Why God?

**Ristaron** · 04-12-2008, 12:41 AM

I intend no disrespect by this, but I am genuinely curious. In today's increasingly secular world, where great scientific advances have given us modern living with microwaves, automobiles, and even space travel, mountains of evidence that many believe contradict God's existence: what makes you certain that your faith is in anything real?

I am also curious as to why you believe in the Bible over any other book that -- to an impartial outsider -- is like any other mythology book? Why this book and not, say, Homer's Iliad? To an outsider, the Bible has as many provable claims as the Iliad. I personally find that there is as much evidence of the battle of Jericho as there is for the battle of Troy; and as much solid evidence for God as Zeus (I speak of solid, empirical evidence; irrefutable and indisputable).

Though I welcome insight from anyone, I am mainly curious about people who believe in the Bible. The literal Bible, as in, it's the word of God, no question about it. I want to know why they hold that belief.

The Pianist · 04-22-2008, 09:26 PM

Called Faith my friend.

**Ginevra** · 04-22-2008, 09:30 PM

But why faith in God and not anything or anyone else?

The Pianist · 04-22-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginevra

But why faith in God and not anything or anyone else?

Because that is the choice I made because "I" feel that God -> YHWH is the only God plus I have faith that YHWH is as opposed to Zeus.

Keena · 04-22-2008, 09:43 PM

Christianity isnt about proof, otherwise there'd be no christians at all. Christianity is about emotion and feeling a part of something. Alot of smaller churches, like the one I grew up in, people went to it their whole lives, people knew each other. If you were gone a few sundays, people noticed. People grow up and are taught that the doctrine is correct and (for the most part) dont stop to question it too closely. A lot of Christians probably do not have clear understanding of various opposing ideas.

It's also about feeling. I still remember what it felt like when I was sure of my faith; it was a nice feeling to have. To believe that there's a reason for things, that there's a greater plan, that there's someone always there to listen to you no matter what. Then of course the anecdotes from converts, the 'life-saving stories', how when you become saved, it really feels like a relief. To think that no matter how crappy things get, that eventually it will all get better. To think that at least someone has all the answers, even if you don't. To think that someone out there always loves you.

You can rip it apart as much as you want...but its hard to convince someone that what they feel isnt true.

**Ginevra** · 04-22-2008, 09:46 PM

How do you think your life would be different if you believed in another faith [not Zeus neccesarily]? Better, worse, the same?

Do you think that you are pushed towards God because [correct me if I'm wrong] that's the religion that you were introduced to as a child? If you do, does it bother you?

The Pianist · 04-22-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keena

Christianity isnt about proof, otherwise there'd be no christians at all. Christianity is about emotion and feeling a part of something. Alot of smaller churches, like the one I grew up in, people went to it their whole lives, people knew each other. If you were gone a few sundays, people noticed. People grow up and are taught that the doctrine is correct and (for the most part) dont stop to question it too closely. A lot of Christians probably do not have clear understanding of various opposing ideas.

It's also about feeling. I still remember what it felt like when I was sure of my faith; it was a nice feeling to have. To believe that there's a reason for things, that there's a greater plan, that there's someone always there to listen to you no matter what. Then of course the anecdotes from converts, the 'life-saving stories', how when you become saved, it really feels like a relief. To think that no matter how crappy things get, that eventually it will all get better. To think that at least someone has all the answers, even if you don't. To think that someone out there always loves you.

You can rip it apart as much as you want...but its hard to convince someone that what they feel isnt true.

Basically you can sum it up to that.

This question wouldn't even be asked if people read the bible lol. Faith is the answer.

Asking someone to question why they have faith is like, "Why do you love your wife or kids?" you know, the answer is that you just do.

--------------- Added 22 Apr 2008 at 09:50 pm ---------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginevra

How do you think your life would be different if you believed in another faith [not Zeus neccesarily]? Better, worse, the same?

Do you think that you are pushed towards God because [correct me if I'm wrong] that's the religion that you were introduced to as a child? If you do, does it bother you?

Worse.

Nope, I actually wasn't pushed towards God as a child and I wasn't really introduced to it (Family didn't go to church on sundays) but there was a bible in the house and I read it.

Which also explains why I am more hardcore than say, my Grandma who I live with.

Keena · 04-22-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pianist

Basically you can sum it up to that.

ill take that as a 'wow, keena, what a wonderful job explaining it'...it makes me feel smarter that way, lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pianist

Asking someone to question why they have faith is like, "Why do you love your wife or kids?" you know, the answer is that you just do.

unless you dont

**Ginevra** · 04-22-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keena

Christianity isnt about proof, otherwise there'd be no christians at all. Christianity is about emotion and feeling a part of something. Alot of smaller churches, like the one I grew up in, people went to it their whole lives, people knew each other. If you were gone a few sundays, people noticed. People grow up and are taught that the doctrine is correct and (for the most part) dont stop to question it too closely. A lot of Christians probably do not have clear understanding of various opposing ideas.

It's also about feeling. I still remember what it felt like when I was sure of my faith; it was a nice feeling to have. To believe that there's a reason for things, that there's a greater plan, that there's someone always there to listen to you no matter what. Then of course the anecdotes from converts, the 'life-saving stories', how when you become saved, it really feels like a relief. To think that no matter how crappy things get, that eventually it will all get better. To think that at least someone has all the answers, even if you don't. To think that someone out there always loves you.

You can rip it apart as much as you want...but its hard to convince someone that what they feel isnt true.

You know, I'm mean to myself and don't let myself believe it just because it's nice, but I once was a christian and I do kind of miss that feeling. I can understand why people are reluctant to let go of it with little reward other than being logical to gain from it. The main feeling is being able to ask for help and always having someone else's hands to put it into. Being able to "hope to god" something will or will not happen.

But the truth for me is that if I do that then it stops me from going out and doing what needs to be done. Because as far as I believe, God's not really going to help me, even if it seems a nice idea, even if I might feel I deserve it. So I let it go. Also as I grew up I lost it like I lost the belief in Santa Claus. So I already felt I was faking it.

Keena · 04-22-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginevra

You know, I'm mean to myself and don't let myself believe it just because it's nice, but I once was a christian and I do kind of miss that feeling. I can understand why people are reluctant to let go of it with little reward other than being logical to gain from it. The main feeling is being able to ask for help and always having someone else's hands to put it into. Being able to "hope to god" something will or will not happen.

But the truth for me is that if I do that then it stops me from going out and doing what needs to be done. Because as far as I believe, God's not really going to help me, even if it seems a nice idea, even if I might feel I deserve it. So I let it go. Also as I grew up I lost it like I lost the belief in Santa Claus. So I already felt I was faking it.

yea, i miss that feeling too. It's kinda lonely not believing it because you can't 'lean on God' when things are hard. If I could, I'd probably still believe it, just because it'd be easier with my whole family being christian and everything, but I just can't. Either you believe something or you don't, and even if I'd like to, I just don't believe in traditional Christian doctrine anymore. I don't go around trying to alienate my relatives though by trying to take their faith away, as long as religion isnt really effecting them negatively, I'm fine with letting them have their beliefs and keeping mine to myself.