Reply #52: Faith without works is dead. So says the Epistle of James.

[freestyle]

Belief or not in an afterlife is independent of accepting our responsibilities to each other and to the earth. Thinking that you can screw people over, or worse, your whole life and then expect forgiveness seems like a risky proposition at best. I recall something about not putting God to the test. I also see whatever judgement there may be as based on the balance of deeds over your life. But, I don't know.

If you do right here, it really doesn't matter if this is all there is. Even if there is no eternal life, your contributions will live on in the memories of those you touched.