Hey Agnostics & Atheists: Do you ever worry?

**crayon** · 04-01-2008

Do you ever worry that when you die you'll figure out that some religion is true, and that you needed to have believed in it to go to heaven? Whether it's christianity, islam, or any other religion that requires acceptance before death to go to heaven (like not an "everyone goes to heaven" type of religion).

Do you ever wonder about this or worry about it?

**Pygoscelis** · 04-02-2008

Originally Posted by crayon

One of the reasons I asked for only the answers of atheists & agnostics is because I assumed (incorrectly, probably) that everyone who follows a specific religion is completely convinced, 100%, no doubt in their mind, of its truth. Interesting answers guys, thanks!

I suspect that most atheists (though perhaps not agnostics) are as convinced that there is no God as you are that there is one. I don't rule out a God/creator altogether but I put existence of the gods specifically claimed in earth's religions to be so improbable as to be essentially zero. The comparisons you sometimes hear to the flying spaghetti monster or the invisible pink unicorn or the celestial teapot are not simple insults we hurl at religions, most of us actually DO see the existence of your gods as truly equaly as likely as the existence of those things.

So no, most atheists don't worry about being wrong anymore than theists do. Agnostics though --- may be less sure.

**barney** · 04-02-2008

Originally Posted by Pygoscelis

I suspect that most atheists (though perhaps not agnostics) are as convinced that there is no God as you are that there is one. I don't rule out a God/creator altogether but I put existence of the gods specifically claimed in earth's religions to be so improbable as to be essentially zero. The comparisons you sometimes hear to the flying spaghetti monster or the invisible pink unicorn or the celestial teapot are not simple insults we hurl at religions, most of us actually DO see the existence of your gods as truly equaly as likely as the existence of those things.

So no, most atheists don't worry about being wrong anymore than theists do. Agnostics though --- may be less sure.

Ahh Pygo, Your just a old agnostic at heart! *Puggle*

**Azy** · 04-02-2008

Originally Posted by AhLÄÄM

To see whether you use ur common sense and refrain from eating what God has forbidden you?!

Surely it would be common sense if he hadn't said anything and then we chose not to eat them of your own accord because we know it's bad for us.

Not eating what is forbidden isn't common sense, it's just following orders.

**ZarathustraDK** · 04-03-2008

Originally Posted by Pygoscelis

I suspect that most atheists (though perhaps not agnostics) are as convinced that there is no God as you are that there is one. I don't rule out a God/creator altogether but I put existence of the gods specifically claimed in earth's religions to be so improbable as to be essentially zero. The comparisons you sometimes hear to the flying spaghetti monster or the invisible pink unicorn or the celestial teapot are not simple insults we hurl at religions, most of us actually DO see the existence of your gods as truly equaly as likely as the existence of those things.

So no, most atheists don't worry about being wrong anymore than theists do. Agnostics though --- may be less sure.

Somebody has been listening to Richard Dawkins eh?

Practically I agree with the man in 99% of what he's saying, only difference is how important we view the verified existence/non-existence of a supreme being. He settles for probability, I want absolute certainty before I invest belief in such a matter.

He has given a lecture in Lynchburg which was uploaded to youtube. Great stuff. Note that he doesn't ask people to blindly believe anything, simply to use common sense.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xe7yf9GJUfU
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qR_z85O0P2M&feature=related

Oh, and admins, please cut out the links if you find them inappropriate.. I don't see him go on an emotional tirade against islam, so I guess it's ok, but if not then....

**Yanal** · 04-03-2008

Asalam alaykum
Athiests and Agnostics seem to verify that they have no good indeed. But the disapointing part for them is that there is a god, Allah(SWT). He is gracious and merciful.
If the Agnostics and Atheists worry the shytan would have an ease to put the thought away.
Again this is only what I think.
Khudafiz
Sincerly,No One

**ZarathustraDK** · 04-03-2008

Originally Posted by Yanal

Asalam alaykum
Athiests and Agnostics seem to verify that they have no good indeed. But the disapointing part for them is that there is a god, Allah(SWT).

Well, I can fly by flapping my arms, but only when no-one is looking or recording me. Do you believe what I say?

**Gator** · 04-03-2008

Originally Posted by Yanal

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][B]Asalam alaykum
Athiests and Agnostics seem to verify that they have no good indeed.

I'm sorry, but from what I've said why don't I have any good? Or what exactly did someone or everyone say that verified for you that all atheists and agnostics were no good.
Thanks.

**barney** · 04-03-2008

[QUOTE=Yanal;923011]Asalam alaykum
Athiests and Agnostics seem to verify that they have no good indeed. But the disapointing part for them is that there is a god, Allah(SWT). He is gracious and merciful.
If the Agnostics and Atheists worry the shytan would have an ease to put the thought away.
Again this is only what I think.
Khudafiz
Sincerly,****[/QUOTE]

OK matey. Thanks .

**------** · 04-03-2008

Surely it would be common sense if he hadn't said anything and then we chose not to eat them of your own accord because we know it's bad for us.

