Why Jesus?

I don't think that's Chai's question though.

She asked about doing it in someone ele's name, specifically doing good acts in Jesus' name instead of just doing good acts for one's own reasons.

Why do people do something awful or wonderful in the name of something else?

Never got that.

Why not just do something wonderful, or kinda nice, or average, for the sake of doing it?

Justification, that's why.

What's the difference between doing something good by holding a door open for someone, or donating a million dollars to a cause?

Nothing.

If someone has the extra million to donate, does that make their act more good?
If all you have to give is your hand holding a door open, is that less good?

Of course not, but don't underestimate the value of that "extra million." As those with money will tell you, they get far more requests than they could ever grant. Just like we do.

Life is overwhelmingly made up of the trivial, and it's what we remember.

We remember the big things, too. Sometimes longer.

I don't believe that trivial gifts are "less good" than expensive gifts. But some gifts ARE bigger than others. To me, it is the value to the giver that determines a gift's value even more than its worth to the recipient. A dollar given by someone who cannot afford it is a bigger gift than a million dollars given by someone looking for a tax write-off.

Using that reasoning, I would say that holding a door open for someone is a lesser gift than a $1 million donation by a philanthropist because holding the door costs you nothing and takes you 5 seconds. Nobody raises $1 million in 5 seconds. That represents a lot of time and energy on someone's part.

chai2 wrote:

What's the difference between doing something good by holding a door open for someone, or donating a million dollars to a cause?

Nothing.

If someone has the extra million to donate, does that make their act more good?
If all you have to give is your hand holding a door open, is that less good?

Of course not, but don't underestimate the value of that "extra million." As those with money will tell you, they get far more requests than they could ever grant. Just like we do.

Just like people praying to God to make requests?
Request prayers...requests for money....does it make it more important if you felt God granted your request, or if you just understand things happen, or not?

Life is overwhelmingly made up of the trivial, and it's what we remember.

We remember the big things, too. Sometimes longer.

I don't believe that trivial gifts are "less good" than expensive gifts. But some gifts ARE bigger than others. To me, it is the value to the giver that determines a gift's value even more than its worth to the recipient. A dollar given by someone who cannot afford it is a bigger gift than a million dollars given by someone looking for a tax write-off.

Using that reasoning, I would say that holding a door open for someone is a lesser gift than a $1 million donation by a philanthropist because holding the door costs you nothing and takes you 5 seconds. Nobody raises $1 million in 5 seconds. That represents a lot of time and energy on someone's part.

What about if holding the door is all you can ever give?

I do believe this is the most civilized thread about religion I've ever seen on A2K.

Eva wrote:

chai2 wrote:

What's the difference between doing something good by holding a door open for someone, or donating a million dollars to a cause?

Nothing.

If someone has the extra million to donate, does that make their act more good?
If all you have to give is your hand holding a door open, is that less good?

Of course not, but don't underestimate the value of that "extra million." As those with money will tell you, they get far more requests than they could ever grant. Just like we do.

Just like people praying to God to make requests?
Request prayers...requests for money....does it make it more important if you felt God granted your request, or if you just understand things happen, or not?

Everybody understands this a little differently, even within the same faith community. As for me, I tend to think God is involved in virtually everything that happens in my life, whether directly or (more often) indirectly. Sadly, I'm often completely unaware of it. Gotta work on that.

Life is overwhelmingly made up of the trivial, and it's what we remember.

We remember the big things, too. Sometimes longer.

I don't believe that trivial gifts are "less good" than expensive gifts. But some gifts ARE bigger than others. To me, it is the value to the giver that determines a gift's value even more than its worth to the recipient. A dollar given by someone who cannot afford it is a bigger gift than a million dollars given by someone looking for a tax write-off.

Using that reasoning, I would say that holding a door open for someone is a lesser gift than a $1 million donation by a philanthropist because holding the door costs you nothing and takes you 5 seconds. Nobody raises $1 million in 5 seconds. That represents a lot of time and energy on someone's part.

What about if holding the door is all you can ever give?

Then its the biggest gift of all.

anyway, getting back to the question of

why do some people say they are doing something in Jesus name?

I suspect so that they get other people to think they are good, perhaps more good than they really are.

that feels wrong.

why do some people say they are doing something in Jesus name?

I suspect so that they get other people to think they are good, perhaps more good than they really are.

chai2 wrote:

I do believe this is the most civilized thread about religion I've ever seen on A2K.

yeah, I hate it when that happens.