Do you belive in God? why?

[trayi52]

jujuboy, your words also comforted me. Your words sounded very familiar to me. Thank you for those words of comfort, especially now.

Willie

[shais_mom]

i just... dont understand what goes on the world and for there to be a God.
my short way of putting it.........

Vette that is my way of thinking aswell. My answer would be no i do not believe.

My thinking is if there is so many
bad things in the world we have to have something
bigger to believe in b/c if we didn't
why are we even here??

[Christiansmommy]

You know, going to church isn't the sole reason for "feeling like a believer" it's a relationship with the Father thru Jesus...we are the church, not the building..so, for all those who think that they are "off the track"..."don't speak to God".."stopped going to church" etc...you may feel like you are not having a relationship with God, but the truth is that God is always in tune with you and all your fallabilities/shortcomings/stumblings..and IS LOVING YOU THRU EACH TRIAL AND HARDSHIP YOU/WE ALL GO THRU..HE NEVER ABANDONS US..it is we fallable humans that gossip/put down/reject/hurt/cast aside/cast aspersions...my goodness! the list is endless!!!!...God is faithful and true to His word..His love covers a multitude of sins...His mercies are new every morning...and there is no path or valley you can wander down or even loose your way that will cause God to drop you from HIS firm and faithful grip with each and every life...and it's the Holy Spirit that brings life to every humans hurting heart...and it's hurt that causes us to turn away..In my lifetime, i have found (unfortunately) it is church members who have judged/criticized/gossiped other believers when they may be different or eccentric or walk to the beat of a different drum (if you know what i mean)..fear stops the Love of God teaching/showing/embracing all walks of life...i have found that the narrowmindedness of religious "believers" are striving to "keep their faith" and "do the right things" for God...when was the last time us believers sat down with a drunkard on the streets and just said.."gidday, how are you going?" and just listened instead of being in some mindset of.."oh, this is a lost sinner, i must save him/her it is my mandate from God to do this, coz if i don't God will be angry and this person will go to hell coz i didn't preach hard enough to make this sinner believe"...it is the Holy Spirit that brings the truth of Jesus to life in our hearts..and if He chooses to use you on that day/hour/minute, then so be it...just trust God to do the work and trust that God, the Creator of all, knows how to speak to our very lost/hurting/empty hearts...Jesus is the way the truth and the life..He knows ourselves better than we do..and i truly believe that He does a much better job at tenderly touching our ever searching hearts in a powerful way that you KNOW when you have been shown the GRACE and LOVE of our Father who cares for us deeply and leads each and every one of us in all truth!!!..doesnt matter if other religions say that they are right, or people say that us "christian are twisted"...just leave it to the amazing work of God to reveal Himself to all mankind..revelation comes thru the Holy Spirit..our walk is based on who we are in Jesus Christ and the rest and the peace that comes by knowing this in our hearts....He does the revealing not us..we speak the seeds, another waters but it's God who gives life!!! ( us believers don't always have to be in control...control is based in fear and fear is lead by hurts)...if you don't agree, that's kool..bless you anyway...i trust that my Father (God, is Sovereign..and KNOWS how to and WHEN to touch peoples life)...God Bless you all...and for those who are fed up with church...lay back in the arms of Jesus and surrender all the hurts and fears to HIM..He is the great Shepherd and HE knows how to care for you!!! ...

Wow...I couldn't have said this better myself!!! Every last word of your post is sooo true...I guess all I can add to it is, Amen

[Chilli]

No.
When I was little, a good friend I knew(I saw her as a friend.. eventhough she was much much older than me) told me her opinion. She believed that religion was made up by ordinary people to help them explain what might lay ahead. The future is so uncertain, and so many people are scared of it, so they try to find some refuge in believing there is a high being to care for them and all.
I've studied different religions, and I've tried to understand them to the fullest extent, but my mind always goes back to what I was told so long ago.. about how people are the ones who come up with religion.
I live by the day. I don't count on something that has been said in the past nor something that may be in the future. I make every day count.
I completely respect others in whatever religion or lack-of-religion they follow. We were all raised diferently and all have a mind of our own.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I guess you could say I'm an agnostic. I believe that there is a possibility that God exists, but I am undecided and I don't really know if such a thing is even knowable.

