Talk about denial.

Okay one more time.

Yes, the religious believe they get more rewards for the charitable acts than those who are not religious. And technically this makes them at an advantage in the rewards department from an atheist in their mind. Making their acts of charity less charitable.

Who cares what their motivation is? As long as the charity is getting the help they need. No one can really judge another's motives.

True but only the religious believe they can get even more benefit after death. Making their charity less charitable.

Who cares?

'some' religious,,, not 'the' religious

as noted before, I was never taught that heaven was a reward for charity on earth,,,

instead, it is one of many things that are 'good'

knowledge of something doesnt make it the motivation,,for instance, I knew from a young age that 'lying' was not the right thing to do and chose not to be a liar because it was not right

I learned LATER on in life about it being a commandment to not bear false witness(Which is another type of lying), but that knowledge was never my MOTIVATION for not lying in the first place so my action was no better or worse than of someone who had never picked up a bible, and my intention was no less honorable or sincere because I did,,


I would add that anyone who does good deeds JUST for a reward, any reward, is not being as charitable as one who does it for the good of it

whether the reward was earthly recognition, monetary reward, or 'heavenly' compensation

there is also another 'reward' in the here and now...

they can write it off on their taxes.

Poof go good works.

If they are religious their motives are more visible to everyone around them. Rewards after death.

It's not about the rewards. It's about loving our God and in doing as such, obeying his commands. Not out of fear, not out of a possible reward, out of love and obedience to our father.

Again, just making the "gift" giving more in vein.

Good try but the religious still believe they get more rewards for their acts than an atheist is capable of getting making their charity less charitable.

Well, if you are that good at judging an individual's motives, perhaps you should get a job in the justice system. Juries all over the country struggle with trying to determine an individual's motives and intentions. But, you obviously have it all figured out.

Just for the record...which religions are we talking about here? All of them? Just Christians? Jews? Pagan? Hindus? Muslims? Voudon? Santeria?

Okay and I will assume you are not being hypocritical but confused. You contradict yourself in your own post.

Again, we do not obey out of a possible reward. The obedience comes from the love of our father. Wishing to uplift him and be obedient to his wishes. To show the love rather then just say it, not out of reward for oneself.

And where might this "contradiction" be? I stated we obey out of love, not for the gain for oneself.

I dont think the write of makes it any less charitable.

for instance

IF I Make 100000 last year I would be taxed about 21 percent

or 21000

but if I contribute, say 20000

than I can reduce my taxable income to 80000 and pay

20 percent, or 16000 dollars

that would mean without charity I would have sent 20000 of my hard earned money to government, for a total of 20000 of what I earned 'given back' from what I earned

but with charity, instead, I sent 20000 to charity AND 16000 to government , for a total of 36000 'given back' from what I earned


there is a tax calculator here
http://www.moneychimp.com/features/tax_brackets.htm

All religions that promise after life rewards apply here.

And it is obvious if they are religious what they believe their rewards are. Not a lot of deduction needed there.

Atheists who are charitable are not going to get that reward so they are more charitable. It is obvious also.

No, not all. Christianity doesn't teach you'll get something in return for your good works. It's not like you could do 100 good deeds in expecting 100 good things back on you. The action(s) is/are not done in search of a reward. They are done to be obedient to our father.

What is the result of the "love"? It is a believed reward that is not available to those not in "approval" status.

Why do I have to explain this?

I think the point is that such a deduction calls for an assumption about motive.

IF there is a missing child with a 25000 reward and you find them and assist in their safe return, there is a complete possibility that you do that because you care about the childs return, not because there happens to also be an award.

IF you do it because of the reward , thats different than doing it IN SPITE of the reward because its the right thing.