What Motivates People to Do Good? The American author Kurt Vonnegut once noted, “Being a Humanist means trying to behave decently without expectation of rewards or punishment after you are dead.” Puritanism stems from Puritan ideals while Humanism stems from Enlightenment thinking. The Puritans, God fearing people, focus more on the afterlife and godly approval. Humanist, God respecting people, believe that humans can gain God’s graces through commendable acts towards others. In today’s society, people do good to benefit the world around them, however many still act in some extent to procure rewards from their God.
Humanistic thought can be found within current government structures. The United States government allows admittance of refugees …show more content…
In his sermon to his Puritan congregation, Jonathan Edwards affirms God’s power and shows one of the motives behind the good deeds of the Puritans, “It is true, that judgement against your evil works has not been executed hitherto: the floods of God’s vengeance have been withheld: but your guilt in the meantime is constantly increasing, and you are every day treasuring up more wrath…” (Edwards 47). Jonathan Edward’s sermon displays the ideals of the Puritans. Edward hopes to scare his congregation into performing good deeds to win back God’s favor. The concept that positive actions please God can be seen in North Point Community Church’s “Be Rich Campaign.” Sponsored every fall the “Be Rich Campaign” positively affects the Atlanta area through volunteer hours, food donation, and the giving of over five million dollars annually to charities and other non-profit organizations (Be Rich-North Point). “Be Rich Campaign,” a church sponsored campaign, intends to bring people closer to their heavenly father. This closeness is accomplished by giving the gift of service and the provision of economic means. Exemplified by these two groups, the Puritan ideal set is still influential in the
Humanistic thought can be found within current government structures. The United States government allows admittance of refugees …show more content…
In his sermon to his Puritan congregation, Jonathan Edwards affirms God’s power and shows one of the motives behind the good deeds of the Puritans, “It is true, that judgement against your evil works has not been executed hitherto: the floods of God’s vengeance have been withheld: but your guilt in the meantime is constantly increasing, and you are every day treasuring up more wrath…” (Edwards 47). Jonathan Edward’s sermon displays the ideals of the Puritans. Edward hopes to scare his congregation into performing good deeds to win back God’s favor. The concept that positive actions please God can be seen in North Point Community Church’s “Be Rich Campaign.” Sponsored every fall the “Be Rich Campaign” positively affects the Atlanta area through volunteer hours, food donation, and the giving of over five million dollars annually to charities and other non-profit organizations (Be Rich-North Point). “Be Rich Campaign,” a church sponsored campaign, intends to bring people closer to their heavenly father. This closeness is accomplished by giving the gift of service and the provision of economic means. Exemplified by these two groups, the Puritan ideal set is still influential in the