Believing in God seems comforting.

[QUOTE="Johnny_Rock"]

[QUOTE="pantyraid2113"]

Many people think that religion is just a form of "comfort." Just so people know that after they die they aren't dead. It seems silly that this is their reason for being atheist and what not, if it comforts you and if there is a chance that there is life after death, why not give it a chance and try to believe. Because if there really is another life don't you want to be a part of it? I still don't know what I believe, but i'm as optimistic as I can be when it comes to religion and i'd sure like to live on after I die.

pantyraid2113

Because if there is a divine being, I doubt he'd appreciate being used as a "backup plan".

I wasn't saying as a "backup plan" but give it a chance. And if you're mind is changed then follow it full on but if not, go back to your beliefs.

Is that not a backup plan?

God is not in control, unless he's evil.

dog64

God is the Supreme Personality, and the Supreme Personality is God. Why and how is this not common knowledge?

God is the Supreme Personality, and the Supreme Personality is God. Why and how is this not common knowledge?

TheMutableOne

I thought Robin Williams was the supreme personality?

[QUOTE="dog64"]

God is not in control, unless he's evil.

Acemaster27

I would say that murder, rape, and terrorism are evil acts and bring no benifit to the victim. While a dog may not like going to the vet, it's for their health.

Dude why are you always so hostile towards atheists? I see you post something like this in a lot of different topics, even when the TC isn't being argumentative. :?chessmaster1989

I've never been able to relate to that. Even back when I first decided that I didn't believe in God, I never thought about how depressing that idea was, I simply looked at it objectively to determine what reality was. And now that I'm passed that point, I don't dwell on things like the nonexistence of heaven just because I've been use to the idea for a long time now. I guess I'm just a robot.

[QUOTE="pantyraid2113"]

[QUOTE="Johnny_Rock"]

Because if there is a divine being, I doubt he'd appreciate being used as a "backup plan".

chrisrooR

I wasn't saying as a "backup plan" but give it a chance. And if you're mind is changed then follow it full on but if not, go back to your beliefs.

Is that not a backup plan?

No... If you look at it like this then I guess coming to terms with any God or religion is a "backup plan"

[QUOTE="chrisrooR"]

[QUOTE="pantyraid2113"]

I wasn't saying as a "backup plan" but give it a chance. And if you're mind is changed then follow it full on but if not, go back to your beliefs.

pantyraid2113

Is that not a backup plan?

No... If you look at it like this then I guess coming to terms with any God or religion is a "backup plan"

[QUOTE="magiciandude"]

Actually, I believe in God because I found the arguments for the existence of God convincing.

Particularly arguments from philosophers such as , Aristotle, Plotinus, Anselm, Aquinas, Augustine, Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Kant, Hegel, Locke, Hume, Godel, Plato, andPlatinga.

angelkimne

Try this list put together by Alvin Platinga of the University of Notre Dome.

Sigh, came here for advices and stories, turn out to be another religion argument, I knew where this is going.

[QUOTE="arbitor365"]

I dont see how the idea of a god is truly comforting. to me, it would be quite disconcerting if a divine being existed, considering he/she has done nothing to prevent the massive human suffering over the past few millennium. This is certainly not a loving creator and certainly not one I would trust.

But who says suffering is in itself, a bad thing. God may not prevent all forms of suffering, but He draws forth a greater good from them.

[QUOTE="Acemaster27"][QUOTE="dog64"]

God is not in control, unless he's evil.

dog64

I would say that murder, rape, and terrorism are evil acts and bring no benifit to the victim. While a dog may not like going to the vet, it's for their health.

Sigh, came here for advices and stories, turn out to be another religion argument, I knew where this is going.

stevoqwerty

[QUOTE="UT_Wrestler"]

Yes, we get it, you want to believe in God, but you're a genius so you don't.

BIG-BOSSMAN

I believed in God and Jesus and my life has changed.

I get the comforting thing about God. It is like thinking whatever happens everything will be ok kind of thing.

