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Originally Posted by bryantm3
i think if everyone knew G-d existed, the purpose of this life, which is to learn right from wrong and to help other people, and whatnot, our values would be totally different.
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I think every human more or less knows what's right and what's wrong. We're just too lazy and egoistic to follow that knowledge. The odd sadist or egocentric might even find enjoyment in doing the opposite of what is considered appropriate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bryantm3
if everyone knew there was a G-d, they would say, "why doesn't he help the poor/sick/etc.?" or "it doesn't matter, i'm going to live forever anyway". all questions, inquiries, conflict, etc. would all be directed towards G-d to get him to solve all of our problems, and we wouldn't learn anything from each other or have any purpose in anything you do— why work all your life, find a husband/wife, become president, anything when you know that what awaits you afterwards is going to be better and in comparison this life is pointless?
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If we had proof of god-like beings and heavenly afterlife, and if your assumptions of the results were correct, wouldn't it be the easiest and holiest path to kill yourself once you were enlightened and sufficiently brave? Consequently, we wouldn't have to worry about pointless lives down here on Earth for long.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bryantm3
but of course, this life isn't pointless— but some people have reached that extreme even without absolute proof. for example, the extremist muslims in al qaeda believe that suicide bombing is okay because they're all going to heaven and they do not value human life because of this view.
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I've always wondered if anyone could be that much of a believer. I mean, all this stuff about martyrdom, eternal life, a bunch of eager-to-please virgins etc. - just for blowing yourself to pieces, accompanied by the correct, sacred state of mind? I suspect there are more mundane motives behind this extremism, such as desperation, hate, or blindly following megalomaniac, charismatic, evil nutheads.
(Please excuse the heavy use of clichees.)