Why should one care if ''God'' exists?

[Deidre32]

I'm an atheist but also a former Christian. Instead of asking Christians to show evidence of god's existence (which there is no objective proof; the Bible isn't proof of anything) why not tell me and other atheists, why is believing relevant? Why should anyone care if a god exists?

If a god exists, why does he/it need my buy in?

Why is believing in a god ...necessary to living a good and productive life? (It's not in my opinion, but I'm interested in learning from Christians here, why they feel otherwise)

Thanks!

 

[PsychoSarah]

We should only care if it interacts with us

 

[Deidre32]

We should only care if it interacts with us

Christianity teaches that God does interact with us. Or wishes to have a ''relationship'' with us.

 

[PsychoSarah]

Christianity teaches that God does interact with us. Or wishes to have a ''relationship'' with us.

Teaches it, doesn't prove it

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I'm an atheist but also a former Christian. Instead of asking Christians to show evidence of god's existence (which there is no objective proof; the Bible isn't proof of anything) why not tell me and other atheists, why is believing relevant? Why should anyone care if a god exists?

If a god exists, why does he/it need my buy in?

Why is believing in a god ...necessary to living a good and productive life? (It's not in my opinion, but I'm interested in learning from Christians here, why they feel otherwise)

Thanks!

Hi Deidre,

If God exists, then we may have certain opportunities and responsibilities to attend to, and we may be accountable to that God for our decisions.

If the God (of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus) specifically exists, then we will definitely have opportunities and responsibilities to attend to. And He will want our "buy-in" because it's His Creation and He wishes for it to assume a 'pleasing shape.' He's the potter, we are the clay, and His will for our existence is ensconced within His predesignated design. If we cause a crack in the Potter's pot, we will be removed. Sounds to me like a reason to "buy-in."

As for me, the prime motivation for 'taking on' Christianity was the hope of eternal life in Christ, as opposed to my remaining in some kind of existential apathy that would--seemingly--lead to a simple state of non-existence at some undefined point in the future.

Peace Deidre

 

[RDKirk]

I'm an atheist but also a former Christian. Instead of asking Christians to show evidence of god's existence (which there is no objective proof; the Bible isn't proof of anything) why not tell me and other atheists, why is believing relevant? Why should anyone care if a god exists?

If a god exists, why does he/it need my buy in?

Why is believing in a god ...necessary to living a good and productive life? (It's not in my opinion, but I'm interested in learning from Christians here, why they feel otherwise)

Thanks!

He doesn't need you, you need Him. If you don't think you need Him, don't worry about it. God can do nothing for a self-satisfied man.

But if a time comes that everything seems valueless to you, that you are in a wrong place and need to find your right place, that you feel there must be something more, an answer to it all...God is that answer.

 

[Received]

I'm an atheist but also a former Christian. Instead of asking Christians to show evidence of god's existence (which there is no objective proof; the Bible isn't proof of anything) why not tell me and other atheists, why is believing relevant? Why should anyone care if a god exists?

If a god exists, why does he/it need my buy in?

Why is believing in a god ...necessary to living a good and productive life? (It's not in my opinion, but I'm interested in learning from Christians here, why they feel otherwise)

Thanks!

Because if you believe in him you'll have a happier (Eudaimonia, see Aristotle) life than if you didn't believe in him. That simple.

No, I'm not saying that all religious people are happier than all atheists, because I'd venture to say that most atheists are happier than most religious people, because atheism is often a rejection of a bad God in favor of the good, and too many religious people have shabby conceptualizations of God.

 

[lesliedellow]

If God exists, and if he is specifically the Christian God, it should be obvious why that ought to concern you.

 

[Aldebaran]

I'm an atheist but also a former Christian. Instead of asking Christians to show evidence of god's existence (which there is no objective proof; the Bible isn't proof of anything) why not tell me and other atheists, why is believing relevant? Why should anyone care if a god exists?

If a god exists, why does he/it need my buy in?

As someone else pointed out, God doesn't need us. We need Him. We can try filling up our lives with all the things of this world, but there will always be an emptiness without God. Some people notice that emptiness more than others. But anyone who tries to fulfill their longings with work, money, drugs, sex, or material possessions always feels that there's still something missing.

 

[Deidre32]

If God exists, and if he is specifically the Christian God, it should be obvious why that ought to concern you.

