Why should I believe in a god?

[alphomega]

little g in this case, any god will do. Is there a reasonable answer this question?

Why not ask him? God (big G) desires to have a personal relationship with you but will never force himself on you.

Personally I don’t “belive” in God. I know God. He speaks to me and I to him.

I would challenge you (if you haven’t already) to open the lines of communication. Make a one month commitment to communicate daily and see what happens. What’s the worst thing that can happen?

If your looking for help I’d suggest Marks Gospel . It’s the shortest, easy reading and has one of the greatest opening sentences ever!

Here is a short introduction to The Gospel according to Mark

 

[PraiseChrist]

Because there are objective moral truths, there is a first cause to this universe (it was created–something comes from nothing), there is order in the universe (even in entropy), there are varying transcendent aspects of the universe.

But we cannot be indifferent to religion (“any god will do”).
There are different truths in each religion. Such as Islam: Islam says Jesus isn’t God; Catholicism says Jesus is God. Pantheism states that the universe is the god. Catholicism says that God created the universe. I believe that Catholicism teaches the full truth. All teachings we are required to believe are true.

If you aren’t sure of the Divine Existence, why not ask “If you exist God, then you have to show me, and show me how to know you”. Don’t give up as well on this. “Ask you will receive”

 

[Sam43232]

Two arguments make the most sense to me:

1. The need for a “first cause” itself/Himself uncaused. Even if our universe is an infinite chain of causes, the chain of causes still requires a cause. It can’t be an infinite chain of causes in any case, because of the necessity of having one thing follow the next would mean that there isn’t enough time for us to be at this particular point in the chain.
2. An argument from morality. Everyone agrees that right and wrong exist. But those concepts depend on the ability to ascribe something to a category that is independent of our personal judgment, unless by right and wrong we simply mean to say ‘I don’t personally like this thing.’ CS Lewis has a good discussion of this.

Supplementary arguments establishing probability (Pascal’s Wager, the vast majority of humanity believing in God or gods…) are great, but I think these two are the best rational arguments.

As a point 3) It is possible for an individual to have personal experience of God that would not perhaps hold up in philosophical discussion, either because they are unable to articulate it properly or because it would require trusting someone else’s word about something which cannot be objectively verified. While inadmissible in an argument, this part of the religious experience has been very important for me.

 

[GKC]

Two arguments make the most sense to me:

1. The need for a “first cause” itself/Himself uncaused. Even if our universe is an infinite chain of causes, the chain of causes still requires a cause. It can’t be an infinite chain of causes in any case, because of the necessity of having one thing follow the next would mean that there isn’t enough time for us to be at this particular point in the chain.
2. An argument from morality. Everyone agrees that right and wrong exist. But those concepts depend on the ability to ascribe something to a category that is independent of our personal judgment, unless by right and wrong we simply mean to say ‘I don’t personally like this thing.’ CS Lewis has a good discussion of this.

Supplementary arguments establishing probability (Pascal’s Wager, the vast majority of humanity believing in God or gods…) are great, but I think these two are the best rational arguments.

As a point 3) It is possible for an individual to have personal experience of God that would not perhaps hold up in philosophical discussion, either because they are unable to articulate it properly or because it would require trusting someone else’s word about something which cannot be objectively verified. While inadmissible in an argument, this part of the religious experience has been very important for me.

Well said.

 

[josh987654321]

.

May I ask, have you read the Gospels before? Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? Because they are only short and that’s where I would start.

I hope this has helped

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[Tarquin]

“Why should I believe in a god?”

(J3nna, this post is for you.)

Why should we believe in the asteroid belt? We gain no benefit from so believing, not most of us anyway. But if we are interested in the world, in the universe, in knowledge, or if we are interested in our relationship with the universe - or with God if there is one, especially if that relationship may affect our life and happiness - then that is a motivation to figure out whether there really is an asteroid belt or a God.

Notice that treating others kindly is derived from the belief that one ought to.

