Why should I beleive in God?

[Spyr]

I'm posting this now because I've come to the end of my wit and I know no other place to look. I've been searching vigorously for a way back to Christianity because I miss the certainty I had when I loved God and now that I've fallen in love and will be getting married I don't want my fiancee to die and go to Hell nor would I want to bring children into this world if I don't even know what the rules are.

My request is simple: I would like someone to give me some concrete answer as to why I should beleive in God and why should I beleive he or she is truly good and holy. I am a man of science so if you try to convince me through feelings and emotions I'm afraid you'll be wasting your time. Give me evidence, unquestionable rational deductions or anything that would surely erase all doubt in my mind.

I'm pleading you to help me as a husband-to-be, a father hopefully and as a man in search of God.

 

[Disiance]

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork."

All things around us display His glory. If you open a sand dollar the right way, you'll see three crosses. Nearing Easter time one type of pine's new sprouts form crosses.

Of course these things do not prove Christianity at all. So take the Chinese. Up until (relatively) recently they were a monotheistic culture. They worshipped one God, Shangte (I believe that is how it's spelt). The temple to Shangte still stands in China, he is called the "unknown God". Shangte litterally means "Emperor of the Heavens", and coincidentally sounds a lot like Shaddai, which is one of the Hebrew names for God. Also, once a year the emperor of China would perform a sacrifice to Shangte that was extremely close to the procedure that the Jews followed.

Take also the Chinese language. They have a hierogliphic (sp?) language instead of an alphabet. Their word for boat, for example, is a boat with eight people. Why eight? Take a look a Noah's flood. How many people in the ark? Eight. Their word for desire is a tree, specifically a fruit tree, with a woman. There are hundreds of such words that go hand-in-hand with the Genisis story. Also some point to the comming of Christ. There is an excellent book on this subject, if you are interested I'll get you the name of it.


This is a long way to say that everything does shout out God's glory, and just a few examples of such. I'm told you can trace the story of Creation to the comming of Christ in the astrological signs.

 

[Spyr]

I appreciate your reply but I'm afraid a few examples of coincidences won't be enough for me to change my life. I beleive much in the bible has come to pass or will come to pass, I beleive much in the benefit of it's teachings, I respect all who truly beleive in it. In my researches I've found much to support the bible but that doesn't prove god. The bible tells the story of Noah's Ark and the Flood but so do many other beleifs systems and historical accounts.

Without going into too much detail I have to respectfully ask that you please offer up some other type of proof other than the subtleties of nature or the finess of creation. I beleive that something created us, what I'm trying to figure out is why I should beleive the christian god did.

 

[Disiance]

Ok, I misinterpreted your question then.

The best I can give is the integrity of the Bible. It is internally and historically acurate. The biggest part of choosing the Christian God is believing that there was a man named Jesus, who was God's son, and who did all that the Bible tells us he did. At this point it gets into your emotions, which you don't want to touch on here. Deciding which God is the real one involves emotions, I can't see how it does not. One cannot really offer proof of which God is real, but one can verify the Bible's acuracy, which would tell that the Christian God is the true God.

 

[GodFlute2]

My request is simple: I would like someone to give me some concrete answer as to why I should beleive in God and why should I beleive he or she is truly good and holy. I am a man of science so if you try to convince me through feelings and emotions I'm afraid you'll be wasting your time. Give me evidence, unquestionable rational deductions or anything that would surely erase all doubt in my mind.

There is no concrete evidence. God cannot be 100% proven or disproven to exists. The only way to know that God exists is to have faith and look at what's around. Science is all asking questions and trying to find answers, but answers cannot always be found. In science, somethings happen "just cuz" that's the way they work, there is no 100% proof. Faith in God is the same way, it's "just cuz."

I know you said I'm waisting my time, but it's not waisting time to me. I enjoy explaining my beliefs. I'm praying for you.

 

[Crashfreak]

My request is simple: I would like someone to give me some concrete answer as to why I should beleive in God and why should I beleive he or she is truly good and holy. I am a man of science so if you try to convince me through feelings and emotions I'm afraid you'll be wasting your time. Give me evidence, unquestionable rational deductions or anything that would surely erase all doubt in my mind.

I'm pleading you to help me as a husband-to-be, a father hopefully and as a man in search of God.

