An atheist would like to know...

[teryebir]

Hello. I am new to these boards. I am an atheist and am fascinated with what people believe and why they believe it. Please don't feel obligated, but I have a few questions I'd like to ask to help me learn more about the beliefs of Christians.

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

How confident are you in your belief that your god exists? (let's say 0 is no confidence at all and 100 is absolute total maximum confidence). Where would you rate yourself from 0 to 100?

If others believe just as strongly in their gods as you do in your god, and they're just as certain they are right as you are certain that you're right, what would you suppose would be the best way to go about determining which of you is right?

If it could be shown that your god wasn't real, would you revise your belief? (e.g. I do hold the belief that the moon landings weren't a conspiracy or hoax. But if NASA made a public announcement declaring that the moon landings were a hoax, explained how they did it and why they did it, then I'd revise my belief that the moon landings weren't a hoax)

What do you suppose it would take or what would have to occur to convince you that your god isn't real or for you to revise your belief that your god is real?

To what degree is your belief that your god is real influenced by your upbringing?

If you were raised in a Muslim or perhaps Hindu household - perhaps somewhere in western or southern Asia - do you think you'd be more inclined to believe the Muslim or Hindu god is real rather than your god being real?

 

[Sketcher]

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

We exist.
Jesus rose from the grave.
Answered prayer.

How confident are you in your belief that your god exists? (let's say 0 is no confidence at all and 100 is absolute total maximum confidence). Where would you rate yourself from 0 to 100?

High 90's.

If others believe just as strongly in their gods as you do in your god, and they're just as certain they are right as you are certain that you're right, what would you suppose would be the best way to go about determining which of you is right?

It depends on their faith. The resurrection of Christ will certainly be a main feature.

If it could be shown that your god wasn't real, would you revise your belief? (e.g. I do hold the belief that the moon landings weren't a conspiracy or hoax. But if NASA made a public announcement declaring that the moon landings were a hoax, explained how they did it and why they did it, then I'd revise my belief that the moon landings weren't a hoax)

I suppose I'd have to, but proving that he isn't real is impossible.

What do you suppose it would take or what would have to occur to convince you that your god isn't real or for you to revise your belief that your god is real?

Disproving his existence, which is impossible. It's essentially proving a negative.

To what degree is your belief that your god is real influenced by your upbringing?

It was part of my upbringing.

If you were raised in a Muslim or perhaps Hindu household - perhaps somewhere in western or southern Asia - do you think you'd be more inclined to believe the Muslim or Hindu god is real rather than your god being real?

Maybe, but there are Muslims and Hindus that convert. So who really knows.

 

[Lukaris]

Hello. I am new to these boards. I am an atheist and am fascinated with what people believe and why they believe it. Please don't feel obligated, but I have a few questions I'd like to ask to help me learn more about the beliefs of Christians.

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

I believe that there is a way life was intended to be other than how it came to be. Our conscience was to be our guide to live by in cooperation with God (not as zombies). At some remote time our ancestors were deceived into believing that a duality of concepts of "good & evil" existed in a creation that God had only referred to as "good" in Genesis 1:10, 1:12, 1:18, 1:21, 1:25 & 1:33. A tree was planted for them evidently to be eventually used at a future time as knowledge increased but not until God determined so. Regrettably our ancestors were deceived into thinking otherwise as if evil could exist in a creation that was only good ( Genesis 3:1-6, Romans 1:22 ). At this point mortality infected everyone even though we are not born guilty of transgression, we are born into & will fall into it ( Romans 5:12-14 ). Our next major transgression was committing bloodshed as when Cain slew Abel ( Genesis 4:1-16 ). This is why our existence has become so full of misery & suffering.

While it may seem that God is distant & why does He allow us to suffer, He became like us in order to save us from this ( Isaiah 53, John 1:1-18 etc.). In the Lord Jesus Christ, God went one step further in His sinless resurrection so that we have everlasting life & forgiveness of sin ( 1 Corinthians 15:42-58, Romans 10:9-13 etc. ).



