Why Do People Believe in God?

[Achilles]

Why do people believe in God? Is it because they grew up believing in him, or is it because they just want to believe in a higher power?

 

[editec]

Yes to both.

But of course, many of us who are believers don't think of God in the anthropomophic way you imagine we do, either.

I SUSPECT there are a lot more believers who don't subscribe to any organized religion which claims it KNOWS the mind of GOD, than who do.

We're just not knocking on your door trying to convert you athetists, so you imagine that all believers are the fruitcakes who think they understand God's grand plan, so your impression of believers is probably somewhat jaded by the radicals among us.

 

[Mad Scientist]

Do you really want to know or do you just want to draw out religious people for arguments? This has been done before by people on this board.

 

[chloe]

Why do people believe in God? Is it because they grew up believing in him, or is it because they just want to believe in a higher power?

It gives me hope

 

[xsited1]

Why do people believe in God? Is it because they grew up believing in him, or is it because they just want to believe in a higher power?

Only those who have a personal relationship with God truly believe in Him.

 

[Southpaw]

Well, from a Reformed position, I believe in God because He made me believe in Him.

 

[catzmeow]

Random neurons misfiring and the fear of impending death/nonexistence.

 

[YWN666]

We're just not knocking on your door trying to convert you athetists, so you imagine that all believers are the fruitcakes who think they understand God's grand plan, so your impression of believers is probably somewhat jaded by the radicals among us.

Speaking for myself (an atheist), I understand that there are many sane, respectful believers out there. It is the small minority of radical believers who have the biggest mouths, unfortunately. The majority of believers are too busy minding their own business to be able to bother others with it.

 

[XVZ]

Only those who have a personal relationship with God truly believe in Him.

Well, from a Reformed position, I believe in God because He made me believe in Him.

You are going to have to do better than psychobabble that completely lacks any details.

I SUSPECT there are a lot more believers who don't subscribe to any organized religion which claims it KNOWS the mind of GOD, than who do.

We're just not knocking on your door trying to convert you athetists, so you imagine that all believers are the fruitcakes who think they understand God's grand plan, so your impression of believers is probably somewhat jaded by the radicals among us.

The question was why do you believe, not why are you a nutjob. You have no good reason to give so I understand your defensiveness.

 

[auditor0007]

Yes to both.

But of course, many of us who are believers don't think of God in the anthropomophic way you imagine we do, either.

I SUSPECT there are a lot more believers who don't subscribe to any organized religion which claims it KNOWS the mind of GOD, than who do.

We're just not knocking on your door trying to convert you athetists, so you imagine that all believers are the fruitcakes who think they understand God's grand plan, so your impression of believers is probably somewhat jaded by the radicals among us.

Excellent point. I believe in God, or a greater power that very likely had a part in our being here. Do I believe that everything was created six or seven thousand years ago, and that we were created instantaneously from dust at that time? Uh, probably not....

For many of us, it is very easy to believe. We, as a species, have only been exposed to advancing technology for a little over one-hundred years. In that time, we've learned enough to hypothesize a great deal. But do we really think we're that smart to know anything for certain?

Hey, maybe we're wrong, and we are all just a chance happening and our only purpose is to exist here for the time we are here. In that case, we will eventually become extinct through one means or another, as a species. As individuals we will cease to exist upon our death. Believing or not in a higher power will not change that.

For many of us, it's not a fear of death that leads us to our beliefs but rather the notion that there must be something more to our existence, a purpose greater than just existing here.

 

[XVZ]

Excellent point. I believe in God, or a greater power that very likely had a part in our being here. Do I believe that everything was created six or seven thousand years ago, and that we were created instantaneously from dust at that time? Uh, probably not....

For many of us, it is very easy to believe. We, as a species, have only been exposed to advancing technology for a little over one-hundred years. In that time, we've learned enough to hypothesize a great deal. But do we really think we're that smart to know anything for certain?

Hey, maybe we're wrong, and we are all just a chance happening and our only purpose is to exist here for the time we are here. In that case, we will eventually become extinct through one means or another, as a species. As individuals we will cease to exist upon our death. Believing or not in a higher power will not change that.

For many of us, it's not a fear of death that leads us to our beliefs but rather the notion that there must be something more to our existence, a purpose greater than just existing here.

100% mental masturbation. Not that I have anything against pleasuring oneself. At least you are honest though. Most people will come up with bullshit about how their beliefs are reasonable or valid.

Also, no one intelligent will say that we are a "chance" happening. Evolution is much more structured and rational than the silly nonsense you probably here about evolution from you fantasy preachers.

 

[sky dancer]

I think people sense there is more to life than what they percieive through the five senses.

There is a sense of presence, that goes beyond the thinking mind. Awareness itself is indescribable, inconcievable and inexpressible.

