NationStates Jolt Archive


[HYPOTHETICAL] You have proof God does/does not exist.

Sydenia
17-08-2004, 07:46
First of all, this isn't meant to be a debate on whether or not God exists. There are plenty of those already. :p This is just a test of how you would react under a hypothetical unusual, and possibly extreme, circumstance.

You have either come across irrefutable proof that God does (or does not, choose whichever, or answer for both if you prefer) in fact exist. Sure, I know that's pretty much impossible to have happen; but let's suspend disbelief for just a minute, and use our imaginations, shall we? This is after all a hypothetical situation, and the circumstances are just the backdrop for introspection.

The question: do you tell anyone else? Why or why not?

Just to emphasize, you can choose to answer for either side (you have proof He does exist, you have proof He doesn't; or answer for both, if you like). This is not meant to start a Holy/Unholy war. This is just taking a reflective look at yourself, and maybe learning something new about yourself.

Well, what are you waiting for? [nudges] Snap to it.
Northern Gimpland
17-08-2004, 07:57
I might, but ONLY if I could show that proof to other people, and it wasn't just stories in a book or opinions. Because many people would be disbelieving, even if you could show them irrefutable proof (me for one) so I would not force it on anyone.

Oh and I wouldn't become Christian either, i'd just try to sin less. ;)
Enter nation here
17-08-2004, 08:05
First of all, this isn't meant to be a debate on whether or not God exists. There are plenty of those already. :p This is just a test of how you would react under a hypothetical unusual, and possibly extreme, circumstance.

You have either come across irrefutable proof that God does (or does not, choose whichever, or answer for both if you prefer) in fact exist. Sure, I know that's pretty much impossible to have happen; but let's suspend disbelief for just a minute, and use our imaginations, shall we? This is after all a hypothetical situation, and the circumstances are just the backdrop for introspection.

The question: do you tell anyone else? Why or why not?

Just to emphasize, you can choose to answer for either side (you have proof He does exist, you have proof He doesn't; or answer for both, if you like). This is not meant to start a Holy/Unholy war. This is just taking a reflective look at yourself, and maybe learning something new about yourself.

Well, what are you waiting for? [nudges] Snap to it.
You can't prove a negative. I geusse you can say I would keep it to my self then.
Ice Hockey Players
17-08-2004, 08:15
If I have proof, I tell a few people. Then I tell a few more people, sort of to test the waters. It may unite people, eventually, but it will probably cause a battle between the believers and the people holding onto their past religion, especially fundamentalists. It won't stop people from blowing themselves up on buses or from refusing to help AIDS victims for religious reasons. However, over time, if the ideology takes hold, and people realize the indisputable proof concerning God, it will take hold with just about everyone. There will be some who refuse to accept it, but most will live according to the findings.

If there is a God, they will find out what this God wants them to do, if anything. Most people will begin to obey God; whereas previously they just had their "best guess" what God wanted, now they know for sure. Some will reject it, but most will not. If there is no God, it could be very scary what happens. Knowing they won't be punished for their actions in another life, knowing that this is it, the only life they get, people live how they see fit. Murder will increase, as people know the only penalty will be in this life. Either people will forsake order and government or will bow before a new order that will suppress this truth and create a totalitarian society. Either that or, far less likely, people will be more careful with life, knowing it's all they have.
BLARGistania
17-08-2004, 08:18
I'd tell people just to shut those evangelicals up. Believe what you want, but someone make them be quite. Them and the TV bible network people, and the fundamentalists.
Sydenia
17-08-2004, 08:21
For myself:

If I found he did exist, I'd -probably- tell people. I'd be a bit wary of the chaos it would cause between various religions though.

If I found he didn't exist, I'd -probably- not tell anyone. Even though religion isn't perfect, it has brought out some good in people; it's encouraged them to try to be better people, and brought about a sense of community and inner peace. I'd also worry how religious people would take the news.

It's rather hard to say for certain either way, I'd have to play it by ear; but those are my inclinations.
Dalekia
17-08-2004, 08:23
I'd tell everyone. For a fee that is. No, that wouldn't work. Maybe I'd tell everyone maybe six months before the next elections and then I'd run for office.
Saipea
17-08-2004, 08:26
First of all, this isn't meant to be a debate on whether or not God exists. There are plenty of those already. :p This is just a test of how you would react under a hypothetical unusual, and possibly extreme, circumstance.

You have either come across irrefutable proof that God does (or does not, choose whichever, or answer for both if you prefer) in fact exist. Sure, I know that's pretty much impossible to have happen; but let's suspend disbelief for just a minute, and use our imaginations, shall we? This is after all a hypothetical situation, and the circumstances are just the backdrop for introspection.

The question: do you tell anyone else? Why or why not?

Just to emphasize, you can choose to answer for either side (you have proof He does exist, you have proof He doesn't; or answer for both, if you like). This is not meant to start a Holy/Unholy war. This is just taking a reflective look at yourself, and maybe learning something new about yourself.

Well, what are you waiting for? [nudges] Snap to it.

Either way, any such knowledge can't be trusted in the hands of mankind. It would only lead to more assertions and more bickering, most of which would be contrary to evidence given (due to ones inability to cope with their mindset being "wrong").

Personally, if there were gods, it wouldn't matter, because as said before, anything that demands praise isn't worthy of being a god.

I'd just continue to be a good person as I saw fit.
Sydenia
17-08-2004, 08:30
Personally, if there were gods, it wouldn't matter, because as said before, anything that demands praise isn't worthy of being a god.

Perhaps. Personally, if I do exceptionally well at something, I like to think I'm entitled to credit for it. If there is a God, and he created everything, I can't really say I would blame Him for wanting praise. But eh, I suppose that's off topic.
Saipea
17-08-2004, 08:37
Perhaps. Personally, if I do exceptionally well at something, I like to think I'm entitled to credit for it. If there is a God, and he created everything, I can't really say I would blame Him for wanting praise. But eh, I suppose that's off topic.

