Why do you believe in God?

[Minor Axis]

I'm kinda late to this discussion but as an agnostic I do believe in something primarily a spiritual life after physical death, but I can't prove it. And I contend the concept of heaven, hell, and our father in heaven is just too simplistic. There is absolutely no proof what so ever that the traditional religious view (you name the religion) is accurate. It just makes it simple and understandable. It could be the situation is beyond rational comprehension, as in explain "infinity". We know there is infinity, but how do you rationally explain it? You can't.

If you have adopted a particular religious dogma, and it makes you feel good, more power to you. But that does not mean your right, you just feel your right, and you may be in for a surprise when you cross over. But who knows, you might have hit the nail on the head!

I've spoken with several atheists and they have some very good points as to why religious people are wrong, but I view them out on a limb, just as much as the believers of any particular religion. Why should you believe in oblivion upon death, any more than going to heaven? Again, it's all about faith. I always laugh when someone says that "god" is proven. The problem is just what is "god"? Bottom line, many people have faith, but no body knows for sure.

 

[luc154]

I'm kinda late to this discussion but as an agnostic I do believe in something primarily a spiritual life after physical death, but I can't prove it. And I contend the concept of heaven, hell, and our father in heaven is just too simplistic. There is absolutely no proof what so ever that the traditional religious view (you name the religion) is accurate. It just makes it simple and understandable. It could be the situation is beyond rational comprehension, as in explain "infinity". We know there is infinity, but how do you rationally explain it? You can't.

Infinity is beyond rational comprehension. Humans are to restricted to understand eternity. However, that does not mean that eternity does not exist. We don't know personally what happens after you die. If you want proof you can accept or reject the witness accounts of the people that saw Jesus after His death. Or else they were lying or they were telling the truth. You can believe or reject it.

If you have adopted a particular religious dogma, and it makes you feel good, more power to you. But that does not mean your right, you just feel your right, and you may be in for a surprise when you cross over. But who knows, you might have hit the nail on the head!

Jesus claimed that He was the son of God. Or else He was right or else He was wrong. There is no in between. There is an absolute truth out there and those who claim it have to be investigated. I have found that Jesus claimed it and have found that He is right. Not because i am so smart, but because God has revealed it to me as He has done to thousands.

I've spoken with several atheists and they have some very good points as to why religious people are wrong, but I view them out on a limb, just as much as the believers of any particular religion. Why should you believe in oblivion upon death, any more than going to heaven? Again, it's all about faith. I always laugh when someone says that "god" is proven. The problem is just what is "god"? Bottom line, many people have faith, but no body knows for sure.

You can only come to God through faith. Once you have come upon that bases, He will give you the proof personally.

 

[gillibean]

I used to believe in god because that's what I was told to believe. When I grew up and starting thinking about things, it no longer made any sense to me (and only made sense before because i didn't think about it). Believing in God (of any kind) is roughly equivilent to believing the Celestial Teapot or the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Sure there is some historical evidence but that only means that some of the writings are based off actual events, not all the writings are true exactly as written. There is no proof and that I'm required to believe without proof just shows me that at one point someone figured out how little sense it all makes and starting using faith to get around that pesky question of logic and all that silly critical thinking. Belief in something that cannot be proven is irrational.

 

[Mase]

I stopped believing in God when I was 14. All I believe now is that it's a theory that can't be proven or disproven, at least, in this point in time.

 

[gillibean]

I wouldn't even call it a theory. Maybe in the sense of a hunch but the word gets misused so much that i avoid it for non scientific applications. I'd just call it a concept or an idea

 

[Mase]

I wouldn't even call it a theory. Maybe in the sense of a hunch but the word gets misused so much that i avoid it for non scientific applications. I'd just call it a concept or an idea

Good point. repped.

 

[luc154]

I stopped believing in God when I was 14. All I believe now is that it's a theory that can't be proven or disproven, at least, in this point in time.

