Why should I believe in a god?

[J3nna]

And how you treat other people is influenced based on what you believe.

Be kind and love thy neighbor - Luke 6:31, Matthew 22:36-40

What do you think of these 4 quotes? doers it matter which one(s) people believe?

*In a universe of blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt, and other people are going to get lucky; and you won’t find any rhyme or reason to it, nor any justice. The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is at the bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good. Nothing but blind pitiless indifference. DNA neither knows nor cares. DNA just is, and we dance to its music. *

• Richard Dawkins

I do not see why man should not be just as cruel as nature.

• Adolf Hitler

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”

• Matthew 22:36-40

*27 For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done. *

• Matthew 16:27

I hope this has helped

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

Thanks Josh, I don’t know of any acts by man in recorded history that even come close to the reported cruelty of the being you call God. To quote Thomas Payne “Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortuous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we call it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind; and, for my part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything that is cruel.”

 

[J3nna]

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

Could you tell me who the author of that book of the Bible is please?

 

[josh987654321]

Thanks Josh, I don’t know of any acts by man in recorded history that even come close to the reported cruelty of the being you call God.

If your referring to Christ and the New Testament, then it is quite clear you have not read them.

If your referring to the Old Testament, one only reaches these conclusions by taking passages mostly out of context and misrepresenting them especially without the light of the New Testament, which is Christ and where we get ‘Christianity’ from, if they had it all figured out in the Old Testament, there would be no need for Christ to come and save His people from their sins.

To quote Thomas Payne “Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortuous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we call it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind; and, for my part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything that is cruel.”

Yes, lets take a look at some of the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled.

(The other great irony I find from such people who say things like this, is I wonder what their views are on Abortion? The sacredness of human life?)
The Gospel of John 18:19-24:

The High Priest Questions Jesus

19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together; I have said nothing secretly. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me, what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Ca′iaphas the high priest.

The Gospel of Luke 23:32-43:

The Crucifixion of Jesus

32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him vinegar, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingly power.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Sacred Heart of Jesus - St Margaret-Mary Alacoque

http://s15.postimg.org/uc0cy5a0r/st_margaretmary2.jpg

Jesus to St Margaret-Mary Alacoque

"Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting (Crucifixion) and consuming Itself (Last Supper, Eucharist), in order to testify Its love;

http://s24.postimg.org/s91lh9u91/Crucifixion.jpg
"Jesus to Catalina:

The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf
(Roman Catholic Imprimatur)

**Contemplate My wounds and see if there is anyone who has suffered as much as I, to show their love…

Contemplate for a moment these bloodstained hands and feet… This naked body, covered with wounds, with urine, and blood. Dirty… This head punctured by sharp thorns, soaked in sweat, full of dust, and covered in Blood…

Contemplate your Jesus, hanging on the Cross, without being able to make the slightest movement… naked, without fame, without honor, without liberty…

Contemplate Me in the image of the Christ that weeps and bleeds. There and in this way the world has Me**.

I am afraid I have fallen into the error C.S. Lewis spoke about in my previous post, when one tries to turn the conversation away from that of ‘truth’ and into one of ‘morality’.

However, I am happy to indulge with morality, because I believe that Christianity contains both.

I don’t know of any acts by man in recorded history that even come close to the reported cruelty of the being you call God.

Note: Crucifixion was invented and practiced by the Romans. I would also recommend looking into how many of the saints were martyred.

I hope this has helped

God Bless You

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[openmind77]

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?

Not at all. There is no reason to sit still and do nothing, just because we believe in an afterlife. We still need to try and make this life meaningful by fighting injustice and oppression. But if your belief that this life is all there is, were true, then most lives are meaningless.

As for the unproven part - it is true that it is quite difficult, maybe even impossible to prove the existence of God, but there are people like Jesus (as well as others) who have said that they have experienced and even had conversations with God. Maybe you should read what they have written and judge if they could be lying - I think any reasonable person would say that they are not.

If you find it difficult to believe the New Testament because it is a third person account, there are other books which are first person accounts (I could suggest ‘An Autobiography of a Yogi’). If we can condemn a man to jail or even death on the basis of a witness, why won’t you accept the existence of God on the basis of witnesses whose testimony and integrity is beyond question?

 

[alphomega]

Could you tell me who the author of that book of the Bible is please?

