Would it change anything?

Illyricum · Post by **Illyricum** » Thu May 27, 2004 11:17 pm

If someone where able to prove to the exact opposite of what you believe is true (i.e you're an atheist and someone proves to you there is a God, you're a christian and someone proves to you there is no God) would that change you're life any? Or would you just go on living your life like you were without changing anything?

Post by **otseng** » Fri May 28, 2004 8:59 am

If someone can "prove" to me with such overwhelming evidence that God does not exist and the Bible is false, then I would seriously give it consideration. Of course though, I highly doubt anyone can prove that God does not exist and that the Bible is false.

Let me add one further thought. Often times, it is not the facts that changes the mind, but the heart that changes the mind. Especially in regards to religion. We in western society idolize the mind and think that it should dictate our beliefs. In eastern societies, that is not the case. The heart is just as important (or even more important) as the mind in dictating beliefs.

I believe that peoples' beliefs are shaped by both the mind and the heart. It is not only a proof to the mind that is necessay, but a proof to the heart. This is why Jesus said, "By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35) In other words, Jesus was saying, 'Do you want to show others who I am? Love one another and you will show who I am to the world.'

Illyricum · Post by **Illyricum** » Fri May 28, 2004 4:19 pm

otseng wrote:Let me add one further thought. Often times, it is not the facts that changes the mind, but the heart that changes the mind. Especially in regards to religion. We in western society idolize the mind and think that it should dictate our beliefs. In eastern societies, that is not the case. The heart is just as important (or even more important) as the mind in dictating beliefs.

I believe that peoples' beliefs are shaped by both the mind and the heart. It is not only a proof to the mind that is necessay, but a proof to the heart. This is why Jesus said, "By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35) In other words, Jesus was saying, 'Do you want to show others who I am? Love one another and you will show who I am to the world.'

And let me say that agree 100% with what you said, Otseng. It's just that I was curious and I wanted to see if someone where able to prove to you what you believe is wrong, hypothetically speaking, do you think that would that change anything? And if so, how?

Post by **otseng** » Fri May 28, 2004 4:34 pm

Illyricum wrote: And let me say that agree 100% with what you said, Otseng. It's just that I was curious and I wanted to see if someone where able to prove to you what you believe is wrong, hypothetically speaking, do you think that would that change anything? And if so, how?

Would it change anything? Yes. How so? I'm not too sure.

Thinking about it more, I'd live a life of pure hedonism. If my life would not be accountable to God, then anything goes. Since I wouldn't have to be accountable for my actions, then pleasure would be the ultimate goal. Ethics would also not hold me back so I would further enjoy my hedonism without worrying about ethical concerns.

Quarkhead · Post by **Quarkhead** » Fri May 28, 2004 9:16 pm

That's interesting, Otseng. In this light, God is the ONLY thing which prevents you from acting in a completely depraved manner.

Interesting, how many non-Christians, and golly, even atheists, manage to live moral, ethical lives in the service of others.

I realize this is not a place for actual debate, but I just wanted to say I find this view very interesting.

Corvus · Post by **Corvus** » Sat May 29, 2004 12:52 am

otseng wrote:
Illyricum wrote: And let me say that agree 100% with what you said, Otseng. It's just that I was curious and I wanted to see if someone where able to prove to you what you believe is wrong, hypothetically speaking, do you think that would that change anything? And if so, how?
Would it change anything? Yes. How so? I'm not too sure.

Thinking about it more, I'd live a life of pure hedonism. If my life would not be accountable to God, then anything goes. Since I wouldn't have to be accountable for my actions, then pleasure would be the ultimate goal. Ethics would also not hold me back so I would further enjoy my hedonism without worrying about ethical concerns.

The pursuit of pleasure usually cannot avoid ethical concerns, though, since that pleasure can easily be ended or impeded by another individual.

If someone where able to prove to the exact opposite of what you believe is true (i.e you're an atheist and someone proves to you there is a God, you're a christian and someone proves to you there is no God) would that change you're life any? Or would you just go on living your life like you were without changing anything?

If God was proven to exist, it really would not make a difference to me. If it was also proven this was the Christian God, I would probably become a Christian, but still be confused. Would that be the fundamentalist or the liberal God? Would I be cast into a lake of eternal hellfire for lusting after men or not?

If I knew there was a a God and heaven, and knew exactly what I had to do to gain entrance into it, I would do it. At the moment I am incapable of believing in absolutes, I think the concept of heaven to be too unreal to be true, and know not what I have to do to be worthy of heaven, so I live according to my own rules.

Post by **otseng** » Sat May 29, 2004 7:07 pm

Quarkhead wrote:That's interesting, Otseng. In this light, God is the ONLY thing which prevents you from acting in a completely depraved manner.

Bear in mind, I have not given this hypothetical scenario any thought before this question was posed. Also, I'm only speaking for myself, and not for all people in my position.

I wouldn't go quite as far as saying I'd act in a "completely depraved" manner. But, if I did not believe in a God, I would feel no compunction about doing unethical things. The only thing I'd worry about is if I would get caught doing unethical things.

Yahweh · Post by **Yahweh** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 12:37 pm

Illyricum wrote:If someone where able to prove to the exact opposite of what you believe is true (i.e you're an atheist and someone proves to you there is a God, you're a christian and someone proves to you there is no God) would that change you're life any? Or would you just go on living your life like you were without changing anything?

I think there is a phrase which says "When I lost God I felt just like a fish without a bicycle".

No, my life would not be radically different than it is today.

rebecca · Post by **rebecca** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 1:10 pm

otseng wrote:
I wouldn't go quite as far as saying I'd act in a "completely depraved" manner. But, if I did not believe in a God, I would feel no compunction about doing unethical things. The only thing I'd worry about is if I would get caught doing unethical things.

This is one of the scariest things I've ever read.

Post by **otseng** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 9:51 am

rebecca wrote: This is one of the scariest things I've ever read.

Scariest things? Why is it one of the scariest things you've ever read?

Debating Christianity and Religion

Would it change anything?

Would it change anything?

Re: Would it change anything?