How confident are you in your belief that your god exists? (let's say 0 is no confidence at all and 100 is absolute total maximum confidence). Where would you rate yourself from 0 to 100?

100

If others believe just as strongly in their gods as you do in your god, and they're just as certain they are right as you are certain that you're right, what would you suppose would be the best way to go about determining which of you is right?

The Lord Jesus Christ clearly outlines in the Beatitudes ( Matthew 5:1-11 ) that there are virtues shared by Christians & non Christians (the final Beatitude in Matthew 5:12 is uniquely Christian). Psalms 15 clearly indicates an example of human conduct approved of by God. We are clearly not superior to others as individuals & it is along guidelines like this that the Lord warns us not to judge others ( Matthew 7:1-12 ).

There are also other belief systems in which abominations exist and God warns us of these ( Deuteronomy 12:29-33 ). Perhaps the worst abomination (as indicated in the previous scripture is infanticide). Tragically this abomination is widely practiced in various societies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_infanticide

From these 2 extreme examples, there are clearly instances in which we can be confident in our faith in humility & respect to others while recognizing a necessity to condemn abomination in other circumstances.


If it could be shown that your god wasn't real, would you revise your belief? (e.g. I do hold the belief that the moon landings weren't a conspiracy or hoax. But if NASA made a public announcement declaring that the moon landings were a hoax, explained how they did it and why they did it, then I'd revise my belief that the moon landings weren't a hoax)

I believe the morality of what is preached by the Lord in His Gospel is perfect & sinless. Individuals, Christian or non Christian, are good or bad; as individuals we must be humble ( Luke 14:11 ). I do not find this standard being disproved by anything else.

What do you suppose it would take or what would have to occur to convince you that your god isn't real or for you to revise your belief that your god is real?

Nothing, since as I have been saying, I believe the Gospel message in its purity, humility, & sensibility teaches us to know right from wrong ( Philippians 4:8 ).

To what degree is your belief that your god is real influenced by your upbringing?

I am thankful to have had decent individuals as parents who instilled basic values that helped me to receive the Gospel later in life.

If you were raised in a Muslim or perhaps Hindu household - perhaps somewhere in western or southern Asia - do you think you'd be more inclined to believe the Muslim or Hindu god is real rather than your god being real?

There would seem to be many variables that make this hard to speculate on.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Hello. I am new to these boards. I am an atheist and am fascinated with what people believe and why they believe it. Please don't feel obligated, but I have a few questions I'd like to ask to help me learn more about the beliefs of Christians.

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

Well, for starters, from an epistemological level, I wouldn't quite call it a "conclusion." That term seems to beg the question as to whether the journey to know God as He is has somehow been completed, if not in essence, then at least in theory, which admittedly for me, hasn't happened. But in short, I began my Christian journey of faith when I read the New Testament for the first time when I was in my late teens. I've had my ups and downs in belief since then...

How confident are you in your belief that your god exists? (let's say 0 is no confidence at all and 100 is absolute total maximum confidence). Where would you rate yourself from 0 to 100?

Oh...I'm as confident as one could be who takes neither a Foundationalist approach to epistemology, nor a Direct Realist view about human perception.

If others believe just as strongly in their gods as you do in your god, and they're just as certain they are right as you are certain that you're right, what would you suppose would be the best way to go about determining which of you is right?

I do the same thing I did in college....keep studying, and then realize that even with hundreds of sources under ones belt that neither of us can ever reach anything that seems like Absolute Certainty about the "God question."

If it could be shown that your god wasn't real, would you revise your belief? (e.g. I do hold the belief that the moon landings weren't a conspiracy or hoax. But if NASA made a public announcement declaring that the moon landings were a hoax, explained how they did it and why they did it, then I'd revise my belief that the moon landings weren't a hoax)

Sure, if you could show that God isn't real, I'd revise by beliefs. But my question to you is: how do you propose to do this without presupposing a Foundationalist epistemology and a Direct Realist view of human perception?

What do you suppose it would take or what would have to occur to convince you that your god isn't real or for you to revise your belief that your god is real?

