[Trampled by Lambs]

This is what I ask people who argue that religion is the only thing that keeps society from falling into barbarism or anarchy.

If someone, somehow proved to you today that there was no god, would you run out tomorrow and rape your neighbor's wife, rob a bank and shoot a cop?

Imagine...

[Skooz]

Of course not.

But morality, based upon religious principles, is the foundation for law across the world. Always has been.

[Taliesan]

I am a Christian, but I don't think "religion" is all that keeps people from descending into barbarism.

There is a "natural" law, built into the heart of every person. I think the Creator built it there, and it is there whether you later in life become a Christian, an atheist, or a druid. Others think is evolved with us as we arose majestically from the bio soup. That's an argument for another thread.

I think a government with an official religion is hell on earth, and the only thing worse is a government officially atheist. They're both pretty bad. The only tolerable government is one that thinks it is too dumb to know.

[AmishDude]

If someone, somehow proved to you today that there was no god, would you run out tomorrow and rape your neighbor's wife, rob a bank and shoot a cop?

No, I would probably begin by embezzeling funds from everywhere I could get my hands on. I'd "key" every car that was parked funny. If somebody pissed me off, I'd just haul off and punch them in the face. If I got very depressed, I'd probably end up going on a killing spree instead of just doing myself in. In short, I'd do whatever I could get away with, because I could be totally solopsistic.