Religion, and belief in God, has long been considered an essential part of a person’s life. Many people feel that it is necessary for us to be motivated to do the right thing because it provides guidance and purpose. Specifically, religion can provide moral guidance on how to behave ethically, which is important for those who lack clear models of behavior or struggle with self-regulation. Additionally, faith gives individuals something larger than themselves to strive for – a higher power and greater sense of meaning in life.

One major reason why someone might think that religion/belief in God is necessary for us to be motivated to do the right thing translates into understanding morality from a religious perspective. Most religions have their own set of beliefs or teachings which guide people’s lives according to certain values such as honesty, respectfulness and justice. These beliefs are based upon scriptures or other spiritual texts that are viewed as divinely inspired by adherents of these faiths. Therefore, individuals may believe that following these moral codes will bring them closer towards achieving “spiritual perfection” or some kind of reward from being obedient towards God’s commandments.