A group of organizations in the Washington D.C. have begun an advertising campaign directed toward raising awareness of secular humanism as we enter the religiously-inspired but now largely commercial and materialistic Christmas season. I don’t think the ads are too offensive to believers, since a good point is made:
“Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness’ sake.”
To me this is a wonderful message, since it advocates the progressive idea that one’s ethics should never be predicated upon one’s religious principles. It is my firm conviction that if this message were to become popular around the world, we would see a lot less violence and religious strife–because, unfortunately, if one’s religious principles are actually directing one’s behavior, typical notions of ethical behavior are usually thrown out the window. For example, religious extremists often subordinate other people’s basic human freedoms to their own particular doctrinal worldview, i.e. through terrorism, jihad, political evangelism, etc. Even moderate believers transform basic ethical principles by acting ethically in order to achieve a personal reward after death, rather than being good because ethical behavior is a good idea in itself.
This is exactly what I mean by the “typical” idea of ethical behavior. People should treat one another with respect because it is a good idea and makes life better for everyone, no matter what religious doctrine you subscribe to. This is self evident, yet it conflicts directly with popular religious ethics, which often inserts a selfish incentive structure into the mix. I’m thinking primarily of Christianity and Islam here, which both view ethical behavior important only as it allows access to “eternal” rewards such as Paradise or Heaven.
Why is it that we frown upon people who act ethically for purely selfish reasons, yet at the same time preach that good deeds will get them into heaven? How is anyone supposed to develop a respect for virtue in and of itself under this view?
Likewise, I have always been slightly annoyed by the conflicting messages in the song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” which these ads seem to evoke. On one hand, the carol tells children to behave so that Santa Claus will give them presents, but then it also tells them to “be good for goodness’ sake.” So which is it?
It’s such a complicated world sometimes.
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