Oh...I suppose if Atheists could takeover the world and do with it what Christians have never been able to do, that is bring "Peace On Earth" on an ongoing permanent basis, then I'd probably be 'forced' to take a second look.

To what degree is your belief that your god is real influenced by your upbringing?

Little to none. My family occasionally darkened the halls of church, but we never really talked about religion or read the bible in my home as a child. I had little in my upbringing to go on but bits and pieces.

If you were raised in a Muslim or perhaps Hindu household - perhaps somewhere in western or southern Asia - do you think you'd be more inclined to believe the Muslim or Hindu god is real rather than your god being real?

I'm sure at first I would. But the amazing thing is that sometimes ideas from other cultures creep in and become introduced into one's mind. So, it's somewhat hard for me to posit that what I began with is what I'd end with ... for the same reason that atheists develop in cultures that are otherwise heavily trafficked by Christians.

These are always interesting questions, teryebir, even if not very original. Give my regards to Peter Boghossian and Anthony Magnabosco.

2PhiloVoid

 

[brinny]

Hello teryebir.

What fascinates you, specifically?

(Interesting user name. Does it mean anything?)

Welcome to CF.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

In this great big mess of a world where men are constantly over thousands of years killing others , hurting others, being greedy and taking what belongs to others,
there
are
God's people (not religious) who love one another, and love even their enemies,
they have joy, peace within that doesn't change when tortured or killed,
and they always do what is right - instead of doing what is wrong (even though all around them are engage in doing what is wrong and it is more profitable by far).
They don't care about money nor (men's) riches at all.

They are the only ones with the hope of eternal life.

That's enough for us.

 

[ClothedInGrace]

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

He revealed the Gospel to me while reading some scripture for the first time and I believed it with all my soul; I knew I was a sinner and that Jesus was my savior. There is no good news outside of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

How confident are you in your belief that your god exists? (let's say 0 is no confidence at all and 100 is absolute total maximum confidence). Where would you rate yourself from 0 to 100?

100

If others believe just as strongly in their gods as you do in your god, and they're just as certain they are right as you are certain that you're right, what would you suppose would be the best way to go about determining which of you is right?

Whichever set of beliefs is the most consistent. I find that other religions make no sense in crucial areas where Christianity makes total sense. For example, Muslims believe they can get to heaven by obeying Allah and being more good than bad, but how do they reconcile that with their belief in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, who is perfectly Holy and gives death as the ultimate punishment for sin? Their "God" is not just, but God is just in Christianity, as the God who punishes sinners punished His Son on our behalf, so that He could give us His love and grace. Who pays for the sins of the Muslim? They don't know.

If it could be shown that your god wasn't real, would you revise your belief? (e.g. I do hold the belief that the moon landings weren't a conspiracy or hoax. But if NASA made a public announcement declaring that the moon landings were a hoax, explained how they did it and why they did it, then I'd revise my belief that the moon landings weren't a hoax)

I am a person of the truth, and when I find out I am wrong about something I repent and believe the truth. Christianity, and the Gospel as revealed in Jesus Christ has not been disproved. Creationism cannot be disproved either. Why? Because you can't falsify a miracle if you weren't there to witness it. Another topic for another day I suppose, but yes, I would revise my beliefs if there were lies.

What do you suppose it would take or what would have to occur to convince you that your god isn't real or for you to revise your belief that your god is real?

What would it take? Well, it would taking proving Jesus was not who He said He was; it would take proving that the 40+ authors who wrote the Old and New Testaments were simply making things up; it would take evidence that the universe and all that is in it came from something other than the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, who has revealed Himself to me in the Gospel. That's what it would take.

To what degree is your belief that your god is real influenced by your upbringing?

Zero. I wasn't taught any religion by my parents. Sure, I had heard about Jesus on Christmas or whatever, but I was not trained or taught the Gospel. I was a truth seeker and I found myself believing in many crazy things before I found the Gospel. Believe it or not, but at one point I believed that God was a religious construction made to keep people enslaved. Now I gladly serve both God and the people He has made.

