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If you personally were given conclusive proof that God doesn't exist . . .

Eliot Wild

Irreverent Agnostic Jerk
I was struck by a thought while replying to another thread. I honestly believe that some people NEED God, even a fictitious one.

Personal experience: My mother, bless her heart, needs God. It is that simple. Her God, her faith and her Church are a huge part of her life. Her religion is her primary social network, as well as a moral guidepost for her, and whether for good or ill, it is also a sort of pychological crutch that holds her up during stressful situations, such as the death of loved ones.

My thought was this: If I had conclusive proof that God didn't exist, would I break the news to her?

I'm glad this is a hypothetical, 'cause I really don't know what I'd do. Personally, I have always felt that giving people the truth was the best thing to do, but a favorite literary character of mine once said, "I never lie, at least not to people I don't love."

In other words, perhaps the truth isn't good for some people and we might withhold it out of compassion.

What are people's thoughts?
 

Erebus

Well-Known Member
If I was given conclusive proof that my deities didn't exist, I guess I'd just have to accept it and move on. It would be sad, since they are a positive influence in my life, but if it was proven to me beyond doubt, I would lose even the psychological benefits to my practices and there would be no point continuing them.
 

sandandfoam

Veteran Member
What's truth only another story?


We all make our own worlds and I don't see the benefit in shattering anothers.
 
It will be an amazing moment when anyone can prove conclusively that God does not exist... However, I believe that will never happen...
 

Noaidi

slow walker
Interesting idea, EliotWild

I wouldn't share the knowledge with others for the reasons you gave above. Many people need to believe in something, whether it's gods, astrology, tarot or whatever, so who am I to take it away from them?

The only exception I would make to that approach would be when a believer says something that is wrong / harmful and is a product of their faith. Homophobia, for example. I would feel obliged to let a bigot know that their views were unfounded.
 

Rainbow Mage

Lib Democrat/Agnostic/Epicurean-ish/Buddhist-ish
I've yet to be shown such conclusive proof. I have personal experiences with my deities though, so you'd be hard-pressed to disprove it to me.
 

Storm

ThrUU the Looking Glass
Like others, it would take some pretty impressive evidence to convince me. But I'll play along.

If I were convinced that God didn't exist, I'd be a bit lost. Not because I need God to be happy, but because my great passion is seeking to understand it. It's what I want to do with my life, my end goal. I don't know where I'd go from there.

My religion wouldn't change, though. UU doesn't require deity, and my community is of great value to me.
 

tarasan

Well-Known Member
It something That i would spread the word about, ultametly I would rather live in the true than give into a lie.
 

Eliot Wild

Irreverent Agnostic Jerk
Interesting idea, EliotWild

I wouldn't share the knowledge with others for the reasons you gave above. Many people need to believe in something, whether it's gods, astrology, tarot or whatever, so who am I to take it away from them?

The only exception I would make to that approach would be when a believer says something that is wrong / harmful and is a product of their faith. Homophobia, for example. I would feel obliged to let a bigot know that their views were unfounded.


I think I agree, at least for the most part, with you, Noaidi.

I like discussing religion and philosophy, hence my presence here on a regular basis. And I like to challenge ideas that I find absurd, or as you said, "harmful" maybe.

But that is because here, on sites like this, we're all big kids, right? That's what we came here for: we want to discuss and debate, challenge and be challenged. We want to learn to better articulate our own thoughts and beliefs, while allowing others the opportunity to prove us wrong. Hopefully, if proven wrong, we are willing to concede our error and personally learn from being wrong.

That is not the case for everyone. There are people who can't handle being told they might be wrong. I don't think I would tell my mom.
 

Breathe

Hostis humani generis
If I was personally given conclusive proof that God doesn't exist, I'd not believe in God.
I wouldn't believe in something that I thought was a lie. I would only tell those who asked, whom I thought really would survive OK without a Divine Source; not everyone can.. it appears that some people need God to be moral, they need that thread of punishment. Sad, but true.

However, it would take something extra special (short of my own self) to convince me God doesn't exist. It wouldn't be someone else who would convince me.
 
even if we had proof that gods do not exist in the real, physical world of concrete objects, gods will always (at least in our foreseeable future) exist memetically. and it's clearly the meme of a god that brings comfort to someone who believes in something, you have found proof, doesn't exist in reality. so really little to nothing has to change for that person besides a little creative psychological adaptation - this same adaptation took place when these people first 'discovered' their faith and they had to rearrange their worldview based on new information. our brains adapt and correct every day with new pieces of information. and finding out that a god doesn't exist is just a new piece of data. the meme, the comfort, the ritual, and the foundation for positive future influence remains even when the object disappears.

who am I to take it away from them?

when you give someone knowledge, you are never taking anything away from them. you are giving them a chance to experience the world with a sober mind - and that is a gift, not a slight.


but if i received conclusive, concrete proof that no gods existed i would probably just laugh and reply "so, ms. proofgiver, now that you have completed this task; your next assignment is to find some way to make human beings value things like 'conclusive, concrete proof', and then we can finally release this information to the public." ;)
 

Smoke

Done here.
My parents and my aunts are in their seventies and take great comfort in their religious beliefs. Even if it were possible to disabuse them of their beliefs, it would seem unkind to leave them bereft of that comfort in their old age. And I don't imagine for a minute that they would accept even the most convincing proof, anyway.

However, if they found a way to enlighten themselves it would be a great comfort to me. Day before yesterday I listened to an angry, three-person rant, lasting upwards of forty-five minutes, on the subject of how greatly it displeases the Lord that my nephew smokes, drinks, uses the F-word, and takes the Lord's name in vain. I could really live without all that.
 

Silver

Just maybe
Dearly devoted Gran, God doesn't exist, but don't worry........

In a billion years scientists will design and create an afterlife realm.
Then using time travel they will travel back through time to the moment of your death.
Then using mind uploading the scientists will upload your mind to the afterlife realm.
Your gonna get a new body,
and plug-ins to your mind to help you think better.
It's going to be fantastic.

Silver)(
 

LuisDantas

Aura of atheification
Premium Member
My thought was this: If I had conclusive proof that God didn't exist, would I break the news to her?

I guess it all comes down to what do you think she loves most: belief in God or knowing the truth to the best of her knowledge.

I'm glad this is a hypothetical, 'cause I really don't know what I'd do. Personally, I have always felt that giving people the truth was the best thing to do, but a favorite literary character of mine once said, "I never lie, at least not to people I don't love."

Point taken. Then again, we don't always do the right, best or even the most confortable thing to the people we love, now do we?

In other words, perhaps the truth isn't good for some people and we might withhold it out of compassion.

What are people's thoughts?

It may well be the case, albeit unfortunately so. It may be needed. But it is a regrettable need at best. Lying about important matters is, in and of itself, no token of respect for a loved one. It can only be justified by a sincere conviction that worse things would happen as a consequence of the alternatives.

The flip side (and the bright side as well) is that it is in everyone's best interests to try and learn not to rely so much of belief, so that we don't cause such dilemmas to others.
 

Moonstone

inactive
If I was given proof that no "God" existed I would be ok with that, just move on. However some people really do need a belief in somthing, and as long as they aren't hurting anyone I see no problem with it. So would I break the news to my loved ones? No, probably not.
 

Kilgore Trout

Misanthropic Humanist
I've yet to see conclusive proof trump belief.

I doubt breaking the news to her would have any substantial effect.
 
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