Yes, even those who claim to believe in “nothing”, do in fact believe in many things, even though they are unable to justify their beliefs - such as “It’s nice to be nice.” Everybody believes in something. Specifically regarding ultimate questions, such as “Why was I born?” “What happens when I die?” It’s up to each one to decide how to answer those questions. Some accept a belief in God, some a religion without a God, some a religion with a God, and some neither a religion nor a god. Some people don’t care about it. “No sweat” for them. But if a person cares about having a correct belief, then he would “study up on it.”

Two arguments make the most sense to me:

1. The need for a “first cause” itself/Himself uncaused. Even if our universe is an infinite chain of causes, the chain of causes still requires a cause. It can’t be an infinite chain of causes in any case, because of the necessity of having one thing follow the next would mean that there isn’t enough time for us to be at this particular point in the chain.

That was the one that for the first time in my life, gave me confidence that there was a God, a confidence that was more than just “faith” or “thinking there is a God,” but being certain (mostly certain) that there is a God of some sort. Later reading in “Thomistic Metaphysics” “fleshed” it out for me. C.S. Lewis’ quote that Josh provided is also a recurring piece of evidence which to me seems irrefutable. Also, Josh’ quote from John Lennox about the rationality of the universe.

Now for the what of the “why?” Many people insist there is no God. They reason that “there is no proof”, which is a ridiculous statement unless they themselves are God and know all proofs and all attempted proofs. Besides, most of those who deny the existence of God are neither sufficiently well read, nor inclined to actual consideration of the issue more than a perfunctory “Nah.” If I want to be a nuclear engineer, I’ll need to spend a few years in intense study. If I want to be a good spouse and parent, I’ll need to devote a lot of time and energy. If I want to train my dog to roll over, I’ll have to learn how to train dogs, spend every day with him, be patient over the course of time, and change my method from time to time in order to ensure I am on the right track for reaching my goal. But if someone offers to tell me “a new truth”, or to give me “proof that there is a God,” how much time will I allow for that? If the person is lucky, about three minutes. It is he who will have to work long and hard to convince me to listen to the ultimate truth of the universe.

Philosophically speaking, “God” is not 2+2. Although “God” is “simple” in theological terms, in the way we conceive of Him, there is a great complexity. It takes time, effort, lots of learning (reading and listening) to unravel that complexity, understand the parts, and picture the whole. A person who wants to know if there is a God is in the position of a person who wants to be a nuclear scientists, or an astronaut, or a farmer, or a dog-trainer, or a spouse or parent, or just a truly good person. He will have to devote himself to open-minded consideration, read a lot, study, and if there’s a possibility that there is a God, and if there is a possibility that we can only truly know that there is a God if we pray to Him, then he will have to consider praying to God, as well.

A number of people I know - they review books they’ve never read. People who do not believe in God review books they have never read, and criticize reviews that were made on those books. That is dishonest, but non-atheists do it, too. My point is, those people cannot come to a legitimate honest conclusion as to whether there is a God or not, and whether or not it is useful to believe in God if there is one. The first step for an honest person would be to actually look. These people won’t do it. And I admit, at least in my case it was not easy. Oh, yes, opening a book has always been easy. But reading it to the end, that got hard at times.

An easy to read, enjoyable book that addresses this question is Keith Ward’s Why There Almost Certainly Is a God. I have not read his The Evidence for God, but it may be useful considering how it sounds like it may have echoes - or pre-echoes of the next book i would suggest, Robert J. Spitzer’s New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy

 

[Randy_Carson]

little g in this case, any god will do. Is there a reasonable answer this question?

Two reasons:

1. There is ample evidence and numerous logical arguments to suggest that God exists.
2. On a personal level, there are substantial benefits to believing that God exists with little downside risk to you.

 

[Entwhistler]

Two arguments make the most sense to me:

1. The need for a “first cause” itself/Himself uncaused. Even if our universe is an infinite chain of causes, the chain of causes still requires a cause. It can’t be an infinite chain of causes in any case, because of the necessity of having one thing follow the next would mean that there isn’t enough time for us to be at this particular point in the chain.
2. An argument from morality. Everyone agrees that right and wrong exist. But those concepts depend on the ability to ascribe something to a category that is independent of our personal judgment, unless by right and wrong we simply mean to say ‘I don’t personally like this thing.’ CS Lewis has a good discussion of this.

