Would people be as willing to work crappy jobs if no one believed in an afterlife?

Question

If it was generally accepted that an afterlife did not exist, would the same people still work these same jobs, or would they be more motivated to go further in life? In other words, would it make people care more about what they accomplished in this life?

This is a serious question.

I realize that there will always be uneducated people --- but is there a stronger incentive to become educated?

It has been empirically shown that people who go very far in education are more likely to be atheists.................is this a cause or an effect?

I need to clarify:

In the aggregate, the more education one has, the better job they'll get. This not ALWAYS true, but in the aggregate it is.

Does a non-belief in an afterlife cause someone to try harder, get more (and better education), which would result in a better (and/or more intellectually stimulating) job in the end?

Answer 1

I believe that just the opposite is true.

Meaning, that because so many people believe that there's a better life after this one, is why they are either willing to accept what they have and/or are not able to find the motivation to improve themselves (vocationally) as they may believe that other (spiritual/religious) pursuits are more important.

Afterall, who needs a good job or skills or a work ethic in heaven!? ;-) Wait I'm sorry, one does need to know how to sit on a cloud and strum a harp, eh? ;-)

Seriously tho, if it was made known to them/us that the ONLY 'reward' of a good life was the opportunity to come back again and again and again to improve (on) themselves, then I believe that more people would do more during this life simply in hopes that they would have to work on less or 'higher things' in their lives to come.

Regards,

Answer 2

Organized religion has been used historically to control lower classes and reduce instability caused by dissatisfaction with employment, security, quality of life and so on. If that’s what you’re getting at then history backs you up. But religion satisfies a need in allot of people so if you remove the religion then something else will take its place. People will believe in an after life because they need to not because they have been conned. If you take the idea away somehow then they will find another one.
Would people still work crappy jobs? Someone would have to because most of those jobs are necessary to keep our society going. I don’t think the guy picking up my garbage every Thursday does it because he thinks God will reward him. He does it because that the best job he can get to feed his family.

Answer 3

I've got atheist friends who work crappy jobs, too. Sometimes, you've gotta take what's offered. And if something better comes along, the theist and atheist alike would probably both be equally glad to jump on it. No theist I know of thinks they're earning extra points in the afterlife by working a dead-end job.

Answer 4

huh? most people who work in crappy jobs is because they don't have a choice...i never heard anyone say they are working in the job because of their belief in the afterlife..this is not the reason..we just need work to pay our bills...
maybe some people like people who work for charities or the church..as pastors and teachers may..but the people i know just work to live..and not what they will get in the next world...

Answer 5

An after life and what one does for a living have nothing in common. Look at all he vegetable harvestors, they are generally believers in an afterlife yet they do stoop labor a lot.

Answer 6

hypothetically speaking if there was no afterlife I would defiantly strive harder and become the best I could be. I would also make a name as a philanthropist that way people would remember my name when I was gone.

Answer 7

Yes, because some people would have to accept those type of jobs because they aren't well educated enough to get a well-paying job.

Answer 8

sure, i've got self assurance that there is something interior us all which does not die. So that's that spark of light interior my expensive ones that i will meet returned and know as something that I met in the previous and that i enjoyed. btw! I forgot to thank you for all those superb solutions.

Answer 9

I don't think it makes a difference.Some time a crappy job is better then no job.At lest there not on assistance

Answer 10

i think not believing in an after life makes it easier to accept that life is short, we have only so much time to be instinctual pleasure seekers, therefore it is best to do whatever you feel like.