Do you belive in God? why?

[Miss Z]

I do not need religion or such a belief in my life to be happy or to wake up in the morning. I choose to live life based on today, not worrying about what is going to happen when I die.

I can relate very much to that statement. I believe that I control what I do in life, and my that my actions have not been planned before I was even born by somebody else.

I actually come from quite a religious background on my father's side. My grandmother is devoted to Christianity, and she actually doesn't know I'm an atheist. I have heard her talking about the Christian faith and been to the Salvation Army with her occasionally since I was very young, and after listening to a lot of what she believed, I started to doubt the reality of things. When I was in primary school and started religious studies and discovered other religions, I didn't see how different people could all believe different things but still believe they are right. As time has gone on, and as I've learnt more and more, the more I don't want to be religious. I've found many readings in not only the Bible but other Holy books aswell that do not make reasonable sense to me. For now, I'm quite comfortable with being an atheist.

That being said, I do have a deep respect for those who practice their religion in full faith, there is nothing wrong at all with that. I do find some aspects of religions quite interesting and it is good to know about other faiths. One of the things I cannot stand at all though, are people who try to force religion down your throat, with threats of going to hell and trying to force me to purify my evil soul. I've met a couple of people like that in my life and quite frankly they are no more Christian than I am. When people believe what they want to believe without trying to influence everyone else, I have no problem whatsoever with that.

[zoey]

My immediate family was never into church. So I found God on my own when I was little. Then joined a youth group for Christians in high school. I'd like to become Catholic one day.

[IRescue452]

I've been pagan all my life and I do believe in a universal entity (a single "god"), but its not the same as the Christian god. The universal entity manifests himself in many "gods", that's why many people think pagans are polytheistic. We aren't. I do believe the Christian god exists, no pagan denies the Christians their god, we just don't believe in this "all-powerful, one true god".

[JenBKR]

I've been pagan all my life and I do believe in a universal entity (a single "god"), but its not the same as the Christian god. The universal entity manifests himself in many "gods", that's why many people think pagans are polytheistic. We aren't. I do believe the Christian god exists, no pagan denies the Christians their god, we just don't believe in this "all-powerful, one true god".

That's really interesting, thanks for clearing that up. I never knew that that's how the pagan religion worked.

[moosmom]

I was brought up Catholic. I sincerely believe in a Higher Power. She's (could be a he but I prefer a she) has kept me sober for 13 years now. Besides, she's been there for me for SO many things that have happened in my life, how can I NOT believe in her???

[sirrahved]

Yes, I believe in God.

Why? There's lots of reasons, but most of all I think the universe is far too complex to just have happened by chance.

I believe in God the WAY I believe because PEOPLE SUCK. I believe I'm not capable nor is anyone else, of anything truly good or noble or selfless without God.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Yes, I believe in God. I love him dearly!
There have been too many miracles in my life to doubt he exists.
Funny thing, when growing up my family never went to church but I don't remember a time I didn't believe in Jesus and I couldn't practice a religion that didn't include him.

Please note that does not mean I do not respect other religions or the people who practice them.

[CathyBogart]

that's why many people think pagans are polytheistic. We aren't.

I disagree with making blanket statements like this since the word Pagan covers so many different religions all over the world.

[ylrebmik]

There is so much that nobody can explain.. and i don't think we should be able to. If we knew everything- life wouldn't be as exciting to me. I like not knowing what is going to happen to me when i die. I just tell myself that I only live once and when i die- i just rot. It keeps me moving. When i think of "heaven".. it makes me feel like i can do anythign in this life and makeup for it in the "afterlife". I prefer not to know about "God"..if there is one. I believe more in spirits than anything, I guess. But i try not to think about everything like that and just LIVE. I believe every human makes their own decisions and that we should deal with our mistakes.

[mugsy]

Yes, I believe in the Higher Power. There is too much beauty and symetry in the world for it just to be happen stance. I also believe that we were given free will, but, we have to accept the consequenses for our actions.

Personally, I think the Native Americans have it right...everything in Nature deserves respect and reverance.

Mike and I have been delving into the metaphysical and it's quite enlightening.

I had one of my fundamentalist co-workers tell me that my beliefs were wrong and that our good financial fortune at the store had nothing to do with the crystals that Mike has out and about in the store, but rather it was God that gave us the good fortune....my response to him..."Who created the crystals?" He shut up!

[CathyBogart]

..."Who created the crystals?" He shut up!

That made me LoL! Excellent point.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Somewhat yes, and somewhat undecided. I used to go to church from the time I was 1- the occasional time nowadays, but I somewhat believe and somewhat just don't know. I just live life the way it is now and hope for the best.

[VTJess03]

I came to believe when I was 18. I had never been to church until I was 13, and we lived a life like a lot of people around us (we celebrated the 'Christian' holidays, but more in the commercial style). I came to believe in God through a Protestant Christian style, and have maintained that. Like I said in a previous post, I don't worship Christianity, I worship Christ (and the Father and Spirit -- I like to think of it as a delegation of responsibilities to 3 alternate personalities...if you study in depth, you will see that each of the three falls into different roles in their interactions with us).

For me, the reason I believe is that I was granted a vision at the time of my conversion, and actually, tangibly, felt the arms of God (Christ) holding on to me in the embrace I needed so badly at the time. (And, no, I wasn't high or drunk, or whatever -- I have never dabbled in drugs). Since I have seen with my own eyes and felt with my own nerve endings, how can I not believe?

If I had come to another religion before Christianity when I was at the point in my life that I was searching for something, I may have believed more along the lines of Islam, or Pagan, or whatever; however, since I believe in Christianity, I have to believe that's the right way to believe, or I wouldn't believe it. For me, it's 'the' way, because, if I acknowledge other ways, I would be going against Christ's teachings, and then would not really be a Christian after all, would I? For me, it's about admitting my shortcomings, and seeking forgiveness when I screw up.

I also believe God forgives all sins, which include the more controversial ones in the news recently. In God's eyes, all sins are equal (that includes asking for a divorce (yes, I know, that's me), homosexual behavior, white lies, gluttony, greed, etc.) and are all forgiven equally when we ask for it. Analogy: once you're in prison, you're a criminal, regardless of why you're there. It doesn't matter if you shoplifted or mass murdered...you're still labeled a criminal in the eyes of the law. That's how I see us sinners in this world; when I admit I did wrong and seek forgiveness, I have served my term and can be free again.

I also don't believe in taking a sermon at face value. If I think something doesn't sound quite right, I will research the Scripture and the background of the original language, etc. If it turns out that a sermon prompts me to change my behavior, then I will, but if it is unfounded rhetoric that cannot be backed up or it is from something taken out of context, I refuse to adopt that into my lifestyle. I want to please God, not the people around me.

[*iluvskipper*]

yep. a lutheran christian... there are many things that i don't understand yet but im learning a lot in church and confirmation

[GreyhoundGirl]

I said "no" because untill recentally I didn't even know who he is. I never really got into religeon, so I wouldn't say I belive in any religeous things ( because I don't have a religeon ). Except for Karma, but that was because I read about it on the internet.