I'd like to counter your argument even though it wasn't directed to me. Hopefully
@davidguettafan doesn't mind.
Yes, I tree has been designed; by many years of trial and error. It didn't happen by chance per say, more by trial and error, and experimentation of different structures over the course of millennia until some structures faded while the ones we see today stayed.
Also, I don't understand how you can transfer a cliche into the concept of the existence of a deity. Its a human construct, to console people of the simple fact anything can happen, and its out of our control. Does not in any way point to a deity.
Yes, I do think that when we die that's it. To the best of my knowledge there doesn't seem to be anything past that. Its the definition of
death. Humans are probably the only species that have evolved enough intelligence to be afraid of such a concept, and therefore create the idea of an afterlife to once again console themselves. To create a purpose because they cannot fathom the notion of their lives being meaningless relative to the entirety of space and time.
And I'm can't understand at all your inference of a deity and free will being a test from the existence of 'good' and 'evil'.
Why would we have free will and natural disasters if it isn't a test? I don't understand the relation between the two at all, you've lost me there completely.
I think the main reason for your belief is that you cannot grapple with the reality of nature (free will, death, universal grandeur), so you apply a deity and afterlife to the issue to avoid facing the issue. That way you can rest assured that there will be a reckoning for evil, and you'll continue to live on even after you die; eliminating any fear of death.