I am a man of science as well, generally I am extremely logical. Things are before me and explained to me scientifically and I investigate the validity of it. However a lot of things in science I simply believe, no real reason on my part as to why except that some scientist said so. My faith however is stronger than my belief in a lot of science, because it explains that which cannot be understood by science.

In science there is so many questions about the universe and where we came from. Evolution tries to explain one part, and the Big Bang Theory explains another. However some scientists have said that the big bang theory is like a dictionary exploding and producing a work of Shakespeare. The human mind is still so complex that we really have no true idea of how it works. I mean we do understand a bit, but not nearly enough to say we understand it at all. The human body and any animal physiology is an amazing thing, something that you can only stand in awe off. Science will explain to a certain extent how the world works (laws of physics etc.), a Faith in God will explain why it works.

Now if you are asking me to show up at your front door with God and for him to prove himself to you, well you probably still wouldn't believe. We try find a concrete answer for God, which in and of itself is stupid. God by the very nature of what a god is, is infinitely complex. God cannot be wrapped in science like a fruit fly, you can only believe that he exists and have faith in him.

Christianity in general is a matter of faith not science, but we can relate it very much like the wind, you cannot see it but you can see the results of it's movement.

 

[Lexi/is/a/JesusFreak]

easy. look around. God shows his work all around us. there is no way this could be an accident. a few miles closer to the sun and we would burn. a few miles further from the sun and we would freeze. is it an accident that we have just the right atmosphere for us to survive? Gods glory is all around us. all u have to do is look.

 

[JJM]

I can give you St. Thomas's explanation http://www.newadvent.org/summa/100203.htm


SO if there is a God and we assume that he interacts with us then we must look into the religions of the world. And Christianity (especially Catholicism) is the only religion that I've found that isn't hypocritical in some way.

 

[sinner/SAVED]

I'm posting this now because I've come to the end of my wit and I know no other place to look. I've been searching vigorously for a way back to Christianity because I miss the certainty I had when I loved God and now that I've fallen in love and will be getting married I don't want my fiancee to die and go to Hell nor would I want to bring children into this world if I don't even know what the rules are.

My request is simple: I would like someone to give me some concrete answer as to why I should beleive in God and why should I beleive he or she is truly good and holy. I am a man of science so if you try to convince me through feelings and emotions I'm afraid you'll be wasting your time. Give me evidence, unquestionable rational deductions or anything that would surely erase all doubt in my mind.

I'm pleading you to help me as a husband-to-be, a father hopefully and as a man in search of God.

I think you answered yourself. You said that you miss the certainty that you had when you loved God. That certainty only comes from the Holy Spirit. If you had it before, then you know already. If you yearn for that certainty that you once had, that is evidence of the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart. I think you already know the answer.

 

[Crashfreak]

easy. look around. God shows his work all around us. there is no way this could be an accident. a few miles closer to the sun and we would burn. a few miles further from the sun and we would freeze. is it an accident that we have just the right atmosphere for us to survive? Gods glory is all around us. all u have to do is look.

Actually that is quite a common fallacy. If we moved out of our orbit, it would have an effect on earth, but we wouldn't burn or freeze. During earths orbit it actually at some points get much closer to the sun, because the orbit is elliptical not circular. Our atmosphere pretty much protects us from a lot of things. Given it would be hotter if we were closer and colder the further you go, but otherwise there is a lot more to it than just our orbital position.

 

[newbride02]

I agree with sinner/saved, if you do feel a tugging at your spirit, that IS God speaking to you. I understand your a man of science, but God is not. God is a God of love and faith. This 'prooving it' business is were faith comes in. You don't have to KNOW scientifically that God exists, you have to believe.

You really only have 2 options, to believe, or not. So, lets say you believe in God and devote your life to him. When you die, and there is no God, what are you going to say? "darn, if I knew that, I would of became an alcoholic" or "man, just the thought of all those doobies I could of smoked, or fowl words I could of said"

Or you could live your life w/o God, drinking, smoking, ect...then you die and you stand before the Almighty...what are you going to be thinking then??

 

[Spyr]

There is no concrete evidence. God cannot be 100% proven or disproven to exists. The only way to know that God exists is to have faith and look at what's around. Science is all asking questions and trying to find answers, but answers cannot always be found. In science, somethings happen "just cuz" that's the way they work, there is no 100% proof. Faith in God is the same way, it's "just cuz."