Supplementary arguments establishing probability (Pascal’s Wager, the vast majority of humanity believing in God or gods…) are great, but I think these two are the best rational arguments.

You might call Pascal’s Wager and most of humanity believing in God as sort of a side dish. They are probably not going to fill you completely, but they can fill in the corners.

 

[DCNBILL]

One should believe in God because He created us with an innate desire for Him. People try to fill this void in their lives with many things, money, power, sex but nothing will fill that void except God. He will never force Himself on you so unless you make the effort to reach out to Him He will remain distant but waiting.

If you want to be whole then turn to your creator.

 

[joe371]

little g in this case, any god will do. Is there a reasonable answer this question?

if we are talking about “god” the creator of everything, then I would suggest believing due to the notion that creation needs a creator. Something, (in the context of time and space) never comes from nothing, including the universe. We now know that the universe had a beginning, which means there was a time when it did not exist. What are the odds of the universe creating itself? :twocents:

 

[JustaSinner]

little g in this case, any god will do. Is there a reasonable answer this question?

I don’t know about you, but I find much in life that is burdensome. Christ invites you to receive His free gift: “Come unto me all you who are burdened and heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28.

“The wages of sin are death but the gift of God is everlasting life in Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23. He took every sin and hurtful act, word and thought that you and I have and paid for it on the Cross. The God who made you also died in your place so that you can share in eternal life with Him. If you come to Him He will come to you. Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” This is Good News.

 

[josh987654321]

Of the three transcendental virtues which may belong to any group, idea, faith, etc.—namely, Beauty, Goodness, and/or Truth—there is but one that foremost matters and actualizes the other two, and that is Truth. The only reason anyone should believe in something is because it is true. I think it was the first responder to your OP who said it doesn’t matter what anyone believes, only that we’re nice to each other. Notice that treating others kindly is derived from the belief that one ought to. And if it turns out to be true that we ought not to do so, then we must cease immediately doing it. That’s the only question that should matter as you consider the question of God, or the question of anything at all: Is it true? Is it true? Is it true? ad nauseam.

That’s why I do—and why everyone else should—believe in God, as revealed to us through Jesus Christ and the ministry of his Church, i.e., because it is truth, whether you agree with me or not.

I agree.

*“One of the greatest difficulties is to keep before the audience’s mind the question of Truth. They always think you are recommending Christianity not because it is true, but because it is good. And in the discussion they will at every moment try to escape from the issue ‘True-or False’ into stuff about a good society, or morals, or incomes of Bishops, or the Spanish inquisition, or France, or Poland—or anything whatever. You have to keep forcing them back, and again back, to the real point. Only thus you will be able to undermine…their belief that a certain amount of ‘religion’ is desirable but one mustn’t carry it too far. One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.” *- C.S. Lewis

One should believe in God because He created us with an innate desire for Him. People try to fill this void in their lives with many things, money, power, sex but nothing will fill that void except God. He will never force Himself on you so unless you make the effort to reach out to Him He will remain distant but waiting.

If you want to be whole then turn to your creator.

I agree, but I think it’s only in hindsight that we understand this and therefore, to someone else, they will not be able to understand it. And especially if they are swamped with dozens of other claims, they will immediately reply in frustration with ‘which creator?’

.

If you would like to get a gauge on Christianity, then I would recommend simply reading the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, they are only short.

biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1&version=RSVCE

I hope this has helped

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[josh987654321]

Agreeing with a bunch of people who are wrong just makes you wrong.

I agree.

"The truth is the truth even if nobody believes it, and a lie is still a lie, even if everybody believes it” - Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[arthra]

little g in this case, any god will do. Is there a reasonable answer this question?

J3nna,

Welcome to this forum! Why you in particular should believe in God is an excellent question for you… since I know very little about you let me suggest some general responses.

