If there were no God, would there be any atheists?

Question

Perhaps, for the sake of easier speculation of the theoretical, I should say "if there were no belief in God".

Though the answer to the main question is obvious, please take your time and think before you answer others. I'll read all the answers, no matter how long they are, so there's no need to rush.

Additional Questions:
What would you do if nobody believed in God?
What is your idea of a perfect society?
How would you define right and wrong without a God?

These are not rhetorical questions - I am just curious to hear what Atheists say about this. (I already know what christians say, and though I agree with the christians, I just want some views from the opposite perspective.)
Atheists, thank you for your time.

Please, note the first remark after the main question. It is crucial to what I am asking.

Answer 1

If there were no God, then there would be no Athiests because their religion says no God. So more or less there would be no religion.

Answer 2

Well, if that were so then everyone would be an atheist, but there would be no use for the word atheist because everyone would just be one. If nobody believed in 'god' then I would continue living my life the same way I am right now. It would be sort of scary though because some people don't really seem to know how to run their lives without a 'god' guiding them.
My idea of a perfect society would be a place where all people can work together and get along o their own without the need of fear to guide them. They would behave not because 'god' tells them to, but because they understand that it is necessary for the world to work.
Without the existence of a god, right and wrong are somewhat hard to define, but a general guideline can be made. Everyone would just need to follow the golden rule and do unto others as they would want done unto themselves. I understand that this means different things for everybody, but murder, robbery, and so on generally are not things that people want to happen to them.

Answer 3

If there were no people who believed in a god there wouldn't be a need for the term atheist. For example, no one really believes in invisible pink unicorns so we don't have a word for people who don't believe in the IPU. The title of your question is "if there were no God, would there be atheists." This is often used by theists as a way to prove that their god does exist. I could expand further on why the existence of atheists doesn't prove that a god exists, but I think you realized the fault since you restated the question in a rational way.

What would I do if nobody believe in God? Nothing, I don't believe in one either. Theoretically, if I were a theist now and nobody believed in god, then I would be part of those who also don't believe in god. If I were a theist and everyone but me didn't believe in a god, then I would question my sanity.

What is your idea of a perfect society? One where everyone accepts others for who they are as person: not based on the color of their skin, the religion they follow, or who they prefer as a sexual partner. Basically, a tolerant society.

How would you define right and wrong without a God? I define right and wrong based on how actions affect others. If something I do causes harm to someone, then I have done wrong. I think that's the most simple way to define morality. I personally ascribe to a cultural relativist/utilitarian view of morality...which basically means I think morality is created through what is best for the whole of society...this is why we find differences between what is viewed as moral when we study different cultures.

I know these answers were short and I can expand on them if needed...I just didn't do so here since the expanded version is rather long (for instance, cultural relativism takes up a few class lectures and hours of outside reading to fully understand). So, if you are curious about further explanations of my answers, just send me a message and I'll do my best to explain them.

Answer 4

If there were no belief in God, everyone would be atheistic.

If no one (including me) believed in God, I'd spend my Sunday mornings reading. I'd still try to be a good person, but perhaps not to quite the same extent.

My idea of a perfect society is actually kind of socialist. There wouldn't be any poverty or discrimination, everyone would have an education, and there would be free health care. People would act in each others' best interests, and there would be no violence.

'Wrong' would be anything that hurts other people. 'Right' would be anything that helps other people. This could be physically or emotionally. It's not a bad definition of right and wrong even if there is a God, actually.

Answer 5

A perfect society to me has people who believe lots of different things, but don't try and impose their ideas, or look down on others, or pass laws against others, or fight wars agains others based on their beliefs and their beliefs alone.

Athiests and agnostics, which are pretty much the same whether you like it or not. Believe that rational thought should be what determines right or wrong.

Starting with one basic and obvious assumption. All beings are equal. We all have the right to exist the way we choose to exist. The only thing that should stop us from existing the way we choose to exist, is if our choices infringe apon the right of someone else to exist the way they choose to exist.

All laws and actions should be based this idea.

If nobody believed in god I wouldn't really care. I just wouldn't bother having these conversations.

I don't really care if people want to believe in god. That is their choice. Unfortunately too many people try and impose their ideas on me based totally on that belief, and that is the problem. That is why I sometimes try to explain to people why god doesn't exist. I figure if I can at least get them to think, thats half the battle right there.

Answer 6

There is no God and there are atheists, so that answers your first question.

If there was no belief in God, then everyone would be an atheist.

If nobody believed in God, I'd be able to do something more constructive with my time than answer this question.

A perfect society is one where the punishment for committing murder, theft, rape, etc. is so bloodcurdlingly ruthless that those crimes are never committed.

Right is any action that is intended to benefit society as a whole.

Wrong is any action that is intended to benefit yourself at the expense of others.

Answer 7

Well there isn't a god now and there are athiests so that answers the first one.
The same thing I do now, it wouldn't change my lifestyle if no one believed in god
My idea of a perfect society is where everyone works equally and lives equally
Right and wrong would be defined without a god just like they are now without a god, mans laws and your own sense of morals

Answer 8

My primary motivation is political, not religious.

The only time I generally use the word "atheist" is to contrast myself to those who claim affiliation with an organization that promotes God belief, e.g. Christianity, Baptist, Muslim, etc.

But, it is more related to the "religious right's" political efforts than caring what thumpers do in their homes & churches. They are attempting to hijack the government, so, in good conscious, I must oppose the entire concept in any available forum, including this one.

Answer 9

if there was no God we wouldnt be here.
and there wouldnt be any athesist either lol

Answer 10

Every athiest I ever met have been total @**HOLES.