A Monopoly on Philanthropy

by Scott Hughes

I had a friend recently ask me why I called myself an atheist. She said, “you seem to have such a big heart.” Apparently, she thought that there was something oxymoronic about a benevolent atheist. (In her defense, it turned out she thought I was a Satan worshiper, not an atheist. 🙂 )

As a history buff, a news junkie, and a political activist, I certainly must acknowledge all the helpful and philanthropic accomplishments of religious people and religious institutions. One must commend what religious people and religious institutions have brought to this world – in terms of education, healthcare, nourishment, housing and unity.

Even though I acknowledge these achievements, the idea that religion could possibly have a monopoly on philanthropy shocks me in its absurdity.

I could reject the suggestion of a link between religion and philanthropy on the basis that religious people have committed great atrocities in the name of religion. However, humans have committed great atrocities in the name of many non-religious ideas as well – Namely communism and nationalism. The fact of the matter is that humans commit atrocities, religious or not.

Despite that cynical point, I think it’s manifestly false to say that the only reason a human would be kind is because a god or gods told the human to. Yes, mankind is far from perfectly benevolent. However, mankind is equally far from perfectly callous.

The reason I help people is not because a god told me to. The reason I help people is not because I believe such actions will get me into heaven. The reason I help people is not because I believe it is moral. I don’t even believe in god, heaven, or morality.

I help people because it makes me feel happy. I believe that I am not the only person who receives this pleasure. In fact, most (if not all) of humanity takes pleasure in helping each other out.

Love may be a deep emotional connection that’s hard to define, but I think it�s a secular word. Philanthropy literally means love of people. There is nothing necessarily religious about loving people. People, religious or not, love other people. Are we not all philanthropists in our own light?

I’m a cynic; don’t get me wrong.

It may seem that the abundance of social conflicts between mankind are incompatible with the theory of mankind’s inherent philanthropy. However, this seeming incompatibility quickly vanishes when one remembers that people often engage in self-destructive and foolish activities.

If one can accept that a person would harm themself due to their own self-destructive folly, one can equally accept that a person would harm the object of their love due to the same self-destructive folly, even if that object is all of humanity.

What religious people may call sin, I call foolishness. What religious people call good, I call wise.

Whether you are religious or not, let me ask you to do something that will make you happy. Remember that inside of you and every person is a quintessential love. This quintessential love conflates the self with humanity. Fundamentally speaking, to say one loves oneself and humanity is redundant. Whether you believe this love is endowed by a godly creator or not, let yourself act on that quintessential love. By helping others you help yourself. By pleasing others you please yourself. Let yourself be at one with humanity.

About The Author: Scott Hughes owns and operates Millions Of Mouths – a website dedicated to ending hunger. Read more articles like this at the hunger and poverty blog on MillionsOfMouths.com:
http://millionsofmouths.com/blog/nfblog/

You may republish this article so long as you keep all links intact and keep the “about the author” footer.

Published by Scott Hughes

I am the author of Achieve Your Dreams. I also published the book Holding Fire: Short Stories of Self-Destruction. I have two kids who I love so much. I just want to be a good role model for them. I hope what I do here makes them proud of me. Please let me know you think about the post by leaving a comment below!

One reply on “A Monopoly on Philanthropy”

  1. I can not agree with you more. I get “I will pray for you” all the time. Why I ask do you feel the need to do that? Well it seems that somewhere in the Bible (Old Testament) there is a statement that one who does not believe in God is a fool and can do no good. Yup, its there however, it is apparent to me that the person making this statement is ill informed big time.

    I have found that the more intelligent you are the more reasonable your thinking processes are. I have found that by my lack of belief in a “GOD”
    makes me totally responsible for all that I do or do not do. I have no one to blame but myself. Seeing this changes everything for me. It has created for me a stress free enviornment which creates happiness and peace. I find myself being aware of others and go out of my way not to lie, steal, cheat or offend anyone. I am usually successful and fall down sometimes but in doing so I also acknowledge my responsibility to fix it. By that I mean do whatever I can to undo what I have done or to do what I have not done but is needed.

    You are correct doing good is morally and ethically desireable. Not because of a God but because we are human and should be aware of others needs. What a world it would be if people really tried to treat others as they would want to be treated themselves. Wow.

    My nickel since inflation has overrun the penny.

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