Not sure what the authors of the 73 books and letters that make up the Bible has to do with your question.

The first spiritual truth is… God doesn’t need you. God is perfect. God needs nothing outside himself. You exist because God desires it.

Your question is “Why should I belive in God”. My response is ask him yourself. If you do decide to ask be prepared for an answer.

The Gospel of Mark is traditionally thought to be written by John Mark a disciple of a couple of the apostles along with Paul around 70 AD in Rome. I think it’s a good place to start but there are plenty of other ways that don’t nessessaraly include any of the books in the Bible.

 

[Matthew_Light]

I find reading near-death experiences a good start:

nderf.org/NDERF/NDE_Archives/Exceptional%20Accounts.htm

Knowing that millions of people near death have had these transcendent experiences that life is about love, that we are hear for a reason, and that our choices in life really matter, provides a lot of support for my faith in that Transcendent Mystery behind all reality that we call God.

 

[Matthew_Light]

Also, this is another good reason to believe in God:

oldeship.blogspot.com/2009/03/puddleglums-speech.html

tl;dr summary:

Because life with God is more beautiful than life without. That is, a life that is meaningful, that chooses love and service and sacrifice for the good of others is more beautiful than a life that is about self-centeredness, greed and sensual pleasures.

 

[Starwarsfan2]

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

1. First Cause
   2.Unmoved mover
   3.Logical Coherence

As well as the fact that he is omnibenevolent, all merciful , all loving , all compassionate

 

[Reuben_J]

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

Great point.

You are right belief does not necessarily affect the truth of it. However, there is thing that is seemingly true but which you cannot prove in the absolute.

I do not agree that God can be proven in the way we like it to be.

It depends on believing. It is not true if you do not believe and if you believe, you just believe it is true.

We call it faith - confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Some people want to believe; some don’t and need to see it empirically proven first in order to believe.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

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

I can give you my reasons. You have to discover your reasons your self.

 

[rcwitness]

Doesn’t matter what you believe, what matters is how you treat other people. Be kind and love thy neighbor.

… isn’t that what you believe then?
Charity springs from belief. Good works are compelled by faith. You cannot do what is pleasing to the Spirit without conscious intention.

 

[Lenten_ashes]

I read that like 1/3 of the population has had legitimate paranormal experiences. Others have mentioned NDE’s which studies have been conducted and all of these folks seem to have similar experiences. Talk to a hospice nurse and you will hear some pretty incredible stories.

This world is a more magical place than meets the eye.

There has to be a unmoved mover outside of time and space who started it all. And if there is, doesn’t stand to reason that said God is very good just based off of the beauty of creation?

I was agnostic until age 27 so i get why people struggle with the belief in God as he chose to remain semi-anonymous. But i was impressed with the continuity found in the Christian bible, this man Jesus and how his apostles were willing to die for him and his message. Others find inspiration in whatever god they seek.

So much more positive than negative with theism. When people follow their conscience it brings order, peace and harmony.

 

[Adonia]

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

You should believe in God the Father Almighty, not just any god, but the one true God, the creator of us all and everything you can see. He has come to us here on earth via His incarnation as Jesus Christ. From Him you came and to Him you will return (hopefully). I think that is a perfectly reasonable answer.

 

[rcwitness]

I was agnostic until age 27 so i get why people struggle with the belief in God as he chose to remain semi-anonymous. But i was impressed with the continuity found in the Christian bible, this man Jesus and how his apostles were willing to die for him and his message.

Yes, I see why we could use the expression “semi-anonymous”. He is hidden from the proud and conceited, and revealed to the humble and meek. Because He appeared, as the image of the invisible, through the weakness of the flesh of man.

 

[ricmat]

Doesn’t matter what you believe, what matters is how you treat other people. Be kind and love thy neighbor.

Your quote above has been commented on extensively already, but something (re)-occurred to me just now.

I know this is not an adequate explanation, but I had an insight recently which I can’t fully explain. Which is…

All love flows from God. Or to emphasize “ALL love flows from God.” We might think that we personally have control over what we love, how often we love, whether or not to love, and that we can independently love somebody all by ourselves. But in reality, God, as the fountain of all holiness and love first loves us, and then we either hold onto that love keeping it for ourselves (selfish), or allow it to flow through us to others.

Without God, no love is possible. Even those who don’t believe in God still retain (some of) the grace bestowed on us as children made in his image and likeness.

