I also maintain that things are right because the world was created with eternal purposes in mind. In order to accomplish those purposes there must be things which are right and things which are wrong. The key is to learn to choose the right. We will all be better for it.

Can one do right without religion? Yes.
Can one do wrong with religion? Yes.
Without a heaven or a hell then why would we want to learn to be good?

I find peace and purpose in trying to progress toward something beyond this world. In order to do so I need to make good choices and behave appropriately out of love for my fellow man.

Let me just bring up a powerful moral argument here: if we act morally only because there are consequences for acting immorally, then we are still less than moral.

We must act morally because it is right. In itself.

Not because God says so. Not because there is heaven awaiting us if we do, or hell awaiting us if we do not.

Fear of consequences is for the weak — for the immoral who cannot act correctly unless there is incentive or punishment.

What Lennon is saying in the first part of the song is that we must be good because it is right. In itself. And is its own reward.

I find this a convincing moral argument.

Carry on,
Jim