[shemilo]

Well... im not an atheist... im just confused... everytime I want to believe in god... I keep having that lingering doubt... I feel... maybe there isn't god..? I don't know what to do... help... :(
I hope that something might help me change my veiws for a positive outcome..

[Wondergirl]

Frederick Buechner, a Christian writer, said something once that keeps me afloat -- "Doubt is the ants in the pants of faith."

There's nothing wrong with doubt and questioning and wondering. Those things are what lead us to ask questions, read books and talk with others because we're looking for answers, even to post a question on AMHD!

No one knows everything about God. Various religions' sacred writings tell us about God. The Bible tells us God loves us and urges us to show our love for each other by doing good things for each other. In fact, all major religions have the Golden Rule ("Do unto others...") as part of their belief system.

We all have the same questions you do--"Why am I here?" and "What happens when I die?" and "Where did I come from?" and "Why do I feel so empty sometimes?" etc. Religion tries to answer those questions, but doubts still arise in believers' heart and minds.

Your confusion is OK. Your doubt is OK. Keep reaching out with your questions.

[JohnSnownw]

I don't think we're going to be able to answer that question. Since God is only something you have faith in, we can not prove nor disprove "his" existence. That's only a decision you can make for yourself. I'm personally an atheist. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

[firmbeliever]

well....im not an athiest ...im just confused.....everytime i want to believe in god....i keep having that lingering doubt...i feel...maybe there isnt god....??i dont know wht to do ...help....:(
i hope that something might help me change my veiws for a positive outcome..

These doubts are good in way because you are questioning and not really made up your mind either way.

My first suggestion would be for you to read up on different religions, find out what each say about the Almighty.

Another thing is that some people have that moment of enlightenment about God,while others slowly move into the idea of God and then find themselves believing.
You never know which you will be until it happens.

Here's a place to start, as I am a muslim I will provide the Islamic view on God.
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamen...ceptofgod.html

[shemilo]

Thanks for you're replies... but really isn't this the essence of every religon-be good to others... love others ?

[firmbeliever]

thanx for youre replies....but really isnt this the essense of every religon-be good to others....love others ?

Shemilo,
What you mentioned maybe a part of each religion,but you were asking about God, which is the reason for my suggestion.
If you wish to believe in God and wish to know more about God,look into what the religions say about God,then decide which makes the most sense and which speaks to your soul.

For example, for me the Almighty is the only one I submit,and the Almighty orders me to be just in all my dealings.
Being just maybe common to most religions,but the belief of each religion differs a lot.

[chek101]

well....im not an athiest ...im just confused.....everytime i want to believe in god....i keep having that lingering doubt...i feel...maybe there isnt god....??i dont know wht to do ...help....:(
i hope that something might help me change my veiws for a positive outcome..

How about just believing in yourself to start? If you believe you are a good, kind and caring person then that should count for something. Supposedly God created people in his image, so doesn't that mean the humane qualities you possess, you got from him? If you can love others, why not yourself? Peace.

[NeedKarma]

thanx for youre replies....but really isnt this the essense of every religon-be good to others....love others ?

You are indeed correct. The 'golden rule' transcends religion and is usually called Ethics of Reciprocity. It's what civilised societies develop on their own, with or without religion present. More reading for you below:
Ethic of reciprocity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Versions of the Golden Rule in 21 world religions

[inthebox]

thanx for youre replies....but really isnt this the essense of every religon-be good to others....love others ?

If that were the case , you would not need religion.
Everyone can be good and love each other through self effort.
You don't need God or even have to acknowledge that there may be one if you can do it all by yourself.




I know I should love my neighbor and be good, and I do strive for that and fail often,
But at the end of the day, I know that I can confess my weaknesses and failures and the God [ of the Bible ] I believe in forgives, accepts and loves me.




Grace and Peace

[br_hjs]

My opinion is NO there isn't a God. I only think this though because I don't see how it's possible and where there's proof. Also, where would he have came from? But we are all here, right? Or are we? For all I know I could be nothing. Just an imaginary invisible object. But even then how would I be here? I don't know for sure if there is a God. I don't think anyone really knows. They may believe there is or isn't. That doesn't make it the truth. All I'm saying is how would this world have started? How is it possibe? Where would God come from? How? How did the very start begin? We don't know for sure. They say God created the Earth but how is it possible? How was he here with no Earth? It's actually really hard to believe if there is God or not. There could be. We're all here. But how?