If you were raised in a Muslim or perhaps Hindu household - perhaps somewhere in western or southern Asia - do you think you'd be more inclined to believe the Muslim or Hindu god is real rather than your god being real?

There are plenty of people who are raised in foreign lands with foreign religion who come to know Jesus Christ and the Gospel. If it is God's will, then He can reveal Himself to anyone and everyone. The Gospel is not unknown throughout the world, in fact, it is the most worldwide religion.


Thank you for your polite curiosity, and I hope my answers benefit you in some way.

 

[LaSorcia]

If my faith in God were just a set of beliefs, of course I'd toss it all out if proven wrong. But it's not a set of beliefs like a philosophical system- it's a relationship with a living being. I am 100% sure this being exists, having had interactions with God over decades. Do I understand completely the nature of God and God's attributes? No way, but I know God's character is good.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Hello. I am new to these boards. I am an atheist and am fascinated with what people believe and why they believe it. Please don't feel obligated, but I have a few questions I'd like to ask to help me learn more about the beliefs of Christians.

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

Belief. I don't know that it's so much a "conclusion" as that would seem to suggest some sort of deduction from point A to point B, etc along a perfectly rational line of reasoning. I believe that God exists because that is inherent to the faith of the Christian Church which, looking back to Christ, trusts upon Him. That is, I'm not a Christian because I believe in God, I believe in God because I'm a Christian.

And while I am a Christian because I was raised in the faith--there was never a time that I wasn't a Christian--I continue to be a Christian not because it was what I was told as a child, but out of a perhaps non-rational compulsion concerning the person and story of Jesus and the faith of the Church.

How confident are you in your belief that your god exists? (let's say 0 is no confidence at all and 100 is absolute total maximum confidence). Where would you rate yourself from 0 to 100?

Depends on the day and what time of day.

If others believe just as strongly in their gods as you do in your god, and they're just as certain they are right as you are certain that you're right, what would you suppose would be the best way to go about determining which of you is right?

A knife fight? I don't know, I fail to see how one could "go about determining which of [us] is right" it would seem kind of like an empty peeing contest.

If it could be shown that your god wasn't real, would you revise your belief? (e.g. I do hold the belief that the moon landings weren't a conspiracy or hoax. But if NASA made a public announcement declaring that the moon landings were a hoax, explained how they did it and why they did it, then I'd revise my belief that the moon landings weren't a hoax)

Yes, if it could be shown that my faith is objective demonstrable nonsense, then I wouldn't believe in it any more.

What do you suppose it would take or what would have to occur to convince you that your god isn't real or for you to revise your belief that your god is real?

Conclusively find the dead body of Jesus.

To what degree is your belief that your god is real influenced by your upbringing?

I'm a Christian and exist within a Christian community, so I reckon pretty significantly.

If you were raised in a Muslim or perhaps Hindu household - perhaps somewhere in western or southern Asia - do you think you'd be more inclined to believe the Muslim or Hindu god is real rather than your god being real?

Probably.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

Hello. I am new to these boards. I am an atheist and am fascinated with what people believe and why they believe it. Please don't feel obligated, but I have a few questions I'd like to ask to help me learn more about the beliefs of Christians.

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

Faith.

I do however think that without an Absolute upon which concepts can be measured, we cannot be certain of anything whatsoever. It would leave a completely baseless worldview. For anything to be more true than anything else, for probability to exist, an Absolute is needed and only God or a conception very near it, can properly fulfill this function.

How confident are you in your belief that your god exists? (let's say 0 is no confidence at all and 100 is absolute total maximum confidence). Where would you rate yourself from 0 to 100?

Ranges from 100% to 60% I would say, depending on how sinful I have been.

If others believe just as strongly in their gods as you do in your god, and they're just as certain they are right as you are certain that you're right, what would you suppose would be the best way to go about determining which of you is right?

We can debate and discuss our different conceptions, but the only way to know is to wait and see what happens when we die.

