Stephen Hawking: There is no God, and no after-life

[iLOVENZB]

It's a pity that the majority of the world doesn't believe this way. There would be less wars, less suffering, and far less fear in the world today.

LAWLWUT?

What religion are you talking about? Just because a few extremists hold a Koran in their hostage videos doesn't mean they're practising Islam.

Wars are fueled by avariciousness (as well as an attempt to minimise inflation). For the record I'm not a Muslim, I like to think myself as an agnostic.

Also, if we all think hypothetically for a moment; if there was no religion, the world wouldn't be running wild in the streets. Obviously there would be a set of morals (laws) to be upheld to. eg Thou shalt not kill.

[clocker]

You are also lost in the ways of grammar.

[OlegL]

OP, we need to believe in God. I know there were a lot of crimes committed in the name of God throughout the history of the humankind, however, if we hadn't believed in God, there would have been a lot more crimes committed. If there is no God, then everything is permitted; if there is no God, then we are allowed to do things that are immoral. Even philosophers like Kant said that we need God.

[bigboab]

OP, we need to believe in God. I know there were a lot of crimes committed in the name of God throughout the history of the humankind, however, if we hadn't believed in God, there would have been a lot more crimes committed. If there is no God, then everything is permitted; if there is no God, then we are allowed to do things that are immoral. Even philosophers like Kant said that we need God.

Kant said that we need the concept of God. That is completely different from saying that God exists.

[OlegL]

Yeah, you're right.

[mjmacky]

Kant said that we need the concept of God. That is completely different from saying that God exists.

Thanks for that, I've been arguing that point as a personal theory for years, glad to have a point of reference now. Need to read up on Kant's justification now...

[j2k4]

Well if Stephen Hawking isn't enough, allow me to remind everyone that there has never been a god, gods or spirits, all have been stories created by men. Not a single scenario is evidenced on its own merit, but rather hearsay and ownership over the unknown. Each unknown that we've started to understand leaves the domain of spirituality and enters the domain of science. Mystical beliefs are a psychological coping mechanism that most have never been able to truly overcome.

So there you have it, Stephen Hawking and mjmacky agree that there is no afterlife. That on its own is pretty convincing, but you should be the ones questioning your beliefs, otherwise it's pointless to commit to one side or another.

All true.






At least, it's as true as anything and everything else.

As an aside, I used to run a few civil-service-type (state) facilities, you know, flags hanging and such, but God had been quietly deleted from the decor.

As I was operating in rural areas, official traffic was thin; my boss wasn't inclined to hover in any way.

I concocted an experiment whereby I would hang, on the office wall, a nicely-framed copy of the the Ten Commandments; when a customer questioned the efficacy of my display, I would explain my affection for the sentiments expressed therein, proclaiming them words to live by.

On the religious angle, I would claim a rather original ignorance.

The day I hung the Commandments, I received a call from my boss, informing me that the retail end of the business would cease immediately and forthwith, and I should forward a memo of compliance.

No one ever got to see my Commandments.

[j2k4]

Kant said that we need the concept of God. That is completely different from saying that God exists.

Thanks for that, I've been arguing that point as a personal theory for years, glad to have a point of reference now. Need to read up on Kant's justification now...

Yeah, Bob's pretty smart.

He knows some stuffs.

[devilsadvocate]

I concocted an experiment whereby I would hang, on the office wall, a nicely-framed copy of the the Ten Commandments; when a customer questioned the efficacy of my display, I would explain my affection for the sentiments expressed therein, proclaiming them words to live by.

How would you grade your efforts thus far?

A++

Could do better, but I do at least realize I'm breaking the odd one or two.

Depends what the meaning of "by" is

[j2k4]

I concocted an experiment whereby I would hang, on the office wall, a nicely-framed copy of the the Ten Commandments; when a customer questioned the efficacy of my display, I would explain my affection for the sentiments expressed therein, proclaiming them words to live by.

How would you grade your efforts thus far?

A++

Could do better, but I do at least realize I'm breaking the odd one or two.

Depends what the meaning of "by" is

Who is your question for?