The Greater Good

The opposition to Utilitarianism in which the claim is it's a Godless doctrine is one that I would have to disagree with. I understand if the idea of happiness was just to please oneself and not others then it would be a Godless doctrine, but the "Greatest Happiness Principle" is that actions are morally good as long as they produce the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people. This principle alone can give way to believe that Utilitarianism and Christianity have a common goal of the law being what is morally right for the greater good. This isn't the only correlation you can make between Utilitarianism and Christianity the idea of judging people based on their actions is another similarity. Saying you're a Christian doesn't make you a holy person just as saying you're a good person doesn't make you good person you must act the part. You can find numerous stories in the bible that deal with nonbelievers of Christ being saved by Christ simply because its what's morally right. It's also evident that God only wants his creations to be happy in the long run just read John 3:16, and that is something that shows he believes in actions that are morally good for the greater amount of people.

Not only does Christianity itself have similarities with Utilitarianism, but also the followers of the Christian faith. Such as Mother Teresa or even Christ himself. It are numerous chapters throughout the bible that encourage followers to do right by others and God will bless you.

In all the Utilitarianism idea of ultimate happiness is the way of life is one that I can soundly agree with. I do understand that most moral theories can contradict with certain religious beliefs but in all the idea of happiness this moral theory has is most similar to that of the Christian belief.