Why do you need God/religion?

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FreeThinker

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Hi everyone,
I am what my father calls a “lapsed Catholic”. I was raised strictly Catholic for my first 17 years. I am now 32, married to the perfect woman, excellent stable job, perfect health, stress free lifestyle, great house, cars, etc… and completely Godless and religion-free. Sunday comes and Sunday goes. My question is “Why do I need a belief in God and a religion to follow?” If you answer “to be thankful for what I have” then I believe I should continue on my current path because this is what God-free has led to. I guess everything could be bigger and better but I’m happy with what I have, which is more than plenty. I won’t buy an answer based on scare tactics - “you’ll burn in hell!”, and I’m not looking for an answer full of “bible babble”. I’ve heard plenty of that the last 16 years and it really doesn’t change my outlook because life is looking fine.

So help me out here, Is the lifestyle I’m leading fine for me or am I missing out somewhere?
 
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FreeThinker:
Hi everyone,
I am what my father calls a “lapsed Catholic”. I was raised strictly Catholic for my first 17 years. I am now 32, married to the perfect woman, excellent stable job, perfect health, stress free lifestyle, great house, cars, etc… and completely Godless and religion-free. Sunday comes and Sunday goes. My question is “Why do I need a belief in God and a religion to follow?” If you answer “to be thankful for what I have” then I believe I should continue on my current path because this is what God-free has led to. I guess everything could be bigger and better but I’m happy with what I have, which is more than plenty. I won’t buy an answer based on scare tactics - “you’ll burn in hell!”, and I’m not looking for an answer full of “bible babble”. I’ve heard plenty of that the last 16 years and it really doesn’t change my outlook because life is looking fine.

So help me out here, Is the lifestyle I’m leading fine for me or am I missing out somewhere?
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Well, what you have, which I’m sure is plenty, would mean zilch if you die.

So, in the mean time, just think what would happen if you die. Contemplate on that.
 
Salvation!

Faith Hope Love

He gives us Hope. We have Faith. There is Love as a result.

Without God the world is an ugly place.

Malachi4U

PS, we miss your light, you are welcome home anytime and you will only make our combined light brighter! I too am a prodigal son.
 
The rain falls on the righteous as well as the unrighteous.

Some of us have had all you had and lost most of it, then the only solid thing in our lives was the unchanging Word of God, and now that things are better I have to give the thanksgiving to God for allowing it to be so, and yes I do want to go to paradise when I die.

There is an eternity, it lasts forever. Unfortunatley you won’t enjoy eternal life without God in this life, regardless of the lifestyle you enjoy.(Hey I didn’t make the rules.)You make your choices for enternity in this life. If this is sounds like a 'Your going to hell message" I do apologize. Unfortunately there really is only two choices. The sad thing is most people know this at some point in there lives, and end up squelching it out, until God turns them over to a reprobate mind, not caring for the things that are everlasting.

The fact that you even asked the question, makes me think you are wondering.

Why can’t you have all the things you now enjoy and eternal life? Is there some reason you think you will lose them? What if you lose it all anyway?

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you. Won’t you answer him?

I thank God that he has blest you with abundance.

Gobleonian
 
Freethinker, I could have written your same message a few years ago.

I just want to warn you. If you listen closely to this calling, your life is about to change dramatically.

God has plans for you.

Peace in Christ…Salmon
 
Please correct me if I’m wrong.

When you die and “go” somewhere, you don’t take your body as well as your brain, nervous system, thoughts and memories (who really knows this?). So how do we know that Heaven will be this wonderful salvation that our senses here on Earth perceive? The same goes for the horrors of hell. Sure I guess the bible says so but maybe it’s being misinterpereted.

I hope this explains why maybe missing out on the afterlife doesn’t really bother me.

As for the world being an ugly place without God, The world IS a pretty ugly place with all of the BILLIONS of people who believe in a God and follow(when it suits them) in a faith.
 
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FreeThinker:
As for the world being an ugly place without God, The world IS a pretty ugly place with all of the BILLIONS of people who believe in a God and follow(when it suits them) in a faith.
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Wow, FreeThinker, for a person whose life is apparently “perfect” seems like you have a pretty sour taste for anyone who believes in God. Is there some terrible experience you have had with a particular church or someone who is Christian? It’s true, that all of us Christians are not perfect, we make mistakes and sin like everyone else, but we’re trying (with the help of God) to become holier and to bring all those around us closer to Him. I shudder to think what our world would be life if nobody was trying to follow Our Lord!

For me, personally, living my life with God is a complete 180 turn from living it without Him (I’ve been in both places). I’ve changed because He has changed me – so much for the better.

I will be praying for you tonight! I agree that the fact you are even searching and asking is a sign that Our Lord is calling you to Him! He loves you as His own child.
 
