Is This Why Many Say They Believe ?

[modeller]

I was talking to a Theist friend of mine who said that he was a Theist not because he believed , in general terms he didn't , but rather it was better than the alternative. He said he Needed to believe in something outside himself and the known universe. He said without religion, life was a void.

[beso]

//It's been pointed out numerous times, and by better people than me, that all religions cannot be right simultaneously because they often contradict each other. //

Never mind inconsistencies between them. Some can't even manage to be consistent within their own dogma.

[keyplus90]

It is about believing in God and God alone and not mistaking as God what He created. And more importantly it is about believing the way God wants to be believed in.

[modeller]

keyplus // -----------------believing the way God wants to be believed in. //

The problem with that , is that it can't be PROVEN that God even exists , let alone what he wants. Had it been possible it would have been done thousands of years ago and could be done anytime we choose.

When you think about it , if God exists , logically he would want us to know and would make it the easiest thing to prove .

Alternatively , he doesn't exist or doesn't want us to know he exists.

[Old_Geezer]

Why would "he" want us to know ? Who is to say that would not spoil some ultimate aim ?

[joggerjayne]

Logically, He would want us to know.

Mankind would be more likely to follow His teachings if He appeared and told us all to be good, or else.

All this "toying with us" ... "Haa haaaa, I'm testing your faith, you see!" is very childish.

[vulcan42]

Perhaps the human race will one day realise we are not important enough to warrant a god.

[Old_Geezer]

Not knowing the reasons to work from, I don't see how one can conclude that is a logical conclusion. Just a belief.

[goodlife]

//When you think about it , if God exists , logically he would want us to know and would make it the easiest thing to prove //

Why is so hard for some, well simple faith that God exists can be firmly established by contemplating the power and wisdom manifest in visible creation, including its order and harmony.

All reasonable people will agree that every effect has a competent cause. A watch argues for the existence of a watchmaker.

So, look where we may in the universe, from the complex eye of an insect to the mighty galaxies in outer space, we come to the conclusion that there simply must be a mighty Creator of these things.

And yet man have spent years in study and have many facts at their fingertips, But do they really have the answers,No, you know why God has good reasons for allowing mankind to follow a end course.

As our powerful Creator, he does not have to explain his reasons to us. Out of love, however, God does this for you, will you learn more about these reasons -- Psalm 37:28.

[jomifl]

/and not mistaking as God what He created/....now that is a tricky one...perhaps god isn't really god but one of his mischeivous assistants, how will we ever know the TRUTH?

[naomi24]

Goodlife, //A watch argues for the existence of a watchmaker. //

All the available 'evidence' suggests that our 'watchmaker' is not the bloke you think it is - but religion never allows the facts cloud the fantasy.

[naomi24]

*to cloud

[modeller]

goodlife You say // ************from the complex eye of an insect to the mighty galaxies in outer space, WE come to the conclusion that there simply must be a mighty Creator. //
That may be your conclusion but where is the provable evidence.
Billions of Prayers are never answered every day.
Just tell me one case of a person regrowing a limb through the power of prayer,. How about something simple for God to do like a little finger.

Don't you find it strange none of the Jesus's so called miracles can stand up to examination . Did he cause someone to regrow a limb ? Why not ? Could it be that is something that can't be fudged ?

[naomi24]

//...WE come to the conclusion that there simply must be a mighty Creator. //

'We' don't - you do. Realistically that is a 'don't know' area - but I'm willing to look at your evidence and consider the possibility. Just one snag. I have a problem with the generally presumed and generally accepted identity of the fabled creator, 'God', aka Jehovah, aka Elohim (oddly the plural form of 'El'), aka 'Allah', etc, etc. Get me past that one and I'll listen. The same invitation to anyone who thinks the monster that was the God of Abraham is 'it'.

[jomifl]

Goodlife, //A watch argues for the existence of a watchmaker. //
Only because you know that watches are made by watchmakers. We might also argue that thistledown is made by a parachute maker or that a sycamore seed is made by a helicopter maker but only a fool would accept that argument.

[beso]

goodlife //So, look where we may in the universe, from the complex eye of an insect to the mighty galaxies in outer space, we come to the conclusion that there simply must be a mighty Creator of these things. //

Eyes have evolved separately several times in separate animal groups. The morphological steps and gene changes involved in evolving from light sensitive cytoplasm to an eye are not particularly complex.

Star and galaxies are very simple things. They can be described in a relatively small number of categorisations and operate according to the Laws of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.

[modeller]

goodlife You know the 5 major known senses we normal mortals are born with. The power of Seeing, Hearing, Touch ,Smell, Tasting .

They are the primary and main methods we use to, confirm the existence , identify, and understand anything unknown in our lives, whether it is animate or inanimate.
The more of these we are able to employ the more valid is our understanding.

Now apply these senses to your belief in a God , a heaven and all its imaginary attributes. Not one of them gives a provable positive result of a supernatural origin.

There are and have been thousands of religions and cults, all different and all trying to prove their specific supernatural beliefs . Not one has been able Prove their particular belief has any validity. Had there been one , all the others would have disappeared long long ago.