Is There a God?

[Person012345]

I am a Southern Baptist, so I obviously believe in God. Southern Baptists tend to be right- wing conservatives, but unlike many of them, I think Catholics and Orthodox are going to Heaven just like the Protestants.

God is not an entity whose existence you can prove nor disprove, you got to have faith. Once you acquire that faith, it is pretty hard to (though not impossible) to give up the faith in God and Jesus.

I have faith that endless money is hiding under my computer, therefore I shall be rich.
'checks under computer'
umm... No money, so much more faith.
Try again.

No no, you obviously didn't truly have faith. You were really an amoniest all along.

[Jewcrew]

I could read the Art of War in Chinese, it doesn't mean I'd understand it.

Good for you? Was there a point hidden in there somewhere?

Not hidden. Just because you read something, doesn't mean you'd understand it. Most people that read the Bible don't understand it. Wiser men than you or I have been debating meanings in the Bible for thousands of years. It takes as long to become a Talmudic scholar as it does to become a Constitutional Lawyer. Reading one book and thinking you know what it says is laughable.

[Charellia]

There probably is a god but it is not the god any religion worships and no evidence exists one way or another at the present time.

[The Nuclear Fist]

Right, so what if god is allah?

'Allah' just means 'God'. Arabic Christians know their god as Allah just as Arabic Muslims do.

[Salandriagado]

Anything inconcevable cannot exist.
There, so we know that there is at least an afterlife (I know it sounds shakey, but seriously, I can't find evidence to the contrary)

That means there is an afterlife because you cannot concieve of not thinking, for solid colors do not count, youre thinking of a color, are you not?

If you want to take it further, fundamentalists cannot concive of god not existing, that means god exists.
And, if there are fanatics too any religion, then those religions are correct too!
Unless you think you are the only person who exists. (Decartes)

I stop thinking on a regular basis. Every night, in fact, for some hours at a time. I cannot conceive of sexual attraction, but it doesn't stop it existing. I'm guessing that you cannot conceive of some of the concepts involved in the proof of Fermats' Last Theorum (hell, I'm a maths student, and I can't understand all of it), but that doesn't mean that the proof does not exist.

[Ajax Prime]

Personally I believe so. But I also enjoy this:
"I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is." -Albert Camus

Right, so what if god is allah?

I honestly don't see the difference. I am Christian, but I believe that if I put my faith in "god" (beit God or Allah), then how I practice my faith will not matter. So long as I admit there is a god and he has my everlasting faith.

[Person012345]

Good for you? Was there a point hidden in there somewhere?

Not hidden. Just because you read something, doesn't mean you'd understand it. Most people that read the Bible don't understand it. Wiser men than you or I have been debating meanings in the Bible for thousands of years. It takes as long to become a Talmudic scholar as it does to become a Constitutional Lawyer. Reading one book and thinking you know what it says is laughable.

No, lots of people have been twisting the shit out of what it says so that it fits their belief system.

I was about 12 when I realised this shit that I was reading and being taught made no fucking sense and that the bible clearly wasn't the work of a loving benevolent god. And certainly nothing I have ever read (including during arguments with budding theologians) has ever made me think anything else. It's a barbaric piece of literature that was clearly written by superstitious bronze agers who didn't understand the world, not an all knowing, loving god.

[Person012345]

Right, so what if god is allah?

I honestly don't see the difference. I am Christian, but I believe that if I put my faith in "god" (beit God or Allah), then how I practice my faith will not matter. So long as I admit there is a god and he has my everlasting faith.

But that's not what the Quran says. Nor is it what the bible says. Yahweh gets pretty pissed off if you don't worship him specifically and when you do things he tells you not to. So does Allah. So really, you're taking the same risk that we atheists are.

Edit: I'm aware that they're supposed to be the same, but the mythologies and demands are quite different and you're going to hell under both of them if you don't follow.

[Ajax Prime]

I honestly don't see the difference. I am Christian, but I believe that if I put my faith in "god" (beit God or Allah), then how I practice my faith will not matter. So long as I admit there is a god and he has my everlasting faith.