 

[XVZ]

I think people sense there is more to life than what they percieive through the five senses.

There is a sense of presence, that goes beyond the thinking mind. Awareness itself is indescribable, inconcievable and inexpressible.

I had a dream last night about some ill-conceived voyage to France. At least I thought it was France in my dream, there really wasn't much to think it was France if we are going by the photographic memories of this dream. Anyway, it started with myself package way too much shit for what was to be just a wedding attendance. Supposedly it was my mother marrying some man. I put emphasis on my, as that was the point of view from the dream. In reality my parents are still married and there was no one recognizable in that dream including whoever the fuck I was.

Anyway, for some reason I packed a bunch of something, and I really wish I knew what it was, in a bunch of fancy bags. Perhaps it was something for the wedding. At some point I was in a hotel that apparently had a theater in which I saw something really magnificent. I only know this because I recall wanting to see it again but no one wanted to oblige. But I was determined so I went alone. Apparently I was too stupid to manage to find my way to the theater as I somehow ended up in a concert hall watching a musical performance that went from strange to just downright disturbing. There were alternating duets of instrument players that not only played lead parts with the background players off to the sides, but also were figuring skating (stage must have been ice). Then came out two players playing some instrument that I am pretty sure is not a real instrument - let's just call it a bastard cross between a saxophone and alpenhorn. At some point one must have tripped over the other's instrument as she was face flat on the floor with one arm certainly broken and in an unnatural position. The director came to the rescue with an ever helpful "oh no! can you get up?" Apparently the answer was yes as she did get up and proceeded to stumble head first off the stage. At some point she must have been carted away to a hospital as the show managed to go on...

At some point this no longer was a trip to attend a wedding, but rather some type of class/group trip - whether it be high school or college, I don't know. But next thing I recall is traveling in a bus starting out from the hotel. This hotel was apparently something special as it was planted on its very own little plateau. And there was a ramp that circled down to ground level which the bus or tram (it turned into a submersible by the end of the ramp ride) was traveling on. There was a river at the end of this ramp and the vehicle just went straight into the water and this seemed perfectly natural and expected to me. Apparently it was a ride to go swimming because that is what followed along with flirtations with some brunette girl. Apparently we lost track of time because everyone was waiting for us as well as dry on idling buses to go to wherever it was we were suppose to be going.

There was unrest in the streets to put it mildly. There were military people with guns drawn riding on what I can only describe as what appeared to be construction vehicles. Perhaps these were the escort for our entourage and there wasn't actually unrest because everyone seemed to be peaceful.

At some point I was back at the hotel. I was alone in the hallways, but trailed by two unknown figures relaying my every move. for some reason I decided to fuck with them by walking around in a sort of erratic pattern until I stumbled upon the fancy bags I had packed and which were now empty. Sadly I do not recall them being used, but as soon as began packing them up, the two men 'revealed' themselves and one of them said "Ahh-ha! So you are the one who brought those" and proceeded to arrest me. It was then that I awoke.



Perhaps you would like to enlighten me as to what is 'more to this' than just one hell of a fucked up dream by my subconscious. I would like to stress that I have disowned my subconscious long ago for more fucked up dreams than that one And before you go off on some psychobabble explanatory meaning for this nonsense... don't bother. There's nothing supernatural about it and it certainly is not a memory from a so-called past life!

 

[AllieBaba]

Well, from a Reformed position, I believe in God because He made me believe in Him.

Yup.

 

[KittenKoder]

Why do people believe in God? Is it because they grew up believing in him, or is it because they just want to believe in a higher power?

Two reasons, a desperate need to belong to something instead of being strong on their own, and a fear of learning because they lack the courage to explore the unknown and would rather have simple easy answers to all the hard questions.

 

[AllieBaba]

How would you know? You don't believe. So I guess it's your supernatural ability to read the minds of others that allows you this insight into what motivates believers?

Do you get that ability from some pagan monkey god?

 

[KittenKoder]

How would you know? You don't believe. So I guess it's your supernatural ability to read the minds of others that allows you this insight into what motivates believers?

Do you get that ability from some pagan monkey god?

You really don't get it, also your memory is one of the worst I have seen. Remember, I use to be christian.

 

[AllieBaba]

This thread belongs in the flame zone. It was bait and is simply an avenue for anti-Christians to bash those who don't see things the way they do.

 

[KittenKoder]

This thread belongs in the flame zone. It was bait and is simply an avenue for anti-Christians to bash those who don't see things the way they do.

No, some people stated logical reasons, some stated personal reasons, they are still reasons. Just because you disagree does not make them any less fact. Mine are reasons that many psychologists have agreed with.

 

[KittenKoder]

Also, christians do not own the rights to having gods.