What if there is no God?

major bean wrote: Animals do not have an afterlife. Whenever they die, they are dead. All manner of animals cease to exist: fleas, worms, dung beetles, canines, amoebas, etc. There is no such thing as a "bad" animal just as there is no such thing as a "good" animal. They have no moral understanding.
Their life is carnal and cannot be otherwise.

Now wait - you already said that basically, we are ants, and that we cannot presume to know the mind of any god, nor question their existence.
So how can you claim to know this?
Perhaps animals are much closer to god, much closer to being divne and holy because they don't have that concept of religion - they just are.

Just like you say we cannot say there is or is not a god, you cannot say that animals do or do not have an afterlife. To say such is a presumption and pure hubris.

PrestoChango wrote: Do you think dogs go to heaven (i.e. "Rainbow Bridge)? Yes!! They better! I have a few furry friends I'm counting on seeing again! What about cats? Maybe! Cats don't know sit! So it's hard to say! LOL!! What about other animals, or is it exclusively for pets? I don't know but I hope all pets go to heaven. Where do bad animals go, if anywhere?I really don't know - but I'm going to make sure I get there to find out!

And here's one I've always wondered...

If God wants you to be happy in Heaven for eternity...

And you believe you'll meet your relatives in Heaven...

What happens if, say, your brother is a killer and goes to Hell...I don't have all the answers but I do know God is a just and merciful God.

You'd never see him for all eternity, and wouldn't that make you and your parents unhappy for eternity?It would but His word says "he'll wash the tears from our eyes." So I trust He has all that figured out!

Would a loving and forgiving God really do that to your family?

I don't think God does those things to our families. He does give us a free will and like I said, I know He is a just and merciful God.


Good questions. I'm sorry I don't have all the answers. God's word is simple enough that even I can understand it and have a child-like faith, yet complex enough to keep really smart guys like you asking good questions. I don't think God minds at all when we ask questions...as long as we sincerely seek the truth.

Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear. - Thomas Jefferson

With regards to the critters of the world, all I can say is that I know that certain of them mourn and grieve the absence of those that they love, whether the one departed from them is human or simply a member of their immediate grouping. It is my belief, again, belief, that if God has given them emotions then they too are in possession of the joy of being in His presence. I may diverge a bit from the catechism of my faith here, but there is, after all, a patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi, and one could hardly suppose that they would have their own saint if they were not part of His everlasting kingdom. I know I will be looking at the foot of the Rainbow Bridge when my time comes for the ones who have shared their love with me as well as for those I was not fortunate enough to share my life with.

He forgets none of us and we should not forget those that He has blessed our lives to share His love with, whether they walk on two legs or four..........

Nmysys wrote: Great heartwarming story TG. Thank you for letting us get to know you.

Nmysys..... I really love you.... :dog: Candycane:: :cookies: SnowXmas:: reindeer:: Stocking:: snowman:: :drinkxmas: Snowman2::

I don't think Nmysys likes your post...he's pissed.

:Kisssanta: I understand, trying to offer an olive branch. I am not perfect believe it or not but I am not witch either.

The unmoderated vile directed at him is repulsive. Love is a verb.

Well, at least I found the atheist hymnal... rofllol

http://www.artsjournal.com/gap/2010/11/ ... -musi.html

:Troll: :Troll: :Troll: :Troll: :Troll: :Troll:

PrintSmith wrote: Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear. - Thomas Jefferson

With regards to the critters of the world, all I can say is that I know that certain of them mourn and grieve the absence of those that they love, whether the one departed from them is human or simply a member of their immediate grouping. It is my belief, again, belief, that if God has given them emotions then they too are in possession of the joy of being in His presence. I may diverge a bit from the catechism of my faith here, but there is, after all, a patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi, and one could hardly suppose that they would have their own saint if they were not part of His everlasting kingdom. I know I will be looking at the foot of the Rainbow Bridge when my time comes for the ones who have shared their love with me as well as for those I was not fortunate enough to share my life with.

He forgets none of us and we should not forget those that He has blessed our lives to share His love with, whether they walk on two legs or four..........

Great post and very moving. For pets who risk, or lose, their lives to save their masters ... those who care for blind or deaf masters, those who provide joy and comfort to the afflicted and depressed... those who provide unbounding companionship... we are especially grateful. I thank God for bringing them into our lives.