What if everyone knew God exists??
Why do so many people feel that it’s important to believe in God? Why would it be considered good or better to believe in God?
What if suddenly, everyone knew with certainty that god existed? What would the implications be?
For example, what if god communicated their existence by appearing to everyone with the exact same message simultaneously in different languages no matter where they were or what they were doing?
The only thing revealed was that a higher power does exist, and they created everything in the universe. No other details were given.
We would know that a higher power existed, but we still wouldn't know:
whether or not there is an afterlife, or how to get there;
whether they hear or answer prayers;
whether they intervene on our behalf here on earth;
how they want us to live;
if there is any truth to any religion;
there would still be no supposed moral code;
we wouldn’t know if we were more or less important or significant than any other living being.
Would the confirmation of the existence of a higher power really change anything? It wouldn’t be much different than where we're at now, would it?
What would be the implications for atheists or agnostics? Would they be in trouble because they didn't believe in god, or would atheists be favored by the higher power for withholding belief in the absence of evidence? Maybe the higher power doesn't want people to guess, and instead just wants people to trust and have faith in them.
Would religious people be rewarded because they happened to believe in one or more of various gods - none of which were the actual higher power, or would they be in trouble for making up a false god or gods and not only worshiping them, but for hurting people in god's name? For using god as a means to control and manipulate people? For using god for self-enrichment and / or self-promotion? For abandoning critical thinking, honesty, and human principles to be part of a false, man-made religion. For abandoning their fellow humans to follow a false God and an implausible and immoral set of religious beliefs? The list of lies, abuses, and immorality done in the name of religion is extensive.
Do you actually think that a higher power will not have noticed that religion has always been a magnet and a safe haven for humanity's worst? Or do you think they will notice, but say that it's all good because those religious folks worshipped or at least supposedly believed in a god (which was not the real god). You can lie to yourself and others about any supposed inherent goodness of your religion, but you can't lie to an all knowing, all powerful god.
If a higher power were actually going to suddenly appear on earth to judge people, it would seem like atheists or agnostics would be in better standing because they didn't use god or religion as justification for any of their actions. They used reason, logic, critical thinking and human principles that the higher power gave them, and they chose to not follow or be part of religions that had very little credibility, and did significant harm. Upon presentation of adequate evidence, they would have no issue with adjusting their beliefs accordingly.
It should be worth noting, that if god suddenly did reveal themselves to everyone on the planet and made it clear that they existed, it would be the first time that happened. It hasn't happened before. In any major religion, God only reveals themselves to a limited number of people.
Within society, there certainly seems to be undue virtue and righteousness placed on believing in god or religion. Belief is nothing more than a guess.
In reality, for whatever good major religions do, they are also the source of significant harm. Not only are they not a credible or reliable source of moral guidance, but they often lead people on immoral paths. A person often needs to be dishonest or betray other human principles in order to accept many religious teachings.
As you get deeper into religion, it becomes less about belief in a higher power without proof, and it becomes more about being willing to accept assertions that are objectively: false, unreasonable, immoral, or unprincipled. Major religions only lead people away from any potential higher power.
If the complexity of the world and the universe makes you think that there must be a higher power, what makes you think that you’re going to be able to guess the nature and intentions of that higher power? If the universe is complex, do you think its creator is going to be simple and easy to understand?
As long as it exists in its undeserved exalted status, religion will always serve to ensure humanity is divided. It will always serve to justify some of humanity's worst behavior.
Religion is not simply an expression of faith in a higher power. Religion assumes it can speak for a higher power and know it's plan for us - if any. Every major religion is deeply fractured and divided, with no uniform beliefs or moral guidance. It's ridiculous to think they have any credibility.
If you insist on being religious, at least don't present your beliefs as being virtuous or righteous. There is nothing special about your beliefs. Recognize that unprincipled beliefs do not become appropriate or moral just because they are tied to a religion. Your religious beliefs should never be used to justify unprincipled behavior.
Don't try to spread your religion if you are a member of one of the major religions. Remember that no matter how good you or your church is - no matter how pure and decent your intentions may be, the religion you belong to will always do significant harm. Don't try to grow an organization that you know will hurt people.
It is not just a few bad actors. It is significant harm perpetrated by entire religious institutions, church leaders, politicians, leaders of society, and hundreds of millions of practitioners who use it in one way or another as justification to lead lives that are far out of alignment with basic human principles.
Here is a suggestion for a healthy, uplifting faith. Say: "I don't know, and I don't care". The truth is not up to you.
If there is a higher power, don't try to guess their plan or intentions. Trust them, have faith in them, and accept whatever they have planned. Don't ask for anything. Don't expect anything. Whatever they have planned has to be enough.
