>I do not believe in God, but I do believe in the idea that helping is a far better way to live than hurting. Can you not understand the concept of feeling good about seeing someone else happy for no other reward than that?

Alan,

I could answer your question but I opted not to because we have different perspective, belief, and conviction - you being an unbeliever and me being a believer of God's existence. And believe me, it will be a long discussion which in the end will not be beneficial to both of us and we might be hurting each other by words.