I know you said I'm waisting my time, but it's not waisting time to me. I enjoy explaining my beliefs. I'm praying for you.

The issue I have with that answer is that if I look around I'm a human being and as a consequence to that have biases and inclinations. What you see as beautiful and complex representing god I might see in a different perspective. I find it inconclusive and not enough for the task that is required of me which is giving myself completely to god.

 

[Spyr]

I am a man of science as well, generally I am extremely logical. Things are before me and explained to me scientifically and I investigate the validity of it. However a lot of things in science I simply believe, no real reason on my part as to why except that some scientist said so. My faith however is stronger than my belief in a lot of science, because it explains that which cannot be understood by science.

In science there is so many questions about the universe and where we came from. Evolution tries to explain one part, and the Big Bang Theory explains another. However some scientists have said that the big bang theory is like a dictionary exploding and producing a work of Shakespeare. The human mind is still so complex that we really have no true idea of how it works. I mean we do understand a bit, but not nearly enough to say we understand it at all. The human body and any animal physiology is an amazing thing, something that you can only stand in awe off. Science will explain to a certain extent how the world works (laws of physics etc.), a Faith in God will explain why it works.

Now if you are asking me to show up at your front door with God and for him to prove himself to you, well you probably still wouldn't believe. We try find a concrete answer for God, which in and of itself is stupid. God by the very nature of what a god is, is infinitely complex. God cannot be wrapped in science like a fruit fly, you can only believe that he exists and have faith in him.

Christianity in general is a matter of faith not science, but we can relate it very much like the wind, you cannot see it but you can see the results of it's movement.

What I consider one of the greatest tragedies when it comes to religion is when a beleiver takes the fact that there is no known answer in order to promote their own. Simply because we haven't attained a level of understanding where we understand the human brain or can recreate a plant or know the origins of the universe doesn't mean that god is the only answer. It could be (and I find this answer the more likely) that with time and study and perserverance we will arrive at the answers. It just takes time. The Earth is flat. The Earth is the center of the universe. The Earth is an tiny dot of dust in a magnificently huge universe. Knowledge comes with time.

 

[Spyr]

easy. look around. God shows his work all around us. there is no way this could be an accident. a few miles closer to the sun and we would burn. a few miles further from the sun and we would freeze. is it an accident that we have just the right atmosphere for us to survive? Gods glory is all around us. all u have to do is look.

I completely agree with the fact that the level of fine tunning of the universe is an overwhelming indication that it is no accident but that fact alone does not lead directly to the conclusion that the christian god fine tuned it.

 

[Peiper]

I don't want my fiancee to die and go to Hell

"Hell" is a Christian concept. If you are not Christian, as you say, why are you worried about this? Also, what exactly are you? Are you an atheist? If so, what type, there are several? Do you subscribe to another religion?

nor would I want to bring children into this world if I don't even know what the rules are.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/

Sorry I had to be cheeky on that one. Seriously, assuming you are meaning metaphysical rules, why not pick a ruleset (religion), that you, personally, are most comfortable with?

why I should beleive in God and why should I beleive he or she is truly good and holy. I am a man of science so if you try to convince me through feelings and emotions I'm afraid you'll be wasting your time. Give me evidence, unquestionable rational deductions or anything that would surely erase all doubt in my mind.

There is no empirical evidence for "God." Seriously, if you are a "man of science" you should be aware of the problems inherent in existential questions. Also, that the default position of ALL existential questions is the negative. This is a loaded question at best.

I'm pleading you to help me as a husband-to-be, a father hopefully and as a man in search of God.

Again, the question of the existence of "God" is not an empirical question. It cannot even be scientifically stated. Hence, the importance of "Faith" in the Christian mythos. And no person can grant you "Faith."

 

[Spyr]

I can give you St. Thomas's explanation http://www.newadvent.org/summa/100203.htm


SO if there is a God and we assume that he interacts with us then we must look into the religions of the world. And Christianity (especially Catholicism) is the only religion that I've found that isn't hypocritical in some way.

I thank you so much for showing me that text, however there are a few flaws in the reasonning (especially the last two points). I do find though that the first three hold very well. But what does it really prove? It clearly states that there is a creator, a first mover but it does little to show me the quality of that creator. If we're agreed that there is a powerful force that started everything what proves that this force is anything like the christian god?