I see how so many people want to and do believe in him for that reason alone. But still, it seems like "ignorance is bliss"

But to some, that is like a lie. A way to stay away from the truth to be happy. As for a quote that makes perfect sense with this.

"The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one."

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]But who says suffering is in itself, a bad thing. God may not prevent all forms of suffering, but He draws forth a greater good from them.ball_bag

I get the comforting thing about God. It is like thinking whatever happens everything will be ok kind of thing.

I see how so many people want to and do believe in him for that reason alone. But still, it seems like "ignorance is bliss"

But to some, that is like a lie. A way to stay away from the truth to be happy. As for a quote that makes perfect sense with this.

"The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one."

SouL-Tak3R

Beliveing in God is not just comnforting, it is all encompassing, and it is the love he has for us and our reciprocating love that we have for him that gives us that comfort.

That is what your brain is for. I can "believe" God is a giant spagetti monster, does that make it possibly true?

[QUOTE="SouL-Tak3R"]

I get the comforting thing about God. It is like thinking whatever happens everything will be ok kind of thing.

I see how so many people want to and do believe in him for that reason alone. But still, it seems like "ignorance is bliss"

But to some, that is like a lie. A way to stay away from the truth to be happy. As for a quote that makes perfect sense with this.

"The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one."

whipassmt

[QUOTE="SouL-Tak3R"]

I get the comforting thing about God. It is like thinking whatever happens everything will be ok kind of thing.

I see how so many people want to and do believe in him for that reason alone. But still, it seems like "ignorance is bliss"

But to some, that is like a lie. A way to stay away from the truth to be happy. As for a quote that makes perfect sense with this.

"The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one."

whipassmt

If some of you guys are fine with and are able to believe things just because they make life happier, you might as well create your own religion more suited to what you'd like. Guaranteed entrance to heaven after death for yourself, family and friends would be a good start.

Actually, this creates more problems rather than solutions:

1. Which interpertation of god is correct?
2. Which religion is correct?

DroidPhysX

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="SouL-Tak3R"]

I get the comforting thing about God. It is like thinking whatever happens everything will be ok kind of thing.

I see how so many people want to and do believe in him for that reason alone. But still, it seems like "ignorance is bliss"

But to some, that is like a lie. A way to stay away from the truth to be happy. As for a quote that makes perfect sense with this.

"The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one."

angelkimne

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="SouL-Tak3R"]

I get the comforting thing about God. It is like thinking whatever happens everything will be ok kind of thing.

I see how so many people want to and do believe in him for that reason alone. But still, it seems like "ignorance is bliss"

But to some, that is like a lie. A way to stay away from the truth to be happy. As for a quote that makes perfect sense with this.

"The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one."

angelkimne

If some of you guys are fine with and are able to believe things just because they make life happier, you might as well create your own religion more suited to what you'd like. Guaranteed entrance to heaven after death for yourself, family and friends would be a good start.

The above statement leads me to believe that you think all religious people are deviod of reason. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Buddhists don't think so. Buddhists want to find the truth about the universe through logic, reason and observation (both objective/empirical and subjective/introspective)... not merely accepting something because many others have said it, or because our parents said it, or because it seems like the "right thing" to do. We have toknow it to be true, and be able to apply it to every aspect of our lives.

If your situation is anything like mine you don't have much choice in the matter.

I liked believing in God. I was happy as a Christian and I have a lot of Christian friends and whom I sometimes feel disconnected from due to my lack of faith.

I'd choose faith if I had the choice.

I still attend church because I've nothing better to do on Sunday mornings and it does't hurt to keep in touch with worldviews other than your own.

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="SouL-Tak3R"]

I get the comforting thing about God. It is like thinking whatever happens everything will be ok kind of thing.

I see how so many people want to and do believe in him for that reason alone. But still, it seems like "ignorance is bliss"

But to some, that is like a lie. A way to stay away from the truth to be happy. As for a quote that makes perfect sense with this.

