Suppose It's Proven That There Is No "God"

[Dragonfly]

Suppose that somehow it's proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no god.
Maybe aliens land on Earth and provide unquestionable proof.

Without getting bogged down in how it's actually proven, for the sake of my main question, just assume it's actually proven.
There is no "god". There is no Jesus. There is no Muhammad. There is no savior. There is no Jehovah. There is no heaven. There is no hell.
Nothing that's ever been taught to you about an/the "afterlife" is true. It's all been undeniably proven to be untrue.

Knowing and understanding that there is no god, do you change the way you live your life?
Do you change who you are? Do you change what you do?
Does the previous "you" all of a sudden disappear and a new "you" take form?

If you discover that the life you have right now is the only life you will ever have, forever, do you change who you are?

 

[Angel]

Suppose that somehow it's proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no god.
...
Knowing and understanding that there is no god, do you change the way you live your life?
Do you change who you are? Do you change what you do?
Does the previous "you" all of a sudden disappear and a new "you" take form?

If you discover that the life you have right now is the only life you will ever have, forever, do you change who you are?

If God does not exist, then life is absurd.
If life is absurd, then nothing matters.
If nothing matters, then everything has changed.

 

[VanceMack]

Its a difficult question to answer honestly for anyone because society has been built on a moral foundation. Even those that insist today that they are atheists embrace values they were taught and embraced that had a foundation in Judeo Christian order. SO...a better question would not be would YOU change...but rather 300 years from now, will society reflect the results of a dark age society with no moral law for multiple generations.

 

[Dragonfly]

If God does not exist, then life is absurd.
If life is absurd, then nothing matters.
If nothing matters, then everything has changed.

"If God does not exist, then life is absurd." <-- that's completely absurd

"If life is absurd, then nothing matters." <---- life matters

"If nothing matters, then everything has changed." <--- only thing that's changed is your perspective

I don't believe in "god" and I see nothing absurd about life.
Why would you make such a crazy comment like that?

Why would life be "absurd"?
Life would simply be life.

 

[Dragonfly]

Its a difficult question to answer honestly for anyone because society has been built on a moral foundation. Even those that insist today that they are atheists embrace values they were taught and embraced that had a foundation in Judeo Christian order. SO...a better question would not be would YOU change...but rather 300 years from now, will society reflect the results of a dark age society with no moral law for multiple generations.

So you're suggesting that to behave morally, man must believe in god?

Without god we'd all be rapists, murderers, and thieves?

 

[calamity]

Suppose that somehow it's proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no god.
Maybe aliens land on Earth and provide unquestionable proof.

Without getting bogged down in how it's actually proven, for the sake of my main question, just assume it's actually proven.
There is no "god". There is no Jesus. There is no Muhammad. There is no savior. There is no Jehovah. There is no heaven. There is no hell.
Nothing that's ever been taught to you about an/the "afterlife" is true. It's all been undeniably proven to be untrue.

Knowing and understanding that there is no god, do you change the way you live your life?
Do you change who you are? Do you change what you do?
Does the previous "you" all of a sudden disappear and a new "you" take form?

If you discover that the life you have right now is the only life you will ever have, forever, do you change who you are?

If you look at it objectively, most of what man throughout history has perceived god to be has been proven false. That's good enough for me.

 

[Tanngrisnir]

If God does not exist, then life is absurd.
If life is absurd, then nothing matters.
If nothing matters, then everything has changed.

LOL! If any god exists, life is still absurd.
If life is absurd, things can still matter.

Really, really basic stuff here.

 

[Goshin]

Suppose that somehow it's proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no god.
Maybe aliens land on Earth and provide unquestionable proof.

Without getting bogged down in how it's actually proven, for the sake of my main question, just assume it's actually proven.
There is no "god". There is no Jesus. There is no Muhammad. There is no savior. There is no Jehovah. There is no heaven. There is no hell.
Nothing that's ever been taught to you about an/the "afterlife" is true. It's all been undeniably proven to be untrue.

Knowing and understanding that there is no god, do you change the way you live your life?
Do you change who you are? Do you change what you do?
Does the previous "you" all of a sudden disappear and a new "you" take form?

If you discover that the life you have right now is the only life you will ever have, forever, do you change who you are?

I can't accept your premise as I find it impossible to imagine how someone could provide inarguable, absolute proof of such a thing.

 

[PoS]

There is no evidence that god as described in the bible even exists, so why even bother to disprove it? The lack of any evidence is evidence enough for me not to believe in such a being.