If it could be shown that your god wasn't real, would you revise your belief? (e.g. I do hold the belief that the moon landings weren't a conspiracy or hoax. But if NASA made a public announcement declaring that the moon landings were a hoax, explained how they did it and why they did it, then I'd revise my belief that the moon landings weren't a hoax)

It is philosophically impossible to disprove God, so this is a moot question.

What do you suppose it would take or what would have to occur to convince you that your god isn't real or for you to revise your belief that your god is real?

Again philosophically impossible to disprove God. Can't think of an event that would have this effect, although they can bring doubt, but this is not absolute.

To what degree is your belief that your god is real influenced by your upbringing?

Don't know. I used to be an Atheist though, so I think my upbringing was perhaps against believing.

If you were raised in a Muslim or perhaps Hindu household - perhaps somewhere in western or southern Asia - do you think you'd be more inclined to believe the Muslim or Hindu god is real rather than your god being real?

I used to be an Atheist, so I flatter myself by thinking Christianity is the most reasonable religion. Truth be told, I grew up in a historically Christian society, so this obviously played a part.

The way I think of the world though, I doubt very much I could ever have ascribed to Hinduism without that person being a substantially different being. I would think that without exposure to Christianity, I would probably have remained an Atheist, but of course I am now biased in Christianity's favour.
When I began to consider theism, I examined other religions and found none as satisfying or at heart as correct as Christianity. While I respect others' metaphysics, while investigating them I found ideas and propositions I found unacceptable or too implausible, that when I investigated them further only more solidly bolted the doors. Christianity though has been unfolding its mysteries to me and beckoning me onwards and upwards into its halls. For instance, no other doctrine has ever seemed as viscerally true to me like the Atonement.

 

[Hieronymus]

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

It's God, not god.
There's a difference between the meaning of 'God' and 'god'.

I believe because of the evidence.

 

[FireDragon76]

I experience God as a living reality in my life, as have Christians for centuries.

 

[aiki]

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

Primarily - though not exclusively - by personal experience of Him.

How confident are you in your belief that your god exists? (let's say 0 is no confidence at all and 100 is absolute total maximum confidence). Where would you rate yourself from 0 to 100?

Very confident. As confident as I am that my wife exists. And for much the same reason.

If it could be shown that your god wasn't real, would you revise your belief?

This is like asking me if it could be shown that my wife wasn't real would I revise my belief in her existence. Kind of a nonsense question from my perspective.

What do you suppose it would take or what would have to occur to convince you that your god isn't real or for you to revise your belief that your god is real?

The same thing it would take to convince me my wife isn't real.

To what degree is your belief that your god is real influenced by your upbringing?

My upbringing has nothing really to do with my trust in Christ. In fact, as a young man in university many moons ago I nearly walked away from the Christian faith entirely. It wasn't my upbringing that secured my faith but a real experience of God.

If you were raised in a Muslim or perhaps Hindu household - perhaps somewhere in western or southern Asia - do you think you'd be more inclined to believe the Muslim or Hindu god is real rather than your god being real?

Possibly. But what might true for a Muslim is not necessarily true for a Christian. For one, there are not generally the same consequences for a Christian who leaves the faith as there are for both Muslims and Hindus who do the same. In some Muslim and Hindu countries, death can be the consequence for apostasizing. I know of no former "believer" who has suffered anything near the same consequences in leaving the Christian faith.

Selah.

 

[Soyeong]

Hello,

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

I was raised as a Christian.

How confident are you in your belief that your god exists? (let's say 0 is no confidence at all and 100 is absolute total maximum confidence). Where would you rate yourself from 0 to 100?

I'm betting my life on it, but I'm not sure how to put a number on that.

If others believe just as strongly in their gods as you do in your god, and they're just as certain they are right as you are certain that you're right, what would you suppose would be the best way to go about determining which of you is right?

By comparing the evidence for various religions.

