Conversations with a sceptic (7): Heavenly Reward?

 Q:

Anyone ever been thinking about the reward system, the bonus you will get? Why would he create us, and then reward us? 

In what end is the pleasure to god? Create, beslave us, and then reward us or punish us. BTW, the gods punish people every day all over the planet, and it is called the nature law, and I guess, I repeat I guess that happens right now many other places in the universe(s)

A:

I think your questions only make sense if you accept the concept of "God" of the Abrahamic religions. A grumpy old fart in the sky who will give you a ticket to heaven if you're a good boy or punish you with eternal damnation if you don't behave. 

This, of course, is a very distorted interpretation and I venture to say that most of us can agree on that.

The way I see it, the Source is not going to interfere with your free will, otherwise it would have stopped Hitler, Stalin or Mao from slaughtering millions.  The Source is benevolent, the ultimate expression of love, wisdom, truth and compassion. How then, could it ever be so petty to punish you for not believing in it? In my mind this is just a ridiculous notion.

Actions do have consequences though, but they have more to do with your own Self and your own spiritual progress rather than heaven or hell. There's no judgment whatsoever from the source. You'll be your own judge.

I think the most important aspect of every action is the intention behind it.

Do you help that person out of kindness or because you expect a reward in the afterlife?

Do you donate money to that temple to help others or because you expect your next incarnation to be better?

These things matter.