Crosswords1 min ago
A simple question.
68 Answers
Completely hypothetical...
If it were 'proved' that God did not exist, would you feel that your life had no meaning?
(I don't want to get into a debate about what evidence would be necessary to disprove God, I simply want to know how people on AB would feel if the 'no God' hypothesis was somehow proven to be true).
If it were 'proved' that God did not exist, would you feel that your life had no meaning?
(I don't want to get into a debate about what evidence would be necessary to disprove God, I simply want to know how people on AB would feel if the 'no God' hypothesis was somehow proven to be true).
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As one who has invested and devoted no small portion of my all too brief time on this Earth to answering this crucially important question in light of the portended profound everlasting dire consequences of not believing and concluded beyond all reasonable doubt that God does not exist as other than the product of an unbridled imagination . . . I'd be devastated! What the hell would we have to discuss in R&S?! :o(
I think I would heave a sigh of relief.
We can tell the 'establishment religionists' to take a hike and get their noses, fingers and any other appendages out of legislation, medicine and other scientific research.
We can tell the leaders of oppressive societies that the scriptural imperitives they are able to rule by have been removed and therefore there must be equality and justice for all.
We will all have to live in the knowledge that the worth of our lives will be judged here, on earth, by those we leave behind.
I don't suppose that there is much chance of it happening in my life-time, is there ?;o)
We can tell the 'establishment religionists' to take a hike and get their noses, fingers and any other appendages out of legislation, medicine and other scientific research.
We can tell the leaders of oppressive societies that the scriptural imperitives they are able to rule by have been removed and therefore there must be equality and justice for all.
We will all have to live in the knowledge that the worth of our lives will be judged here, on earth, by those we leave behind.
I don't suppose that there is much chance of it happening in my life-time, is there ?;o)
-- answer removed --
Pope would have agreed with you:
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/30500
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/30500
There are several propositions, the truth or otherwise of which is no big deal ...
... except that it is charming to watch the frolics of those who adhere to such propositions.
For instance ...
Father Christmas comes down your chimney in December.
Elvis is alive, and living in Swindon.
The Tooth Fairy gives you money for your teeth.
The world was made by a supernatural super-deity whom we have named "God"
And so on.
If any of these were proved to be untrue, we would manage ...
(although, it would explain why the mince pie never gets eaten any more !!!)
... except that it is charming to watch the frolics of those who adhere to such propositions.
For instance ...
Father Christmas comes down your chimney in December.
Elvis is alive, and living in Swindon.
The Tooth Fairy gives you money for your teeth.
The world was made by a supernatural super-deity whom we have named "God"
And so on.
If any of these were proved to be untrue, we would manage ...
(although, it would explain why the mince pie never gets eaten any more !!!)
Please. The Bible explains the meaning of life and the point of existence.
Just look how motivated the faithful become when God tells them what to do. Hacking hundreds of thousands of people to death (specifically including babies torn from the womb) would be a horrific task for any ordinary person to stomach. But with the glory of God as one's goal it comes naturally.
To anyone who has not read the Bible these words might sound crazy. Yes they are crazy but that is exactly what is described in the Bible. The Bible is a receipe book for mayhem and some of the old favourites like Genocidal Soup are popular to this day.
The Bible certainly helps give my life meaning. I feel it is my duty as a sentient being to campaign against its sick, violent, fascist philosophies.
Fortunately my life is very rich in so very many other ways that I have the strength to fulfil that commitment. However as I take a moment to reflect, I realise that had I obeyed the laws of The Book, I would have lived a shadow of my experience as a human being.
Those who find their purpose in religion are very sad people indeed.
Just look how motivated the faithful become when God tells them what to do. Hacking hundreds of thousands of people to death (specifically including babies torn from the womb) would be a horrific task for any ordinary person to stomach. But with the glory of God as one's goal it comes naturally.
To anyone who has not read the Bible these words might sound crazy. Yes they are crazy but that is exactly what is described in the Bible. The Bible is a receipe book for mayhem and some of the old favourites like Genocidal Soup are popular to this day.
The Bible certainly helps give my life meaning. I feel it is my duty as a sentient being to campaign against its sick, violent, fascist philosophies.
Fortunately my life is very rich in so very many other ways that I have the strength to fulfil that commitment. However as I take a moment to reflect, I realise that had I obeyed the laws of The Book, I would have lived a shadow of my experience as a human being.