[Argranade]

Again I do belive in god,

I don't need to see any proof, just because there are wars and such does not mean it's all gods doing .. man has lead him self into his own fate not god.

Some people think it's just too un-real for them so they choose not to belive, they may even think christians are just following a croud but there is more too it.

It's very hard to belive in god when you where never taught about it, you may not even know where to begin that's what I think is kinda weird because how can you go to heaven if you don't know what to do.

Well everyone has there own way of life and no one can force them into god, it's up to themselfs to belive it or not ... there is some proof of creative things in the world and videos if you want to see somthing but I don't need to see to belive.

[Husky15]

When I was born, up to the age of nine, I lived in a non-Christian family, but my parents were and still are great people and did a great job on raising me. My sister started going to my cousin's church (my cousins and aunt and uncle were strong Christians) and a little while later she introduced my parents and I to that church. Well my sister came to know the Lord, then my mom, and then me, and then my father.

When I was younger, I was afraid of my room when it came to bed-time. So when I was praying, I would not end the prayer, I would say "good-night" and I would feel that God was sitting near, protecting me. It gave me nice sleeps.

So I do believe in God, I've just lost my relationship with Him and at one point was going down a path that isn't so good.

Religion is, and always has been, a subject for me that I've gotten into a fair amount of fights, so I usually try to avoid speaking of it on forums and stuff. I totally respect other religions, it's just when people say rude things about mine [Christianity] that starts the fight. But everyone here respects everyone's religions, which is a nice change .

[Giselle]

My thinking is if there is so many
bad things in the world we have to have something
bigger to believe in b/c if we didn't
why are we even here??

Ah, the age old question... Why ARE we here on this earth? What is our purpose? How can we exist without a purpose?

My mind is a jumble of contradictory statements, facts, anecdotes, miracles, failures, and confusion. I am completely lost as to how to possibly place my thoughts into words, but here's the jist of it:

I believe religion is a manifestation of man's curiousity and inability to explain the unexplainable. I believe that as man grew more intelligent and aware of his surroundings (evolution), so did religion. Religion has been a part of man since we first began to harness the power of fire. Since the first ancient man walked upon this earth, there has been religion in the form of shells, burial rituals, and artwork. However, I believe that as time and circumstances pushed men to the creation of civilization, religion evolved once again to be morphed into a lever for power and control.

That said, I guess you could label me an Agnostic for now, but I like to refer to my mind as an endless notebook with no back cover. I believe that there is a higher power out there somewhere. Maybe Catholics like to call it God/Him/Our Father, etc. Maybe others like to call it Allah. Frankly, I don't know what to call it and I don't even know if it truly exists. However, I know that the biodiversity of life is far too complex and intricate to just "exist" as it does now. Somewhere somehow I believe a higher power was involved. I just don't believe that we must worship this higher power in the form of Catholicism's God or Islam's Allah.

I don't know. I guess this was a sort of pointless post since it didn't "get" anywhere.

ETA: I also wanted to add that Christianity, for example, is so "split" in itself. On the first page, a poster said that religion was a bit hard for her to stomach because of the idea that her life was planned out before she was born (pre-destination). Another poster than said that a person is in control of his/her own actions in the Christian belief. Well... They're both right. Pre-destination is a pillar fundamental in Calvinism, which, last time I checked is still a form of Christianity. Then again, Catholicism (still a form of Christianity) believes that one is in control of his/her actions which leads to personal sins and does not necessarily believe in pre-destination the way Calvinists do.

Just this simple disagreement among Christians makes me wonder about the validity of any religion. *sigh* I guess I talked myself into a circle again

[shais_mom]

I wasn't really expecting an answer so I shouldn't have asked the question.
I believe in God the Father - that He made Heaven and Earth - and had One Son that he gave up for our sins. Noone's opinion is going to change that. Have there been times I questioned God? Yes. Have there been times I asked
"If you are a loving God why?" Yes. Has my faith been shook over some events? Yes. Do I still believe? YES. I have seen God work in wonderous ways and no way shape or form can science or evolution explain that.
My cousin's maternal side is the strict = my way or no way religion. That isn't Christianity. That is their intrepetation of it. Their intrepatation is as wrong to me as those who are suicide bombers that kill people in the name of a Higher Power.
I'm not trying to get anyone to believe the way I do. I respect everyone's opinion I just don't agree with some of them, but that's fine b/c they don't agree with me either.