As you may know there are all kinds of beliefs about God so some of these are likely based on conceptions that are passed down through various theologians and religious orientations.

I would suggest you can learn a good deal by an independent search… Don’t take the word of someone because of “authority” or because you family has been involved in a particular religion.

I would suggest you begin where you are and seek “meaning” in life from where you live… Ask yourself questions that can lead to your researching meaning in life. Once you’ve sincerely embarked on that kind of search I believe you find some answers.

 

[J3nna]

Yes, I believe in God because I believe it is true, a belief I often struggle with. However, without that belief itself, I would not believe in God.

Speaking to one who does not believe in God, I find that the line is more difficult (to defend) and perhaps less realistic, thus I chose what I said in my earlier post.

In that argument, perhaps more understandable to the unbelievers though not necessary so, and no I do not wish to stereotype them, I thought one can quantify it a bit, in which one can identify with.

how does belief affect the truth of a thing, if something is true is should be able to be defended as such without caveat.

 

[J3nna]

You should believe in a god, so that your life on earth becomes more meaningful.

It is all very well to believe that as long as you contribute something to humanity, raise a family, provide for them and support your community, that that fact alone makes your life meaningful. But the fact is, very few of us are that extraordinary that our contribution to humanity makes much of a difference. In most cases (not necessarily in your case), if such a person had not been born at all, it would not make much difference to anyone.

It is the belief in a God that make even the most inconsequential of lives worth living - even a person like that can hope that there is a life hereafter which maybe worth more than the miserable existence here.

So unless you are some kind of hero or great philanthropist, I suggest that you believe in some God and that there is something more after this earthly life is over.

So if we are looking at the value of individual existence and experience wouldn’t the unproven idea that we are in some way immortal cheapen the life we have? Make people more likely to bear the weight of injustice and oppression?

 

[J3nna]

I find it unlikely that everything came into existence and such absolute perfection by a series of random accidents. Random accidents don’t result in perfection. Look at the perfection of the universe, of the human body.

Look at your computer. What would you say if I said it had evolved all by itself? You would know something as complex as a computer couldn’t haved made itself. It’s also too perfect to have come about by a string of chances.

So, when we look at the universe, we see the probability of it just happening is nil. The existence of God as a creator is more probable.

Illegal sharpshooter in play, you don’t get to count hits without misses.

 

[J3nna]

Because gods belong to superstition, and God belongs to reason. Read Saint Augustine.

I have actually, City of God was a serious grind to get though, The Confessions were a little easier. Would you afford me the same courtesy and read Augustine of Hippo rather than what people quote of him?

We’re both atheists, I just believe in one less god than you

 

[J3nna]

That’s why I do—and why everyone else should—believe in God, as revealed to us through Jesus Christ and the ministry of his Church, i.e., because it is truth, whether you agree with me or not.

If it’s true it should be able to be demonstrated as such yes? Can we move to the latter part please?

 

[J3nna]

Could you further explain what you are asking? “Little g” gods are merely powerful beings in the world which have been thought to exist. At most, they are beings able to make order from a primordial chaos, according to legend. But our investigations of the natural world have never revealed any such beings in any of the places that they were thought to have lived. Furthermore, the activities attributed to them (such as storms and fertility) have been found to be natural phenomenon rather than the actions of a personal being. So, when you talk of “little g” Gods, I don’t think there are any good reasons to believe that they are or ever were real.

But the “Big G God”… now this is the prime mover- not a creature like you or I, but the one who is being itself. The universe has not given him existence, but rather he has given the universe existence. Why should you believe in him? I, or any of the theists here, can point you to many, many good arguments for his existence, from philosophy and science. There are also a number of good good books dealing with this topic on Catholic Answers and elsewhere. I suggest Trent Horn’s “Answering Atheism” myself.

I would love the opportunity to talk with Trent Horn, I’ve heard him speak a few times. You would speak of God, which is fine by me except I don’t understand what that sound means. It is void of cognitive sustenance and as a concept starves rather quickly. Also by suggesting I read a book I hope you afford me the honor of reading this post?