Those who find their purpose in religion are very sad people indeed.
> Those who find their purpose in religion are very sad people indeed.
If only that were true! Most people who find their purpose in religion are very happy people because they are convinced that they are going to go to heaven or whatever equivalent after-life. And if they just got on with it and left the rest of us alone, no-one would bat an eyelid. It's when they decide that their religion is the only true religion and that other religions pose some sort of threat that the problems start.
This is particularly unfortunate when it comes to the three Abrahamic religions, where there are far more similarities than differences. E.g. most Western people are totally ignorant of the fact that Muslims believe in one God just like Christians and Jews, that they believe in Jesus, Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden etc. Essentially, the one over-riding difference between Christianity, Judaism and Islam is that Muslims believe that Jesus was one of the most important prophets after Mohammed, Christians believe he was the son of God, and Jews don't believe either. That's a huge over-simplification, of course, but that's the synopsis.
However, all three religions employ fear as their main weapon. Telling someone that, if they commit sin, they will burn in the fire and brimstone of hell for all eternity can be very powerful against a weak mind.
If only that were true! Most people who find their purpose in religion are very happy people because they are convinced that they are going to go to heaven or whatever equivalent after-life. And if they just got on with it and left the rest of us alone, no-one would bat an eyelid. It's when they decide that their religion is the only true religion and that other religions pose some sort of threat that the problems start.
This is particularly unfortunate when it comes to the three Abrahamic religions, where there are far more similarities than differences. E.g. most Western people are totally ignorant of the fact that Muslims believe in one God just like Christians and Jews, that they believe in Jesus, Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden etc. Essentially, the one over-riding difference between Christianity, Judaism and Islam is that Muslims believe that Jesus was one of the most important prophets after Mohammed, Christians believe he was the son of God, and Jews don't believe either. That's a huge over-simplification, of course, but that's the synopsis.
However, all three religions employ fear as their main weapon. Telling someone that, if they commit sin, they will burn in the fire and brimstone of hell for all eternity can be very powerful against a weak mind.
God is so over-rated in this 21st Century existence. As MarkRae explained, we are all here because of the Big Bang; but i think as humans we have to give ourselves meaning to our lives as we have since the beginning of time, hence....God?
Sometimes i question myself deeply on spiritualism and whether God and Spiritualism are one of the same or not?
I had an accident 15 years ago and died for about 4 minutes, in that moment i had a conversation with my Grandad who had died many years before, he told me things i didn't know, personal things that my mother only knew and when i questioned her on what he had said....she cried for England.
Maybe a life exists beyond this one, maybe not but i cannot explain what happened and i don't think anybody could either....I just believe that there is more to life than what we know.... Whether a God exists or not?
Sometimes i question myself deeply on spiritualism and whether God and Spiritualism are one of the same or not?
I had an accident 15 years ago and died for about 4 minutes, in that moment i had a conversation with my Grandad who had died many years before, he told me things i didn't know, personal things that my mother only knew and when i questioned her on what he had said....she cried for England.
Maybe a life exists beyond this one, maybe not but i cannot explain what happened and i don't think anybody could either....I just believe that there is more to life than what we know.... Whether a God exists or not?
I would surely feel so. Let me explain the reason and this is just my own opinion. I think believing in God and hereafter (as both are linked) gives me reasons to cope with difficulties. So far it was just a thought but was never put into practical. But in few recent months I faced few tragedies but belief in that everything good or bad is from God and there is a reason behind it gives me courage to cope with it. My mother died in Oct 2009 (six months ago) now last week on 23rd my sister passed away. But after few days I got on with my life as I believe their memories are in my heart and these would stay there but of course I have my own life as well as other people who are depending on me and then it is God’s will so I have to accept it.
Compared to that my father in law passed away too in November 2009 but my mother in law so far has not been able to move on and says “why me” and unfortunately that has deteriorated her amazingly quickly. As most probably she believes differently and that belief is not giving her any courage to get over it and get on with day to day life for her on sake as well as for her children. Even my wife agrees that after her father passed away she (and her brothers) need their mother even more.
So if I believe that God does not exist then all this would fade away and then there would be no hope. The hope that gives you reason to keep moving.