 

[Spyr]

I think you answered yourself. You said that you miss the certainty that you had when you loved God. That certainty only comes from the Holy Spirit. If you had it before, then you know already. If you yearn for that certainty that you once had, that is evidence of the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart. I think you already know the answer.

I lost the certainty of god because I came to realize that the idea of god was more or less absurd to me. By your words the fact that I was certain that Santa Clause existed (and I most certainly was absolutely sure) by holding on to my christmas spirit proves that Santa exists. To me that's the same thing as saying that because I felt that what I beleived was true then it must have been. Dangerous precedent to set.

 

[Crashfreak]

I thank you so much for showing me that text, however there are a few flaws in the reasonning (especially the last two points). I do find though that the first three hold very well. But what does it really prove? It clearly states that there is a creator, a first mover but it does little to show me the quality of that creator. If we're agreed that there is a powerful force that started everything what proves that this force is anything like the christian god?

By your own omission you seem to believe that there is a higher power or god whatever you wish to call it. And it seems that your problem stems more as to why you should believe that it is the Christian God.

The thing is what have you really got to lose in believing that the God is the Christian God. A Christian life is a joyous life if you follow the guidelines that aren't there to restrict you but more help you. Like a road sign that tells you that if you keep driving you will drive right off a cliff. Your choice is to either drive off or stop. You choose to believe or not. No one can prove it to you, but when God speaks to you, you will no for sure. And then somebody will come along and ask you the same question you are asking now and you will not be able to explain it, but you can't stop believing because it is too real to you. You are not going to find the answers you are looking for, because you ask the wrong questions.

 

[Billnew]

Aw, the simple minded can easily beleive and be saved.
Where as the inteligent person can be blinded by "facts", and willingly walk into hell.
I was a man of science.
There is not one thing on Earth that can concretely prove the Christian God.
But all things call out of God.
Beauty, power, love. Can be seen if you look for them.

I did not go to church for Jesus to save me. I went to church to help my daughters
to grow up well. I looked at the people in my area. Teen pregnancy, drugs and alchoholism were comon. I looked at the kids that didn't have these problems,
they were church going. I went to church for my children to be saved.
And I ended up finding what I never knew I lost.

If you look around, God will show himself. Ask God to show himself in his way to you.
On a personal level. God knows you, your conflicts, he is waiting for you to turn around and see he has never left your side.
Free will lets you run full speed towards a cliff. But even at the last minute if you reach for him, he will catch you.

Yes Virginia,
There is a Jesus. His spirit is all around us.

 

[Spyr]

I agree with sinner/saved, if you do feel a tugging at your spirit, that IS God speaking to you. I understand your a man of science, but God is not. God is a God of love and faith. This 'prooving it' business is were faith comes in. You don't have to KNOW scientifically that God exists, you have to believe.

You really only have 2 options, to believe, or not. So, lets say you believe in God and devote your life to him. When you die, and there is no God, what are you going to say? "darn, if I knew that, I would of became an alcoholic" or "man, just the thought of all those doobies I could of smoked, or fowl words I could of said"

Or you could live your life w/o God, drinking, smoking, ect...then you die and you stand before the Almighty...what are you going to be thinking then??

When I left the faith I asked my twin brother one day why he continued to beleive and go to church. He told me that he'd rather be safe than sorry, that he feared Hell and even if there was a chance of it existing he didn't want to go there. I found this absolutely ridiculous and an utter shame. If that's the criteria to use then what's to stop anyone from beleiving any other religion? In fact the only thing that would sway a "beleiver" from christianity would be if someone else presented a more violent afterlife than Hell!

I'm no expert on the bible but I beleive it's in James that says some will be saved by fear however for me that most definitely won't float. I will not follow a faith simply because I'm scared of the alternative and in fact I have long ago accepted the fact that if I do go to Hell it's because I lived by the values and morals I beleive are right which is what I would expect from anyone.

Moreover, I've heard many a person tell exactly what you said about smoking and drinking. It's not about the vices in life, it's about the freedom to participate in them or not and to certain degrees that I'm fighting for. I don't mean I'll go to Hell because I want to smoke, I mean I'll go there because I want the freedom to smoke as I wish. I will not vonluntarily put restrictions around myself with no valid reason and in my humble opinion Just In Case doesn't cut it.

(Please understand any animosity that might be felt in my replies have nothing to do with the speaker [unless specifically stated ] but with the situation]