PUNISHER
In the three major monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) god has been saddled with an additional role: god is a punisher. Some denominations rely on pretty words to masquerade this harsh reality (the “Ultimate Judge,” is one of my favorites). Other faiths are not so subtle. Images of a fiery hell that may be our future are colorfully depicted in both art and in words. But even the sunniest verbiage can’t hide the fact that we rely on god to extract the proverbial pound of flesh from the guilty – eventually. We can’t – nor should - do god’s arithmetic, especially regarding punishment. But, at the end, we rely on our god to make things right.
It is not enough to believe that good behavior is rewarded. Punishment is much more effective behavioral inducement than a reward. As theologians love to point out: Hell is stronger than Heaven. A god who is a punisher is more conducive to good behavior than a god who merely rewards. (Also, only a punishing god is worthy of devotion.)
Humans who designed religious thought - especially a code of morality - realized that we behave better when we are watched. This realization about human conduct has been proven in hundreds of studies: When there are “eyes” in the room – real or imagined – we behave better. Feeling that we are being monitored has shown to make individuals exhibit less selfish behaviors. We are more charitable and less prone to cheat, for example, as well as creating more cooperation when we are being monitored, real or imagined. Christians call this the Sunday effect.
Even religious traditions that prohibit the use of divine images have found ways of making god’s presence and constant accounting an integral part of their lives. Orthodox Jews wear a yarmulke for this reason. It is to remind them that there is a god above them.
Not only is society a better place to raise a family when people are pious, but it has allowed for long-distance commerce. Knowing that the humans across boundaries – whether natural borders (oceans and mountain ranges) or man-made geographical lines, tribal or drawn by empires – serve and worry about the same god, allowed for an interchange of goods between foreigners. The adage that you could trust people who trusted god is responsible for the earliest freedom to travel to lawless lands amidst people who looked and certainly acted strangely from your perspective.
There are many reasons why humans are willing to hand over this punishment feature that is so integral to our evolutionary development to a third party – to “outsource” this role, if I may use a contemporary phrase. I will list the top three reasons, though many more exist.
1. God as punisher allows you to see all actions as being constantly monitored. All sins are automatically detected. No longer is hiding under the sheets to commit an ultimate “sin” an option without consequences. You can cheat on your taxes and perhaps fool the government, but never god. You can even get away with a murder, if you can afford a well-paid attorney. But god is above such despicable self-serving actions. Divine justice is above such petty manipulations.
2. There is no fear of retaliation. Humans who mete out punishment worry about other family members, and at times the victim, retuning to extract vengeance on those who dared to hurt an “innocent” victim, but not god. Neither does the imagined god fear revenge by others affiliated with the same criminal element. Gangs, warlords, and criminal bosses with long memories and “reaches” and with vindictive streaks are nonsensical fears, when viewed from the perspective of “heavenly” justice. There are no “protected” individuals. All are equal in the “eyes” of god. Everyone – regardless of their connections - will have to answer for their sins.
3. Death is no relief for the miscreants. When you believe that you are punished well into your after-life, Stalin-like villains who die comfortably in elaborate beds are nevertheless going to turn endlessly in agony while on a spit roasting. The only question that remains is how hot will the fire be. There is also no statute of limitations for god. Evil will be punished. If not now, eventually. There is a positive side to this delayed punishment: it allows for genuine repentance. God wants to forgive, as punishment is not one of god’s favorite pastimes.
What is? I am still searching for an answer.