After atheism, what now?

Question

Okay, to anyone with an objective sense of history and an understanding of the evolution of knowledge, we know that the concept of god is dying a quick death. Okay. What now? We can't base our beliefs on what we do not believe.

What do you see as the next evolution of religion? Now that god is dead (or dying) will some other "higher power" replace it? Without texts, how will we discuss morality? Is dogma neccessary?

I guess my question is really this: Myth based religion always gave us a greater purpose. Now that we are starting to realize that we are just a tiny piece of a complex equation and that our lives have no inherent worth, why do we get up in the morning?

I am not sure there is one answer, which is why we will always have different religions. For you, why? What is the point of your decisions?

Answer 1

I hope it becomes science, rationality, and humanism.


EDIT: Another way to phrase your question is "what is the meaning and purpose of life (especially without religion)." Right?

It's a good question. It's even why Karen Armstrong thinks that people should continue to believe in God, when she herself does not.


Alan Alda just wrote a book about this very subject called "Things I overheard while talking to myself." His answer is the same as mine, as I have found it is the same for all happy/content non-believers:

Life has only the meaning you give it.


You may feel a bit daunted by that reality, but you can also use it to see the positive side of life. It is why I can not find happiness in material things or the moment to moment attempt to fill my senses. I must have something deeper (hence, my aforementioned motivations).

Answer 2

Why do we need to replace current religion with something else?

Why do we have to believe anything? Why can we not accept what is demonstrably true, and form an opinion or probability on those things where there is little evidence?

God is not dead. God never existed in the first place. It is just being moved from a claim of reality onto mythology where it belongs.

Morality was around way before any of those texts were written. We have managed to adapt our morals and ethics to a changing world very happily despite the absolute laws in those holy texts (when was the last time you saw a kid being stoned to death for being disobedient?) We will continue to do so.

Answer 3

People have tried to ask that question for hundreds of years. Almost 2000 years after it's founding, the Catholic Church and her beloved followers have stood strong against such heretical ideas. We are the earthly embodiment of Christ meant to last until the end of time. Therefore, you won't find any death for God, the Son, and the Holy Ghost never die.

First of all, you stated "Anyone with an objective sense of history...". Your credibility has fallen slightly by including the wrong adjective next to "sense". Yes, there are certain events in history that have exact dates, places, and people. But the causes and consequences of those events are what make an objective study of history absolutely impossible. Hopefully God will grant you the clarity to see that at some point.

Secondly, aside from this gross mistake above, you mentioned "the evolution of knowledge,". A very eloquent way of wording it, I must say. There are certain moments in history when the human mind has flourished and produced some of the most beautiful and fantastic "things" on earth. We are truly blessed with an ability that no other animal on earth has. These moments have transformed the human understanding of the world and propelled the race into a new state of prosperity. But never forget that those gifts were given to us by God when he created all we see and cannot see. Therefore, our thanks must be given to him in all that we accomplish and all that we gain from those accomplishments.

You say that "God is dying a quick death." and "God is dead (or dying)". I cannot easily refute these statements because of the inherent blasphemous nature of them. But I will try. When something dies, it must first have been born. This implies that there is a definite time interval in which this thing exists. Everything on this earth has a definite beginning and end. It will follow through the temporal path set out for it and then cease to exist in its current form at the time of its death. Earth, the great recycler of things. "Matter can neither be created nor destroyed." That is one of the most basic scientific principles of Physics that governs how we view the processes of the Universe.

But God created time, along with everything else. Therefore, he exists outside of this temporal path of birth, life, and death. There is nothing above, outside, or away from God in the sense that this time in which we live is encompassed in Him. Since He was never born, He will never die.

God exists eternally with the Son and the Holy Ghost. Eternity is a difficult concept to understand because it implies a lack of time. There is no past; there is future. There just is. Therefore, when you ask "how will we discuss mortality?", I can simply answer. We were promised that by living a life according to the teachings of God we would be reunited with him after our temporal life on earth. There is no need to be afraid of mortality if you have lived according to this Word; for there is no greater power on earth, or in Heaven, than God's Word.