I suppose, but the whole significance of gods is based on just a few opinions of how important those deities are worth.

Do the gods need praise until the end of time?
Do the gods have a moral system so entirely unique from secular ones that it is paramount that we practice theirs?
Do the gods' existence necesitate any sort of behavior other than a simple acknowledgement and understanding that a different course in things could have had any one of us in their place?
Georgeton
17-08-2004, 08:38
Even if I found out if he did or did not exist and I told someone, they wouldn't beleive me....not that I'd tell them. Pople are like that, its like telling a man theres wet paint....he always has to touch it cause he wnt beleive you
Sydenia
17-08-2004, 08:43
I suppose, but the whole significance of gods is based on just a few opinions of how important those dieties are worth.

Do the gods need praise until the end of time?
Do the gods have a moral system so entirely unique from secular ones that it is paramount that we practice theirs?
Do the gods' existence necesitate any sort of behavior other than a simple acknowledgement and understanding that a different course in things could have had any one of us in their place?

I think the answer to all three isn't that it has any direct impact on their worth - that stays the same no matter what - but given that they are the sole reason anyone ever knew existence at all, it would be rather discourteous to deny them those things.

It's not like God needed humans. He certainly didn't need to give them free will, or happiness, or any of the other good things that exist (and in theory, would exist because of Him).

Having given such a gift of unmeasurable proportions, while one may not be obliged to give Him any of the aforementioned things, I would think anything else would be a proverbial slap in the face.
Lampshades
17-08-2004, 09:07
I'd release it anonymously over the internet and then let the info circulate. After a while, even CNN will be talking about, though many, many, many people still wouldn't even bat an eyelash, and keep on the same old track.

P.S. Proving or Disproving the existence of God is impossible. Any loophole could be made when you pretend something can literally do anything.
Hopeless Soulz
17-08-2004, 09:22
It does not matter if u tell people or not, for people have been claiming this for ages, no one will listen they will assume you are just as crazed as the last million people throught history... to name one. Ever heard of the pope? Hell (hah, gotta love the wording) he can hear the will of god. What i really love about that is that the pope is voted in, not by god mind u but by people. and once he is pope he starts hearing shit... wow, religous leaders are the only people that could effectively put there message threw to the people. However the only people that will listen to him already (in their minds) believe that they have evidance. So when u get down to it why bother. Of course if I really believed that I'd have not wasted my time to right it... hehe well sry this was a little off topic. more on the fundamentals of the questions that u asked than the questions actually at hand.
GMC Military Arms
17-08-2004, 09:50
Saying I have come across irrefutable proof God exists, I therefore must surmise that God does not exist, because the Bible explictly states no such proof can exist. I wait for the universe to cease to exist following this insane paradox.
Goed
17-08-2004, 10:02
Babel fish :p
BLARGistania
17-08-2004, 10:04
Saying I have come across irrefutable proof God exists, I therefore must surmise that God does not exist, because the Bible explictly states no such proof can exist. I wait for the universe to cease to exist following this insane paradox.

Inspired by Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy?
GMC Military Arms
17-08-2004, 10:04
Inspired by Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy?

Damn straight.
Sydenia
17-08-2004, 10:09
The beauty of using a hypothetical situation is that you can alter certain... unfavourable problems (as opposed to favourable problems) out of the picture. So for the purposes of this situation, the Bible doesn't make any mention of irrefutable proof not existing, and the proof is in fact irrefutable.

No, it's not realistic. :p But in questions like these, realism just gets in the way.
BackwoodsSquatches
17-08-2004, 10:18
If I had such proof that God does not exist, I would quickly reveal it to the world.

Better that the world learn to live without the yolk of God, than suffer a moment longer in ignorance.
Arcadian Mists
17-08-2004, 11:16
I'd keep it to myself mostly. No matter how flawless or convincing the proof, there are just way too many people who don't want to believe. I suppose I'd share it with people who sought it out.

Hmm... Looking up at that disurbes me. Does that statement make me elitist?
Georgeton
17-08-2004, 11:18
I don't think people knowing hether or not he exists will change a damn thing, people will still beleive in him if he doesn't exist and people will not beleive in him if he does.
Demented Hamsters
17-08-2004, 13:27
I'd write a book, go on a nation-wide tour, appear on Jerry Springer opposite an overweight trogolodyte who claims to be pregnant to GOD and that he 'ain't nuthin' but a cheatin rat, Jerry!'.
Bottle
17-08-2004, 13:31
First of all, this isn't meant to be a debate on whether or not God exists. There are plenty of those already. :p This is just a test of how you would react under a hypothetical unusual, and possibly extreme, circumstance.

You have either come across irrefutable proof that God does (or does not, choose whichever, or answer for both if you prefer) in fact exist. Sure, I know that's pretty much impossible to have happen; but let's suspend disbelief for just a minute, and use our imaginations, shall we? This is after all a hypothetical situation, and the circumstances are just the backdrop for introspection.

The question: do you tell anyone else? Why or why not?

Just to emphasize, you can choose to answer for either side (you have proof He does exist, you have proof He doesn't; or answer for both, if you like). This is not meant to start a Holy/Unholy war. This is just taking a reflective look at yourself, and maybe learning something new about yourself.

Well, what are you waiting for? [nudges] Snap to it.
i would share that information with those best equipped to test and verify it, so that there would be ample explanation and documentation when we did choose to release it to the public. i would never simply drop a fact of that magnitude in people's laps and let chaos ensue.
Paxania
17-08-2004, 13:46
Let God exercise the Plan.