jwfacts: In my opinion, that is the only reason people worship God. If there was no promise of an afterlife, there would be no religious people.
Not so. The first of my cherished beliefs to die was the assurance of a life to come. I remain a Christian albeit a reformed one. If there are people like me then religion offers more than the carrot of eternal life. There are other motivators.
jnat - I probably didn't word it as well as I could. It was concentrating on the reason people love and worship god. People go to church for other reasons, such as social, moral code etc. But I doubt many would devote themselves pecifically to a God that offered no reward of eternal life. A god that said "I created you, so you must worship me and devote your short life to me" would not be very popular.
rawe I think that is too narrow. Many (most?) religious people feel God is helping them right now, answering their prayers, giving them an absolute moral code that improves their lives, or the opposite -- evil spirit forces are against them, etc.
I expected this comment. I guess I find such a belief in prayer ignorant. Does God answer prayers? Try praying for a new limb after an amputation. Why doesn't God answer the prayers of the millions of children that starve to death each year, if he is so concern with a rich Americans pray for a safe trip, or new job? Are children in Catholic schools unworthy of having their prayers answered to have a priest stop abusing them?
Prayer is the same as the concept from The Secret, that if you want something enough you will get it. It just does not work that way. If you think day and night about getting a sports car, it does not guarantee you will get it, but by focusing on it, you are more likely to do what is required to get one. Same with prayer. If millions of people think about ending child starvation, it will not end it, just as prayer has not ended it. But focusing on it will mean those people are more likely to do something positive to help.
Nor does God give a moral code. Different religious tenets provide different moral codes in their religious books, and then the denominations each interpret those moral codes differently, so it is hard to say it is from God. For instance, each Christian church comes up with slightly different ideas on what constitutes porneia. The moral code has changed as culture changes, regarding such things as sacrifice, womens rights and slavery. Non-religious cultures also develop similar moral codes.
UMB101 Not really. Afterlife is not my concern so far, yet. I decided to become a Christian because I was told Jesus is my saviour , He is my friend and He will always be with me and watch over me.
Doesn't saying that Jesus is your saviour mean that he is saving your life, offering you everlasting life? In what way does he always look after you? Do you never get sick, never stub you toe, don't have car accidents, and never have a broken heart. Will you avoid cancer, and die peacefully at an old age? From what I can tell, the good and bad aspects of life affect Christians the same way as they affect atheists.
