What if God doesn't exist

[commoncents]

Let me just start by saying that this is a complete hypothetical. It is impossible to prove that something does not exist, so technically it would be impossible to disprove God, but what if somehow it was proven to you God didn’t exist…how would your life change?

Would you morality change if you somehow knew for a fact that God didn’t exist? How would your life change? Would your life be better? Would it be worse?

Also, just so you know I’m not looking for “answers” to this question about God’s existence being truth and there is no point in thinking about what if God didn’t exist, etc. This is a completely hypothetical and if you can’t play along then feel free not to reply.

Anyway, I already know how my life would change because I recently lost my faith in God. I can’t say for sure that God does not exist, but it seems much more likely that there is no God. To be honest, my life really hasn’t changed much though. I still have the same set of morals as I did when I did believe in God. Then again my morals didn’t line up with the church at that time either. I would think things like condom use would be taken off the immoral list without God because without the existence of God condoms cease to be immoral.

Anyway, what do you guys think?

 

[JRKH]

My life would not change because, as you already pointed out, it’s impossible to prove God does not exist. The only thing that might change under the pressure of “new information” is that our concept of God might change - but even that is unlikely…

Peace
James

 

[GloriousOrder]

The possibility that God does not exist is a logical impossibility. Concupiscence on the part of men has twisted what might have been sound, classical logic into mere emotionalism. If God does not exist, everything that really exists is predicated on nothing. God cannot not exist. Given the complexity of the Universe, even the most dedicated and intricate argument that ‘proves’ God does not exist would never convince me of the speculation. Even the “God of the gaps” notion falls apart, because there will always be one last horizon beyond which we cannot see. Multiple universes? God might be there. It extends forever, because God exists: not a priori, but a posteriori.

 

[Thoughtfulone]

Well, obviously I would stop going to Church and praying Also, I might have my tubes tied and have more “non-Catholic” sex with my husband That’s about it though.

 

[Soler]

Let me just start by saying that this is a complete hypothetical. It is impossible to prove that something does not exist, so technically it would be impossible to disprove God, but what if somehow it was proven to you God didn’t exist…how would your life change?

Would you morality change if you somehow knew for a fact that God didn’t exist? How would your life change? Would your life be better? Would it be worse?

Also, just so you know I’m not looking for “answers” to this question about God’s existence being truth and there is no point in thinking about what if God didn’t exist, etc. This is a completely hypothetical and if you can’t play along then feel free not to reply.

Anyway, I already know how my life would change because I recently lost my faith in God. I can’t say for sure that God does not exist, but it seems much more likely that there is no God. To be honest, my life really hasn’t changed much though. I still have the same set of morals as I did when I did believe in God. Then again my morals didn’t line up with the church at that time either. I would think things like condom use would be taken off the immoral list without God because without the existence of God condoms cease to be immoral.

Anyway, what do you guys think?

As you say, it is impossible to prove that something does not exist.

However, if I was utterly convinced that neither God nor any other supernatural thing existed, then:

1. I would see no rational justification for any moral law. Almost everything I would do would be done out of self-interest. I would embrace the modern hedonist mode of thinking and lose all fear of judgement.
2. Success and pleasure would become far more important to me. I would seek them more avidly and would be more miserable when I did not attain them. However, the number of ways by which I could seek success and pleasure would increase, as I would no longer be constrained by morality.
3. I would see the present moral degeneration of society as something to be applauded.
4. I would see no purpose to my life other than my own pursuit of happiness—there would be nothing for which I could really fight. Similarly, I would see nothing to hope for after death. These two points would probably cause me to become depressed from time to time, particularly on my deathbed.

 

[PrayHarder]

As a hypothetical, I would stop going to Mass and praying since there would be no point anymore. However, I don’t think a world without God means that it would be a world without ethics. Or at least I would try to live an ethical life just to make my life bearable.

It’s interesting that you bring this up. Although we cannot prove that God does not exist, isn’t our world already moving in a direction where we choose not to acknowledge His existence anyway? And look all around you on how that is turning out. What is good is bad and what is bad is seen as good.

 

[commoncents]

Well, obviously I would stop going to Church and praying Also, I might have my tubes tied and have more “non-Catholic” sex with my husband That’s about it though.

Its nice to see at least one of you understood the thread.

 

[commoncents]

As you say, it is impossible to prove that something does not exist.

However, if I was utterly convinced that neither God nor any other supernatural thing existed, then:

1. I would see no rational justification for any moral law. Almost everything I would do would be done out of self-interest. I would embrace the modern hedonist mode of thinking and lose all fear of judgement.
2. Success and pleasure would become far more important to me. I would seek them more avidly and would be more miserable when I did not attain them. However, the number of ways by which I could seek success and pleasure would increase, as I would no longer be constrained by morality.
3. I would see the present moral degeneration of society as something to be applauded.
4. I would see no purpose to my life other than my own pursuit of happiness—there would be nothing for which I could really fight. Similarly, I would see nothing to hope for after death. These two points would probably cause me to become depressed from time to time, particularly on my deathbed.

