I think empathy and cooperation and love are intrinsic to human beings. Early humans survived in small groups working together to hunt and share food, take care of the young and each other. People can be taught cruelty and hatred—and this is happening today. As a leftists, I do not believe that people are inherently evil.

I find is odd that anyone believes people must be rewarded to be kind to each other. I believe kindness is an intrinsic good; it requires no reward. When someone thinks a person can be good only out of obedience to God, that otherwise he’d be evil…well, I find “goodness by command” to be a very superficial kind of morality.

I know many religious people who are kind because that is their Nature. It’s more fundamental—and more beautiful—than mere obedience to a higher power.

I think those Christians love God, rather than Fear Him.