But that's not what the Quran says. Nor is it what the bible says. Yahweh gets pretty pissed off if you don't worship him specifically and when you do things he tells you not to. So does Allah. So really, you're taking the same risk that we atheists are.

Edit: I'm aware that they're supposed to be the same, but the mythologies and demands are quite different and you're going to hell under both of them if you don't follow).

So you're telling me that the merciful God that I believe created this world and all we know will be angry simply because I do not "honor thy mother and thy father?" I don't think you understand what* God's all about. For Christians, we believe Jesus died to save us, which means that so long as we ask forgiveness for our sins and faults and give ourselves to the Lord, we are allowed to come into Heaven. That's what I have learned from Church.

*EDIT

[Jewcrew]

Not hidden. Just because you read something, doesn't mean you'd understand it. Most people that read the Bible don't understand it. Wiser men than you or I have been debating meanings in the Bible for thousands of years. It takes as long to become a Talmudic scholar as it does to become a Constitutional Lawyer. Reading one book and thinking you know what it says is laughable.

No, lots of people have been twisting the shit out of what it says so that it fits their belief system.

I was about 12 when I realised this shit that I was reading and being taught made no fucking sense and that the bible clearly wasn't the work of a loving benevolent god. And certainly nothing I have ever read (including during arguments with budding theologians) has ever made me think anything else. It's a barbaric piece of literature that was clearly written by superstitious bronze agers who didn't understand the world, not an all knowing, loving god.

Oh, your closed minded? Okay, forget everything I said.

[Western Arab Empire]

There is only one God, he is all powerful.He does not have any partners and was not made.

That is my belief

[Ajax Prime]

There is only one God, he is all powerful.He does not have any partners and was not made.

That is my belief

I stand by you 100%

[Tlaceceyaya]

There is only one God, he is all powerful.He does not have any partners and was not made.

That is my belief

Now, can you prove it?

[Person012345]

But that's not what the Quran says. Nor is it what the bible says. Yahweh gets pretty pissed off if you don't worship him specifically and when you do things he tells you not to. So does Allah. So really, you're taking the same risk that we atheists are.

Edit: I'm aware that they're supposed to be the same, but the mythologies and demands are quite different and you're going to hell under both of them if you don't follow).

So you're telling me that the merciful God that I believe created this world and all we know will be angry simply because I do not "honor thy mother and thy father?" I don't think you understand what* God's all about. For Christians, we believe Jesus died to save us, which means that so long as we ask forgiveness for our sins and faults and give ourselves to the Lord, we are allowed to come into Heaven. That's what I have learned from Church.

*EDIT

Yes, but what if you're wrong. That was basically what you asked us. You said you'd prefer to believe in god, just in case, as insurance. Well what if your idea of god is wrong? What if fundamentalists, muslims, christians, whatever, what if they're right? You haven't insured yourself against anything. We only believe in one less god than you do.

[Person012345]

No, lots of people have been twisting the shit out of what it says so that it fits their belief system.

I was about 12 when I realised this shit that I was reading and being taught made no fucking sense and that the bible clearly wasn't the work of a loving benevolent god. And certainly nothing I have ever read (including during arguments with budding theologians) has ever made me think anything else. It's a barbaric piece of literature that was clearly written by superstitious bronze agers who didn't understand the world, not an all knowing, loving god.

Oh, your closed minded? Okay, forget everything I said.

Did I say that? Maybe I've only ever read shitty apologetics that wouldn't convince anyone. You inferred that I was closed minded because that's what you want to think. Maybe your mistaking "closed minded" with "not believing every piece of bullshit that someone tells you".

[Twilliamson]

Oh, your closed minded? Okay, forget everything I said.

Did I say that? Maybe I've only ever read shitty apologetics that wouldn't convince anyone. You inferred that I was closed minded because that's what you want to think. Maybe your mistaking "closed minded" with "not believing every piece of bullshit that someone tells you".

