It was suggested to make another thread to discuss why one believes in the Existence of God. I would suggest trying to keep responses " if any " as short as possible for Lemmings such as myself. ALSO.... Please try not to take offence. As someone who has not believed in God since I was a child I have learned to do that. I am also very thankful to be in a country in which I can be open about this so I can be a little Nationalistic about the USA.

I don't believe in God but do not cherish that belief as someone who does feel they will meet a benevolent being in an after life. My main reason for this is the fact my memories do not extend to before my birth. Since this is the case there is at least a good chance I won't remember, " or think anything for that matter " after I die. Like I said I don't find oblivion comforting but I cannot " help " what I believe. I just cannot turn it off so I've learned to deal with it and am always searching or should I say. Hoping.

"Why do/don't you believe in God?"


Simply no need to.

And for those that do need to, shame all the politics and outlandish dogma spoils the party!


Keep searchin',
Martin

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
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We should define what we mean by God.

Does the word refer to the apparent intelligence and fine tuning that allows our universe to exist. (maybe Einstein's "god")

Do we refer to a benevolent old man who listens to and decides upon all of our prayerful entreaties.

Do we refer to the wrathful god who demands to be worshiped and keeps track of all of our transgressions with the intent of later punishment.

Do we mean a god who looks like an elephant or hurls thunderbolts when he is displeased.

Do we mean the god who commands 7 choirs of angels and floats around in a state of bliss which is shared by all who make it into heaven.

Do we refer to that race of aliens who set the whole thing up as an experiment or simulation a long time ago.

We should define what we mean by God.

Does the word refer to ... (gravity anyone?)

Do we refer to a ...

Do we refer to the ...

Do we mean a ...

Do we mean the ...

Do we refer to that ...

That's all down to what you want to believe...

(Anthropomorphically thinking that is...)


Keep searchin',
Martin

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

I look at the state of the world, and I don't see much that indicates the existance of a God. Regardless of which religion you have, good things happen, and bad things happen. There are natural disasters in most countries ranging from earth quakes, to floods, to fires, to hurricanes, to volcanoes. I am always somewhat amazed when I hear some victim on the news saying it was their belief in God that saved them from the latest disaster. Meanwhile, their neighbors, who lived next door, worshipped at the same place, ate the same foods, or even slept with the same people were destroyed by the disaster. It really comes down to if you were standing on point A, you were safe, and if you were standing on point B, you were toast. This holds true everywhere no matter what religion one has. This carries to good people and bad people as well. I leave it to you to define good and bad. Some people prey on others their entire lives, and lead a happy life. Others do everything they can for their fellow man, and end up with nothing. There are mixes of everything.

I was born a presperterian, and reasoned out by age 5 that it wasn't real. First came Santa Clause, followed by the Easter Bunny and the tooth fairy. I even reasoned that superman needed airfoils and a system of self propulsion to fly as he did. Also the vast magority of people believe in a particular religion because that is what their parents did. Very seldom would a parant describe every religion for their children, and let them decide what they want to believe. In many countries ramifications exist for even suggesting something along those lines. And also true, you can invent a different religion a day if you want to. As there is no proof of any of them, it really doesn't matter what you decide.

I think about a bible story of Joeb. More or less God and the Devil were talking and God was saying how wonderful Joeb was, and how he respected Him. The Devil said yes, but stop being so nice to him and see what happenes. God took away a lot of things, and I think even killed his wife. ( I am not an expert on biblical things) To me if someone takes away everything you love just to get a reaction then that person is not worth being on my friends list in the first place.

Now if you take away the God, then everything makes sense. Point A is different from point B, so hopefully the person is standing in the correct point.

I respect all people no matter what religion or beliefs, I just can't go there myself with no supporting evidence.

Steve

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Warning, addicted to SETI crunching!
Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group.
GPUUG Website

ML1, by not needing to I'm taking it that you don't. I don't see how that can effect your belief though. I'll give you an example, I don't have to believe that we " humanity " has landed on the moon. I mean no one is going to kill me or even make fun of me or threaten me in anyway. Also I don't need to believe it to give me hope or make me not sad that we can't. Still I believe it for a few reasoning's like the Soviets at the time would have just loved to debunk something like that and they did not, also the mirrors are where they should be and now even the Japanese have found evidence in photo's take of the area. So what I'm getting at is this. Do you have a definite belief even though you don't necessarily put in in the foreground of your thought?

William, Do you believe in any of those definitions? Also what kind of credence to you put in for the Carl Sagan thought that maybe we are the universe trying to make sense of itself.

SciManStev I follow your reasoning's and for what it's worth I respect them. I don't' follow on the respecting ALL people though. Especially those that will hurt you if you don't believe thire way. I guess they have to prove that to you and that's ok as long as you "or any one" would survive that. I remember a similar story but God and the Devil. They were seeing if someone could be corrupted " I think it was a guy named Faust? ". I was thinking to myself,, so this is how God plays with us??!! LOL.

