Atheists have a Rapture too

Here’s how it works: while you’re alive, do whatever pleases you, and try to be pleased by doing worthwhile things.

For example, when another person needs help, you should help them if you can, but you don’t have to feel guilty if you can’t. In fact, you never have to feel obligated to anyone or anything unless you choose to. It can be rewarding to choose obligation, though, if you choose well.

Go ahead and have a healthy attitude toward sex, too. It doesn’t matter who you love, or how you mutually express it. Try not to hurt anyone, and you can do whatever you want with your body and with those of other consenting adults. No one’s watching, unless you’re into that.

You’ll probably want to be a good person, although there aren’t any supernatural consequences should you fail. But doing the right thing even when you know you don’t have to feels pretty good. Way better than doing the wrong thing, most of the time. All of the time.

Most of the time.

Above all, be there for the people you love while you still can, because this is all you get.

If you live by these rules, or even if you don’t, one day no one will come back to earth to be met in the sky by nonbelievers. No piles of clothes will fall unsupported to the ground; no air will rush to fill vacuums left by the recently corporeal. No years of tribulation will ensue; no final judgment be rendered. We might get an End of Days, but only if we’re stupid and do it to ourselves.

In other words, our Rapture is exactly like that other Rapture. All the same stuff happens, no matter what anyone believes.

But afterwards, we get ice cream.