 

[ataraxia]

If God does not exist, then life is absurd.
If life is absurd, then nothing matters.
If nothing matters, then everything has changed.

Nah. You still have a family, neighbors, friends, job/career, etc... Not sure what otherworldly deities or eternity have anything to do with it. Things don't have to be eternal to have meaning. The flowers in spring are very short-lived, yet are breathtakingly beautiful and meaningful nonetheless.

"My principal motive is the belief that we can still make admirable sense of our lives even if we cease to have an ambition of transcendence."
-Richard Rorty

 

[VanceMack]

So you're suggesting that to behave morally, man must believe in god?

Without god we'd all be rapists, murderers, and thieves?

Did you read what I stated because Im pretty sure I very clearly stated what I stated. You can claim to be an Atheist...but you are still influenced by a society built in Judeo-Christian values. 'Morality' is a construct. As such it has a source.

 

[calamity]

There is no evidence that god as described in the bible even exists, so why even bother to disprove it? The lack of any evidence is evidence enough for me not to believe in such a being.

I'd even argue that most of the claims about that god are already known to be false: Creation myth days 1-6, Adam and Eve, global flood, burning bushes that talk, magic impregnation of virgins, godly son who walks on water, resurrection, etc.

 

[Casper]

Suppose that somehow it's proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no god.
Maybe aliens land on Earth and provide unquestionable proof.

Without getting bogged down in how it's actually proven, for the sake of my main question, just assume it's actually proven.
There is no "god". There is no Jesus. There is no Muhammad. There is no savior. There is no Jehovah. There is no heaven. There is no hell.
Nothing that's ever been taught to you about an/the "afterlife" is true. It's all been undeniably proven to be untrue.

Knowing and understanding that there is no god, do you change the way you live your life?
Do you change who you are? Do you change what you do?
Does the previous "you" all of a sudden disappear and a new "you" take form?

If you discover that the life you have right now is the only life you will ever have, forever, do you change who you are?

Will never happen, the odds are the opposite will end up being proven.

That said, No, I would not change how I live my life no matter what.

 

[Casper]

I'd even argue that most of the claims about that god are already known to be false: Creation myth days 1-6, Adam and Eve, global flood, burning bushes that talk, magic impregnation of virgins, godly son who walks on water, resurrection, etc.

Some are proven that the details as we know then today are not 100% accurate, others have not been proven to be false in any way.

 

[beancounter]

Suppose that somehow it's proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no god.
Maybe aliens land on Earth and provide unquestionable proof.

Without getting bogged down in how it's actually proven, for the sake of my main question, just assume it's actually proven.
There is no "god". There is no Jesus. There is no Muhammad. There is no savior. There is no Jehovah. There is no heaven. There is no hell.
Nothing that's ever been taught to you about an/the "afterlife" is true. It's all been undeniably proven to be untrue.

Knowing and understanding that there is no god, do you change the way you live your life?
Do you change who you are? Do you change what you do?
Does the previous "you" all of a sudden disappear and a new "you" take form?

If you discover that the life you have right now is the only life you will ever have, forever, do you change who you are?

If this occurs, I will be able to openly acknowledge my Atheism without Christians acting in an un-Christian-like manner toward me.

I suspect many Christians will commit suicide, as they will view their existence as meaningless.

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

Its a difficult question to answer honestly for anyone because society has been built on a moral foundation. Even those that insist today that they are atheists embrace values they were taught and embraced that had a foundation in Judeo Christian order. SO...a better question would not be would YOU change...but rather 300 years from now, will society reflect the results of a dark age society with no moral law for multiple generations.

You are ignoring the fact that laws and morals were in place in many societies long before the Judeo Christian order came into place. The Hammurabi code, written around 1700 BC

Laws regarding how people and a society will act towards each other are a going to be created no matter what in any society that wishes to function and survive over time. Even hunter gatherer tribes will have informal rules regarding theft and murder of other tribe members

Laws regarding murder, theft will always be created some based on a religious basis, others purely legal

 

[<alt>doxygen]

I can't accept your premise as I find it impossible to imagine how someone could provide inarguable, absolute proof of such a thing.

Likewise, people have been trying and failing to prove that their IS a God for as long as the concept of God has existed.

This question is just like asking atheists what would change if they were shown irrefutable proof that their is a God. It's a thought exercise.

I imagine that if God were disproved it would put a lot of people out of work. Many more would need to find a new source of meaning.

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

Did you read what I stated because Im pretty sure I very clearly stated what I stated. You can claim to be an Atheist...but you are still influenced by a society built in Judeo-Christian values. 'Morality' is a construct. As such it has a source.