[Ajax Prime]

So you're telling me that the merciful God that I believe created this world and all we know will be angry simply because I do not "honor thy mother and thy father?" I don't think you understand what* God's all about. For Christians, we believe Jesus died to save us, which means that so long as we ask forgiveness for our sins and faults and give ourselves to the Lord, we are allowed to come into Heaven. That's what I have learned from Church.

*EDIT

Yes, but what if you're wrong. That was basically what you asked us. You said you'd prefer to believe in god, just in case, as insurance. Well what if your idea of god is wrong? What if fundamentalists, muslims, christians, whatever, what if they're right? You haven't insured yourself against anything. We only believe in one less god than you do.

There is a fine line between believing in one less god of a polytheistic religion, and believing in one less god than a monotheistic. You believe in no god. What you believe as an athiest I am not sure, so I will not go there, but I believe in God not as insurance, but because I believe, not "I know", but I believe that he is not only real, but is the King of Kings. I quoted Camus because I like the quote. If I'm wrong, then oh well, I go to the dirt like everyone else. I am happy with the choices I've made and the beliefs that I have chosen. If God isn't real, then I value the morals that the Bible and the Ten Commandments gave me. I'm no diehard who will kill someone for Christianity, but I believe that it gives you a basic set of rules to live by. Decent rules that you should follow regardless of faith. The "Golden Rule" is perhaps the best rule I've ever heard. If there is no God, oh well.

[Keronians]

No idea. Maybe there isn't one.

And why does there have to be a God, then? What if the universe itself has no cause? Eliminating the middle being saves you time and resources.

I did say that the argument goes that causation is required due to time. If God exists, and He created the Universe, then He existed before t=0. Therefore, causation is not necessarily required.

Of course, you'll have to pardon any mistakes I make, since I'm only really defending this argument to be a Devil's Advocate. I do believe in God, but for different reasons.

[Samuraikoku]

And why does there have to be a God, then? What if the universe itself has no cause? Eliminating the middle being saves you time and resources.

I did say that the argument goes that causation is required due to time.

Of course, you'll have to pardon any mistakes I make, since I'm only really defending this argument to be a Devil's Advocate. I do believe in God, but for different reasons.

But when I asked you the question, "How much time did there have to happen for it to be a cause to the effect of the existence of God?", you told me "none".

[Person012345]

There is a fine line between believing in one less god of a polytheistic religion, and believing in one less god than a monotheistic. You believe in no god. What you believe as an athiest I am not sure, so I will not go there, but I believe in God not as insurance but because I believe, not "I know", but I believe that he is not only real, but is the King of Kings. I quoted Camus because I like the quote. If I'm wrong, then oh well, I go to the dirt like everyone else. I am happy with the choices I've made and the beliefs that I have chosen. If God isn't real, then I value the morals that the Bible and the Ten Commandments gave me. I'm no diehard who will kill someone for Christianity, but I believe that it gives you a basic set of rules to live by. Decent rules that you should follow regardless of faith. The "Golden Rule" is perhaps the best rule I've ever heard. If there is no God, oh well.

The golden rule is flawed. It says do unto others as you would have them do unto you right? Well what if they don't want you to? And there was no reason to quote that thing really, because the same thing applies to you if it happens to be any of the gods you don't believe in (that have similar doctrines).

That aside, why do you believe what you believe?

[Jewcrew]

Oh, your closed minded? Okay, forget everything I said.

Did I say that? Maybe I've only ever read shitty apologetics that wouldn't convince anyone. You inferred that I was closed minded because that's what you want to think. Maybe your mistaking "closed minded" with "not believing every piece of bullshit that someone tells you".

I don't believe every piece of {expletive deleted} that someone tells me. I believe in critical thinking and analysis, including when it comes to the Bible, or in my case, the Torah. I don't have the training (nor the energy to take such training) to understand the Torah in the same way a Talmudic scholar would. I do, however, tend to look up the conclusions and the debate when I run across something that appears counter to Jewish teachings. The debates of very wise men have produced logical answers to many questions about seemingly violent things in Judaism, which is why extremists in Judaism tend to be pacifists.