[JenBKR]

I wasn't really expecting an answer so I shouldn't have asked the question.
I believe in God the Father - that He made Heaven and Earth - and had One Son that he gave up for our sins. Noone's opinion is going to change that. Have there been times I questioned God? Yes. Have there been times I asked
"If you are a loving God why?" Yes. Has my faith been shook over some events? Yes. Do I still believe? YES. I have seen God work in wonderous ways and no way shape or form can science or evolution explain that.
My cousin's maternal side is the strict = my way or no way religion. That isn't Christianity. That is their intrepetation of it. Their intrepatation is as wrong to me as those who are suicide bombers that kill people in the name of a Higher Power.
I'm not trying to get anyone to believe the way I do. I respect everyone's opinion I just don't agree with some of them, but that's fine b/c they don't agree with me either.

I couldn't agree more

[Zippy]

I belive in God and Jesus.Jesus died for my sins.Do i belive that someday the christans will disapper out of there clothes in the rapture and all the non-christans will be left behind? Yes! Do I know I will go to heaven? Yes!

[dab_20]

I think I do. I really am not sure, yet. I really want to believe in God... but I have doubts, also. I'm not really sure why I have those doubts. In my religion it would be really bad to say "I'm not sure God is real". It's all sort of confusing, How can you be sure something is real that you cannot see? And How can God let all the bad things in the world happen? I was told that everything happens for a reason. I can question God throughout my whole life, but I think I will always believe in him.
I was born into being Catholic, my family is. When I grow up I think I will change my religion, but I will always be religious in some way.

I believe that there is no such thing as hell. I think everyone who is good goes to heaven. (good meaning as trying as hard as they can to be good, but sorry for their sins) God will always forgive those who ask for forgivness. And I am not sure what happens to the truly bad people.

My post may have been kind of confusing. But, yes, overall I do believe in God.

[cali]

I belive that God and Science go together, I dont belive in any one God, and all other are wrong, I simpley believe there is a higher being or beings. I belive that "God" created the earth and , s/he created the primitive life, evolution happend from there. docters do not interfere with "Gods" plan, I beleive that Docters ARE "Gods" plan. as for bads things happening to innocent people? try taking a look at the big picture.

yes bad things have happend and innocent people have died, however look at what happend after? after the Tsunami the whole world banded together despite differences to help others. I garentee that if the Tsunami had never happend nobody would have given a second thought to the folks living there, much less helped them, or shown kindness.

latley there have been a lot of disasters, and every one of them has brought us closer together, or made us stop and think in the midst of our hurried lives. in this day and age we are all too caught up in our own money and wealth to take notice of anything else, when these distasters happen we are FORCED to take notice, and what do we do? we stop being so selfish and help those in need. AKA The big Picture.

[jujuboy]

