What would change?

[The Nihilist]

Are you an idiot?? Answer the question. Social institutions; church, government, collective culture. Do you think they are injurious?

That's an extremely broad question. Can you narrow it down a bit?

 

[IAmLegion.]

That's an extremely broad question. Can you narrow it down a bit?

Cultural narrative. Does a society need a common story, providing common identity, common social structure and ideals? This is in any social institution, religion, mythology, government...

 

[The Nihilist]

Cultural narrative. Does a society need a common story, providing common identity, common social structure and ideals? This is in any social institution, religion, mythology, government...

This sounds like a fascinating discussion, but it doesn't pertain to the topic of the thread. If you want to talk about it, start a new one.

 

[tbird_energizerbunny]

While I cannot fathom someone actually giving me proof that the holiness that is God that resides within me is actually a heart condition or a nerve inadequacy, but whatever.

If somehow the existance of God was no longer, I would first doubt the source. If indeed, it was true and proven, I suppose I'd sit and think for a long time about how supposedly, I would've wasted my time serving God. Then I'd probably get up, and continue to live my life just as I have, I don't know why, but I think it's something I would feel compelled to do. I don't think I would feel right living any other way.

 

[IAmLegion.]

This sounds like a fascinating discussion, but it doesn't pertain to the topic of the thread. If you want to talk about it, start a new one.

Of course it does. Don't act nonsensical. You seem like a determined representative of your beliefs. It would be a pretty depressing portrayal of atheism if you cannot see the correlation. Seriously, now is your chance to illustrate your genius in bold words. If you cannot, I am personally embarrassed to see the degradation of intellectual atheism.

 

[Joachim]

So, you think the only reason people could really have for not being total [insert expletive here] is the carrot-and-stick? Whew.

I don't perceive humanity in such bleak terms, nor do I perceive myself in such a manner. I consider afterlife-scenarios such as the one you cited above to be downright silly, childish wish-fulfillment fantasies coupled with fear of death - and yet, I'd *never* consider acting in the way you described before.

If you really, honestly feel that you need some supernatural authority to keep you from becoming a sociopath - then I pity you.

I take it you don't hold to Hobbesian philosophy. I do happen to hold to Hobbesian philosophy and specifically his state of man.

 

[The Nihilist]

Of course it does. Don't act nonsensical. You seem like a determined representative of your beliefs. It would be a pretty depressing portrayal of atheism if you cannot see the correlation. Seriously, now is your chance to illustrate your genius in bold words. If you cannot, I am personally embarrassed to see the degradation of intellectual atheism.

You presume too much. If you think there's a correlation, present it. I won't be burdened with trying to make guesses about your own vacuous ideas.

 

[Nathan45]

IAmLegion, i take it you are from the "If god didn't exist, it would be necessary to invent him" camp?

Cultural narrative. Does a society need a common story, providing common identity, common social structure and ideals? This is in any social institution, religion, mythology, government...

society does not "need" religion. It obviously does need some kind of organizational structure such as a government/social contract... a "cultural narrative" should arise naturally from common history and generally held beliefs, no matter what those beliefs are...

Look, as one who is a liberal democrat and not some kind of rand-ite, i'll tell you: you seem to have a huge collectivist bent. This thread is about individuals, not collectives. I don't care that much what the collective around me believes. I, personally, find no use for religion in my life, but if other people do, that's fine. I also see no need for a uniform culture, or any reason why a nihilist can't have culture.

But reject this baseless idea that a society in general "needs" religion. The U.S. government, for example, is secular and would run perfectly fine if 95% or 100% of the country were nihilists.

 

[Nooj]

For those who can't imagine God not existing, how about a hypothetical situation where God exists but does not concern himself with human affairs, in fact has abolished heaven and hell, and got rid of morality? What would change?

If a God existed, and acted as if he didn't exist, I think the OP is answerable.

 

[Garyzenuf]

While I cannot fathom someone actually giving me proof that the holiness that is God that resides within me is actually a heart condition or a nerve inadequacy, but whatever.

How do you know the G-d who resides within you is Jesus?

If somehow the existance of God was no longer, I would first doubt the source. If indeed, it was true and proven, I suppose I'd sit and think for a long time about how supposedly, I would've wasted my time serving God. Then I'd probably get up, and continue to live my life just as I have, I don't know why, but I think it's something I would feel compelled to do. I don't think I would feel right living any other way.

This fairly describes my own lossing faith in the reality of the G-d of the bible, I live my life the same way. (I just have a lot more questions ).

