What if they proved it?
By Sheepie
@Sheepie (3112)
United States
November 29, 2008 9:37pm CST
I was just considering something. What if scientists one day proved that God does not exist? I'm not just asking what you think of it right now, or if you think it could happen. What if it did?
I'm not telling you whether you think it could happen. I'm not asking you anything else. How would your life change? Would your life still have meaning? Would you still consult the bible in life? Even if you don't believe now, I'd just love to know, if it came on the news, and all the headlines in the papers, that, without flaw, without any possible mistake, that God did not exist.
What I'm looking for is what your life would be like. What do you think the world would be like? This is a major event. Probably, it would be the biggest day in history, bigger than electricity being harnessed for human use, bigger than the discovery of fire.
As for me, I don't really believe in God, so life wouldn't be much different for me. Though, now everyone would be the same as me. I would be worried that people who used to have a religious life would fall apart.
What if they didn't find a way to tell right from wrong? I think there would be riots and just a whole lot of chaos. But we would have to get used to it. I guess churches would be knocked down and replaced with McDonald's. Would we still care? I have the same capacity to love and care, exactly the same and possibly even more as some religious people. I can live without a greater being. But can you?
Religion is in just about every culture and part of the world there is. Houses might get burned down. People would get shot. Nuns and popes might get murdered or something. People would cry. People would commit suicide.
[u][b]
Look, just look here. I am not saying God doesn't or does exist. That doesn't matter in this discussion. This is hypothetical and I am curious, and I want to learn about how people think. So please don't take any offense to this discussion! I just think it's a good question. It really can't be argued, there is no right or wrong answer.[/b][/u]
12 people like this
39 responses
@Sheepie (3112)
• United States
30 Nov 08
It might not though, even for people like us, the people around us are what's going to change. I want to hear more from believers though, because they would probably have very interesting answers, but they seem to be hiding from this one...
3 people like this
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
• United States
30 Nov 08
Hi! The reason why there are scientists is because they try to test some theories and laws and try to disprove or approve them. That's the story of a scientist's life. It's their unending quest. If they have already proven many things, then there would be no need for most of them. I believe that it would always be like that -- an unending quest for answers. Experiments here and there. If majority of them, however, would stand up and say that there is no God, with all their proofs/evidence (or haven't they done this yet?).. for sure many people will still refute this. That's what faith is all about -- the belief in something that one cannot see. No evidence needed. Just my opinion.
Happy myLotting!
3 people like this
@poohgal (6845)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
I think the world will be pretty much the same as now. Many scientists have already come out with such theories. A famous one would be Evolution theory.
I do know enough about Science to know that all theories and equations that Scientists come out with are based on a set of assumptions. We grew up learning these theories and accepting the assumptions.
Even if the Scientists were to be able to prove the non-existence of God one day, that proof must be based on some assumptions. It's up to us to accept it or not. Not all theories are perfect, in fact, none is.
Religious people will still remain religious as it is a belief and Believing is Seeing. We do not need to see to believe. Even if we see, what we see may not be the complete truth.
People like Mother Teresa has done great things. If she were still alive today and some scientist proved the non-existence of God, do you think she will be stoned or killed by people in Calcutta (most people there are not Catholics)? I doubt so.
I think people are still rational enough to see a person as a person, rather than what religion that person is from.
3 people like this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
30 Nov 08
I don't see anything wrong with your thoughts here sheepie. I'll tell you why I believe this. I use to rebel against believing in religion because I"m the type that has to see something to believe it. A theory against that just blew my thoughts right out of the water because someone answered that by saying.. Do you believe that wind exists? I said yes. They said, it's the same as believing in God, You don't see it but you can feel it and you can see the effects it has on trees and things.
Nextly, another reason I had a hard time excepting religion and it supported my belief in was when my science teacher told me that Religion and Science are clashers. They don't mix well because of the scientific explanations that are proved and supplied to believers in God.
