What is it like to believe in god?

[hasone]

I haven't believed in god since I was about 8 years old. I remember before then god was a fact like all the other facts I knew, not a super important one, just something I took for granted. Adam and eve and Jesus and stuff I was taught and I believed it. After about 8 I stopped going to a lutheran school and stopped being taught about Jesus and God and stopped thinking about it for about a decade.

This may come off as insulting, but god feels to me like the tooth fairy, santa claus, and all the other things I used to believe in when I was a kid.Now, that childlike acceptance of god, santa claus, ghosts, and the tooth fairy is gone and I simply cannot imagine what would replace it. I've experienced many things I could not have imagined as a child, yet I have not experienced faith.

So it's from ignorance I ask:

What's it like to believe in god?

 

[Deaver]

What's it like to believe in god?

If you stopped at 8, it is time to start again.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

Robert P. Lightner, in his book The God of the Bible, An Introduction to the Doctrine of God, wrote:

“God is Spirit. He is a living and active divine person who is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, truth, and love. He can enjoy fellowship with persons He created in His own image and redeemed by His grace, and He always acts in harmony with His perfect nature”.

There is nothing in life more important than knowing God. What we believe about God as well as the character and quality of our relationship with Him determines every-thing. You can study the Bible and you will find a lot of information to help you know God. However, there is a very big difference between knowing about God and knowing God.

In Scripture, there is one pursuit lifted up, above all others for the man or woman of God, as that worthy of our whole attention: Knowing God.

Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV)​

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3 KJV)
​

The result of learning and acting upon the distinction between knowing about God and knowing God himself will be life-changing for you.

Once you know God and all the wonderful attributes of Him, the answer to the question “What’s it like to believe in God?” is, it is wonderful.

 

[Satt]

Aren't "childlike acceptance" and faith the same thing?

 

[hasone]

Aren't "childlike acceptance" and faith the same thing?

Are they? In that case I would know what faith feels like.

I was thinking it was something different.

 

[Deaver]

Aren't "childlike acceptance" and faith the same thing?

I removed the harsh response, and taking time to respond appropriately.

 

[Deaver]

Aren't "childlike acceptance" and faith the same thing?

In the sense that we are hoping for something we cannot see, yes, and the focus of our Faith should be on God. It needs to be enduring. It is a long race.

In his epistle, James makes the statement “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). Faith without works is dead faith because the lack of works reveals an unchanged life or a spiritually dead heart. I think this is where faith varies from a child-like acceptance.


When I first saw your comment, I took it negatively, and I apologize for that.

I agree, we should have the “open to truth” child like faith.

 

[American Routes]

This may come off as insulting, but god feels to me like the tooth fairy, santa claus, and all the other things I used to believe in when I was a kid.

Given the number of atheists who come here who have a false view of God, it doesn't surprise me that you would feel that way. Nearly every atheist who comes here comes here with an understanding that has nothing to do with the Biblical description of God, so why would they and you believe in Him?

What's it like to believe in god?

About the same as believing in gravity.

 

[Cuddles333]

What is it like to believe in god?


To me, it is meeting a very special challange such as proving that agape love could not have come from the Evolutionary process, but in fact, runs counter to it.

 

[drich0150]

What's it like to believe in god?

To not want, spiritual contentment to feel complete.

 

[tripletiger1200]

A whole lot better than when I didn't believe in Him.

 

[Annoula]

believing in God is not like believing in santa clause or the fairies.

sensing the presence of God around you is the ultimate invigorating situation a human being can experience.

but faith in God is not just a logical statement or some loving behavior towards our neighbors. it starts from that but evolves to something bigger that consists of a new stance of life.

i am sorry my english is not enough to adequately describe what i think "God" is. actually i can't do it in may native language either.

 

[salida]

Its a wonderful feeling because He is in control of everything.

Maybe reconsider, give God a chance?
Are you a good person? www.livingwaters.com/good/

Can you keep the 10 commandments 100% of the time all the time? So, have you ever lied or steal something or break any of these commandments once in your life? If the answer is yes-than you are guilty.
Only Jesus kept these.