Answer 4

I don't think that God is dead or dying. There is obviously a "higher being" who has guided the history of our civilizations for sometime now. The next evolution of religion will be based upon the needs of the people. Religion is looked at as one being right and the others wrong...but that is a fatal misconception. All religions are one in the same. The sooner people accept that, the sooner we will be able to see the next step in our journeys. Try watching Zeitgeist the movie. It will explain a ton!!

Answer 5

As much as i would like to shout : Spaghetti monster!!! too, i really like this question!

In the first 'era' (due to lack of better or more accurate word) we looked to a god and goddess as an explanation for thunder and lightening.

Next, we looked to him for rules on how to live, to justify our habits and way of thinking. And used 'him' to establish unity in empires, a way to bring everyone into line by threatening them with eternal damnation (which is a scary thought if you believe it)

Third, we began seeing him as a loving parent rather than a cruel master, which is making him more personal and less part of a defined religion. I do not see the death of god as yet, though it is possible as the human mind is evolving so rapidly.

Soon we will find an explanation for who set the universe into motion, and will see 'him' as less of a person and more of an energy. Flowing through the universe, call it the death of a god if you wish, but its the birth of an idea. We realize we have imagined this energy to resemble a human for the sake of being able to identify with it on some level, or for comfort (when you think god you traditionally think old man in robes on a big golden thron, with a light shining so bright behind him, you can't see his face)

Finally, we'll believe that was are part of that energy, that flows through the earth and ourselves.

Last we'll understand that we are one energy.

Morality will evolve along with our learning, right?
Dogma will only surive as long as the need to control man through god exists. As god becomes a more personal idea it will decline.

Peace.

Answer 6

I just want to comment of the resemblance of the "expresso kid" to Michael Jackson.....eerie!!
This really is an individual choice...to beleive or not to believe.
God (higher power) is very much alive in my life and will remain as long as I breathe. I choose this belief because my life feels better, more whole and more complete. I enjoy being able to give thanks to that power for the sunlight, indeed, the ability to feel and see the sunlight, for people like Bill Wilson and Lois Wilson and Dr Bob, who gave us the 12 steps and so much more.

Answer 7

Just because mythology has been proven to be false, doesn't mean that spirituality has no merit.

I think the next step will be for humanity to begin studying the nature of life, and our interpretation of it. However, hopefully, this time around those studies won't get hung up by one group claiming to have all the answers, and attempting to shut down anyone who says otherwise.

The only way to keep that from happening is to ensure democracy, and the rights of minorities, in my opinion. (Democracy in a fundamentalist country will simply lead to a theocracy, regardless)

But as long as people are free to express their beliefs, and lack thereof, we can keep any one "religion" from holding us back.

Answer 8

after the idea of god dies. if god is real god can't die and he would be angry so he might do something like noahs ark again. if he really isnt real then after god civilization will become completely scientific. nothing would be able to be left unproven. scientists will definitely try to make life even more if the idea of god dies. anyone who achieves making life becomes like a next god. cloning will become more and more successful until it is possible to make a human. science won't stop there. it will expand to outer space and eventually people will find new energy to use to go to different planets. after that people will probably find new species, have a war, end up causing huge destruction, eliminating humans and ending all human life.

Answer 9

God as a concept is not dying, but being rewritten. its not the old dude with a beard who farts lightning anymore, nor is it the guy who lives in the sky who reaches down to oil the cogs every once in a while.

the next step of evolution is to see God for what it is, the all permeating energy and force which exists at every point and ever time but outside of every point in space-time. once this fundamental building block has been put in place, the rest just falls into place. there is no reason to hate or kill, because we are in a sea of God/Energy which is simultaneously creating and destroying us in every instant. we dont need a book to see it. we dont even need words. in fact, words will ultimately prevent us from knowing.

See Emerson's Trancendental Eye
See Buddha
See Quantum Mechanics
See Christ, the embodyment of this Force
See it EVERYWHERE

Answer 10

Perhaps the belief that this life is all we have will inspire people to live it to the fullest, and respect others and the planet, instead of treating earth like some waste pile, since heaven is the next stop.