You say these things but I don’t know any person that went from believer to atheist that has done anything like this at all.

 

[MarcusAndreas]

In the logically impossible situation where there is no God (and yet somehow finite beings exist? ), the obvious lifestyle choice would be nihilistic hedonism, since there would be no meaning or reason for anything, so why not just do whatever you feel like?

 

[PrayHarder]

You say these things but I don’t know any person that went from believer to atheist that has done anything like this at all.

Really? You don’t see any moral degeneration of society? First we need to establish a baseline. Do you believe, as a society or world, we are moving away from God and Christian values, towards it, or not moving at all? I’m coming from the belief that we are moving away from morals and what I see is a world where people only act soley for themselves. I see a world that isn’t any better because we are moving away from God.

Open the paper and read reports about 90-year olds being killed for the $5 in their pockets, countless broken families, children acting without conscience, etc. Heck, even little things like people not getting up on the train to let a preganant woman sit down. Things like that were just a given. But now people think, “I have my seat and I’m going to keep it no matter what.” Or worse, it just doesn’t register that maybe the pregant lady is uncomfortable standing. I know some great people who are atheists, but as a whole, adopting their point of view as a society is what is leading to some serious issues.

 

[Eric_Peter]

if somehow it was proven to you God didn’t exist…how would your life change?

I would just earn money and enjoy my life. For if He doesn’t exist, I don’t care anymore. I will just enjoy whatever pleasures me.

Would you morality change if you somehow knew for a fact that God didn’t exist? How would your life change? Would your life be better? Would it be worse?

Maybe I will be worse. For if He doesn’t exist, I’ll go and try more stuff because I think it’s fun. I would do anything, as long as it didn’t harm myself. Things such as taking drugs will shorten my life, so I’ll avoid it. I’ll be doing more adult stuff. With protection of course, I don’t wanna get diseases. But, I will try to find a partner and be faithful, because protection adds one layer to prevent direct contact, which is not fun. But since getting rid of that something is costly, I guess I have no choice. And I won’t care about helping people. since I have to focus on my 50 - 60 years more of life, assuming I can only live for 70-80 years.
I will use more swear words because I think it’s cool. Like in the hood. Grove street for life! u down, homie? Let’s roll. Let’s take down some Ballas!

This is what I think I will do if God doesn’t exist.

wow. This is scary.

 

[fhansen]

Let me just start by saying that this is a complete hypothetical. It is impossible to prove that something does not exist, so technically it would be impossible to disprove God, but what if somehow it was proven to you God didn’t exist…how would your life change?

Would you morality change if you somehow knew for a fact that God didn’t exist? How would your life change? Would your life be better? Would it be worse?

Also, just so you know I’m not looking for “answers” to this question about God’s existence being truth and there is no point in thinking about what if God didn’t exist, etc. This is a completely hypothetical and if you can’t play along then feel free not to reply.

Anyway, I already know how my life would change because I recently lost my faith in God. I can’t say for sure that God does not exist, but it seems much more likely that there is no God. To be honest, my life really hasn’t changed much though. I still have the same set of morals as I did when I did believe in God. Then again my morals didn’t line up with the church at that time either. I would think things like condom use would be taken off the immoral list without God because without the existence of God condoms cease to be immoral.

Anyway, what do you guys think?

An interesting question. I think the answer depends on why one came to the faith to begin with. For myself, once faith has been lost, then, of course, hope would die. All hope that life has an ultimate purpose-that we aren’t just breeders of more breeders for no reason but to eat and breed, no hope that the cr**py way this world treats each other is anything other than normal behavior, no hope that love is anything more than a selfishly evolved trait for perpetuation of the species-a perpetuation, itself, having no reason-rather than a selfless virtue. The concept of nobility, courage, or fortitude as virtues would also be harder to take seriously.

IOW, there’d be less color, less meaning, less love in the universe. I think most people do possess these hopes, BTW, in one form or another, whether or not formally articulated or placed in the context of religion.

 

[Incomplete]

Let me just start by saying that this is a complete hypothetical. It is impossible to prove that something does not exist, so technically it would be impossible to disprove God, but what if somehow it was proven to you God didn’t exist…how would your life change?

Would you morality change if you somehow knew for a fact that God didn’t exist? How would your life change? Would your life be better? Would it be worse?

Also, just so you know I’m not looking for “answers” to this question about God’s existence being truth and there is no point in thinking about what if God didn’t exist, etc. This is a completely hypothetical and if you can’t play along then feel free not to reply.

