For those who believe in an afterlife: status quo or dangerous idea?

Question

For me, dangerous idea wins hands down.

Here are some paraphrases from afterlife believers:

"I don't have to take care of the earth and my neighbors as if god wasn't here, because he IS here, and he will take care of it!"

"My children and their children etc.only matter while I am alive, because when I die, I don't have to worry about it anymore"

"I don't have believe deep down inside the validity/reality of an afterlife, because there are other options 1) Cave to herd animal mentality and just go with the flow 2) Use it to my or my master's advantage, helping to create fear in others so my master (or myself, if I am a master) can enslave them (i.e. work hard for me in this life and I promise the next one will be better!)"

I guess if you don't think its a dangerous idea to be in a state of enslavement, then you have to go with the cowardly answer 'status quo', no?

Why is it that I can't get any thoughtful answers from religious folk? I am trying to demonstrate that a lack belief in afterlife can lead to higher moralities than you people assume. If you people can't see this, it reflects on your close- mindedness. Dependence on oneself and each other as opposed to believing in a god is more responsible. god is not going to put an invisible shield up around you people if someone detonates a nuclear bomb in your hometown. I know some of you believe this and it seems really sad that you care so little about your futures that you think this is the case. You have no responsibility to the resources you consume, because you think god will replenish them. You don't care how you raise your kids because you think that as long as they believe how you do, you will see them again in heaven. Problem is, what if they exercise their self determinism and DON'T believe as you? You are scr***wed! Face it, your moralities are inferior....

Answer 1

I don't think it's a dangerous idea. The quotes you've offered would definitely constitute a minority viewpoint. My belief in the afterlife does not, in any way, negate my sense of personal responsibility (in fact, it heightens it, because of religious teachings suggesting that I will be called into account for everything that I did during this life). There is a responsibility for taking care of the environment, animals, fellow humans, the poor, the hungry, the homeless and so forth, none of which I classify as "dangerous" ideas.

Answer 2

Absolutely. Look at the working class folks supporting politicians who would only return us to a financial-sector based economy, where mountains of debt build up in the private sector only to be paid off by the public. It was Henry Paulson and the Republicans, remember, who proposed the trillion dollar bank bailout. It's Democrats who are trying to get some of that money back in the form of loan forgiveness, interest rate write-downs, and taxes on banking industry bonuses and salaries. I think they should go further and impose a "Tobin tax," a small fee levied against each transaction that occurs in the markets. This could be used to pay back the full sum of the bailout, and then some.

Answer 3

I don't think it is dangerous let me go through some of your examples.
G-d entrusted us to take care of the world.

As far as my children and their children I want a big family reunion in heaven. How I raise my children is going to affect the next 5 generations. G-d will hold me accountable.

I don't consider it enslavement but liberating.

In the end it is your choice you have been given the same information I have and you decided which is part of Free Will.

Answer 4

I believe that God created this earth and put us on it to take care of it. He will hold mankind accountable for all the damage being done to it. (Revelation 11:18) I am conscious of this and therefore do all in my power to protect and save the environment.
I also know that selfish men with no fear of God or even of self destruction, will continue to destroy the environment and deny that any damage is being done despite evidence to the contrary. Only intervention by God will stop them.

Answer 5

any idea can be dangerous in the wrong hands !
for some , it is a wonderful concept that gives them even more reason to love the earth and all in it ....
those are the ones who have found spirituality in religion

religion without spirituality is when it becomes dangerous in my opinion

Answer 6

None of the above!!!

I believe in an afterlife, but do not adhere to any of your statements you put forth.

I don't like being threatened to be labeled a slave or a coward just because I disagree with you, but thanks for sharing your mental state and intellect with the forum.

Answer 7

I've never heard anyone say any of those things. You can't have much of an argument if you can't back up your so called "proof". Please cite these supposed viewpoints.

My answer is to question why you care about the beliefs of others. Isn't it enough to worry about yourself and not persecute others?

Answer 8

i believe that heaven is where i will go after i die.

Answer 9

Huh?

Answer 10

What are you talking about?!