If there were no afterlife, morals and laws wouldn't be necessary, right?

Question

Another opinion frequently expressed here. If you believe this, please help me understand how you do, as I don't.

Great responses from those who don't consider the proposition true. So far none from those who believe it. I guess it's just something religionists say without really thinking about it.

Answer 1

Incorrect. We evolved in such a way that we naturally create social structures. Anarchy goes against our very nature; some of the governments we invent aren't much better but all the same, we do, as a species, tend to prefer structure and order.

Besides, if there's no after life, then this is the only life we get, and we should do our best to not contribute to the suffering of others. One of the best ways to do this is the social contract. It may limit our total freedom, but this frees us in other ways -- I agree not to murder, and so do many others, so I am now free from having to constantly watch my back.

Answer 2

Most people Don't really think there is an afterlife to begin with. Morals and laws were created to keep the lower-rung of society in their place - which is the same reason today. Religion helps people behave - so the government says - why fight it? Church & State are separate. I'd say laws and morals would be pushed & practiced whether or not an after life existed or not. You think a cop arrests someone because he broke one of the 10 commandments? People aren't making sense with these types of questions. When will it end?

Answer 3

I know you only wanted people to answer who believed that statement, I don't however I feel the need to enlighten you to something.
Only two types of people are going to think that statement is correct. Religious people who will use it as an excuse to believe in God, an afterlife etc and scum who don't give **** about anyone but themselves and should be executed.

From what you said it seems like you understand there is a need for morals and laws with or without an afterlife, this is correct. Don't let anyone led you to believe otherwise. You should not worry yourself with illogical people who refuze to see sense.

Just focus on what you know to be right.

Answer 4

I can not consider it true, either; if we are only convinced to live moral lives because we then shall reap reward or, upon failing in those efforts, shall endure endless punishment in the afterlife, such behavior or attitude speaks little of our intelligence or integrity. I think that perhaps those who disbelieve in the heaven or hell options are more likely to make the most of the period of consciousness which we refer to as life since, to our understanding, this is all there is. Attempting to imagine and express the thinking of those who would agree with your statement, I would propose the theists' argument: It is our all-encompassing fear of God's wrath and His condemnation of us to eternal damnation which cause us to follow His laws and moral teachings and to worship His Son as our Savior, while our nontheist counterparts are largely lawless and fill our prisons since they have no hope of redemption or salvation... Of course, the preceding rationale is erroneous but may, at any rate, express the attitude of one who would make such an observation. What else could it be but fear (rather than love of God) that inspires, because the asker of your hypothetical question implies that future reward and/or punishment determine our behavior in this world?

Answer 5

Right. That's why they created religion. That's why it is such a huge part of creating civilization. If everyone has the fear of god in them they are less likely to do things against society, rather than just the fear of prison. You know what I mean? If everyone was Athiest, and they didn't have that motivation, it would be chaos. But we need smart, mature athiests that can follow the rules, but still think past the bounds of morality, to help progress our knowledge of the world.

Answer 6

Not true.

A lot of humans don't consider the afterlife. It's all about the here and now. Laws are important and morals are crucial because they affect the here and now and make life better for people while their bodies are still alive... laws and morals have nothing to do with the afterlife, unless you're religious.

Answer 7

Nope-I pretty much believe in some kind of other-world but since this is the only life anyone can be certain of, that would make morals and laws even more important.

Answer 8

On the contrary, morals (or ethics) and laws are for us in the here and now.

They are the ways in which societies limit our behavior in order to foster the survival of the society. Since no one of us is an island unto himself, this also serves to ensure the survival of the greatest number of people within that society, according to that society's standards of who ought to survive (acceptable behavior).

Answer 9

Anyone that believes this has never studied ethics. An afterlife has nothing to do with being good to people or being a good person.

Answer 10

We need morals and laws to survive and keep the species in tact. Other than that, no.

It is the selfish gene. The gene that makes us want to live, makes us want what is best for our family, then our friends. To a certain extent it extends to our society around us and then to people in general.