Compared to that my father in law passed away too in November 2009 but my mother in law so far has not been able to move on and says “why me” and unfortunately that has deteriorated her amazingly quickly. As most probably she believes differently and that belief is not giving her any courage to get over it and get on with day to day life for her on sake as well as for her children. Even my wife agrees that after her father passed away she (and her brothers) need their mother even more.
So if I believe that God does not exist then all this would fade away and then there would be no hope. The hope that gives you reason to keep moving.
This post is not to Keyplus specifically but I would like to say to him personally: I too am sorry for you losses and I do understand how people can draw strength from religion in times of almost unbearable tragedy.
If that's all religion did – give comfort to the living – then I wouldn't be such a vocal opponent to the idea of the afterlife and by inference, religion.
Unfortunately, the idea of an afterlife brings with it some very ugly baggage; if all the 'good' people live on in the afterlife, what's to stop a 'good' person killing an 'evil' person? Nothing. Because the 'good' person will continue to exist in peace and tranquillity after their death (having justly rid the mortal world of someone 'evil') while the 'evil' person either ceases to exist or is tormented for the whole of eternity.
But the million dollar question is - who decides who's good and who is evil?
Every religious person in the world thinks that they are the 'good' guys despite the obvious and self evident truth that they cannot all be correct.
This is religion in a nutshell (a suitable receptacle).
If that's all religion did – give comfort to the living – then I wouldn't be such a vocal opponent to the idea of the afterlife and by inference, religion.
Unfortunately, the idea of an afterlife brings with it some very ugly baggage; if all the 'good' people live on in the afterlife, what's to stop a 'good' person killing an 'evil' person? Nothing. Because the 'good' person will continue to exist in peace and tranquillity after their death (having justly rid the mortal world of someone 'evil') while the 'evil' person either ceases to exist or is tormented for the whole of eternity.
But the million dollar question is - who decides who's good and who is evil?
Every religious person in the world thinks that they are the 'good' guys despite the obvious and self evident truth that they cannot all be correct.
This is religion in a nutshell (a suitable receptacle).
Cont...
My own personal belief is that my life specifically doesn't have any great worth to the human race. However, it does have a huge amount of worth to my family and friends. To me though, my life is priceless!
I'm simply a tiny, tiny cog in a massive machine that is the human race. I honestly believe that once I am dead, I will cease to exist in any meaningful sense (other than in the memories of my living family and friends) and that my consciousness will just vanish.
I do not find this in the least bit depressing. In a way, I find it very life-affirming. To me it means that every life is spectacularly precious. This is the one shot we get at life and when it's done it's done. There are no second chances.
My own personal belief is that my life specifically doesn't have any great worth to the human race. However, it does have a huge amount of worth to my family and friends. To me though, my life is priceless!
I'm simply a tiny, tiny cog in a massive machine that is the human race. I honestly believe that once I am dead, I will cease to exist in any meaningful sense (other than in the memories of my living family and friends) and that my consciousness will just vanish.
I do not find this in the least bit depressing. In a way, I find it very life-affirming. To me it means that every life is spectacularly precious. This is the one shot we get at life and when it's done it's done. There are no second chances.
I know you said that it is not a debate and I believe that is right spirit of discussion if people want to understand about how others live, feel and go about in day to day matters instead of 2 to 3 hundred posts of “I said this you said that” and in the end lets wait for another thread.
And I did like your million dollars question however I would change it a bit,
Instead of “who decides who is good and who is evil” it should be “who decides what is good and what is bad”. Because very easily it is action that makes a person good or bad.
And I did like your million dollars question however I would change it a bit,
Instead of “who decides who is good and who is evil” it should be “who decides what is good and what is bad”. Because very easily it is action that makes a person good or bad.
A couple of thoughts; Firstly isn't there generally a very strong correlation between people who need life to have a reason and people who believe in a god.
Secondly, personally I don't think there is a specific purpose or reason to life. If there is an afterlife for all I know being "good" in this life is no guarantee of anything. Best policy would be to enjoy this life and not worry about what you can't control. So Naomi, when and where's the party?
Secondly, personally I don't think there is a specific purpose or reason to life. If there is an afterlife for all I know being "good" in this life is no guarantee of anything. Best policy would be to enjoy this life and not worry about what you can't control. So Naomi, when and where's the party?
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