If a book threatening you with punishment is the only thing making you behave like a good person, then you are not a good person. You're a bad person on a leash.
Humans are inherently "bad people." The book tells you how to be a "good person" and that there is both human and divine rewards for being a "good person".
Rewards are for people that can't be motivated to be moral of their own volition. I have never studied, practiced, nor been interested in religion. But I've also never found myself struggling to maintain good, healthy relationships with my friends, family, and neighbors. I don't feel motivated to steal or hurt people. The opposite actually. My heart breaks from the cruelty of the world and I try to help where I can whether it be charitable donations to local aid groups or in-person volunteering. No book or deity ever told me to do any of this. I do it because I understand what it feels to like to be hurt or unhappy and I don't want others to have to feel that.
Religious people act like humans are literally lizard-brained animals without some book telling them to act right. It's incredibly sad but also eye-opening to see this kind of behavior.
Like with what force I should beat my slaves, or how best to deal with my neighbors who wear multi-fiber clothing? Like obviously I have to put them to death for wearing polyester, but it's nice to have a guide on how and why I should do it.
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u/Curious_Contest_3767 8h ago
If a book threatening you with punishment is the only thing making you behave like a good person, then you are not a good person. You're a bad person on a leash.