"The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one."

SkyWard20

If your situation is anything like mine you don't have much choice in the matter.

I liked believing in God. I was happy as a Christian and I have a lot of Christian friends and whom I sometimes feel disconnected from due to my lack of faith.

I'd choose faith if I had the choice.

I still attend church because I've nothing better to do on Sunday mornings and it does't hurt to keep in touch with worldviews other than your own.

Meinhard1

Buddhists don't think so. Buddhists want to find the truth about the universe through logic, reason and observation (both objective/empirical and subjective/introspective)... not merely accepting something because many others have said it, or because our parents said it, or because it seems like the "right thing" to do. We have toknow it to be true, and be able to apply it to every aspect of our lives.

foxhound_fox

[QUOTE="Meinhard1"]

If your situation is anything like mine you don't have much choice in the matter.

I liked believing in God. I was happy as a Christian and I have a lot of Christian friends and whom I sometimes feel disconnected from due to my lack of faith.

I'd choose faith if I had the choice.

I still attend church because I've nothing better to do on Sunday mornings and it does't hurt to keep in touch with worldviews other than your own.

whipassmt

The things I've learned in college over the past couple of years along with my personal observations on the world seem to point strongly towards God not existing. When I try to pray or anything it feels forced.

I feel convinced that nobody's listening and that my words are just bouncing off the walls. I would say this lack of ability to pray is a strong indicator of my having a lack of faith.

EDIT: To reflect further on your points.

It started with doubts. Over the course of two or three years they compounded and compounded. I was veryresistant at firstbut I grew weary from arguing with myself.

Assuming you're a person of faith - my advice is don't give it up. Even if your God doesn't exist faith can be comforting.

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="Meinhard1"]

If your situation is anything like mine you don't have much choice in the matter.

I liked believing in God. I was happy as a Christian and I have a lot of Christian friends and whom I sometimes feel disconnected from due to my lack of faith.

I'd choose faith if I had the choice.

I still attend church because I've nothing better to do on Sunday mornings and it does't hurt to keep in touch with worldviews other than your own.

Meinhard1

Maybe but it could be a temporary thing. Also I wouldn't put too much faith in what you "learned" in college, some of the stuff I've learned there is basically just junk. Maybe you should do some research into apologetics.

[QUOTE="Meinhard1"][QUOTE="whipassmt"]are you sure you have no faith, maybe you just have doubts. Afterall, we all experience our doubts.

whipassmt

Maybe but it could be a temporary thing. Also I wouldn't put too much faith in what you "learned" in college, some of the stuff I've learned there is basically just junk. Maybe you should do some research into apologetics.

I will share a little something about God, and this only my personal experience and it has nothing to do with any organized religions.

God is love,

Love is God

And Loving God is Good

Being Good to love God is also loving others

Loving others enables us to love ourselves

Loving ourselves leads us back to loving God

And in this God smiles and says it is good.

Anyways That is my personal Thoughts, I would appreciate no flaming on this , as it is my own soul I am sharing. Thank you and I love you all.

I will share a little something about God, and this only my personal experience and it has nothing to do with any organized religions.

God is love,

Love is God

And Loving God is Good

Being Good to love God is also loving others

Loving others enables us to love ourselves

Loving ourselves leads us back to loving God

And in this God smiles and says it is good.

Anyways That is my personal Thoughts, I would appreciate no flaming on this , as it is my own soul I am sharing. Thank you and I love you all.

daleerin24

I will share a little something about God, and this only my personal experience and it has nothing to do with any organized religions.

God is love,

Love is God

And Loving God is Good

Being Good to love God is also loving others

Loving others enables us to love ourselves

Loving ourselves leads us back to loving God

And in this God smiles and says it is good.

Anyways That is my personal Thoughts, I would appreciate no flaming on this , as it is my own soul I am sharing. Thank you and I love you all.

daleerin24

Well - I believe this is a really good post mate :)