If there's nothing after death, then nothing we do in life matters, right?

Question

I've seen this opinion expressed by so many Christians on this forum that I decided to ask the question and see if we can settle the matter once and for all. (As if that really happens here.)

If there were no afterlife, would that mean that nothing we do in life matters, or would it make it ALL that matters?

Don't take it personally, Jelly Bean. It's just a question. That's what we do here.

Answer 1

IMO, if there is no afterlife, it makes little difference to me. How I live my life matters - to me, to those around me, and ultimately to every living thing, because how I live my life affects the whole.



"This is the one true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. .......

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. .......

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no `brief candle' to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."

George Bernard Shaw



"I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do
The something that I can do."

-Edward Everett Hale

Answer 2

On the contrary, if this life is all we have, what we do in life would be the only thing that matters. I suppose some cynics could look at it and say "well, if there is nothing after this, then who cares what I do...I can be as bad as I want." But that's only a portion of non-believers. There are many poeple (both believers and non-believers) who want to make this world better for this generation and future generations. Working toward that goal would be among the most noble of goals if there were nothing after this life. And it would be pretty good on your Heavenly resume if there is an afterlife. Thus, whether there is or is not an afterlife, what we do now truly matters. Whether we believe in something or reject all typical beliefs, what we do now counts. Blessings in the Light of Christ!

Answer 3

What you do in your life is the only thing that matters. There is no afterlife, but you do live on in the memories of those who knew you and in what you create when you are alive. We admire those from the past who did things to make this country great, who invented or discovered great things, who did good deeds. We also know about the evil and destructive things done by indivuduals in the past, and those people are despised and hated.

That is why it is so important to live a constructive and moral life. Even if you don't make it into the history books, you will still be remembered by those who knew and, hopefully, loved you.

Answer 4

I don't feel that anything we do would matter, if there's nothing after life. However, that's because my beliefs are existentialistic. Not all Christians believe that way.

However, I ALSO believe (even though this might conflict with existentialism) that we should make the most out of life, so that the Earth will still be here for future generations.

If there is nothing after this life, all my failures and embarrassments will be forgotten.

Answer 5

Life matters whether there is an afterlife or not. Since there is none, one should make the most of this life, rather than wasting it in preparing for an afterlife that does not exist.

Answer 6

It would mean that EVERYTHING MATTERS. It would mean that one would focus on how to use one's time to the best purpose. Why would you waste it if that were all you have? Instead of living as if "this life" isn't as important as the one to come or ignoring the needs of others and the environment because God is going to wipe it all out and fix it anyway, we wouldn't waste the opportunities we have now, when they really count.
Hmmmm.... Seems Christians ought to live that way as well. Hmmmm.... You're right. Many of them are in that cloistered place where they feel they're just coasting along to heaven.

Answer 7

If there is no afterlife, and the universe is condemned to one form of destruction or another, then you are correct -- nothing we do matters.

However, we are here for the time being, so we might as well make the short term a little less unpleasant for each other. Who cares if it's all totally worthless and meaningless in the end?

Nihilism does not imply defeatism.

Answer 8

Life IS all that matters. People are so selfish to want so much more. This life may have never happened, but it did, and here we are. Things around us can be beautiful, (i.e., family, friends, nature, & kindness) or things around us can be evil, but it is ultimately what we all make of it. Why not celebrate life as much as we can and then grow as old as we can - and when the time comes.......we'll be ready either way.

Spiritual - Agnostic - raised Catholic (if you were wondering)

Answer 9

Hardly. If this is our only chance, you have to get it right on the first try. If there is an afterlife, then this life doesn't matter.

Answer 10

Well, why take the chance? You can not know for certain until you become a Christian by faith (believing what you can't see). I know by personal experience that a whole new understanding comes to you by the Holy Spirit. The things of God are spiritually understood...the natural man cannot completely understand...but it opens up to him if he receives Christ as Saviour and the Spirit enters. God does give everyone the ability to understand what He has to offer, if you are willing to explore the possibilities. He says to ask, seek and He will answer. That invitation is to everyone.