Also, there is overwhelming circumstantial evidence of the bible.

Its a spiritual decision and the intellectual part falls in place.
Read The Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell a former agnostic- (its overwhelming circumstantial evidence of bible) and Examine the Evidence by Muncaster a former athiest/The Case for Christ and The Real Jesus by Lee Strobel a former athiest.

Internal Evidence (prophesies confirmed within bible)
Life of Christ
The Tribe of Judah, Gen 49:10 - Luke 3:23-28
(Genesis was written 4004 BC to 1689 BC)
(Lukes time period 60-70 AD)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Royal Line of David, Jer 23:5 - Matt 1:1
(Jeremiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60 - 70 AD)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Born of a Virgin, Isaiah 7:14 - Matt 1:18-23
(Isaiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60 - 70 AD)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Rise of Empires
In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2 - four kingdoms are described in the interpretation of a dream of
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greek - Daniel 8:21, 10:20/and the fourth
great kingdom to follow- part iron and clay-which is the Roman Empire. During this empire Christ came and his church was established.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historical Accuracy
The bible is loaded with historical statements concerning events hundreds of years ago and has not
been proven incorrect in any.
(Bible compared to other ancient documents):
New Testament starts - at 25 years between original and first surviving copies
Homer - starts at 500 years
Demosthenes - at 1400 years
Plato - at 1200 years
Caesar - at 1000 years
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Manuscript Copies-New Testament - 5,686/Homer - 643/Demosthenes - 200/
Plato - 7/Caesar -10
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consistency/Written by God
Written by at least 40 men over a period of time exceeding 1400 years and has no internal inconsistencies.
It claims to be spoken by God, 2 Timothy 3:16-17. No other religious book makes such claim.
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External Evidences (prophesies outside bible)
These cities were prophesied to be destroyed and never built again.
Nineveh - Nahum 1:10, 3:7,15, Zephaniah 2:13-14
Babylon - Isaiah 13:1-22
Tyre - Ezekiel 26:1-28
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bible before Science- He hangs the earth on nothing-Job 26:7/Earth is a sphere-Isaiah 40:22
Air has weight-Job 28:25/Gravity-Job 26:7, Job 38:31-33/Winds blow in cyclones, Eccl 1:6
(Job was written at least 1000 BC; some scholars think 3000 BC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Documents that Prove Bible is True
Gilgamesh Epic, The Sumerian King List, Mari Tablets, Babylonian Chronicles
Archeological Finds
Excavations of Ur, Location of Zoar, Ziggurats and the foundation of Tower of Babel

 

[solarwave]

This may come off as insulting, but god feels to me like the tooth fairy, santa claus, and all the other things I used to believe in when I was a kid.Now, that childlike acceptance of god, santa claus, ghosts, and the tooth fairy is gone and I simply cannot imagine what would replace it. I've experienced many things I could not have imagined as a child, yet I have not experienced faith.

So it's from ignorance I ask:

What's it like to believe in god?

I doubt there is one answer to this question. It probably depends on the maturity and style of faith, reason and emotions that someone has. By this I mean that there is a big difference between an 8 year old's belief and that of the 'great' people of faith. People also think differently and experience emotion differently.

So for some people belief in God could be not that different from a child's, for some it could be more advanced and for others it could be more advanced than that.

This likely applies to other things too, for example the scientific method or evolution. Many people accept these things, but for some it is only because this is what culture teaches them. For others they choose to accept these things because they understand them and are affected by the philosophical consequences of having those beliefs.

So perhaps belief in God seems like Santa to you because your belief in God never developed beyond that when you had faith and so affects your current understanding of God. I'm not sure how to tell you what it is like to believe in God just as it would be hard to say what it is like to believe that the earth isn't the centre of the Universe. It just feels normal.

 

[Biker Angel]

I haven't believed in god since I was about 8 years old. I remember before then god was a fact like all the other facts I knew, not a super important one, just something I took for granted. Adam and eve and Jesus and stuff I was taught and I believed it. After about 8 I stopped going to a lutheran school and stopped being taught about Jesus and God and stopped thinking about it for about a decade.

