The existence of a judging god is irrelevant.

There are several ways of defining what is right and what is wrong. Many people follow the laws of society. Others follow the bible. Some follow their own sense of morality.

The only right way to decide what is right and what is wrong is by listening to your own moral compass. If that compass matches another established system of ethics, all the better. But, if not, then the only just thing to do is to follow your own beliefs.

In the Christian belief, free will was bestowed on humankind by God. It was upon us to choose right from wrong. However, in the bible, there are numerous references to people comitting evil acts being punished. Now, I'm not up on my bible studies, but to the best of my knowledge there is no person punished in the bible who proclaimed, to death and beyond, that he or she was in the right.

And truly, whether such an anecdote exists is irrelevant. In situations where personal truths and biblical truths conflict, there is only one clear way to approach the situation. By obeying your own conscience, if judgement is meted out upon you at some future point, you will go into it without fear. Your deeds will either be vindicated or you will be judged unworthy and still be able to stand and say you'd do the same deed again.

There are many questionable moral situations that arise every day. There is only one way to get an answer out of each situation. Inside. Be true to yourself and you will have nothing to fear should any being (heavenly or earthly) lay judgement upon you.

 

Tsubasa
Agree totally.

The 'good man' problem.
One can do nothing but good and still go to hell according to 'judging religions'.
Apparently. being good is secondary to believing in the judge.
So, occam will go to hell for not believing in the judge.
NOT, because he was bad in any moral way.
Yes, his life is not without stupid petty transgression of law or hurting a loved one with harsh words. [when he was just a stupid kid]
But he has not allowed human evil to 'be' in his being.

Occam fears no judgement by men or gods.
For as you say, he is true to himself and his rational morallity.

Occam

PS..Welcome to the only real 'general philosophy' forum at hip

 

I am quite sure that we will not be getting any gold stars.
The future is our judge and disciplinarian. If we live in a way that is harmful to the preservation of our 'nest', or if we dirty our nest beyond repair, then we will pay, God or no God. God might not need raise a finger to judge us, we will be judged and sentenced by and of our own creations. We can live in paradise or hell, and our choices will determine which one we will create.

 

Blackguard

Thats it. Once we have reason , we are thrown into the pit of actuality.
If we climb out it is because reason won.
There is no judgment,, just consequences.

Occam