Anyway, I already know how my life would change because I recently lost my faith in God. I can’t say for sure that God does not exist, but it seems much more likely that there is no God. To be honest, my life really hasn’t changed much though. I still have the same set of morals as I did when I did believe in God. Then again my morals didn’t line up with the church at that time either. I would think things like condom use would be taken off the immoral list without God because without the existence of God condoms cease to be immoral.

Anyway, what do you guys think?

Yes, I would change. I know because I’ve changed for the better since attending daily Mass. I strive to be more patient, more gentle, more loving with those around me. I don’t justify things by how I see the world, but try to look at the viewpoint of God as expressed through the Church, which has shown me just how loving God is, and how much better the world would be if we all lived as though there was truth and we could know and follow that truth, rather than using moral relativism as our guide.

Too often in the past I’d argue with family and justify myself, knowing I was right. Now I know there is much more to that, and I work much harder on my part in relationships. I’d do things that the Church considered wrong and justify that I wasn’t hurting anybody; I was so wrong. And wrong to think that anything is OK if you’re not hurting anybody.

There’s more, much more, but I’m lacking words today.

I know the emptiness of thinking God does not exist. I pray you come back to Him.

 

[Soler]

You say these things but I don’t know any person that went from believer to atheist that has done anything like this at all.

I don’t know how you could say that. You can’t possibly know what goes on in people’s heads.

Besides, I simply told you what I would do. I believe that was what you originally asked for.

 

[commoncents]

As a hypothetical, I would stop going to Mass and praying since there would be no point anymore. However, I don’t think a world without God means that it would be a world without ethics. Or at least I would try to live an ethical life just to make my life bearable.

It’s interesting that you bring this up. Although we cannot prove that God does not exist, isn’t our world already moving in a direction where we choose not to acknowledge His existence anyway? And look all around you on how that is turning out. What is good is bad and what is bad is seen as good.

People talk about the moral degradation of society but just 150 years ago slavery was something that most people in the US didn’t even think of as a moral issue.

 

[commoncents]

Really? You don’t see any moral degeneration of society? First we need to establish a baseline. Do you believe, as a society or world, we are moving away from God and Christian values, towards it, or not moving at all? I’m coming from the belief that we are moving away from morals and what I see is a world where people only act soley for themselves. I see a world that isn’t any better because we are moving away from God.

Open the paper and read reports about 90-year olds being killed for the $5 in their pockets, countless broken families, children acting without conscience, etc. Heck, even little things like people not getting up on the train to let a preganant woman sit down. Things like that were just a given. But now people think, “I have my seat and I’m going to keep it no matter what.” Or worse, it just doesn’t register that maybe the pregant lady is uncomfortable standing. I know some great people who are atheists, but as a whole, adopting their point of view as a society is what is leading to some serious issues.

I believe we are moving away from Christian values, which isn’t **necessarily ** a bad thing. I think the acceptance of gays is a good thing but the super sexuality of our children is a bad thing.

And I don’t think that the way society is moving has much to do with more people rejecting God to be honest.

 

[commoncents]

I don’t know how you could say that. You can’t possibly know what goes on in people’s heads.

Besides, I simply told you what I would do. I believe that was what you originally asked for.

I have heard that point of view on this board before but I don’t actually buy it. I have known quite a few people that have gone from atheist to believer and not one of them has had some sort of moral breakdown as described by yourself.

 

[fhansen]

People talk about the moral degradation of society but just 150 years ago slavery was something that most people in the US didn’t even think of as a moral issue.

People can ignore the light of the gospel staring them in the face only so long and then they have to either throw it out or act upon it. Slavery simply won’t fit with the tenet that human life is sacred and made in the image of God and that all should be treated with respect and dignity.

 

[PrayHarder]

People talk about the moral degradation of society but just 150 years ago slavery was something that most people in the US didn’t even think of as a moral issue.

I’m not saying that people doing bad things are being very misguided is something new. All of human history is marked with people making ethical and moral mistakes. Maybe I’m falling into the mistakes of “recentivism” where we tend to put a higher weight on more recent events and trends. So I don’t have a good response to your statement. Can anyone else provide a good argument that our society is falling into a greater amount of moral degradation now than any other time in history?

 

[Soler]

I have heard that point of view on this board before but I don’t actually buy it. I have known quite a few people that have gone from atheist to believer and not one of them has had some sort of moral breakdown as described by yourself.

The moral breakdown I said I would undergo is internal. You very likely wouldn’t know if it happened to one of your friends, because they wouldn’t tell you. A nihilistic hedonist would still treat people nicely if it suited them to do so.

The fact of the matter is that many non-believers believe that morality is “purely personal”—there are no absolutes; everyone comes up with his own rules. By saying that people can have whatever values they want, one is by extension also saying that people can do whatever they want, since anyone can legitimately adjust his morals to fit his lifestyle.

Of course, practically no-one will admit he thinks this way, since practically everyone finds the idea of murderous psychopaths, greedy corporations and neo-Nazis “doing whatever they want” icky and scary.