By works?

[Nicholas]

You seem to think that my posts are about you, when they're actually about me.

 

You asked me what my motivations were. I answered your question.

[BlockHead]

Nicholas

You asked me what my motivations were. I answered your question.

Why don’t you give us a direct answer?

[Moose]

You seem to think that my posts are about you, when they're actually about me.

I don't see how you gathered that......you clearly stated:

Personally, I think they're constructions to motivate people who need that motivation.

So I rephrased my question and asked what is so unique about your motivation......why do you do the, "works", you do if you think heaven and hell is man's invention? Where do you get that I'm thinking these posts are about me?

 

Admit that you're dodging the question.

[HokeyReligions]

Can an agnostic jump in here a sec?

 

I think I can see what a bit of what all of you are saying. Heaven and Hell are not necessarily the ONLY motivations for works of faith. The afterlife may be a focus for some faiths--priority #1 lets say, while for others it is priority #17. Their focus is the works they do on earth, with the body they have and the means and limitations of their mortal self and what they have power over, or control of.

There are passages in the Bible that address this, but I don't remember what they are. I do remember going to a couple of churches where the sermons were directed at "now" not "later".

 

Nicolas' response made sense to me as an answer, unless you are asking for specifics. Pretending the question were directed at me, and I was of a religious faith, I could say that my motivation was to help others because that was what was commanded by my God, and not elaborate on my guesses of why God commanded me, or thinking several moves ahead about my soul after death. Maybe serving food at a shelter, or volunteering in a charity-driven thrift store or something and I might feel an immediate sense of 'salvation' for having done so, without thinking of how it would place my soul in an afterlife.

 

 

While others focus on the afterlife because it is for eternity and, while they place high regard on their actions here in this life; their actions are always with the focus of doing the 'right' thing for their God so that they will dwell in Heaven with Him when their mortal bodies die.

 

Is that relevant in any way to your discussions? Maybe I am totally off the mark--I'm tired and it's been a stressful few weeks for me. That was just my first response when I read this thread.

[Moose]

Combine all of what you said about motivation.

While others focus on the afterlife because it is for eternity and, while they place high regard on their actions here in this life; their actions are always with the focus of doing the 'right' thing for their God so that they will dwell in Heaven with Him when their mortal bodies die.

Which is why I participate in simular tasks like:

serving food at a shelter, or volunteering in a charity-driven thrift

without thinking of how it would place my soul in an afterlife

because I already know where my soul is, and forever will be, because of the Saving Grace of my God, I do these things out of my humble gratitude, not because it's required of me, or that I'm seeking rewards for my good deeds. I'd be perfectly fine with scrubbing toilets in Heaven for what God has done for me. The greatest result of this heart attitude, that I've witnessed, is others coming to Christ.

 

That's what is unique about my motivation.

 

And it's alot clearer than', "I enjoy the Scholarship and the Community".

 

That's shared by any sect in my opinion.

[Nicholas]

Admit that you're dodging the question.

I am not dodging any question. Please stop being an a**h***.

 

You asked me what my motivations were, and I told you. I have no issues discussing my motivations.

 

I will not extend the conversation into comparing my motivations to yours, you're looking for a fight for no reason. You keep asking me to explain why my motivations are unique. Who said they are unique to begin with?

 

If you want to know whether I think my motivations are different than yours, the answer is yes. If you want to expand on that, I'm going to decline--simply because of what kind of person you are. That's not dodging the question though, because I already answered your question explicitly and directly.

[BlockHead]

Nicholas

That's not dodging the question though, because I already answered your question explicitly and directly.

Who are you kidding?

 

Likes and dislikes don't necessarily equate to motivating factors.

I like food. What motivates me to eat?

[Nicholas]

Semantics is a game for the bored.

 

I'm motivated by the rewards of a community of faith and the pursuit of scholarship.

 

Achieving salvation and/or avoiding damnation are not motivations of mine.

[Moose]

You're getting this all wrong. I'm asking what's so unique so I can LEARN. I'm not being the a**h*** here. Your motivation is unique because it deals with rewards here on Earth in the here and now. It has nothing to do with eternity which I always thought should be anyone's motivation when it comes to religion.

 

I'm curious, that's it. I'm not trying to pick a fight......I'm curious as to why you even bother, I'm curious why these earthly rewards would be of more value to you than salvation and an eternal life in Heaven......I don't see how I'm being an a**h***, and I don't see how you answered this, "explicitly and directly".

 

Inquiring minds want to know. If you refuse, that's fine, it just proves my point.

[quankanne]

my guess is that while believers acknowlege what fate eternal life can bring (heaven or hell), it's still kind of hard to grasp because they're still stuck in the here and now.

 

it's much easier to find motivation by hanging with a group of like-minded people, who live out their love of God with support of each other. At least this is what I've found, especially working where I do and not having to explain my Catholic belief – I live it in full support of those around me. And I think this is similar to what Nicholas might mean when he says his motivation/reward is "a community of faith." It's much easier to grasp because you're living it, as opposed to being dedicated to a fuzzy ideal afterlife.

 

pursuit of scholarship? Possibly learning more about your spirituality/faith as you strive to live in communion with all those believers ...

 

I dunno Moose … maybe it's just all about how well you show your love of God by your actions, and that in turn solidifies your eternal fate?