I know its a heavy subject, but I don't see how SO many people can believe in a (or multiple) god(s), but that there is no proof in any way that their faith is justified.

Over on SN it's a major discussion, but I wanted to know what people here thought about it. Let's not try to convert one another, but instead get down to the fact.

Does anyone have any ideas about this?

No one can prove a god doesn't exist. However, I find organized religions to be far to focused on themselves while they are in a universe that is so vast.

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We aren't discussing anything.

Well, for one thing, Hindus believe in 'multiple' Gods, but they see them as all incarnations of the smae higher being. So really, one GOD but multiple Gods. If that makes sense?

I really have no idea how to answer that.

On one hand I WANT to say NO! Imagine, the addition of God to the equation. EVERYTHING can be answered by God. Why do we have gravity? God. Why does the earth have weather? God. Why are girls more sexually repressed than men? God.

It makes for life to be very difficult. The moment we start saying something happened because of God, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING may be because of God.

On the other hand...it is a very humbling/comforting thought to think of the existence of a higher being. Then again, it may be even more humbling to think that all of this happened by 'nature.'

And I guess, really, a lot comes in how do you define God? A lot of people see 'God' as the natural order, as how things progress. Others see God as a powerful sentient being that created all.

Again, fence sitting on this one :-)

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Manu Narayan

I believe more in a universal force or "the all" as some religions put it. I certainly don't believe a god like Christianity proposes exists.

why is this topic in this forum...?


ok..who fell asleep? http://discussanything.com/Ubb/smile.gif

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Rest In Peace victims of Terrorism, you will be remembered.

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[This message has been edited by Scott (edited 09-21-2001).]

Originally posted by u8nxprt:
No one can prove a god doesn't exist.

No one can prove he exists either.

Now, Buddha - he existed. http://discussanything.com/Ubb/biggrin.gif

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"Ultimately all hominids came from Africa, and therefore everyone in America should simply check the box next to 'African-American.' My maternal grandmother was German and my maternal grandfather was Greek. The next time I fill out one of those forms I am going to check 'Other' and write in the truth about my racial and cultural heritage: 'African-Greek-German-American.' And proud of it."

-- Michael Shermer

Originally posted by buggy:
No one can prove he exists either.

Now, Buddha - he existed. http://discussanything.com/Ubb/biggrin.gif



Good point.



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We aren't discussing anything.

First of all, I want to state that I am a Christian, and that I have been exposed to little of other beliefs...

For example, What form of religion is Buddha?

Ok, so you get my point, I have been somewhat sheltered in the deep south.
I would like to give my thoughts on "Does God Exist"

In my heart, yes he does, he exists.
Can I go into scientific prove? "No"
Can I quote verses to help show what I believe? "Very Little"
So, I am simply going by what I believe in my heart, and that is God is alive in heaven.

He is my creator, he lives in my heart Without him my life is incomplete. He helps me through the challenges of day to day life. I have a comfort in knowing he exists.

If you want proof, you can look at new Christians, are born again ones. The glow that they have in there life, the way things start turning in there favor.

I prefer not to get into a heated debate where ppl pick every thing I say, cause like I said, I dont have the prove in material..I have it in my heart.

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"The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for"
-Joseph Addison

[This message has been edited by Princess (edited 09-22-2001).]

just another thought that came up a few days ago. People, centuries ago, also believed in gargoyles and witches and magic and ghosts etc etc etc. How come those are all in the fables-category, while god is still so heavily believed in?

I guess I'm just not fit for religion....

I don't want to insult anyone at all here in this forum. But this is such a heated topic, it'll be hard not to step on toes. But I believe that the entire construct of religion has only survived in its form because it is almost the ultimate form of social control ever placed on society. I mean, they tell you that you should not seek evidence of any higher being, but should believe based on faith. They tell you that to question is ultimate damnation. Everything about religion is structured to disprove doubters without any solid evidence. But then why do so many people believe in religion? Because, it is, without a doubt, the most comforting thought a human can have. That there is always some higher power watching over us, and that if we lead a good life, we will be rewarded in the end. When my grandmother died, it was very, very hard for me to accept the fact that she was just gone. I mean, really, truly gone, as in no longer anywhere. I wanted to believe so badly that she was in heaven, and I know that if there is a heaven, she is definitely there. But I don't think there is such a thing as heaven or hell. But on this same topic, even if we don't believe in a god, oftentimes there is a replacement for that thought. I know some people who hold reason and logic up to the same status as a god, and think that that is what will protect them. Either way, humans as a whole need something like that to believe.

Heres my view:

The only thing I would label as "god" is the universe. It is everywhere, it is everything, it creates and destroys all.

I think its a pretty good explaination to everything. If I was motivated, it could make a good foundation for a cult or something.