Hypothetical question: If it could be proved that God never existed, what would be the ramifications?

Question

God was man's creation to control the masses and usurp their power.

Answer 1

I guess at first there would be a bunch of denial.

I mean, we've still got people that deny the Holocaust ever happened.

Mostly it would just be like *facepalm* for all the d**n religious wars and riots.

Answer 2

Nobody can prove that he ever did exist, so why would anyone try to prove the non-existance of something that doesn't exist to begin with?

Answer 3

That question has really made me think. I am a non-believer myself. I do believe there is no such thing as God as a physical being but I guess he does exist in the hearts and minds of those who choose to believe.

I now think that it cannot be proven that God does not exist as there is nothing to prove or disprove. I believe that God has a different meaning to each individual, believers and non-believers alike.

The holy spirit is given various labels around the world like Jehovah, Buddah, Allah and so on which varies by culture and lifestyle.

Some people need something to believe in, and a Religion is a very sensible thing (unless it's a cult that believes harming others is the right thing).

I personally do not need a belief like religion to get me through each day. I'm happy with being a non-believer.

I suppose it's just like you see a cloud in the sky, I see a great tree.

Answer 4

I agree the aristocracy of ancient civilisations thrived on the myths of their gods and used the gods to their own advantage, but as mankind's powers of philosophy developed and the concept of a single deity emerged, the we were suddenly in a whole new 'ball park'.

I regard myself as a Christian. I believe God works in mysterious ways, but I don't believe he ever existed in the sense that trees in the forest, the birds in the air, or the sun and the stars exist. Mankind can only measure 'existence' in terms of time, space, and solidity. These are the three boundaries God has imposed on us, and anything beyond these is beyond our understanding, so the question of Gods existence becomes unquestionable.

I agree that the philosophy of a God solely to explain the inexplicable is purposeless, so a far better debate would be whether mankind should use its God as a weapon of destruction or as a tool for progress. God gave mankind the freewill to choose.

Answer 5

Hmmm, since many theists seem to think we get our morals from god, I suspect they just might run amuck murdering and raping if they knew god didn't exist. We have to be careful what we wish for...

Answer 6

The one who proves that will be our New God!

Answer 7

That the scientists were right and we had descended from apes. We slowly evolved to who we are today.

Answer 8

I don't believe we're ever going to be able to do any of these thing but if we I wake up tomorrow and I hear on the news that science prove the God definitely doesn't exist I would get ready for terrorist attacks, my parents would probably go into a state of shock and depression as would many other people. We would start hearing a bunch of conspiracy theories about how the US government fabricated God's nonexistence because they want to take over the world, well, you get the picture, chaos and destruction. Of couse I'm talking about if this was to happen tomorrow, but if it happens gradually troughout the centuries people probably woulnd't even notice.

On ther other hand, even though I'm an atheist I'm not afraid to contemplate the idea of waking up tomorrow to hear that God's existence was proved. If that happened I wouldn't be an atheist but I would be an anti-theist and I would still think that God is an irresponsible creator who doesn't deserve my respect.

Hope that answers your question.

Answer 9

i can't imagine what could possibly be such proof. if you ask me that proof already exists. but not if you ask somebody that believes in god. there is nothing that could prove he exists. it's not a limitation of evidence or nature. it is the nature of believing. it's not the proof that is insufficient it is the minds that don't acknowledge it as such.

like the people that say that dinosaur fossils were put on earth in order to test their beliefs, and really the earth is really young and carbon dating is faked evidence by god himself.

what more evidence do you want that dinosaurs existed millions of years ago then their actual bones?

even the hypothetical situation is impossible to imagine, it's like imagining what would happen if an object exceeded the speed of light. it's just not possible.

it would be interesting to ask in religion section hypothetically, what would be considered suitable evidence that god doesn't exist. you'll probably get a bunch of answers like, nothing, i will always follow god, stuff like that.

Answer 10

from an atheist's point of view:

I could go into an argument how you will never be able to prove god doesn't exist. say somehow you do,

There are a lot of people who rely excessively on religion and spirituality for mental support. some of these people would go crazy  and I think society will quickly come up with some other supernatural/unexplainable thing because humans need a figure to blame their problems on, cry to, fear, mental support etc. I don't believe there was ever an atheist civilization in history (I might be wrong) this is because we have the need for some thing super than us. I am sure atheists existed in ancient times also, but was a religion ever built off of atheism?  

Answer 11

The believers are resilient even in the face of the facts.... their response would be something like "it's gods will or he works in mysterious ways, or our minds are too small to see the big picture."  My advice, just roll your eyes and back away....  

The guy above me makes me laugh.  I would say people would be good for good's sake, not for some bribe of heaven or threat from h**l.

Answer 12

There is a problem of circular logic. Atheists (of which I am one) would say you can't prove there is a god, and believers would counter that you can't prove there isn't one.

But in comparison, if something exists, proving it should be simple. However, you cannot logically prove the non-existence of something because things which do not exist cannot leave any evidence of non-existence. Therefore, even though a positive atheist will assert that there is certainly no such thing as a deity, he can never prove it. Just like I can't prove there isn't a tiger on Wimbledon common. If there was a tiger on Wimbledon Common, it would leave evidence. There would be footprints, hair, faeces, and sightings. But I can't prove there is not one there.

Answer 13

I have a friend who tells me that if there was no God, people would run riot and do terrible things to each other (more than they do now). However, since i base my own actions on my conscience and my values, My behavior has nothing to do with God. so it depends really, on how many people make decisions the way i do or the way my friend thinks people do. Based on her theory, proof that there is no God would basically destroy humanity and society. based on my theory, proof of no God would just mean - hey, well now we know.  

Answer 14

You might think that question asking for the same information content is "What are the implications of God existing" assuming that those implications would cease to exist if God did.

If you could prove God didnt exist, you would first have to define what God is/was.  Nothing unreal exists.  Even if there was no all-powerful creator of everything.. there would still have been a belief or superstition.  That is not the same thing as nothing.. or non-existence.  Big foot is a superstition.. certainly not non-existant.  UFO's and little grey people are also a superstition.. but they are great fuel for "X-files", and "Whitley Strieber".

I think this is a hugely complex question dressed in simple clothing.  

I think it goes to the core of asking what it means to be human, and how both civilization and intelligence work.

Any one-line or "pat" answer is just not going to work here.

Answer 15

Hypothetically if that were true then man would be just like the other animals and living creatures that have no belief system at all to govern their personal lives.  And we would live in a world where it is kill or be killed to survive.  

Answer 16

The ramifications would be that all proofs are rendered unreasonable. Even faith and gut feeling wouldn't make the proof be what you really really really think is true.