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FreeThinker:
Hi everyone,
My question is "Why do I need a belief in God and a religion to follow?"QUOTE]
FreeThinker, obviously there is a curiosity in your heart, the soul is constantly searching for its creator whether we know it or not, its in our nature. A two part question Frank Sheed poses is “What is the purpose of man’s life?” and “how do you know?” Can you answer?
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Actually my sour taste is more for people who claim to be Christian and proceed to constantly break Gods rules. All you have to do is follow these simple guidelines yet Christians, who claim that God is the most important thing in their life, can’t seem to remember them when they need to.

I do like the phrase “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” and I can honestly say that except for the first three commandments (that apply to doings to myself) I cannot remember the last time I “broke” one of the other commandments that apply to doing things to other people. Maybe if people generally acted better towards other people the world would be a greater place. The cycle of “don’t think, break commandment, confess sin” over and over apparently isn’t working and is one reason why I started this. I seem to be able to act “Christianly” without all the Sunday school stuff. So what am I missing out on in THIS life?
 
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FreeThinker:
Hi everyone,
I am what my father calls a “lapsed Catholic”. I was raised strictly Catholic for my first 17 years. I am now 32, married to the perfect woman, excellent stable job, perfect health, stress free lifestyle, great house, cars, etc… and completely Godless and religion-free. Sunday comes and Sunday goes. My question is “Why do I need a belief in God and a religion to follow?” If you answer “to be thankful for what I have” then I believe I should continue on my current path because this is what God-free has led to. I guess everything could be bigger and better but I’m happy with what I have, which is more than plenty. I won’t buy an answer based on scare tactics - “you’ll burn in hell!”, and I’m not looking for an answer full of “bible babble”. I’ve heard plenty of that the last 16 years and it really doesn’t change my outlook because life is looking fine.

So help me out here, Is the lifestyle I’m leading fine for me or am I missing out somewhere?
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Because man is not made for this world; his true home is in the Father’s eternal rest – in the next world to come.
 
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FreeThinker:
I do like the phrase “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” and I can honestly say that except for the first three commandments (that apply to doings to myself) I cannot remember the last time I “broke” one of the other commandments that apply to doing things to other people.
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Thou shalt not kill - Jesus told us not only shall we not kill, but also not get angry at our fellow humans, as getting angry is like murder.

Thou shalt not steal - Jesus told us not only shall we not steal, but also not to lie, for that would be considered stealing.

You’re life is perfect, but you are not.
Imagine how much better you would be if you truly followed Christ, and ALL His teachings.

No more arguing, no more impatience, no more “little white lies”, no more gossip.

And to follow ALL His teachings, (as to follow only what you think are “good points” is wrong) means to be baptised, which you have, and live a Sacramental life, including celebrating the Eucharist at least twice a year.

Jesus is the Way, the Trith, and the Life.

Life ! Whether that is on this earth right now, or after.

Love Kellie
 
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FreeThinker:
Please correct me if I’m wrong.

When you die and “go” somewhere, you don’t take your body as well as your brain, nervous system, thoughts and memories (who really knows this?).
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We will have a tranfigured body. It’s still a body because we are fleshly creature. That’s what it means by resurrection of the body. It would function differntly I would say.

And memory, well obviously. It is ournpersonality. It would even get more enhanced in Heavn because we can see everythings as what it truly is.
So how do we know that Heaven will be this wonderful salvation that our senses here on Earth perceive? The same goes for the horrors of hell. Sure I guess the bible says so but maybe it’s being misinterpereted.
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Well, you know from the Bible and story of Saints about Heaven and Hell.
I hope this explains why maybe missing out on the afterlife doesn’t really bother me.
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Sure, you can discount any story about Heaven and Hell as fuction. If you do this, than missing out is not a big deal. You have your own version of afterlife.

But you could be wrong. And if you’re wrong…
 
Each of us has an intellect and a will. Their objects are truth for the former and goodness for the latter.

All men, wrote Aristotle, naturally want to know. Knowing things like the latest rumor or scientific discovery or baseball statistic can be really interesting. But, those thrills don’t last very long. We go from learning about one new thing to the next, but it isn’t what we really want to know: we desire Truth without limit, and then some. But will knowing every factoid totally satiate our intellectual cravings? No. Not even close.

We might have lots of “stuff”, which can be pretty entertaining for a while. And then we get unsatisfied and want newer and bigger “stuff”. Deep down inside, we eventually say, “It’s not what I *really * wanted.” We desire Goodness without limit, but nothing on this earth can really give us that. Oh sure, they can distract us for a while, but eventually they leave us with a much deeper craving…for Something, or rather, Someone.

Pascal observed that everybody wants to be happy. There are no exceptions.

But to be happy, human nature begs for Infinite Truth and Infinite Goodness. We can pile up all the finite examples of truth and goodness in this world and we would be left asking, “Is that all? Is there nothing left?”

Hunger points to food, thirst points to drink. Our craving for Infinite Truth and Goodness points to that which can only satisfy. This infinite truth and goodness can only be found in God. Only in union with Him can we really participate in a happiness that is limitless, the only kind we ultimately want.

