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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..
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.
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.
These doubts are good in way because you are questioning and not really made up your mind either way.Quote:
Originally Posted by shemilo
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
Thanks for you're replies... but really isn't this the essence of every religon-be good to others... love others ?
Shemilo,Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by shemilo
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:Quote:
Originally Posted by shemilo
Ethic of reciprocity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Versions of the Golden Rule in 21 world religions
If that were the case , you would not need religion.Quote:
Originally Posted by shemilo
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
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?
He doesn't or else he wouldn't have doomed me to being unhappy
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".
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by akms
<<<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!
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by deist
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by MOWERMAN2468
Just curious,Quote:
Originally Posted by deist
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)?
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by firmbeliever
Thanks for explaining,Quote:
Originally Posted by deist
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?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MOWERMAN2468
And exactly how was it proven that a being rose from the dead? Aside from words written in a book by mortal MEN... where is YOUR proof?
God may exist outside the laws of physics, but I do not believe he breaks those laws once he has established them.Quote:
Originally Posted by firmbeliever
Do not think I am trying to bait you or anger you.Quote:
Originally Posted by deist
I am asking you each question as I see an answer in my belief/faith.
Another question-
How about if the universe ceases to exist, would it not be possible then for the resurrection to occur?
Some deists believe in life after death & some don't. I'm one of the "I don't knows" about life after death. Even if there is no resurrection of physical bodies, we may still exist in some form in an afterlife. And I'm not angry.Quote:
Originally Posted by firmbeliever
Ok, I believe you are not angry:) .Quote:
Originally Posted by deist
But you did not answer,
If the universe ceased to exist, would this make law of entropy also disappear?Hence resurrection is possible?
I know you said you belong to "I dont know" of life after death,but you seem to be trying out theories,so I was just curious...
Thanks
What you ask is always possible, however, according to science, once maximum entropy is reached no further work can be done. But, as I said, it is always possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by firmbeliever
Thanks,Quote:
Originally Posted by deist
Maybe the difference in you and me is just that.
I do not think the Almighty fits under human scientific theories/laws,only we (the created beings,like everything on this universe and beyond ) are obeying/under the influence of these laws.
As there are places beyond our planet earth where gravitation has no effect, just like that I think the Almighty exists outside all things that the created beings face.
FYI,
I do not believe God to be human or half human etc.
EDIT:::::I should have mentioned it was the earth's gravitational pull I was talking about,
Deist, sorry for the confusion..:)
I know of no place in the observable universe where gravity has no influence. At least I've read nothing in science about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by firmbeliever
I don't believe that all things come to an end. Just because something begins... doesn't mean that it has to end. An example of that can be ascertained if one assumes that nothing made God... therefore God always was. And if God always was then this could be said to be an example of something that had no beginning. AND if that is so then why not a beginning that has no end? I believe in transition, not death. I believe there to be some form of continuity or transitional residue that enables the cycle of ANYTHING to sustain or complete itself time and time again.
And who created the bible pple did do you believe anything pple tell you
Well.. yes of coure! Science has contributed a lot in our knowledge that it even taught us about the evolution of man. From ramaphitecus to today's homo sapiens sapiens, but let me tell you this.. YOU SHOULD NOT BELIEVE THIS THINGS!! Yes there are a lot of differences between the bible and your biology book just because your biology book has proof to what does it says,. that does not mean you have to believe it! Let me tell you a story that our social studies teacher told us. It starts with this.. there were scientists who were digging lots and lots of soil. Upon their digging they have discovered fossils that live some million years ago, after that they have dug so deep in the earhts crust. They placed a sound speaker device (a device which absorbs the sounds produced in the on the place were it was placed on) on the placed were they dug.To their supprise they heard ¨screams¨, screams that seemed to came from the suffering souls in hell!! Let me as you a question have you ever seen a ghost? Even in imagination? Well this is all I will say to you,. IF EVIL EXIST SO AS CHRIST!
YES... have faith
"Doubt is a wonderful place of rest; but not residence" Do not fear your doubt, but rather go with it. Keep searching and you will discover your own truth on whether God exists or not. Also whether you have faith or not. Do not give up. The answer is within you... no one can answer your own questioning.Quote:
Originally Posted by shemilo
"Doubt is the ants in the pants of faith." -- Frederick BuechnerQuote:
Originally Posted by CHSaint
I feel there is no "proof" of God. I don't think he is some entity "out there some where".
I think he is the little voice in your head and the feeling in your heart that guides your choices. It's like love. You feel it, but it is not tangible.
Open to any page of the Bible and ask yourself if you want this God to exist. That is if you can find a page that does not contain his murderous rampage of babies and non-believers. You would be challenged to find a single page where God is not angry at something.Quote:
Originally Posted by shemilo
Your version of god is terrifying! I do believe in God but the christian/bible God is a god of CONDITIONAL love and acceptance.Quote:
Originally Posted by MOWERMAN2468
Can you imagine saying to your child, believe this far fetched story and spend eternity with me, if you don't believe it, or even if you were never even exposed to it, then you can spend eternity in a miserable hell. And... I (god) am fine with that because "I told you so."
Scientist don't need to explain the resurrection because there is no PROOF that it happened.
Maybe it did, maybe it didn't but the bible is a book filled with hearsay so you can't go by that.
The fact that the bible was written 300 years after the death of Jesus raises questions off the bat. Then,, it was modified by anyone who thought they had a better idea. How anyone can take the bible literally will never cease to amaze me. In fact, I think humans in general are deeply flawed. Billions of people still think this white guy with long white hair lives in the clouds. Just think about that for one second.Quote:
Originally Posted by cozyk
Out of the 1000's of inaccuracies in that book of fiction, here is the one that gets me. In Revelations, when the 6th bloody lamb killed something, "All the stars fell from the sky and were lying on the ground like little figs. Seems funny since most stars are a millions times larger than the earth. Not very good science. But of course religion says that science is evil and wrong. Sorry, but 2+2 still equals 4
Yes, my version is terrifying. Open up the bible to any page. Tell me it is not terrifying in its content.Quote:
Originally Posted by jrwild62
If you want to argue the validity of Christanity than do not make such incorrect statements.Quote:
Originally Posted by jrwild62
The various Bible books were written between ca. 1400 B.C and 100 AD. By A.D. 200 there was general agreement by the major Christian communities on the core of our New Testament. In his Festal Letter for A.D. 367, St. Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, was the first to list the twenty-seven canonical books of the New Testament.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
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