Is it possible to live a good life even if one does not believe in God? Do you think belief in God is a prerequisite to living a good life? Is there a connection between believing in God and living a good life? What is the role of religion in moral life?

We all want to live a good life. Who would want to live in misfortune, misery, and pain? I don't, do you? Maybe the masochists do. But, we must remember that every person has his own definition of a good life. For one, it may mean wealth and a comfortable life. For another, it may mean gambling, drinking, smoking, and womanizing. There are so many perceptions of a good life.

It has always been a practice to equate living a good life with belief in God, with religion. I guess it's time to put some clarity in this issue. But, before any further discussion, let us first set a common ground or definition for living a good life. For this discussion, to live a good life is to live a life with a sense of purpose, to live a life in honesty, generosity, justice, and kindness. Now, it is possible to live a good life even if one does not believe in God. Belief in God is not a prerequisite to living a good life. We must not confuse ourselves with good life and religious life. These two are different, although we usually use them interchangeably. A non-believer can never live a religious life, but he can always live a good life. It all depends on his principles in life, on what he believes in. Some may argue that it is impossible for a person to believe in some principles without any basis. It is true. A person can never come up with his principles in life at his own discretion. He must have a basis for it. And, our usual basis is religion, God's teachings. Now, I ask. Can a person's experiences not be a basis? When we were young, we were taught by our parents not to lie, that it is bad to lie. And when we lied, we were punished for it. We can live by that belief- it is bad to lie, and still not believe in God. A non-believer can live a good life at his own discretion, based on his past experiences.

Nevertheless, I will not deny the fact that there is a connection between believing in God and living a good life. Belief in God supplements living a good life. It is more possible to live a life with a sense of purpose and values when we believe in God because the way we live our life is in accordance with God's teachings. However, amidst this connection between God and good life, there are still believers who do not practice God's teachings. They claim that they believe in God, but their actions do not speak of such. Thus, if it is possible for believers not to live a good life, it is also possible for non-believers to live a good life.

Religion has a vital role in moral life. Our religion, based on their interpretations of God's teachings, sets the standards of what is right or wrong. Our rules and regulations are based from the standards set by religion. Since religion says it is wrong to steal, thieves are punished for stealing. To live a moral life, one must practice what is right, and refrain oneself from doing what is wrong.

So much has been going on in this world. There are many different beliefs of what is good or bad. I guess as long as you are not hurting anyone, then you can live your life the way you want to live it. You can be a believer, or you can be a non-believer. However, in today's society, that is very difficult to do.

If you were God, would you send people to hell for not believing that you exist? Why or why not?

When we were young, we imagined hell as a fiery place where bad people go. As we matured in age and thinking, we learned more about hell. Different religions have different perceptions of hell. In the Christian theology, hell is described as a place of corruption, and unquenchable fire and brimstone. Those damned by God are sent to hell for eternity.

If I were God, I would send people to hell for not believing that I exist simply because hell is their choice. Hell is not the fiery place we imagined it to be. Instead, hell is being away from God's presence. Hell is the natural consequence of the choice we make. Now, you question my decision that it is unjust to eternally punish people who committed sins during their limited earthly life. This I tell you. Those in hell are not the persons who committed a string of finite sins. Instead, those in hell are the persons who committed the ultimate and infinite sin: rejecting a relationship with a self-giving God. Their mindset is to live a life apart from me. But then, you continue to argue that if these people knew what hell is like, they would want to believe in me. Rubbish! While these people were on earth, they have rejected me. Thus, they will continue rejecting me because hate, selfishness, and rebellion reign in them. God's love is not forced. Even if I created the world and everything in it, I have given all creatures the robust freedom to either believe in my existence or to resist it. I do not want anyone to perish, but I will not also force anyone to believe in me because my love is not forced. Thus, upon these people's request, I left them alone and permitted them to experience an eternity without me- hell.

Human beings tend to become the decisions we make. The more we choose something, the more we become that something. We are all in the process of solidifying our identities with the decisions we make. When we choose to believe in God, we are more likely to live a religious life. When we choose not to believe in God, we are more likely to live a wicked life. In time, our decisions will result in a godly nature or an evil nature.