[wagglebee]

Believing or not believing in God is similar to believing or not believing in gravity:
Both God and gravity have laws in place, and there are consequences for violating those laws. And one's belief or disbelief in those laws is irrelevant to the consequences.

[little jeremiah]

"And one's belief or disbelief in those laws is irrelevant to the consequences."

Reminds me of the New Age crapola: "If it's true for you, it's true for you, but not for me, I have my own truth..."

Belief in God is what starts a person on the path to finding Him. Although actually, questioning His existence with the desire to know the truth comes before that.

Through prayer and obedient service, the belief gets transformed into conviction, and then a relationship of knowledge and love which no one and nothing can take away.

Fear of God is useful and necessary in the beginning - just like a disobedient child had better fear his parents' anger. But the obedient child doesn't need to fear his parents, just loves them with complete trust.

[CyberAnt]

"And one's belief or disbelief in those laws is irrelevant to the consequences"

I don't think so. Whether you believe in gravity or not - it will affect you when you jump off a bridge.

You can say you don't believe in GOD; but his laws will affect your life just the same.