This is why it is said that “There is no love in Hell.” That’s because God is by definition not in Hell. And those who find themselves there can’t love anyone because they’ve decided to dis-attach themselves from God, and his font of love is not available.

Who defines love? Who defines neighbor? If there is any Truth to love thy neighbor, then there must be a single authority who is the definer. There can’t be Truthful definitions that contradict one another. You might have your definitions, and I might have mine, and they could easily be contradictory (and if you look around, you see a lot of that). But there can be only one Truth to what actually is love and who is neighbor. So who do you believe?

For love to exist, God must exist.

End of inadequate insight. I’ve even totally confused myself

 

[Lenten_ashes]

Yes, I see why we could use the expression “semi-anonymous”. He is hidden from the proud and conceited, and revealed to the humble and meek. Because He appeared, as the image of the invisible, through the weakness of the flesh of man.

Very well said!

 

[DCNBILL]

Yes, I see why we could use the expression “semi-anonymous”. He is hidden from the proud and conceited, and revealed to the humble and meek. Because He appeared, as the image of the invisible, through the weakness of the flesh of man.

I think that this hits the nail right on the head as long as one is setting themselves up as the autonomous judge of what is right and wrong and lacks the humility to even consider a being greater than themselves, how could God even begin to reveal Himself to that closed of a mind?

 

[Cheiron]

I think that this hits the nail right on the head as long as one is setting themselves up as the autonomous judge of what is right and wrong and lacks the humility to even consider a being greater than themselves, how could God even begin to reveal Himself to that closed of a mind?

Do you not consider it a good thing that people have to think about morality themselves? This is one of the reasons I could never accept Christianity: the Genesis story clearly states that God wanted Adam and Eve to obey him, without thinking for themselves wether they did the moral thing. Having been brought up in post World War II, I know that befehl ist befehl or ‘the Nuremburg defense’ is a reprehensible thing. It was rightly thrown out by the judges. Yet this is what God demanded of Adam and Eve.

Secondly, a lot of atheists and agnostics have considered that there are beings that are greater than themselves. But they saw no evidence for that claim. God shows Himself very randomly. Why does He not give everyone a Damascus road experience? Why does God play favorites? Matt Dillahunty, one of the hosts of The Atheist Experience, became an atheist while studying to become a minister!

The minds of atheists and agnostics are not as closed as you might think.

 

[Matthew_Light]

Yet this is what God demanded of Adam and Eve.

You are taking literally an axial-age mythology passed down for centuries before it was written down thousands of years ago. That doesn’t have any bearing on whether or not God is real.

Matt Dillahunty, one of the hosts of The Atheist Experience, became an atheist while studying to become a minister!

I can understand and respect agnosticism or “negative atheism”. And I can understand and respect belief in God from people who have had experiences that demonstrate to them the reality of the numinous.

But being an “positive” atheist - that is, disbelief in any transcendent reality - seems radically incongruent with an attitude of open-minded realism regarding the vast limitations of our epistemology as fallible human beings.

Why does He not give everyone a Damascus road experience?

Because that would take away our choice whether or not to love God for the sake of the beauty of God, and would make us slaves and robots instead of servants by choice.

Why does God play favorites?

What makes you think God is playing favorites?

Perhaps the person who operates from faith without having any sort of transcendent, miraculous experience is being given a much greater spiritual gift than a person who has had all their doubts forever dispelled by an undeniable and unmistakable direct message from God.

 

[Cheiron]

I can understand and respect agnosticism or “negative atheism”. And I can understand and respect belief in God from people who have had experiences that demonstrate to them the reality of the numinous.

But being an “positive” atheist - that is, disbelief in any transcendent reality - seems radically incongruent with an attitude of open-minded realism regarding the vast limitations of our epistemology as fallible human beings.

I can only speak for myself ofcourse, but no God-concept I ever encountered was in line with reality or necessary to explain the reality in which we (or I) live. Perhaps that’s the most important reason why I’m an atheist.

Realizing that there are limits to what we can know rather speaks against God than in favor. If God is beyond the limits of our understanding, then no believer could reasonably say God exists. Believers certainly couldn’t say that He gave certain people a revelation or that He could save us from death. It seems to me that it is the believer who doesn’t understand the limitations of our knowledge (at this point in space and time).