Do atheists believe in a heaven or hell? A good place or bad place? If not, then what's the purpose of the distinction between good and evil?. I'd like to have a respectful conversation about this.

Good and evil are concepts perfectly independent of religious monopoly.

When I die, I'm going to an urn on the mantlepiece. No, I'm not afraid (it's a very nice mantlepiece).

Most atheists do not believe in heaven or hell (can't speak for all atheists, of course).

We distinguish between good and evil, because we prefer to be treated well than to be treated badly.

Boru

(July 22, 2020 at 7:33 am)Shazzalovesnovels Wrote: Do atheists believe in a heaven or hell? A good place or bad place? If not, then what's the purpose of the distinction between good and evil?. I'd like to have a respectful conversation about this.

Are you saying you wouldn't be able to distinguish between good and evil without threat of punishment or promise of reward?

(July 22, 2020 at 7:43 am)Gawdzilla Sama Wrote:

(July 22, 2020 at 7:33 am)Shazzalovesnovels Wrote: Do atheists believe in a heaven or hell? A good place or bad place? If not, then what's the purpose of the distinction between good and evil?. I'd like to have a respectful conversation about this.

Are you saying you wouldn't be able to distinguish between good and evil without threat of punishment or promise of reward?

Imma guess yes, that’s what he’s saying. They all say it.

Boru

Why do we have to go anywhere?
When we die the machine stops, that's it, I have no fear of death because you can only be either alive or dead, 200 years ago I was not alive - so I must have been dead - didn't hurt at all!
(the process of dying is a different matter, could be nasty and painful, but death itself is nothing to fear)

As for good and evil, I don't see what that has to do with death, being evil to me is doing things that will hurt others, I don't want to be hurt so try not to do things that will hurt anyone else.

I don't believe in heaven or hell. But I do believe in service to other people.

I just don't do it because I am afraid of hell or because i want some reward. I do it because I *care*.

The essence of 'good' is being able to care about others and think through the consequences of your actions. have some compassion.
And those are *human* emotions and motivations.

No afterlife or deities required.

(July 22, 2020 at 7:43 am)Gawdzilla Sama Wrote:

(July 22, 2020 at 7:33 am)Shazzalovesnovels Wrote: Do atheists believe in a heaven or hell? A good place or bad place? If not, then what's the purpose of the distinction between good and evil?. I'd like to have a respectful conversation about this.

Are you saying you wouldn't be able to distinguish between good and evil without threat of punishment or promise of reward?

I was wondering why we bother to be good, if we'll all just end up in the same boat in the end. I could be completely horrid to people and not suffer 'eternal damnation'.

(July 22, 2020 at 7:44 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:

(July 22, 2020 at 7:43 am)Gawdzilla Sama Wrote: Are you saying you wouldn't be able to distinguish between good and evil without threat of punishment or promise of reward?

Imma guess yes, that’s what he’s saying. They all say it.

Boru

I needed to know if we're following the usual script.

(July 22, 2020 at 7:47 am)Shazzalovesnovels Wrote: I was wondering why we bother to be good, if we'll all just end up in the same boat in the end. I could be completely horrid to people and not suffer 'eternal damnation'.

If you cannot imagine being good without a belief in god, then you lack empathy not morals.