Finally, my question when I was a child was, If God is a creator and he created us, then who created him and if there's a higher God, who was that and the question repeated in my mind over and over. It's just like that question that everyone wonders about.. who came first the chicken or the egg? You need an egg to hatch but, you need the chicken to lay it. There are just so many unanswered questions and it's very frustrating. It's not like they are unsimple but then again no one can answer them properly. I'm sure other people thought about it many times during their lives but made the choice to keep searching. I don't see why we just can't go on living without worrying where we're going to end up when we die. Whether it be another life? or where someone's got your fate in their hands.
Have a great day
3 people like this
@umart13 (841)
• Ireland
30 Nov 08
Hello Sheepie, someday I am sure that a group of scientists will proclaim to the world that they have searched the length and breath of the universe and found nothing, which could be described as God. However, we humans have worshipped Gods for over 10,000 years and we will continue to need to believe in something external to ourselves, which makes us feel that we are being looked after, that life makes some sort of sense and that the wonders and complexities of nature can be attributed to some higher form of life. Otherwise it would simply be too much for us to understand and we would suffer from depression or anxiety. Besides it's nice to have a God there somewhere, as it is similar to our childhood, when somebody else did the worrying for us. Have a nice weekend. UMart
3 people like this
@lilcee (2703)
• United States
30 Nov 08
Well, for me, I would rather believe in God now and find out later He didn't exist. Then to not believe in Him now and find He really did. It would be too late than. By believing in Him now you have nothing to lose. But if you don't believe in Him now and He really does exist, you have everything to lose later. But, I truly believe He does exist.
3 people like this
@pumpkinjam (8775)
• United Kingdom
30 Nov 08
I am not religious anyway and, while I wouldn't mind knowing one way or another whether God exists or not, I don't think it would make any real difference to me if he was proven not to exist. If he was proven to exist then that might be a different matter!
I think some people would still choose to believe in God even if it was proven without a doubt that he didn't exist. I am sure that some would think it was some sort of test for them. Although I would imagine that it would change the lives of a lot of people but probably not mine! (except I wouldn't have to explain the whole "God might exist but might not" thing to my curious 8 year old!)
3 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
30 Nov 08
I think the question is a bit of an oxymoron because most religions are based on faith and if you had to have proof then you would not need faith. For me personally it would not make any difference in the strength of my beliefs or change my life in any way.
3 people like this
@kunking (1118)
• China
30 Nov 08
i would like to say i don't believe that God can be proved to be unreal...and i think most of those have beliefs will also scientists are able to prove..actually, religious has nothing to do with science because they both can help people to live happily and meaningfully. Everyone has his/her great being in mind whether it can be proved existing or not...
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
• United States
30 Nov 08
It would not personally effect me because i don't have faith in god anyways. But i can picture what would happen. I foresee lots of angry christians saying that its all satan and its another sign of the end of days and blah blah blah. I think if one day there was scientific proof that there is no god, nothing will change. Oh wait i do know a lot of people that would go around saying I told you so.
3 people like this
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
30 Nov 08
Hi sheepie, I usually dont respond to religious discussion but I will make an exception for this one, ok first of all I dont think that scientist will ever prove that god dosent exist, and as for what my life would be like if they did I would still be a loving and caring person and I would still live my life and enjoy my life, and keep on going, I would not give up on my life if they did prove it, of course I would defintly have a slightly different view of the world and my life in general, but my life would still be the same as it is now. but for some people it might change things drastically in the ways you say. but they will never be able to prove that god dosent exist because god is beyond mans scientifcly understanding there is no physical way for a scientist to prove that.
3 people like this
@Margarit (3676)
• Philippines
30 Nov 08
I dont want it to happen, if there will be no God i dont think we still have the reason to live. We are just like any animals that will just do everything and anything they like. Killing each other and eating other for their is no rules at all. Can you emagine that. I think is the worst thing i guess. Just when you watch a basketball games. If there is no rules and regulation to follow what whould happen. I think everybody end up in the cemetary.