And another thing, don’t let hypocrites stop you. Frank Sheed wrote that we ought to judge the effectiveness of a particular medicine by the people who actually follow the directions and take it faithfully, not by those who don’t follow the directions carefully and take it just when it’s convenient for them.

Or to use another of Sheed’s analogies, rain is wet, whether or not we go out into the rain and get soaked in it. Some refuse to get soaked in the rain of Grace and remain indoors. Some go out into the rain of Grace, but use an umbrella. Saints, he wrote, went out into the rain of Grace totally stripped.
 
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FreeThinker:
Actually my sour taste is more for people who claim to be Christian and proceed to constantly break Gods rules. All you have to do is follow these simple guidelines yet Christians, who claim that God is the most important thing in their life, can’t seem to remember them when they need to.
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Classic.

Jesus never said that people would stop sinning. Instead he said to repent and be saved.

And even if you’re an Atheist, have you never violated your conscience?
 
You being in this forum is either evidence that you have a thirst for knowledge, or just pulling a few chains for self gratification.

I will give you the benefit of the doubt and go with the “thirst for knowledge”.

I will try to honor your request and not use, as you say, “bible babble”; however, you must understand that is where most information is found.

From your self-explanation you seem to be a very moral, law abiding, upstanding person.

Let me begin…

As you would not like to be defined by the actions of your parents, you should not define the Catholic Faith by the actions of its members – Judas or those “Christians” of whom you describe are examples.

You pose an interesting question. You never question the existence of God – merely why you need him. (The following questions are not meant as sarcasm, but rather to be meditated on.)

How great would your house be without the solid foundation on which it was built?

How do you define eternity?

Do you love your parents only because of the material goods they give you?

A life measured by material goods has no foundation.

God is not a winning lottery ticket. He is, however, the ticket to eternal salvation.

As for your quote…
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FreeThinker:
I hope this explains why maybe missing out on the afterlife doesn’t really bother me.
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You won’t be missing out on the afterlife…you’ll be living it.

Let us pray that your house in heaven will be greater than your house on earth.

Your faith is YOUR responsibility.
 
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meglin:
You won’t be missing out on the afterlife…you’ll be living it.
Let us pray that your house in heaven will be greater than your house on earth.

Our capacity to experience heaven grows within us while on this earth. When our last breath is taken and the eternal part of our being continues on, will you have a thimbleful or maybe no thimble at all?. You do have a lot of the material and that’s great as far as it goes. I’m glad you’re still curious.
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Yes you are mising out on the fact that you are an eternal being, destined to die once and then the judgemt. You are also a spiritual being and until you take note of your sipritual side you will never be completely happy, no matter haw many times you try to convice yourself of that.
 
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FreeThinker:
I am now 32, married to the perfect woman, excellent stable job, perfect health, stress free lifestyle, great house, cars, etc… and completely Godless and religion-free. …

So help me out here, Is the lifestyle I’m leading fine for me or am I missing out somewhere?
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Well, be prepared. You won’t be 32 forever. Your perfect wife may meet a man who she thinks can offer her more than you can. You may loose your excellent stable job. Your perfect health will one day fail. Your stress free lifestyle may become more than you can bear. Your great house and cars and all your other posessions may one day be gone. I don’t know how it will happen but one day it will all be gone (whether here on earth or upon your death) and you will be left sitting there wondering what is this life all about and why has God caused you to suffer so much?

But since you are at this forum, I believe there is something tugging at you to look at your life now, while you still have the chance, and make the necessary changes to live an even fuller life on this earth to prepare you for your death and eternity. Maybe that something (the Holy Spirit perhaps?) is telling you that you should be thankful for your gifts from God. To whom much is given, much will be required.

God Bless,
Denise
 
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beng:
Well, what you have, which I’m sure is plenty, would mean zilch if you die.

So, in the mean time, just think what would happen if you die. Contemplate on that.
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All I can do is pray to our good God to take away everything from you that stands on your path towards Him. So do not be surprised if tomorrow you wake up like Job. and have nothing left but your littleness. There is no wisdom appart from God.

Joetexas
 
In the search for the answer to any question we must want the truth. Sometimes the answer is not what we want it to be. The answer to any question usually has consequences for the individual, and it is sometimes the anticipated consequences, whether they are real or imagined, that can deter us from addressing a question and pursuing its answer.

So does God exist? That question is of monumental importance, and so are our feelings about the consequences to the answer. If you want the answer to be “no”, then you are not likely to be open minded and you are not likely to address the question with sincerity and vigor. You must be more than simply open to the possibility that God exists in order to seriously address the issue of His existence. You have to love the truth, and you have to be willing to pursue the truth with your whole heart and mind regardless of the consequences.

When we honestly begin to humbly submit every part of our being to God, we begin to see with new eyes and a new heart.

I’m out of time but I’ll attempt to give further thought to this issue in a later post.

Peace and good will.
 
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