I've heard too many times to count:
- Without God, life has no meaning or purpose, and
- Without God, there is no objective morality.
Okay, this thread is primarily aimed at those who hold those positions, but others are welcome to participate, if they'd like -- though I'd find it odd!
So, pretend that you are God, just for a moment, and complete (as God) the following three statements:
I always wonder when I see threads like this whether you really want genuine answers or whether you just want to jerk our chains....?
But FWIW.....I’ll play.....I really cannot speak for God, but if I could, the following would probably be somewhat speculative but close.....
“1. "I, God, created humans for the purpose of..."
...representing me on this planet as caretakers of its creatures and of the planet itself.....it is the reason why I gave you my moral attributes and love of nature. I wanted you to fulfill the mandate that I gave you to fill the world with your children and to extend the boundaries of the paradise I gave you, so that life would be enjoyable and fulfilling for all of you....a journey of education and discovery for the rest of eternity, whilst you continue to uncover the natural wonders that I have hidden away in secret places.
You are just the beginning of a much larger project, so everything must be worked out here first, before I move onto the rest of what I have planned for my vast material universe. Precedents will the be set for all time to come so that the issues that you have confronted, as a result of abusing free will, can never be raised again.
2. “I, God, declare the following things to be objectively immoral and forbidden.....anything that goes against the natural way I created everything. Things that are not truthful or honest. Anything that causes harm for others or that will offend them and me...everything that goes against what I first purposed.
Remember that you are not living the life that I planned for you at present, but I ask for your patience because once the current object lesson is concluded, all will return to the way it was meant to be at the beginning. I promise that all the pain will be worth it in the end.
3. “I, God, declare the following to be objectively moral and necessary..."
To abide by your conscience and to be loyal in your love for each other. Do no harm to anyone and remember your moral obligations to contribute to the happiness of others and the wellbeing of all the creatures who share life with you. Follow my directions because I always have your best interests at heart, so no one will guide you to happiness and fulfilment in a more understanding way than I will. All I ask is your obedience because law and order creates peace and security for all.
Or words to that effect......