*

 

[tbird_energizerbunny]

How do you know the G-d who resides within you is Jesus?
This fairly describes my own lossing faith in the reality of the G-d of the bible, I live my life the same way. (I just have a lot more questions ).

*

Because if I call out to him "Christ" he responds. We do not respond to names that are not our own. I would not walk on the street and respond to the name Jill or John, because that's not my name. If it were, I may be inclined to respond, but because it's not my name, I don't respond. Christ responds when I call his name, and he's there, when I think thoughts of him, he's there. When I am drawing closer to where I'm supposed to be, he's there within me, singing for joy over me!

I encourage you not to lose heart, and not to lose faith. I tell you what, life, man it's hard. It's rough, and its a troubled place. Our hearts are not made to reside in this world, but to yearn for heaven. And being in a place that is not our home, it's tiring to live day in day out, just living. Keep the faith, keep the spirit up.

 

[The Nihilist]

Because if I call out to him "Christ" he responds. We do not respond to names that are not our own. I would not walk on the street and respond to the name Jill or John, because that's not my name. If it were, I may be inclined to respond, but because it's not my name, I don't respond. Christ responds when I call his name, and he's there, when I think thoughts of him, he's there. When I am drawing closer to where I'm supposed to be, he's there within me, singing for joy over me!

I encourage you not to lose heart, and not to lose faith. I tell you what, life, man it's hard. It's rough, and its a troubled place. Our hearts are not made to reside in this world, but to yearn for heaven. And being in a place that is not our home, it's tiring to live day in day out, just living. Keep the faith, keep the spirit up.

If I were saying the same thing, but said that he responded to Pope Julius II, you'd think I was a schizophrenic. Is there a reason we shouldn't assume the same of you?

 

[IAmLegion.]

New thread

 

[tbird_energizerbunny]

If I were saying the same thing, but said that he responded to Pope Julius II, you'd think I was a schizophrenic. Is there a reason we shouldn't assume the same of you?

Go ahead. I've heard it say that if you talk to God, you're religious, but if God talks to you, you're psychotic. I honestly would rather you assume that I'm crazy, wacky whatever, but I'm not your stereotypical christian. I'm growing and learning and becoming closer to him daily. Go ahead, assume I'm schizophrenic, I'd rather be thought of that than to ignore Christ's words.

And, does Pope Julius II claim that he enters into the hearts of men and changes their souls?

 

[Nathan45]

Go ahead. I've heard it say that if you talk to God, you're religious, but if God talks to you, you're psychotic. I honestly would rather you assume that I'm crazy, wacky whatever, but I'm not your stereotypical christian. I'm growing and learning and becoming closer to him daily. Go ahead, assume I'm schizophrenic, I'd rather be thought of that than to ignore Christ's words.

And, does Pope Julius II claim that he enters into the hearts of men and changes their souls?

I find it slightly annoying that any proof in favor of religion always amounts to personal experiences which can't be verified by anyone else.

anyways, obligatory quote from John's gospel:

Jn 8:47

47Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.’

 

[Nathan45]

And, does Pope Julius II claim that he enters into the hearts of men and changes their souls?

Since Pope Julius II is entirely hypothetical i don't see why he wouldn't.

 

[chingchang]

Christians, hypothetically, what would change if you suddenly discovered irrefutably that there was no God? What would change about how you went about your life?

Let me first state that I love Atheists (I used to be one)...precisely because they ask thought-provoking questions like this. Thinking is good. Now...what would I change about my life? I'd stop talking about and searching for God. That would be it.

Would you kill yourself?

No.

Would you fornicate in the streets?

If I could talk my wife into it. Oh...and I appreciate you trying to speak our language by using the word 'fornicate'. That was funny.

Would you not really change anything?

Yup.

Thanks...that was fun!

Free Hugs,
CC

 

[The Nihilist]

Since Pope Julius II is entirely hypothetical i don't see why he wouldn't.

To be clear, there was actually a Pope Julius II. It's not that I think you're saying otherwise, Nathan, this is just for everyone watching at home.

 

[lawtonfogle]

Christians, hypothetically, what would change if you suddenly discovered irrefutably that there was no God? What would change about how you went about your life? Would you kill yourself? Would you fornicate in the streets? Would you not really change anything?

Also, can we not make this a thread about what atheists would do if they found out there was a god? If that's what you want to talk about, make your own thread.

Either I would embrace the more so humanist side of myself stronger, or I would finish becoming solipsistic. Though, the idea of irrefutable evidence that overcame faith (since I hold currently that faith is separate from evidence so that they do not interact, or something there about) would probably be a big enough blow to my current philosophy to cause me to completely rebuild it, in which case I am not sure.

 

[suzybeezy]

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