I've read many stories about "gods" and religions in my life. It is any guess what religion might be valid or if none of them are. Should I go through life afraid of what one story (Christianity) preaches?

Fear is a powerful motivator though and it keeps a lot of people immersed in faith. I don't think that is a good reason to follow any religion.

 

[Deidre32]

Teaches it, doesn't prove it

Correct.

Hi Deidre,

If God exists, then we may have certain opportunities and responsibilities to attend to, and we may be accountable to that God for our decisions.

If the God (of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus) specifically exists, then we will definitely have opportunities and responsibilities to attend to. And He will want our "buy-in" because it's His Creation and He wishes for it to assume a 'pleasing shape.' He's the potter, we are the clay, and His will for our existence is ensconced within His predesignated design. If we cause a crack in the Potter's pot, we will be removed. Sounds to me like a reason to "buy-in."

As for me, the prime motivation for 'taking on' Christianity was the hope of eternal life in Christ, as opposed to my remaining in some kind of existential apathy that would--seemingly--lead to a simple state of non-existence at some undefined point in the future.

Peace Deidre

You know, your reply is very genuine and I remember feeling this way as a Christian. You have hope. And that hope is why you worship the God described in the Bible. I can't argue with that. Lol

Thank you for being honest about why you believe.

 

[Aldebaran]

I've read many stories about "gods" and religions in my life. It is any guess what religion might be valid or if none of them are. Should I go through life afraid of what one story (Christianity) preaches?

Fear is a powerful motivator though and it keeps a lot of people immersed in faith. I don't think that is a good reason to follow any religion.

Christianity is unique among the many "religions" in that it doesn't give us a set of rules to follow in order to practice it. In other words, it doesn't depend on us. It depends on our faith in someone who has already done it all for us.

 

[znr]

I'd rather bang my head against a wall.

 

[Deidre32]

Christianity is unique among the many "religions" in that it doesn't give us a set of rules to follow in order to practice it. In other words, it doesn't depend on us. It depends on our faith in someone who has already done it all for us.

Why the doctrine about hell, then?

Christianity is riddled with rules. :/

 

[rockytopva]

I can answer the OP in two words...

Eternal Significance

 

[Aldebaran]

I'd rather bang my head against a wall.

You are free to engage in that particular endeavor. We are gifted with free will after all. As a matter of choice, however, I'd strongly advise against it.

 

[Aldebaran]

Why the doctrine about hell, then?

Christianity is riddled with rules. :/

The doctrine about hell? I'm not sure what context you mean. But I think there is some confusion about what hell is, even among Christians. Hell is sort of a generic term, but more accurately in scripture, it is referred to as Hades, or Sheol. But even these are temporary because even this is thrown into the lake of fire at the end, which is part of the fiery part comes from. Here's a site that talks extensively about it. It might be worth a look: http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/hades.html

Are there any particular rules you're particularly concerned about?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I've read many stories about "gods" and religions in my life. It is any guess what religion might be valid or if none of them are. Should I go through life afraid of what one story (Christianity) preaches?

Fear is a powerful motivator though and it keeps a lot of people immersed in faith. I don't think that is a good reason to follow any religion.

It is immature Christians that have fear. Old vets like myself lost any fear of eternal death long ago. The spirit of God casts out fear and replaces it with love.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Why the doctrine about hell, then?

Eternal torment in a fiery 'hell' for humans is a Satan-inspired false doctrine.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

You know, your reply is very genuine and I remember feeling this way as a Christian. You have hope. And that hope is why you worship the God described in the Bible. I can't argue with that. Lol

Thank you for being honest about why you believe.

Well, thank you, Deidre, for your courtesy. I know that you have a 'supportive' disposition, and many of us appreciate that (whether on this forum or on others, I'm sure.)

However, I would like to add just one additional comment, if I may. I'd like to say that neither 'hope,' in the colloquial sense, nor abject fear are what energize my attention and attachment to the 'God' concept. More precisely, it is that, like you, I've done a lot of reading over the years. Our difference in viewpoint about God might be contributed partly to the ways in which I've become more or less aware of various epistemological limits that plague the human condition, despite our vaunted Western claims for reason and science; my epistemological praxis allows for some spiritual breathing room.

I appreciate that you said I'm being 'genuine.' Yes, I am attempting very much to be that. But I also would like to be 'clear' that it isn't mere hope that is driving my religious intuition, rather it is philosophical freedom.

Peace Deidre