If it could be shown that your god wasn't real, would you revise your belief? (e.g. I do hold the belief that the moon landings weren't a conspiracy or hoax. But if NASA made a public announcement declaring that the moon landings were a hoax, explained how they did it and why they did it, then I'd revise my belief that the moon landings weren't a hoax)

If you make an argument against someone's, then that is not necessarily the same thing as them being shown that their position is wrong if they still think that their reasons for holding their position are stronger than your argument against. Perhaps they have reason to doubt the veracity of NASA's announcement. In any case, no one continues to hold a belief after it has been demonstrated to their satisfaction that it is false.

What do you suppose it would take or what would have to occur to convince you that your god isn't real or for you to revise your belief that your god is real?

A better explanation for the facts surrounding the death of Jesus, the growth of Christianity, and my experience would convince that Christianity was wrong, but not necessarily that God didn't exist. A primary cause necessarily exists, so showing me the error in the arguments for the existence of God would convince me to be agnostic about the existence of God, and an argument that showed a logical contradiction in the existence of God would convince me to believe that God isn't real.

To what degree is your belief that your god is real influenced by your upbringing?

I was raised in a Christian family, so it initially had a great deal of influence, but there comes a time in everyone's life where it becomes their religion rather than their parent's religion, often around the time when it is their choice whether or not to attend church. It is a time of examining what we believe and why we believe it, where we choose to either reject it or the belief becomes strengthened.

If you were raised in a Muslim or perhaps Hindu household - perhaps somewhere in western or southern Asia - do you think you'd be more inclined to believe the Muslim or Hindu god is real rather than your god being real?

If you were raised in an atheist household, what effect did that influence your upbringing? Are you more inclined to believe atheism is true? If you were raised a theist and later became an atheist, then wouldn't that counter the point of your question? While the household that we are brought up in certainly influences our beliefs, the fact that we change our beliefs even about major issues shows that we can be persuaded by evidence. I have many different beliefs than I had even three years ago, and there are many changes between the beliefs I had three years ago and the beliefs that I had ten or fifteen years ago.

 

[Neogaia777]

Hello. I am new to these boards. I am an atheist and am fascinated with what people believe and why they believe it. Please don't feel obligated, but I have a few questions I'd like to ask to help me learn more about the beliefs of Christians.

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

personal "proof"... signs, wonders, revelations, and an authoritative voice that showed and proved to me many, many times, over and over, that it had power and control over (including the timing) of "everything" in my environment, everything surrounding me, when I called upon the name of my God and God and speaking communicating with me (personally showing me things) through all these things... Basically, a very convincing, zero room for doubt, scary at first, personal encounter with my God...

How confident are you in your belief that your god exists? (let's say 0 is no confidence at all and 100 is absolute total maximum confidence). Where would you rate yourself from 0 to 100?

100, because of proof...

If others believe just as strongly in their gods as you do in your god, and they're just as certain they are right as you are certain that you're right, what would you suppose would be the best way to go about determining which of you is right?

Convincing them somehow of your proof, I guess, maybe through a very powerful, convincing personal testimony, if they are unwilling to be convinced by the words of/in the Bible, and Bible knowledge, wisdom and truth...

If it could be shown that your god wasn't real, would you revise your belief? (e.g. I do hold the belief that the moon landings weren't a conspiracy or hoax. But if NASA made a public announcement declaring that the moon landings were a hoax, explained how they did it and why they did it, then I'd revise my belief that the moon landings weren't a hoax)

I don't believe it ever can or will, but, no, because I have proof to the contrary...

What do you suppose it would take or what would have to occur to convince you that your god isn't real or for you to revise your belief that your god is real?

Nothing, I have proof

To what degree is your belief that your god is real influenced by your upbringing?

None, I wasn't raised in any particular religion or belief system...

If you were raised in a Muslim or perhaps Hindu household - perhaps somewhere in western or southern Asia - do you think you'd be more inclined to believe the Muslim or Hindu god is real rather than your god being real?

Not if, in a time of desperation, I called on their names and there was no answer, but when I called on the name of Jesus, there was...

