is no promise of ultimate JUSTICE?
Hell and Heaven help here to overcome the basic human nature and do the "RIGHT THING."
it is obviously simplified here, people have different reason to stand up for "right"
some know they'l meet God, some just want Heaven and some fear hell. Interestingly a motivation for any type of person and it doesnt contradict each other.
The outcome? A lot of People doing right by believing either one or all.
.
What do you think?
Perhaps applying logic you would see, "hell" and "heaven" were once needed as social crutches to get people to avoid the bad, and maintain the good. Science, technology, information, and wisdom are thwarting the evils of mind control in large populations. Do a little research on the Torah and find out that "HELL" was a "HOLE" in the ground where they used to bury and burn refuse. Maybe do a little RE-SEARCH before asking inane questions, unless you really want an opinion, which doesn't matter unless you want free data mining. Live up to the name of logic in it's name? Not all will do goodness for goodness sake, not all can understand the quantum math and physics principles used to understand what people term KARMA. Not all understand the workings of the mind, dreams, physics, frequencies, love, etc
You have touched an interesting point here,
Originally posted by rickymouse
Well, pleasure is a good motivator. I think pain sucks myself and will try to avoid it but am not the least afraid of death. Is there a hell, yes there is if you believe there is. Is there a heaven? I don't know. I just want to be someone that people remember as honest and sincere. I want to be remembered in a positive way when I am gone. Most people would be terrible if there was no rules created by society to govern us. Stealing would be a common practice by many, Some would be cannibals, rape would be happening all the time, people would be killing others for just about anything. I wouldn't want to exist in that kind of world myself. Many people deep down would love that kind of world. Even in the most primordial sections of my mind I do not desire to be hateful and overpowering.
Originally posted by logical7
i have heard a lot on ATS that "HELL" is a not a good motivator and that its just is a tool invented by man to control the masses.
I do agree that it is used to keep people believing without questioning much.
Then the threat of "pain"/"punishment" is also used to control people, doesnt mean that pain doesnt exist. Pain however is a good motivator till a limit. I'l expand on it a bit later.
What if hell does exist but is also used by power seeking people to control masses, paradoxically if these really believed in hell, they would be worrying about other things than seeking power.
.
We as humans have basically two driving forces.
1)seeking pleasure.
2)avoiding pain.
But they come to a serious conflict if they clash with the "right thing to do" and then depending on the person he/she can choose to obey the basic forces and give in or stand up for the right thing.
But whats the motivation to do the right thing if their is no promise of ultimate JUSTICE?
Hell and Heaven help here to overcome the basic human nature and do the "RIGHT THING."
it is obviously simplified here, people have different reason to stand up for "right"
some know they'l meet God, some just want Heaven and some fear hell. Interestingly a motivation for any type of person and it doesnt contradict each other.
The outcome? A lot of People doing right by believing either one or all.
.
What do you think?
But whats the motivation to do the right thing if their is no promise of ultimate JUSTICE?
Originally posted by logical7
You have touched an interesting point here,
Originally posted by rickymouse
Well, pleasure is a good motivator. I think pain sucks myself and will try to avoid it but am not the least afraid of death. Is there a hell, yes there is if you believe there is. Is there a heaven? I don't know. I just want to be someone that people remember as honest and sincere. I want to be remembered in a positive way when I am gone. Most people would be terrible if there was no rules created by society to govern us. Stealing would be a common practice by many, Some would be cannibals, rape would be happening all the time, people would be killing others for just about anything. I wouldn't want to exist in that kind of world myself. Many people deep down would love that kind of world. Even in the most primordial sections of my mind I do not desire to be hateful and overpowering.
"to be remembered" why?
I dont know if you are a theist or atheist but you do agree that there is a desire to "continue" even if in thoughts of others, as the alternative is "painful" to even think of.
But a simple question, would people(also you) do the right thing even if it means being rememember with hate or do things even if they are wrong just to live on as a happy memory?
I am purposely going to extreme here, mostly doing good things is also the right thing but what would a person choose if its the former?
A truly unsung hero is very rare, most of us need a motive to behave.edit on 31-1-2013 by logical7 because: (no reason given)
But whats the motivation to do the right thing if their is no promise of ultimate JUSTICE?
Hell and Heaven help here to overcome the basic human nature and do the "RIGHT THING."
Originally posted by Wonders
reply to post by logical7
Hell doesn't motivate people to do good. The goodness of God is intended to bring about righteousness.
Prisons do not motivate people to do good.
A little common sense and a lot of bible reading is needed...but is severely lacking at ATS.
Bunch of clashing cymbals and noisy gongs are they who do not believe in cause and effect.
Originally posted by Wonders
reply to post by logical7
Hell doesn't motivate people to do good. The goodness of God is intended to bring about righteousness.
Prisons do not motivate people to do good.
A little common sense and a lot of bible reading is needed...but is severely lacking at ATS.
Bunch of clashing cymbals and noisy gongs are they who do not believe in cause and effect.
Originally posted by LesMisanthrope
reply to post by logical7
But whats the motivation to do the right thing if their is no promise of ultimate JUSTICE?
Hell and Heaven help here to overcome the basic human nature and do the "RIGHT THING."
I fear the ones who needs to be feared into doing good.
If the promise of heaven or hell is the only thing keeping one from doing evil, one needs to wake up and look around.
Consider yourself, your friends, your family, your loved ones, the earth. They are reason enough to want to do good and refrain from evil.
you are building the opinion on an assumption that everyone is capable of that. I am not talking about idealism. I am talking about a reality that can be put into practice, appealing to persons of different nature and still make a change towards "good."
You are building an assumption on the opposite. And yes you are talking about idealism. God, heaven, and hell are idealistic notions, things that can only appeal to the imagination as ideals. It's akin to telling children they should mind their manners or the boogeyman will get them.
I might have to agree. Those that need religion also need to obey, and must also need the fear of punishment or they wouldn't be able to control their animal urges. I personally would hate to be that person, but I guess if you need it you need it. Sheep indeed need a shepherd.