If God didn't exist, should we all kill each other?

[JohnEngland]

If God didn't exist, should we all kill each other?

Just throwing it out there.

Firstly, as a Catholic, I naturally think that the question is invalid because God does exist. However, for the sake of argument, let's pretend He doesn't exist.

So what should we, as individuals, and as society, do? Why shouldn't I get a weapon, go around and shoot loads of people and then kill myself?

I wouldn't care. I'd be dead, so there'd be no bad consequences for me! There may be for my family, but why should I care about them anyway? They're just bags of meat like me. Indeed, why should I have a family in the first place? It would just be a drain on my wallet, my time and my fun with others.

Surely, if God doesn't exist, there would be nothing wrong with mass murder. Some will say murder is wrong, but why should it be wrong? Because they say so? Because there's democratic consensus?

I'd be interested to hear the atheist argument against what could perhaps be considered the logical outcome of a society devorced from the Creator.

 

[teacherone]

if you double click your thread title within the next 5 minutes, you can edit your grammar mistake.

no one will ever have to know.

didn't ----> doesn't

 

[Guitarzan]

Funny post.

 

[oyarde]

If God didn't exist, should we all kill each other?

Just throwing it out there.

Firstly, as a Catholic, I naturally think that the question is invalid because God does exist. However, for the sake of argument, let's pretend He doesn't exist.

So what should we, as individuals, and as society, do? Why shouldn't I get a weapon, go around and shoot loads of people and then kill myself?

I wouldn't care. I'd be dead, so there'd be no bad consequences for me! There may be for my family, but why should I care about them anyway? They're just bags of meat like me. Indeed, why should I have a family in the first place? It would just be a drain on my wallet, my time and my fun with others.

Surely, if God doesn't exist, there would be nothing wrong with mass murder. Some will say murder is wrong, but why should it be wrong? Because they say so? Because there's democratic consensus?

I'd be interested to hear the atheist argument against what could perhaps be considered the logical outcome of a society devorced from the Creator.

NO

 

[MelissaWV]

The title does bother me. It should either be "If God didn't exist, would we all kill each other?" or "If God doesn't exist, should we all kill each other?"

Anyhow, no, people would still have the same aspects they do now. Atheists don't run around killing everyone in huge numbers. Some are afraid of jail, or lawsuits, or being hunted down by angry family members. I would wager most just... don't want to go around killing people. Crazy idea, right? They don't need the threat of hell (which, by the way, some religions exclude from their canon), or the finger of God coming down and flicking them into the sea, to tell them that maybe shooting someone just for the pure joy of watching their body explode... is not that great of a thing. People seem to find more rewarding things to do with their time, religious or no.

 

[Original_Intent]

I think we should, it would serve God right for not existing... /sarc

 

[dannno]

Why would you go around shooting people? If you only lived once and it was over, then it seems like you would want to take advantage of the time you had while you were here and have a good time.

 

[dannno]

Why would you go around shooting people? If you only lived once and it was over, then it seems like you would want to take advantage of the time you had while you were here and have a good time.

Oh ya, I forgot, Christians don't like to have any fun so they forget how much fun all the atheists are having partying and getting laid

Apparently life is so bad for Christians trying to live up to their creator so they can be in heaven that there is no other reason to be here

j/k.. but seriously..

 

[Guitarzan]

Or...I'll turn your query around and ask, if we assume God does exist, why is it that so many people still kill others? Why is it that some Catholic Priests molest little boys? Why is it that a good church going man will still go home and beat his wife after chugging some whiskey? Why are things the way they are? Why aren't they different?

lol @ your nonsense.

 

[specialK]

Morality, which forms the basis of the decision not to mass murder, is an evolutionary trait, developed over time, which has helped our species survive. Caring for one's brother or neighbour implies reciprocity, thereby ensuring the survival of the family, tribe, or a community as a whole.

As a former Catholic, I would turn the question around, asking a present Catholic, why does a Catholic not engage in mass murder when the book which is the basis of your religion, the Bible, has clear examples of God commanding mass murder? Quoting the commandment "thou shall not kill" does not count, because clearly, people in the Bible were commanded to kill on occasion. Is it because you have not heard a voice bellowing from the sky commanding you to do so? If you were directly commanded to commit mass murder by God, as people in the Bible were, would you do it? Why or why not?

 

[low preference guy]

Morality, which forms the basis of the decision not to mass murder, is an evolutionary trait, developed over time, which has helped our species survive. Caring for one's brother or neighbour implies reciprocity, thereby ensuring the survival of the family, tribe, or a community as a whole.

please remove Ayn Rand from your avatar if you are going to spout such nonsense, nonsense that anyone familiar with her work can see through!

 

[specialK]

If you own this board, I will be happy to remove it. If you do not, then too bad for you.

 

[low preference guy]

If you own this board, I will be happy to remove it. If you do not, then too bad for you.

i was appealing to your morality. too bad you don't have any.

 

[specialK]

i was appealing to your morality. too bad you don't have any.

Have a great evening!

 

[Guitarzan]

Special K I think low preference guy was being sarcastic. And then, when you didn't realize it was sarcasm, he insulted you. He did that to me once too.

Although he posts here often, and has many good points and posts, he's a bit self-important and, at times, can be a real prick.

 

[specialK]

Special K I think low preference guy was being sarcastic. And then, when you didn't realize it was sarcasm, he insulted you. He did that to me once too.

Although he posts here often, and has many good points and posts, he's a bit self-important and, at times, can be a real prick.

Thanks, for the heads up. The irony in his request is that Ayn Rand was an atheist

 

[sevin]

Morality, which forms the basis of the decision not to mass murder, is an evolutionary trait, developed over time, which has helped our species survive. Caring for one's brother or neighbour implies reciprocity, thereby ensuring the survival of the family, tribe, or a community as a whole.

I'm not sure Ayn Rand believed in evolution. According to Barbara Branden, Ayn said, "It's only a theory."

But back to the question... well, it's kind of a pointless question. If you want to live in a society, then you have to cooperate with your neighbors. If you don't care about that and you don't think God exists, then I guess you could go around shooting people, but hopefully you won't get far before armed citizens take down your crazy ass down.

 

[specialK]

I'm not sure Ayn Rand believed in evolution. According to Barbara Branden, Ayn said, "It's only a theory."

If not by evolution, then as a self-proclaimed atheist, how did she suppose we got here? By aliens?

 

[reillym]

And here we see, people, the result of Christian extremism. Utter ignorance and stupidity. Nobody respond to this garbage please, you are just giving the idiot more pleasure.

What a stupid thread.

 

[sevin]

If not by evolution, then as a self-proclaimed atheist, how did she suppose we got here? By aliens?

I'm not sure and I've always wondered that, but according to Branden she said it. I don't think Rand was very interested in science. She poured all her energy into writing and philosophy.