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Question: Without a God/afterlife, would we act differently!?
I've been thinking of this for a while, and I wanted to get other people's opinions!. If somehow we could irrefutably prove out there is no God/Gods or an afterlife, do you think the human race would become a lot crueler because we know that this is the only life we have!? Or would we carry on acting as normal!? And what would happen to all the very religious people out there: would they still continue to believe!?
All comments are welcome except for purely anti/pro-religious rants!. Thank youWww@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
It would go both ways!. I'm an atheist, I don't believe in God, yet I still behave (usually;- ) in an acceptable manner!. I have my own ethics and code by which I live, the reason I don't go out and kill someone or cheat on my wife is because it doesn't FEEL like the right thing to do!. I don't need some silly religious text to tell me how to act, it's instinctual:- )
Perhaps without religion ruling (by fear of punishment - i!.e!. Hell) most peoples' lives, their true character would be revealed!. Probably a small few would defect and go on killing sprees, but most wouldn't change very much!. After all, ask your religious buddies what they live for and I can promise you they won't say "It's God I live for, the promise of everlasting bliss when I die," they're much more likely to say "cars" or "cheddar cheese!." The average religious person is too small to grasp the significance of what they think they believe in: 99% people live for the joy of living (whether they admit it or not), not for the so called "Glory of God!."
Religion is just an excuse to do things which would otherwise be considered morally reprehensible!. Think 9/11 or the crusades!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
you cannot prove that something doesnt exist, unless you created it's definition, in which case, you being the creator, can destroy it!. for example, if i created the definition of an elephant that ate meat, i can reverse the process and prove that such an animal does not exist!. but that just makes me an idiot!. for if i create a fantasy so i can destroy it, am i not an idiot!? so if 'God' is a creation of human fantasy, then you can prove that he doesnt exist, and that means that your behavior will not change!.!.!. what are the chances that if you go the whole way to create a fantasy that so influences your life, that you will dicard the fantasy simply because someone proved it was a fantasy!? man often thinks with his head but acts with his gut!.
but if 'God' is not a human fantasy, then you cant prove that he doesnt exist, in which case the behavior of people will not change!.
if there is something in history that has remained the same, it is man's behavior!.
but if i may ask, who exactly is this 'God' whom you suggest will be proven to be inexistent!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
The reality is that there are so many things in this world that we take for granted as though it proves fact or proves to not be fact when it isn't!. Our actions are based on an incredibly small amount of information combined with years of habit and influences of our past!. There may be a change in humanity as a whole, but if history is to teach us anything, there will always be fanatics and zealots, who don't care about truth or discovery, only holding on to their faith!. There may be something in the future that may or may not change that truth of humanity, but I doubt it!.
I don't think much of anything would change, it would become a temporary fad or a new 'anti-' religion so to speak!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Overall, I don't think it would make a bit of difference!.
There has been an awful lot of cruelty in the name of God, or in a bid for afterlife!. Ultimately, humans do what they do, and a religion (or lack of it), is just their excuse!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I think even if it were totally, irrefutably proven, the vast majority of religious people would stick to their faith and believe anyway!. So there wouldn't be much of a change at all!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
!.!.!.god and afterlife are only beliefs!.!.!.
!.!.!.a confident attitude and responsible for my choices and actions!.!.!.
!.!.!.i can enjoy a content, and happy life!.!.!.
!.!.!.what happens after my death!.!.!.
!.!.!.don't know, enjoying LIFE now!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
yes, we would "act" differently!. We would be PERFECT actors of people who don't exist!.Www@QuestionHome@Com