Complex Godfrey, in contrast,was already genuinely concerned for others, for their sake not his. He was akin to Althea,
in that respect. Since learning that this behaviour apparently helps to secure heavenly entry, he is vexed. He wants to get to heaven and he knows that his moral behaviour aids him in this quest, so maybe his motivation in helping others is no longer pure but is tarnished by self-interest. Maybe his motivation is now a complex and unhappy mixture:what he formerly sought for its own sake, he now seeks, or also seeks, for his own benefit; for the sake of passing through heaven’s gate. Is it easier for atheists to get to heaven
than for believers?
There are, no doubt, some entrance conditions to heaven, in addition to those concerning moral motivation (assuming there is sense in the idea of entrance conditions).These conditions may well affect atheists and believers differently. On the one hand, atheists may have an even greater chance of heaven than believers if, for example, God sets lower standards on behaviour for those unaware of his laws than for those who are aware. On the other hand, believers may be better off than atheists because, presumably, conditions for heavenly entry may also include belief in God,worship of God and even certain rituals – all, by the way, rather unfair conditions for atheists who genuinely cannot feel justified in believing in God. One further condition could be that of wittingly obeying God’s commands, which raises another motivational puzzle akin to the one already presented: God’s commands include our treating others well for their sake – and probably not because God has so commanded. Being motivated by God’s commands and being motivated
by a heavenly afterlife need not contaminate being motivated