What if God was proven to be nonexistent? (morals, beliefs)

[Druidus]

Imagine, in this hypothetical scenario, that God/s is somehow proven to be nonexistent, beyond a shadow of a doubt. Theists of any religion, what would you do? Would you continue following your religion?

I have to say that I would not. If my religion was proven to be false, most assuredly I would no longer follow it, though my moral compass would likely not change at all.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Druidus

Imagine, in this hypothetical scenario, that God/s is somehow proven to be nonexistent, beyond a shadow of a doubt. Theists of any religion, what would you do? Would you continue following your religion?

I have to say that I would not. If my religion was proven to be false, most assuredly I would no longer follow it, though my moral compass would likely not change at all.

I would immediately assume that the person giving the proof was a liar was using 'Trickery', and I would tell him so to his face - because I KNOW that it would not be true.

[Ori]

No God?
Then there would be no consequences, no justice and life would pretty much be rendered unimportant, for me anyway.

[Druidus]

I would immediately assume that the person giving the proof was a liar was using 'Trickery', and I would tell him so to his face - because I KNOW that it would not be true.[img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Imagine, for the sake of argument, that there is no way around this. There can be no "trickery" in this scenario. It is proven that God does not exist.

No God?
Then there would be no consequences, no justice and life would pretty much be rendered unimportant, for me anyway.

I find it disturbing that one rests their beliefs and morals on the existence of a God. I, personally, like to create my own code of ethics.

[Fluffy]

If my religion was proven with total certainity then I would give it up immediatly. I am yet to find a single fact that has been proven with total certainty, however, beyond, perhaps and rather tenuously, that of "I think therefore I am". If there were any chance that the evidence was not certain then I would not follow it. Why should I choose one belief over another unless I prefer it? I quite like my god and goddess. I'm not about to swap the belief in their existence for the opposite belief. Knowledge, on the other hand, is a whole other kettle of fish.

Edit: Michel, your reply is a criticism of the technique in which they convey the evidence, not of the evidence itself. Perhaps it would be better to say that you could experience the evidence in such a way that you were able to assess for yourself whether it was 100% certain or not.

[Uncertaindrummer]

Originally Posted by Druidus

I find it disturbing that one rests their beliefs and morals on the existence of a God. I, personally, like to create my own code of ethics.

A "created" code of ethics is no code at all. If you make up your own morals they aren't morals. Without God there is no reason for ethical behavior. We can all do whatever we want whenever we want for whatever reason we want, because there is no good and evil.

Anyway, the question is ridiculous because it is absolutely impossible to prove God doesn't exist, jsut like it is impossible to prove he doesn't. But, you can theoretically say that God could open up the Heavens and prove it to everyone. You can't say He could open up the Heavens to... disprove it to everyone.

[Master Vigil]

A "created" code of ethics is no code at all. If you make up your own morals they aren't morals. Without God there is no reason for ethical behavior. We can all do whatever we want whenever we want for whatever reason we want, because there is no good and evil.

I completely disagree. I think our empathy and care for fellow life, and environment is based solely in our genetics, our experiences, perceptions, upbringing, etc... I don't think some supernatural being that may not even exist has anything to do with it. I feel that religious morality was not created by god, but created by man and attributed to their god to better control the masses. If you think it was created by god, I must ask "which god?" And which religions morals do you ascribe to? Sure they may all be similar, but that is because they were all created by humans. And humans are all quite similar wouldn't you say? Also, if morals were created by a perfect, omniscient, and omnipotent god, why would they change from religion to religion? And if you say one religion is right, which one? Clearly, morals are not the creation of some supernatural being, but a creation of culture and societal needs by humans.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

If my religion was proven with total certainity then I would give it up immediatly. I am yet to find a single fact that has been proven with total certainty, however, beyond, perhaps and rather tenuously, that of "I think therefore I am". If there were any chance that the evidence was not certain then I would not follow it. Why should I choose one belief over another unless I prefer it? I quite like my god and goddess. I'm not about to swap the belief in their existence for the opposite belief. Knowledge, on the other hand, is a whole other kettle of fish.

Edit: Michel, your reply is a criticism of the technique in which they convey the evidence, not of the evidence itself. Perhaps it would be better to say that you could experience the evidence in such a way that you were able to assess for yourself whether it was 100% certain or not.

Oh yuk! I am having broadband 'Glitches' at the moment - that's three posts that have disappeared into the ether!
I know what you are saying is true, Fluffy, but the whole point rests on the Fact that I KNOW That the situation could not arise; 1) because of my Faith, 2) because we know that it is impossible to prove the existence of, or non-existence of God.

It would be as absurd a question as my saying to you "If I brought God down to your house this evening, and he could prove to be God, what would you do ? " - We both know that neither scenario is going to happen. My original answer was somewhat flippant, but what else could Druidus expect?-the question is totally academic, and an impossible one to answer without resorting to the answer I gave.

[Pah]

Without God there is no reason for ethical behavior.

Hogwash!!! I'm not sure if you meant to but you've just demeaned all those Atheists who do have morals

[cardero]

Originally Posted by Pah

Hogwash!!! I'm not sure if you meant to but you've just demeaned all those Atheists who do have morals

I agree, this reliance of GOD is disconcerting.