3 people like this
@jessicapark7435 (42)
• United States
30 Nov 08
I think that it would not matter. I beleive that god exists in our own selves, our actions, and behaviors. God exists in our attitude in life and in the attitude how we want to live our lives. God exists in our thoughts and how we portray those thoughts on a daily basis, god will always exist.
3 people like this
@up9nine (38)
• China
30 Nov 08
There is not any affect for me whether God is exist or not.Does scientist has been proved God is exist?No!but,why so many people believe it?God is just a faith and spirit,,,if someone have the belif,,just keep it,,,do not mind it's exist or not,,,BTW,i'm Chinese,,,there are many people believe God,,,and someone often consult Bible,,there is one in my dormitory,,haha,,,have a nice day!
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Sheepie,
First of all, I think you will agree with me that all things are imperfect and will have its limitations, and that my friend will include Science.
Scientific method is limited to a process defined by that which is measurable and repeatable. By definition, it cannot speak to issues of ultimate origin, meaning, or morality.
For such answers, science is dependent on the values and personal beliefs of those who uses it. Science, therefore, has great potential for both good and evil. It can be used to make vaccines or poisons, nuclear power plants or nuclear weapons. It can be used to clean up the environment or to pollute it. It can be used to argue for God or against Him.
But, Science by itself offers no moral guidance or values to govern our lives. All science can do is show us how natural law works, while telling us nothing about its origins.
I hope this small point on limitation will help most of you see the light in this aspect of the discussion.
Take care and have a nice day ahead.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
30 Nov 08
If they proved to my satisfaction that there is no God, my life would not change much, nor would the way I look at the world. I would have to re-examine my thoughts on whether there is an afterlife but I'm already living each day as if it's my last but planning to live a long time. The way I live coincides with how the Bible says we should, so there's no shock there and my morals also fit that book, for the most part.
I don't think it would matter to me. It'd be kind of lonely, because I saw little prayers several times a day, but I'd adjust.
3 people like this
@6precious102 (4043)
• United States
30 Nov 08
Even if there was irrefutable evidence that God didn't exist, I probably wouldn't believe it and would continue to live my life believing in eternal consequences for my actions on earth. When I die, if there's no God, it won't matter what I believed or what anyone thought of what I believed. Right now, I believe the world is a nicer place because there are people who do believe in God. Without a belief in God, I'm afraid it would be a world of survival of the fittest and that could get pretty nasty.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
30 Nov 08
I don't believe the world would automatically turn evil. I do believe that many would be sad and angry and ask the eternal question "WHY?". Many would wonder what the purpose is for our being. I believe basically good people would remain good and the bad might get worse if they thought there was no one to answer to. I'm sad to say that I think as time went by, behavior would get worse. I would not stop reading the Bible. I believe there are good life lessons in it whether you are a believer or not. Lastly, I believe, even if it was proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that there was no God, there would still be many who wouldn't believe it, just as I believe if it was proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is a God, there are many who don't believe it.
@AmandaBarnhart (671)
• Canada
30 Nov 08
I find it odd how movies about god can be made so readily yet anyone wanting to make a movie to explain how it is possible that he didn't exist would cause a huge uproar in the Christian community. I find it odd how something such as the movie "the Davinci Code" (As it was actually proving his existence) Could have had soo much restraint when it was about to be released. From what I heard the Vatican refused to let this movie play for it was a slap in the face because of the possible theory behind it including Jesus' 'wife' and the life line etc.
It honestly wouldn't change my life just possibly prove what I thought all along. I would feel really bad for those who did believe in any god really. I would feel bad because faith is something that all of us hold on to. Faith in something or the other even if it's faith in not believing. To have any faith stripped from us would be a horrible thing to feel. With that I don't think it's possible to prove his existence or disprove it. We don't see him there for in the terms of science.. what you can't see you can't prove. You need hard facts, DNA etc. and without it it's not very likly to disprove something that never was. (so to speak).
Again it wouldn't change my life one ounce. I feel the same way as you that people would fall apart. I wonder then what the world would choose to fight wars over? Religion is the be all that ends all. Causes many deaths and many wars. It baffles me.
2 people like this