You just don't stop believing in God. If you have stopped believing in Him it means that you have never believed in Him and never knew Him. Once He has put His Spirit into a person, you cannot get rid of it. Even you don't want to get rid of it.

 

[Mase]

You just don't stop believing in God. If you have stopped believing in Him it means that you have never believed in Him and never knew Him. Once He has put His Spirit into a person, you cannot get rid of it. Even you don't want to get rid of it.

What you said made no sense at all.

 

[gillibean]

You just don't stop believing in God. If you have stopped believing in Him it means that you have never believed in Him and never knew Him. Once He has put His Spirit into a person, you cannot get rid of it. Even you don't want to get rid of it.

Wow...

 

[luc154]

What you said made no sense at all.

It means that once you are possessed by His Spirit you don't want Him to unpossess you.

 

[Mase]

It means that once you are possessed by His Spirit you don't want Him to unpossess you.

Mate, you need help.

 

[luc154]

Mate, you need help.

There is no better helper than the Holy Spirit. To say it with Jesus' words: 'I will send you a helper.'
John 15:26:'When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf'

 

[gillibean]

There is no better helper than the Holy Spirit. To say it with Jesus' words: 'I will send you a helper.'
John 15:26:'When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf'

Does your religion encourage questioning and critical thinking?

 

[luc154]

Does your religion encourage questioning and critical thinking?

Christianity is based on critical thinking. Daily I question God and the Bible, trying to investigate the truth. It is no easy thing to try and understand a perfect and holy being as an imperfect fallen creature.

 

[gillibean]

Christianity is based on critical thinking. Daily I question God and the Bible, trying to investigate the truth. It is no easy thing to try and understand a perfect and holy being as an imperfect fallen creature.

Christiany IS NOT based on critical thinking. It's based on circular logic, fear and blind belief.

 

[luc154]

Christiany IS NOT based on critical thinking. It's based on circular logic, fear and blind belief.

That is your belief of what Christianity is and not the Christianity I know.

 

[gillibean]

That is your belief of what Christianity is and not the Christianity I know.

Are you encouraged to question the validity of every single verse? Of every assumption? Are you encourage to question why your interpretation of the bible is correct and not other religions or even that any of them are right?

 

[luc154]

Are you encouraged to question the validity of every single verse? Of every assumption? Are you encourage to question why your interpretation of the bible is correct and not other religions or even that any of them are right?

Why should I not be? There is not one vers in the whole Bible that until now has proven to be false. Perhaps you can prove me wrong then and show me something out of the Bible to be untrustworthy?

 

[pladecalvo]

We don't know personally what happens after you die.

Hang on! You said in another thread..."But we have however the security and assurance of going into a world where there will be no more suffering." Can't you theist be consistent?

If you want proof you can accept or reject the witness accounts of the people that saw Jesus after His death.

Please, please, please would just one theist produce these "eye-witness" accounts.

Or else they were lying or they were telling the truth.

Not really! Lying means that you are making a deliberate attempt to deceive. People were just like you in that they believed it was true.

There is an absolute truth out there and those who claim it have to be investigated.

People who claim it are also under an obligation to produce evidence to support their claim

I have found that Jesus claimed it and have found that He is right.

No! You believe he is right.

You can only come to God through faith. Once you have come upon that bases, He will give you the proof personally.

Sp what you are saying here is that in order to 'find' god you have to first believe in his existence. Isn't that rather circular?

You just don't stop believing in God. If you have stopped believing in Him it means that you have never believed in Him and never knew Him.

Are yes!! The old .....you're not a Real Christian(tm) argument.

 

[gillibean]

Why should I not be? There is not one vers in the whole Bible that until now has proven to be false. Perhaps you can prove me wrong then and show me something out of the Bible to be untrustworthy?

I don't have to prove you wrong, you are starting from an assumption. The burden of proof is on YOU! You are trying to build a skyscraper starting from the top. You are deliberately ignoring that there is nothing underneath the skyscraper to keep it up.