I don't believe in an afterlife but I do believe in consciousness and mental health. Just because there's no pit of fire, paradise, or next reincarnation doesn't mean that my actions don't influence both me and those around me either positively or negatively.
If I've hurt someone or done something wrong, I will dwell on it and think about the mistake I've made. Forgiving one's self is the process of figuring out A. how can I fix the wrong I've done and B. How can I let go of that and move on, realizing I can't change the past.
Why should I care about how I treat those around me? Because I, like most humans, am social and care about society in general. I want future generations of humanity to live in a kind world. I don't need religion to threaten me with eternal torture to know that hurting others is bad.
Morality, to me, is both not harming others and helping others that are hurting. This form of morality is superior to bronze age texts which endorsed slavery and genocide.
If I've hurt someone or done something wrong, I will dwell on it and think about the mistake I've made. Forgiving one's self is the process of figuring out A. how can I fix the wrong I've done and B. How can I let go of that and move on, realizing I can't change the past.
Why should I care about how I treat those around me? Because I, like most humans, am social and care about society in general. I want future generations of humanity to live in a kind world. I don't need religion to threaten me with eternal torture to know that hurting others is bad.
Morality, to me, is both not harming others and helping others that are hurting. This form of morality is superior to bronze age texts which endorsed slavery and genocide.