re: #192 Thinking Mans Republican

The religious behave “righteously” for a reward, or because of a fear of punishment, which in my mind is childlike, or even Pavlovian.

I beg to differ on this point. Fear of punishment is not central to many of the worlds great religious traditions. While consequences are a part of life (this one or the next) my personal primary motivation to be righteous is because of the postive effect it has in the now and those who I love.

My relationship with God is one of student and disciple and I believe that by taking His counsel and aligning my actions with what I know to be true I will receive additional knowledge and achieve a fullness of Joy.

Hardly fear of punishment. Athiests need to stop trying to mind read believers and vice versa.