Most of the main religions worldwide such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism et al believe in life after death in a metaphysical plane known Heaven or Paradise. Heaven is described as a place where God(s) reside(s); a place of eternal bliss, a place filled with all the luxuries in the world. And according to religious elders and texts – entry is limited to ‘pure and virtuous’ souls only. The sinners among us – doomed to the pits of Hell.

The fear of God; of divine retribution is incentive enough for the religious among us to lead a life governed by morals. We are told time and again, that only the good can enter Paradise. By toeing the line drawn by their respective religious orders, followers hope that they can reap their just rewards. Whether or not they can make it to Heaven, they fear torment in the vile depths of Hell. That fear acts as a barrier against sin.

A religious man thus usually tends to be a normal man. And that is indeed good. If this were not the case – one would see civilized society as we know it come to an end. Without morality, humans are reduced to depravity.

That however is not the matter of contention. The issue here is – is such a morality - true? True in the sense that; is this morality of a selfless and unconditional nature?

When one does good, only out of a desire to enter Paradise, then the notion of his morality becomes corrupted. The identity of that person comes into question. What becomes of the what and why fors of his actions? Morality is intrinsically valuable. As such, should not the notion of being good an end in itself ? This compared to morality as a means to an end? If one is moral, merely out of fear of divine retribution – then wherein lies the true value of his actions?

The traditional meaning ascribed to morality would be the motivation to act in a just manner, based simply on ideas of right and wrong and governed by an agenda-less sense of altruism. When a selfish motive comes into picture – then the concept of morality becomes a forced creed.

If not for achieving divine bliss, then what would one have to gain from being moral? This in fact, should not even be an issue in the first place. When one merely considers his own well-being in his actions – then he becomes a systematic egoist. One should do good – simply for the unconditional, unquestioning love that he should feel for his fellow beings. Love thy neighbour, wasn’t it once said? When one is able to shatter that materialistic lens through which one views life, then the proverbial ‘gates of heaven’ will be thrown open for him.