Not eating what is forbidden isn't common sense, it's just following orders.

I don't know what common sense is for you, but u need to refine its meaning mate!

**Ummu Sufyaan** · 04-03-2008

Originally Posted by IbnAbdulHakim

its ok, i worry for them

why do you worry about someone who dosnt worry about themselves?

Secondly, if there were one I would think whoever judged me would be sensible enough to judge me on any unnecessary harm I inflicted on to fellow living beings, rather than the religious doctrine I followed during my lifetime.

hmm...interesting...want to ask though; what makes you think that the one who is gonna judge you is basing his judgements on that criteria? i mean its like when you go to hand in an assignment... your not going to get marked for what you werent asked to do, as good as it is...for arguments sake.

**------** · 04-03-2008

The results of the poll are shocking...but expected...

**IbnAbdulHakim** · 04-03-2008

why should those who have sealed hearts worry?

**------** · 04-03-2008

^ Point...

**Azy** · 04-03-2008

Originally Posted by AhLÄÄM

I don't know what common sense is for you, but u need to refine its meaning mate!

Why don't you educate me instead of making inferences that I'm wrong?

I've never heard of a definition of common sense that included taking advice from someone else, since then it would be their sense and not yours that is critical to making the decision.

Originally Posted by Ramlah

hmm...interesting...want to ask though; what makes you think that the one who is gonna judge you is basing his judgements on that criteria? i mean its like when you go to hand in an assignment... your not going to get marked for what you werent asked to do, as good as it is...for arguments sake.

Sorry for sticking my nose into this one, I realise you were asking someone else, but if I may post a suggestion.
I don't think it is fair to make a comparison to "what you weren't asked to do".
Does not the Qur'an contains instructions to be fair and judicious, benevolent and kind, and generally be a good person in all aspects of your life? If KAding does these things you can't say they weren't asked of him, every religion I can think of asks that you be considerate to other people.

If those things were not present, I don't think many people would want to follow a god who based his decision solely on how often you prayed and ignored how you treated your fellow man.

**KAding** · 04-03-2008

Originally Posted by Ramlah

hmm...interesting...want to ask though; what makes you think that the one who is gonna judge you is basing his judgements on that criteria? i mean its like when you go to hand in an assignment... your not going to get marked for what you werent asked to do, as good as it is...for arguments sake.

I largely agree with Azy's reply on this. I just don't think the Qu'ran is an accurate reflection of the criteria used by God to judge us. If I thought it would be I would be a Muslim, which I am not.

If there is indeed a judgment day and a just God, I just can't imagine that he would judge me based on anything but my actions towards others. I.e. the net level of harm I inflicted on others. I just don't think a just God could condemn me for not worshiping him or, for example, eating during Ramadan.

**Pygoscelis** · 04-03-2008

Originally Posted by KAding

I largely agree with Azy's reply on this. I just don't think the Qu'ran is an accurate reflection of the criteria used by God to judge us. If I thought it would be I would be a Muslim, which I am not.

If there is indeed a judgment day and a just God, I just can't imagine that he would judge me based on anything but my actions towards others. I.e. the net level of harm I inflicted on others. I just don't think a just God could condemn me for not worshiping him or, for example, eating during Ramadan.

I agree with you on this, and I would add that any God that claimed to judge me based on anything other than the good and bad I have done to the world I would not bow down to anyway. I'd consider myself morally correct in opposing and defying them.

**barney** · 04-03-2008

That leads back to the Human values debate. Have we outstripped God on Ethics. If this is impossible, then our ethics are wrong. It's ok to behead, to stone your kids and to rape your slaves and murder.

Why do such things seem so wrong to us when they are so right for God.

**ranma1/2** · 04-04-2008

Originally Posted by crayon

Do you ever worry that when you die you'll figure out that some religion is true, and that you needed to have believed in it to go to heaven? Whether it's christianity, islam, or any other religion that requires acceptance before death to go to heaven (like not an "everyone goes to heaven" type of religion).

Do you ever wonder about this or worry about it?

No not realy, of course i noticed you put in (some religion) do you do the same? Ever wonder if you picked or was placed in the wrong choice?

I have in the past wondered about life after death, when i was a kid i use to worry about hell till i looked at how silly it is or how silly and vain hte misc gods are. ( ok god sacrificed himself to himself to forgive himself for what he did. WTF?) (or that god personally cares abotu my sex life enough to send me to hell but not enough to actually show up... SICK)

So no not realy, (perhaps in an occasional hypocondriac sense but not in any rational sense)

However ever hypothetically if i were to find out that X god were true.
I would prolly rebel and join any other rebelling against such an evil and unfair god. (No representation and all that.)

**barney** · 04-04-2008

Originally Posted by ranma1/2

I would prolly rebel and join any other rebelling against such an evil and unfair god. (No representation and all that.)

Well that makes two of us.

(perhaps we ought to not post about that, otherwise theyll know and send us to seperate parts of hell so we cant plan the resistance.)