 

[ldonjohn]

Hello teryebir,

Before I attempt to answer your questions I want to say that I am skeptical of your motive so I must ask some questions. 1). Are you looking to argue about Christianity or are you simply curious about Christians' beliefs; 2).and do you intend to accept our answers without dispute?

Your questions and my responses: Not in the order you presented them.

If you were raised in a Muslim or perhaps Hindu household - perhaps somewhere in western or southern Asia - do you think you'd be more inclined to believe the Muslim or Hindu god is real rather than your god being real?

I can't speak for other people about their beliefs in their god, but I will assume that they form their beliefs from family tradition & through culture. I don't know for sure about that; it's just my assumption, and I could be wrong about it.

How confident are you in your belief that your god exists? (let's say 0 is no confidence at all and 100 is absolute total maximum confidence). Where would you rate yourself from 0 to 100?

I can speak from my own experience as a person who many years ago had serious doubts that God existed or that the bible is the truth or that Jesus Christ is who the Bible says He is. My confidence level at that time was 0 and I was not a real Christian at that time.

I will try to explain as briefly as I can how today my confidence level is 100, but my belief that God exists is something that can't be explained in a way that will convince an unbeliever that He, God exists. Only God Himself can convince you or anyone else that He is real. Having said that, I will attempt to explain how I came to know with absolute confidence that God does exist.

How did you come to the conclusion that your god exists?

I was raised in a Baptist church where I heard about God, sin, heaven, hell, and Jesus every Sunday. When I became a young adult I was not convinced that any of it was true. I forgot about it all and went on with life. Several years later I decided that I wanted to know the truth about God. I wanted to know if He was real or not, if the bible was true or not, and if Jesus was real. I talked to many people, preachers, and other Christians, read books about it, etc. I started going to church again and pretended to be a Christian, but I was a fake because I was not sure that any of it was real. This time nothing was really different from the past experience of church attendance. I heard the same thing about sin, hell, heaven, God, Jesus dying on a cross, etc. The only difference was that now I cared about knowing if it was true, but I could not find anyone who could explain all of to me so that I was convinced beyond any doubt that it was all the truth. Believe me, I had much doubt. I thought that I would never know the truth about God & the Bible.

I had previously read small portions of the Bible only when in church service or Sunday school class, but never outside of a church. In time my search for the truth led me to an earnest investigation of the Bible. I wanted to know the truth, and I was willing to accept whatever I found in the bible if I was convinced that it was the absolute truth. I began my search at home, sitting at the kitchen table reading in the Book of John, and I had no idea about what I would find there.

To make a long story short, I did find the truth as I read in the Book of John. God is the only One who can convince you, me, or anyone that He is real, and He did exactly that for me as I read His Word, the Bible. I realize that you cannot understand how a God that you do not believe exists can show anyone that He does really exist. Atheists call that “circular reasoning” and I do agree with that argument. It IS circular reasoning, but atheists leave God out of their “circular reasoning” argument, and they have nothing but an empty circle.

When an unbeliever allows God to accomplish His purpose in his/her life, and when God through His Word, the Bible, becomes the influence that draws the unbeliever to the truth, then the unbeliever is given the ability to know God. That is “circular reasoning” that can begin at 0 confidence and end at 100 confidence.

To what degree is your belief that your god is real influenced by your upbringing?

I would say that my upbringing had some small degree of influence in my level of confidence today because, although at that time in my life I really did not care about church or about spiritual matters, I was exposed to scripture, and as the bible puts it “some seed was sown” in my life. The “convincing” came many years later. But, the “convincing” was NOT of family, nor was it of any man, nor culture; it was by the hand of God Himself through His Word.

What do you suppose it would take or what would have to occur to convince you that your god isn't real or for you to revise your belief that your god is real?

God convinced me that He does exist, therefore only He could convince me otherwise. You can't understand that so I see no reason elaborate on that matter.

If others believe just as strongly in their gods as you do in your god, and they're just as certain they are right as you are certain that you're right, what would you suppose would be the best way to go about determining which of you is right?

The truth is that it does not matter if “I” am the one who is right. It isn't about “me.”

Don