This may come off as insulting, but god feels to me like the tooth fairy, santa claus, and all the other things I used to believe in when I was a kid.Now, that childlike acceptance of god, santa claus, ghosts, and the tooth fairy is gone and I simply cannot imagine what would replace it. I've experienced many things I could not have imagined as a child, yet I have not experienced faith.

So it's from ignorance I ask:

What's it like to believe in god?

I was taught about God and Christianity from the time I was an infant I never remember not believing in God. In fact I wonder how people could not believe in God especially if they were brought up believing that way like me. Believing in God is like going back to Default Mode for me b/c He's always there. It's learning to trust in Him, yet know that if you jump from a 30 story building, don't depend on God to reach out with His giant hand and save you. Believing in God yet retaining common sense is a good idea. lol:

If you believed once then you should be able to know something about belief in God and maybe believe again. I will pray that God helps you.

 

[Satt]

I removed the harsh response, and taking time to respond appropriately.

I didn't get to see your "harsh" response, but I wouldn't have minded. I was thinking of these verses when I posted that just so you have a reference of where I was coming from. I meant nothing bad by it. Thanks for being polite though.

Mark 10:15
King James Version (KJV)
15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Luke 18:17
King James Version (KJV)
17Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

 

[Deaver]

Thanks for being polite though.

You're welcome...

 

[GrayAngel]

Believing in God, for me, is being able to have hope for the future, even when it seems like things will never get better. God is the author of my story, and I can trust Him to make things right.

God is my loving father, and my only dependable friend. When others betray me, He's still with me.

Believing in God means that all of my self-worth is in Him. That is, I love myself because He loves me. If I'm going to like myself more, I have to serve Him better.

 

[Ishraqiyun]

Loving knowing, and experiencing God have better effects than simply believing in Him. The demons believe in God.

 

[Emmy]

Dear hasone. To believe in God gives life purpose. Growing older and starting to think and understand is a good feeling. Then comes a time when one asks themselves: " What is life all about? why are we here? day after day the same thing. And life goes on. Then one day we realise that we are getting older and all for what Purpose?? ( I grew up in a country where religion was frowned upon) I was lucky and ended up in a Country where people believed in God and showed it quite openly. I was invited to go to Church and there I met Jesus, whom I knew from my childhood-days: Without knowing who Jesus really was, I also recognised God, who made us and all the world. It took some time for me to understand it all, and when I was given a Bible, and read it, I relised that I found what I was searching for many years. From then on I joined the Salvation-Army and was ready to accept life for what it really is. I learned that God made us in His image, that God is Love and Loved us all. Jesus told us about our Heavenly Father, and that He died for us, and now we are free to return to God where we came from. Love is what God wants from us, Love for God and Love for our neighbour. Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will give us His Love, too. Jesus told us to ask God in prayer, and we will get much love to share with our neighbour. God will see our efforts, and God will know thay we love Him, because we follow His Commandments to love, selflessly, with hearts and hands. My life is now as Jesus promised us: Life abundantly, I know now where I came from, and I know where I will go. Jesus is the Way and I follow gladly. Love is my weapon and I will use it most freely. I say this with love, hasone. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[elman]

I haven't believed in god since I was about 8 years old. I remember before then god was a fact like all the other facts I knew, not a super important one, just something I took for granted. Adam and eve and Jesus and stuff I was taught and I believed it. After about 8 I stopped going to a lutheran school and stopped being taught about Jesus and God and stopped thinking about it for about a decade.

This may come off as insulting, but god feels to me like the tooth fairy, santa claus, and all the other things I used to believe in when I was a kid.Now, that childlike acceptance of god, santa claus, ghosts, and the tooth fairy is gone and I simply cannot imagine what would replace it. I've experienced many things I could not have imagined as a child, yet I have not experienced faith.

So it's from ignorance I ask:

What's it like to believe in god?

What is it like to think we exist for a reason? Do you think we do not exist for a reason and our destiny as individuals and as a race of intelligent beings is oblivion? I think our loving actions have value that transcends our very existence. That, to me is what believing in a loving Creator is like.