[akms]

He doesn't or else he wouldn't have doomed me to being unhappy

[MOWERMAN2468]

Yes God is real. The Bible says how he created the earth and all in it. If the Bible says it, Belief it. And to quote forrest gump, "and that's all i have to say about that".

[MOWERMAN2468]

he doesnt or else he wouldnt have doomed me to being unhappy

You are wrong, God does exist, perhaps it is your own take on life in general. But all we can do for you is pray for you and hope that you will come to know God before it is everlasting to late and you spend the rest of eternity in hell.

[chek101]

<<<If that were the case , you would not need religion.
Everyone can be good and love each other through self effort.>>>

You hit the nail on the head. Someone also said "When all religion is dead, then we will truly be as one. Can't argue with that one. Imagine if we lived in a world where the common greeting and reply would be,"Brother ,what is your faith?" And the reply,"Why, Brother... YOU are!" Imagine that!

[deist]

It has been pretty much proven, & accepted by science, that the universe began with the big bang, before which the universe did not exist. Also according to science neither matter nor energy can be created or destroyed through natural processes. Therefore it is reasonable to conclude that for matter & energy to have come into existence it had to have had a supernatural cause. While this is not proof that there is a God, it is evidence of a God.

[MOWERMAN2468]

It has been pretty much proven, & accepted by science, that the universe began with the big bang, before which the universe did not exist. Also according to science neither matter nor energy can be created or destroyed through natural processes. Therefore it is reasonable to conclude that for matter & energy to have come into existence it had to have had a supernatural cause. While this is not proof that there is a God, it is evidence of a God.

o.k. that is your right to believe such. But can scientist explain any other being being able to be dead for 3 days and RISE AGAIN? And hey, that is not natural process either. So, yes I believe in God. And I hope everyone else will come to know him before it is everlasting, I said EVERLASTING, THAT MEANS ETERNITY, toooooo late.

[deist]

o.k. that is your right to believe such. but can scientist explain any other being being able to be dead for 3 days and RISE AGAIN? and hey, that is not natural process either. so, yes I believe in God. And i hope everyone else will come to know him before it is everlasting, i said EVERLASTING, THAT MEANS ETERNITY, toooooo late.

As my id indicates I am a deist. While I believe in a God I do not believe that God is involved in our lives. I don't believe the bible, I don't believe in the divinity of jesus or the resurrection. God made the laws of nature & I don't believe he breaks those laws. God is a law maker, not a law breaker, & a resurrection, to my thinking, is against the law of increasing entropy.

[firmbeliever]

As my id indicates I am a deist. While I believe in a God I do not believe that God is involved in our lives. I don't believe the bible, I don't believe in the divinity of jesus or the resurrection. God made the laws of nature & I don't believe he breaks those laws. God is a law maker, not a law breaker, & a resurrection, to my thinking, is against the law of increasing entropy.

Just curious,
Isn't the "Law of increasing entropy", a man made theory/law?
How can you say that if it is a man made theory that God is breaking the law by allowing resurrection(of all humans after death)?

[deist]

Just curious,
Isnt the "Law of increasing entropy", a man made theory/law?
How can you say that if it is a man made theory that God is breaking the law by allowing resurrection(of all humans after death)?

The law of entropy is a name we have given to a universally observed phenomenon. Gravity, too, is a man made theory, but it is universally observed. Entropy is just the name we've given to it, but it would still exist without a name.

[firmbeliever]

The law of entropy is a name we have given to a universally observed phenomenon. Gravity, too, is a man made theory, but it is universally observed. Entropy is just the name we've given to it, but it would still exist without a name.

Thanks for explaining,
Now I have another question, you did say that this is a "universally" observed phenomenon.
I believe that the Almighty exists outside of the laws that are applicable to the created beings existing in this universe and beyond. Wouldn't this make a difference?