Most people in North America and Europe were influenced by Judeo Christian values, but not those in most of Asia, or hunter gatherer tribes deep in the rain forests. Yet in Asia they still have laws regarding theft and murder. They have had them for thousands of years in some cases. Long before they would have been exposed to Judeo Christian values. The Roman Empire had such laws and regulations

 

[VanceMack]

You are ignoring the fact that laws and morals were in place in many societies long before the Judeo Christian order came into place. The Hammurabi code, written around 1700 BC

Laws regarding how people and a society will act towards each other are a going to be created no matter what in any society that wishes to function and survive over time. Even hunter gatherer tribes will have informal rules regarding theft and murder of other tribe members

Laws regarding murder, theft will always be created some based on a religious basis, others purely legal

"Hammurabi ruled for nearly 42 years, from about 1792 to 1749 BC according to the Middle chronology. In the preface to the law, he states, "Anu and Bel called by name me, Hammurabi, the exalted prince, who feared God, to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak; so that I should rule over the black-headed people like Shamash, and enlighten the land, to further the well-being of mankind."

Tomato, tomahto......

 

[blackjack50]

"If God does not exist, then life is absurd." <-- that's completely absurd

"If life is absurd, then nothing matters." <---- life matters

"If nothing matters, then everything has changed." <--- only thing that's changed is your perspective

I don't believe in "god" and I see nothing absurd about life.
Why would you make such a crazy comment like that?

Why would life be "absurd"?
Life would simply be life.

Because there are no more moral absolutes. That is something required for the existence of good and bad. That is a recipe for anarchy and chaos. What? I’m supposed to be “good” because the government said it is the right thing? Lol. The government? Or because someone else said so? Don’t get me wrong...I have my own code. But to say there is no basis for what is right and wrong? There is no need to care then

 

[VanceMack]

Most people in North America and Europe were influenced by Judeo Christian values, but not those in most of Asia, or hunter gatherer tribes deep in the rain forests. Yet in Asia they still have laws regarding theft and murder. They have had them for thousands of years in some cases. Long before they would have been exposed to Judeo Christian values. The Roman Empire had such laws and regulations

The Roman social structure was BUILT on their belief of Gods. There were hundreds of Gods in the Asian culture referenced in their societal constructs. Even the aboriginal peoples of the Americas followed the laws and teachings of great Spirits. The point remains the same.

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

"Hammurabi ruled for nearly 42 years, from about 1792 to 1749 BC according to the Middle chronology. In the preface to the law, he states, "Anu and Bel called by name me, Hammurabi, the exalted prince, who feared God, to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak; so that I should rule over the black-headed people like Shamash, and enlighten the land, to further the well-being of mankind."

Tomato, tomahto......

Using powerful mystical entities as part of a threat regarding punishment and enforcement of laws can work wonders on keeping a population under control. Such entities also work to provide legitimacy to rulers of people and have been used as such in most societies including European King, Chinese and Japanese emperor's.

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

The Roman social structure was BUILT on their belief of Gods. There were hundreds of Gods in the Asian culture referenced in their societal constructs. Even the aboriginal peoples of the Americas followed the laws and teachings of great Spirits. The point remains the same.

You are missing my point

Societies create gods and laws as a means to exercise control over life and the society in general. It is a pattern that is shown in nearly every society regardless of the specific religion/s that are being practiced

Overall laws and religions are social constructs used to ensure a society functions over a long time. Religions just tend to help motivate people to follow the laws (fear of being caught/punishment from a mystical powerful entity)

 

[VanceMack]

You are missing my point

Societies create gods and laws as a means to exercise control over life and the society in general. It is a pattern that is shown in nearly every society regardless of the specific religion/s that are being practiced

Overall laws and religions are social constructs used to ensure a society functions over a long time. Religions just tend to help motivate people to follow the laws (fear of being caught/punishment from a mystical powerful entity)

You are missing my point. Every society has been built using a system of rules and laws based on a moral foundation passed down from a higher power. It is inextricably ingrained in who and what we are, Making the claim "I have morals...I dont need no God" is silly, because the moral foundation you have is sourced from a God...whether you acknowledge it or not.

 

[VanceMack]

If this occurs, I will be able to openly acknowledge my Atheism without Christians acting in an un-Christian-like manner toward me.

I suspect many Christians will commit suicide, as they will view their existence as meaningless.

You should point out those Christians to me...we will together go kick their ass in a spiritual sense. Im sure we can get those Christians to treat you with at least the love, respect, and acceptance a typical Atheist shows Christians.