Thanks for responding folks and keeping it cordial. Raymond.

Why?

I can't really explain why.......and don't need to. I really don't.

I can only tell you that HE has been there in my time of need, which have been many in my life.

I can't tell you what or why to believe, only your inner soul can do that.

You can believe what your soul tells you to, or not to, and I shall not put you down for that.

Please don't put me down for my heart felt belief that there is a God, and he watches over me every day. I think I have tried to 'explain' my belief to those of you in this forum now........and have done so without posting many links to centers of salvation........the various online churches.

You may get along fine without such help, but it brings me much inner peace knowing that there is a final place to go, and it is not simple oblivion.

This is my belief.........it may not be yours.......

The answer to the question.....'why'.......

I simply have come to accept, after many years of doubt, that God is the reality of life.

And whether you accept Him or not........it does not change that reality.

Meow, meow, my sisters and brothers.

Can I get an 'Amen'?

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"Time is simply the mechanism that keeps everything from happening all at once."

Man created god in his own image.

Perception is reality.

I believe there are energies beyond our understanding, beyond what can be explained by physical sciences. That is my perception. Therefore it is my reality. Your mileage may vary.

I believe there are truths in most religious texts. I do not believe all the answers are in any. Nor all the questions.

Therefore all the gods are real. And none of the gods are real. Beyond and before this physical existance is unknown, and largely unimportant. This could be all there is. Or not.

I believe if you focus in negative ways, you will receive in negative ways. But there can be no ups without downs. We would not know light without darkness.

And most important, I believe I will have another cup of coffee.

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Janice

Man created god in his own image.

Perception is reality.

I believe there are energies beyond our understanding, beyond what can be explained by physical sciences. That is my perception. Therefore it is my reality. Your mileage may vary.

I believe there are truths in most religious texts. I do not believe all the answers are in any. Nor all the questions.

Therefore all the gods are real. And none of the gods are real. Beyond and before this physical existance is unknown, and largely unimportant. This could be all there is. Or not.

I believe if you focus in negative ways, you will receive in negative ways. But there can be no ups without downs. We would not know light without darkness.

And most important, I believe I will have another cup of coffee.

And I believe I will have another sip of whiskey.

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"Time is simply the mechanism that keeps everything from happening all at once."

well it is Friday Mark

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In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

well it is Friday Mark

But, that alone, has never changed my belief in God.

After all, God gave me whiskey.
That alone should be grounds to believe in Him.

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"Time is simply the mechanism that keeps everything from happening all at once."

I just Do...In a way most would NOT Understand.
Nuff said by Me.

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I Desire Peace and Justice, Jim Scott (Mod-Ret.)

I just Do...In a way most would NOT Understand.
Nuff said by Me.

Well said, Jim.

Well said.

Those who have no understanding of it will never concede to those of us who do..........
Or they understand and yet refuse to believe.........which is their right.

I, personally, will not have to make excuses when I get to the pearly gates.

I have sinned, many times, but I have also prayed to God and his son Jesus for their forgiveness.
Which they have granted me. You see, all you have to do is ask, in good faith.

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"Time is simply the mechanism that keeps everything from happening all at once."

I don't believe in god. I just think the whole idea is silly. I have more important things to do with my time.

I don't believe in god. I just think the whole idea is silly. I have more important things to do with my time.

you wrote exactly what was on my mind, great, saved me the trouble to write it, but then again i just wrote...bugger.


hey, my thousand post.

Man created god in his own image.

That's about the only statement I need (the correct one) to explain why there is no God. Let's face it, if there was a God he/she would come up with something better than the blemished beings we all are. All those stars being created and dying is enough to make me see the universe is pointless and we're just lucky not to have preditors trying to eat us all the time. I mean, what sort of God designs cute animals who have to eat each other to survive?

PS, I may not believe in god, but I think he/she is out there somewhere waiting for some help to stop screwing up.

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flaming balloons

Telly,

Congradulations on your 1000th post. I am not far behind; 970 with this one. My grandfather was the eldest child of a Greek orthodox priest. Pappas of course. Don't know the name; something like Papparoscavas.

The great thing is the atheists are little to no better explaining themselves than the spiritual/religious! Ha ha ha ha ha!
Seriously, how many of you atheists grew up with atheist parents/guardians? :)

The great thing is the atheists are little to no better explaining themselves than the spiritual/religious! Ha ha ha ha ha!
Seriously, how many of you atheists grew up with atheist parents/guardians? :)

My parents were devote Evangelists. Church, Sunday school, and church again morning, afternoon and night on a Sunday for me as well as forced bible class on a Monday evening. The exposure does stick and I don't see myself as atheist but rather as a rebel. A rebel that keeps an open mind because deep down I know an alien is out there somewhere. Call it god if you like...

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flaming balloons

Story always changes. :)