Hello (and welcome) ImAj,
You stated/asked:
I'm not arguing that the idea of an omnipotent God is rational, because I know it isn't. I'm arguing that if God didn't exist, we would be living in a world in which nothing mattered. So I guess my question to the atheists/agnostics would be: are you okay with this? Why or why not?
Because you seem sincere in your question, and genuinely interested in an atheistic perspective (which in my case is personalized - I do not presume to authoritatively speak on behalf of all, or even the majority, of self-professed atheists), I proffer honest and considered reply alone.
As to your initial inquiry...
yes (though I quibble with your assumptive premise).
Why? Simply put, if I were to concur with your qualified premise that - "no God = nothing matters" - then, superficially, I
would agree. But there are
greater depths to plumb, so...
But when the universe ends, by collapsing on itself or whatever, then it will all be over (obviously) with no trace of anything that had happened. And the Earth and all its inhabitants will be meaningless.
"Meaningless" to
whom or
what? Your conclusion presumes and infers that there
should be some sort of readily referenced "permanent record" of attainment and achievement that validates the existence of contemporary humanity or individual existence as being "worthwhile".
This perception (need?) strikes me as similar to each and every past and present President's concern over their own historical "legacy". What will "history" say about them? Were they a "good", or "bad" President ? Did they "make a difference"; and if so...for better, or for worse? It's not much of a stretch to conclude that these concerns are primarily both motivated and driven by personal ego. Yet, your fundamental question applies for apt consideration...in a sense. Is it important (or, does it really "matter") what "history" will ultimately assign/define about a long deceased President? If so, to whom...and why? What achievements of of historical notoriety or substantial import do you associate with, say...President Millard Fillmore (take your time...I'll wait)? Think of anything? Anything at all? If not, would you conclude that his life and presidency had no meaning or impact upon the lives of his contemporaries? (Californians might thank Fillmore for signing legislation that admitted the state into the union, yet blacks might begrudge his signing of the "Fugitive Slave Act" [placing Federal officers at the disposal of slaveholders seeking fugitives]). Whether or not Fillmore's short mortal existence will present any "ultimate" cosmological "meaning" or "purpose" is moot to our perceptions today...for in his time, he unquestionably had a profound impact upon millions of American citizens (for good or ill). Do Fillmore's actions and existence have any relevance or direct impact upon your life (much less your deferential esteem or interest) today? I would suppose not, but certainly the argument can be made that his existence was influential (and substantive) to both himself and his historical contemporaries...lending both "meaning" and "purpose", to and for themselves, in their own auspicious moment in time. That's what's relevant, and what "matters".
If you're looking to assign/establish some personalized "legacy" of existence that is of especial and everlasting import/impact upon the cosmos itself (much less humankind, or your next-door neighbor), then any concept of a finite existence will not be especially satisfying to contemplate, or accept. Why then even bother to ask, "Why bother?"
But, if you can establish and satisfy your own "meaning", and motivational "purpose" in a (finite) mortal existence, you won't be overmuch concerned in troubling yourself in what people might be saying/thinking about you after you leave the room, or existence itself. If what others think of you is tantamount to what you think (and act upon) of/for yourself, you'll always question the "meaning of life".
Put another way, although everyone has an innate sense of empathy, morality, and conscience, there would be no reason to follow them without a higher power, because everything would be meaningless. This life would have no meaning.
If everyone does in fact retain "an innate sense of empathy, morality, and conscience", then what "purpose" would any "higher power" presume to confer/assign as meaningful? The question then becomes, "What is the meaning/purpose of a 'higher power'", not..."What is the meaning of existence?"
Can (or does) existence have any "meaning" if there is no "higher power"? If so, then how is it that a purposed (albeit existential) existence can be manifested despite that realization? If not, then what "purpose" does such a "higher power" exert in manifesting an existentially "meaningful" existence?
So it is because I love and empathize with other people that I believe in universal justice, and therefore a higher power. If God doesn't exist, life has no meaning.
I would suppose that those folks that require a "higher power" to rationalize their existence as a purposed and meaningful manifestation of some "ultimate/universal justice" (and omnipotently/benevolently imposed will) are unlikely (or unwilling) to accept the responsibility and consequences of their own freewill choices of mortal existence in the "here and now"...in deference to some wishful-thinking and hopeful "ultimate" (and infinitely lasting) "permanent record". You'll perhaps forgive my saying so, but such a perspective is little more that abject ego-gratification and self-validation for irrational motives/choices proffered to assuage doubt and ameliorate guilt within this very mortal ream of existence...despite any ernest (and often unsuccessful) supplication against/for a long-term (or finite/lasting, vs. "infinite") methodology of redemption/justification/salvation.
If God doesn't exist, life has no meaning" is an understandable qualified statement of rationalization/justification for a sustained (and "meaningful,/purposed") existence, that can not/will not establish nor completely allay their personalized doubts/fears regarding non-existence.
Despite the fact that I utterly accept my mortal existence free from any deity-proscribed "meaning" or "purpose", I do not fear such an inevitability of a finite existence...for I have the wherewithal to define my own motivations, reasons, purposes, and meanings to/of my own existence...and remain comfortable in the realization that I was non-existent (absent any fear, doubt, or trepidation) for a greater period of time prior to my brief stint and glimmer of sentient life in the here and now, and will so once more within that inevitably impending non-existence...of which will entail the same absence of fear or doubt that only the living can appreciate and contemplate to their own "meaningful" ends.
[I wonder...if a "higher power" is validated solely by assignable "meaning" in/of existence, yet atheists can manage to express find "reason for" a personalized existence absent any invisible benevolent deity or cosmic boogeyman, then does an atheist's perspective provide "proof" (or concrete disproof) that any god is quite unnecessary (and irrelevant) to any singularly purposed and/or meaningful existence?]
No...?
Why, or why not?]