[Tlaceceyaya]

Yes, but what if you're wrong. That was basically what you asked us. You said you'd prefer to believe in god, just in case, as insurance. Well what if your idea of god is wrong? What if fundamentalists, muslims, christians, whatever, what if they're right? You haven't insured yourself against anything. We only believe in one less god than you do.

There is a fine line between believing in one less god of a polytheistic religion, and believing in one less god than a monotheistic. You believe in no god. What you believe as an athiest I am not sure, so I will not go there, but I believe in God not as insurance, but because I believe, not "I know", but I believe that he is not only real, but is the King of Kings. I quoted Camus because I like the quote. If I'm wrong, then oh well, I go to the dirt like everyone else. I am happy with the choices I've made and the beliefs that I have chosen. If God isn't real, then I value the morals that the Bible and the Ten Commandments gave me. I'm no diehard who will kill someone for Christianity, but I believe that it gives you a basic set of rules to live by. Decent rules that you should follow regardless of faith. The "Golden Rule" is perhaps the best rule I've ever heard. If there is no God, oh well.

1: You seem to have misunderstood person. I'll let him explain that.
2: If you're wrong, you may well be punished for eternity if there's a god similar to the god of the bible. He's a vengeful god. He doesn't like it when you don't worship him. And there are an infinite number of possible gods - gods with similar attitudes to the god of the bible, gods with different attitudes. You disbelieve in all but one of the ones who will punish you for not believing. You are offending all of the ones who will punish you for believing in a god without evidence.
3: And why do those rules have to come attached to this sort of thing? Atheists tend not to commit violence for their lack of religion, and even though you say you wouldn't commit violence for yours, other people would. Why have the risk of those people committing violence when you can just remove their reason to?
4: The golden rule is far from the best rule.

[Twilliamson]

Yes, but what if you're wrong. That was basically what you asked us. You said you'd prefer to believe in god, just in case, as insurance. Well what if your idea of god is wrong? What if fundamentalists, muslims, christians, whatever, what if they're right? You haven't insured yourself against anything. We only believe in one less god than you do.

There is a fine line between believing in one less god of a polytheistic religion, and believing in one less god than a monotheistic. You believe in no god. What you believe as an athiest I am not sure, so I will not go there, but I believe in God not as insurance, but because I believe, not "I know", but I believe that he is not only real, but is the King of Kings. I quoted Camus because I like the quote. If I'm wrong, then oh well, I go to the dirt like everyone else. I am happy with the choices I've made and the beliefs that I have chosen. If God isn't real, then I value the morals that the Bible and the Ten Commandments gave me. I'm no diehard who will kill someone for Christianity, but I believe that it gives you a basic set of rules to live by. Decent rules that you should follow regardless of faith. The "Golden Rule" is perhaps the best rule I've ever heard. If there is no God, oh well.

not all lessons learn in the bibble is good. The bibble teaches that gay marrige is wrong. However i don't see how that hurts anybody. Do you think the bibble is right about gay marrige

[Person012345]

I don't believe every piece of {expletive deleted} that someone tells me. I believe in critical thinking and analysis, including when it comes to the Bible, or in my case, the Torah. I don't have the training (nor the energy to take such training) to understand the Torah in the same way a Talmudic scholar would. I do, however, tend to look up the conclusions and the debate when I run across something that appears counter to Jewish teachings. The debates of very wise men have produced logical answers to many questions about seemingly violent things in Judaism, which is why extremists in Judaism tend to be pacifists.

Right, you believe in critical thinking? Why do you believe in God? If you've answered in this thread, just humour me.

[Fontoria]

I belive there is one god, but Thor and that lot existed aswell! Not as gods though.

I belive Thor, Mohhamed, Jesus, and other Norse gods are messengers to spread the word of god (like the islam faith belives) and that god gave them powers (IE Thor to control thunder, Jesus to do healing and general amazing stuff and so on) so they could prove themselves to be what they say they are.