i know there is no studies proving either way, but if your version of reality was true the world would decend back into the dark ages, people taking what they want, with no regard for life, feelings etc
This is nonsense. Atheists are the most moral people there is: they commit the lowest rates of homicides and have the lowest arrest rates of any population.
You are basically saying that Human Beings are so evil that they will only behave morally if they know they will be punished severely for misbehaving. This might be true for sociopaths, but most people would follow Confucius golden rule of treating others like you would like to be treated.
I can actually use the opposite argument of yours: that the belief in God and an afterlife makes people less moral. Yep, because if you believe that death is not the end of all, then killing someone is not a big deal since they are going to Heaven anyway. On the other side, if you believe that death is the end, then it makes murder and harming others far more horrifying.
And you are missing the point. This is completely besides the point. So we should believe a lie because it helps with social order? I disagree with it. There are sociopaths and mentally unstable people for whom religion stops them from doing harm to others. This is true. But I don't think that people should believe a lie just because it makes Society more orderly. Just think of all the evil that is done in the name of God. Think of all the people burned alive by the inquisition during the Middle Ages or all those terrorists who blow up toddlers because they think that God wants them to. Yes, religion stops some sociopaths from killing, but it compels many more to kill, so the net worth of religion is a negative one.
in my version of reality, people will continue to strive to be good, because at the very least even if there is no afterlife the world would be a better place because we are trying to help each other.
I agree with this ok. But why do we need religion for this? Why can't we be nice to each other just because we don't want others to feel what we wouldn't want to feel ourselves? Why do you think we should only be nice because otherwise God will punish us?
i believe buddhas version of reality for what it's worth.
Buddha was an enlightened man, but his version of reality was a primitive understanding. You can't expect more from someone who lived 2,500 years ago.
SUCKMYMUSCLE