Why not?
If the above is true then you are a person who only behaves civilly under threat of punishment (hell) and not someone I would trust or associate with.
You are the same way. You have generated some self-imposed guilt that prevents you from acting on your basest instincts.
Here's the reality: You're going to die anyway. That's it. Nothing more. Poofarooni. All for naught. In the long run, we're all John Maynard Keynes.
The consequences of this are far-reaching and cannot be simply dismissed by a waive of a morally superior hand. What generates morality for you? What would you be like if raised in a feral state?
I believe that most people are intrinsically "good" and do not need the threat of punishment to behave decently.
Bwahahahaha. It only takes one wolf if there is no shepherd. Has history taught you nothing? Left to his own devices, man will devour to satiate his appetite.
As far as people like you are concerned, I am grateful that we do have religion if for no other reason than to keep you in check.
You can wallow in your naivete all you want, it won't change the harsh cold realities of life.
Because it would be anti-social, non-productive, unfair, mean and would not make me feel very good about myself. Because I care about the feelings and rights of others and (to some extent) their opinions of me. Because if everyone behaved such, we would have anarchy and a failed society... Because it just wouldn't feel right and would be against my nature. And because I imagine being in jail would really suck.
You are the same way. You have generated some self-imposed guilt that prevents you from acting on your basest instincts.
I disagree. Sure everyone has their lusts, their aggressions, their temptations. No one is perfect, least of all me. We have all done things we are ashamed of. But most people try to do the right thing for the reasons listed above or, like you, because of their religious convictions.
Here's the reality: You're going to die anyway. That's it. Nothing more. Poofarooni. All for naught. In the long run, we're all John Maynard Keynes.
All the more reason to behave in such a way that you feel good about the time you spent on this world. To some, this involves behaving as you've described. Luckily, for most, it does not. Not everyone is as selfish as yourself.
Bwahahahaha. It only takes one wolf if there is no shepherd. Has history taught you nothing? Left to his own devices, man will devour to satiate his appetite.
Has religion ever done anything to prevent those who would "devour"? Wolves exist. How many have "devoured" in the name of god?
I still maintain that man is basically "good". Not universally so - there is evil in the world but we wouldn't have come as far as we have if it wasn't true, religion or no. I can't believe as you claim to. If I did I think I would end my life right now, today.