you know what someone said to me once when i was REALLY sick and recovery was SO LONG DOWN THE TRACK?....how do you eat an elephant?..(her reply was)...bit by bit!!!...it's an analogy to faith/belief/trust in "GOD" His Love/His Realness/His existance!!!...I had gone thru TOO MUCH hardship as a child and as a young adult to not eventually "see" that the existance of GOD was a fact of life...so..bit by bit i am "seeing" and "knowing His Presence in my life..and i have learnt along the way to not "try" to convince people in the existance of God...it's just too much of a headache and heartache...prayer is powerful, and i do believe that (thru experience) that when God wants to "intervene and touch lives"...He does it!! and He never gives up on us just because we say..no, i don't believe (that's why there are so many praying believers out there that God uses to pray for you when you are not able to pray or believe yourselves...it's okay..He'll work it out..your part in it to just ask Him to take over and use you if He wants to!!..really simple!!..Horses for courses..each unto their own..God so knows how to speak to people's hearts and for all those who don't believe, that's kool as well coz you are all included in His involvement in everyone's life..as hardened as we all are and can be with hurts and those cold and dead feelings that tend to "hang around" in us...God does such an amazing job at reaching into people's lives...despite our stuff-ups and despite other people making life harder for us in all aspects...for those who get the gist of what i've typed, trust Him to work in your life and others..pray and leave it to Him..and for those who just don't get what is written..ask God to show you what He's really all about, and don't worry about "not getting an answer" or "not believing He can give you an answer"...coz one day, either when you are at your lowest or vulnerable and hurting or suffering depression or have closed off coz "it's just to darn hard to believe" and that people will always try to "lead you up a garden path(lead you astray)....God will intervene and He'll do it in a way that is either so simple and tender or "smak dab" in the middle of your face!!!..and then when you say those all too true words of "Ahh Hah!!..Oh, I get it!!"...and it sticks inside of you like you have been GIVEN understanding...that is when you have begun to eat an elephant...bit by bit!!!...getting to understand and know God is step by step and Jesus has such a major part in all of understanding God..you will never separate the truth of God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit..THEY ARE ONE!!!...and they all work together...i know that this sounds like a real headtrip, it did for me for many years and i just tormented myself in trying to work it out..eventually i just let it all go and said to God.."If your real, You work it out for me and help me to hear/know/embrace your truth and KNOW when you are speaking to me, and He has!!..for many years now, and is continuing...i don't despair any more, coz i know that i don't have to work it out..He does it all, i just let Him know what I'm thinking and feeling and am not afraid to let Him know when i'm angry with Him, to point of not wanting to talk to God for a long time!!! and not really giving a Rip!!!...that's kool, coz He hasn't forgotten me and patiently waits for me to call upon Him again even though He continues to work thru my life in the way of people/animals/creation/the lot!!...when you go thru a major breakdown and you loose EVERYTHING!! even your marbles(mind)...i dont know about you guys, but i found that all i could say was..God help! and sometimes, nothing at all, HE KNEW THE CRY FROM WITHIN, THE GROANING AND THE TEARS..that was all i was able to say..could'nt say or do anything else..how's that for vulnerability and helplessness and powerlessness...you soon realise after a while WHO is keeping you alive and where your next breath comes from...so..HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT???..bit by bit!! ....sorry, i'm raving again ..now you're probably thinking.."crazy aussie God tripper!!"..so be it...GOD BLESS YOU IN ALL YOU DO AND WHAT EVER ROAD YOU WALK ON...GOD'S THERE WITH YOU, STEP BY STEP... Jujuboy

[cyber-sibes]

Isn't it interesting that opinions & beliefs are so varied? fascinating...
Do I believe in a god? Oh yeah, this universe is way too complex to have just "happened" on its own.
Do I believe in God? Always have, always will. My conception of God has changed as my spiritual journey progresses. I've walked down several "paths", and grown in understanding with each one.
This is where I'm at at this point:

We're all born with a "God-size hole", and a desire to fill it up. Our curiosity, our need for answers, our need for purpose, all feed into what path we choose. Some choose structured religions, some choose science, others choose drugs, some choose a hedonistic lifestyle, others choose spirituality outside formal structure. We get to choose, and then live with the consequences of those choices. We're here on this earth to grow into a more mature spirituality, before we move on to whatever's next for us.

My personal experience is that I've found two different organizations that I resonate with. One has formal religious teachings, and one has no religious affiliation. One group has many atheists in it, but recognition that there is a Higher Power, something greater than yourself, is essential. The other group includes people from all sorts of "religious" backgrounds, who now seek to change their lives based on the application of Spiritual Principles. I love growing spiritually, it's an adventure that never ends! My life is richer because of my spiritual quest.

Something I try to bear in mind is that I cannot judge another's experiences, because I don't know what their soul is here to learn. I can only learn my lessons. I believe in an afterlife because nothing in this universe can be destroyed, everything simply changes its form of energy. Everything is God-energy transformed. I personally don't believe that any single religion has an exclusive claim on "The Truth". Truth is truth, no matter what the source.

I encourage each person to keep an open mind, and an open heart. Namaste