It's noones job to convince you, here in America we have freedom of religion. Some people base their whole life around God, and others don't know what to believe. That is up to you to decide.
Well, this book is a religious text, so it's no one's job to convince you to believe in God. You can believe in Him or not.
There are also many reasons to believe in Him. One such reason is that some people like to think there is someone there, always watching out for them. Others like to believe in God because it explains aspects of our lives, whereas others believe in Him because they want to believe that everything has a purpose.
And then there are people that either don't believe in Him or are on the line of believing and disbelieving.
Any way you are, it's not OUR jurisdiction whether you believe in God or not.
Yeah i agree. No one can convince you to believe anything infact. That's all your choice. But it almost sounds like you want to hear some proof or something. I personally do believe in God. Whether i have been raised to or just do is questionable. I mostly do on my own now. But also i think becasue he is an answer. Like the answer to where did i come from, why am i here, where am i going? i'm having trouble finding words to expess myself at the moment. The religion I belong to has a website if you'd like to visit it. Maybe it can help you find the answer to some of your questions. It's www.lds.org But to answer your question of what's "the piont?", I would say for personal comfort.
Good question, though maybe a little aggressive/confrontational in the asking. Are you looking for an answer, or an argument?
(Good answers, above -- in three very different styles of thought!) First: lack of proof does not necessitate lack of belief, just as proof does not necessitate belief. You believe in many things you don't have empirical proof for, such as, say, China. Assuming you've never been there, all you've got are pictures for evidence -- and who's to say you aren't seeing pictures from Thailand, or Mongolia, or Arcturus IV? And then there are things that can be proven, that have been proven, that people don't believe in -- such as the sun orbiting the earth. Or is it the earth orbiting the sun? I always forget.
Second: belief is not something that someone else can give you, because it is not something you choose. Either you have it, or you don't, based on your upbringing, your experiences, and your personal standard of truth. For example: try to stop believing in something you believe in, such as, say, evolution or gravity. Just for a moment, try to believe we don't fly off into space because microscopic gremlins are holding us to the ground.
See? Can't choose to believe, can't choose not to believe. Someone might say something that would connect to your personal experience and inspire you to begin believing, but nobody can convince you to believe, not ever.
By the way, if you want to have the argument over whether God does or does not exist, I can point you to a good debate site that delves into it pretty well. We could have it ourselves, but this is probably not the best way to go about it.
Mr. Humphrey had a good point but I would like to add to it. China can be proven; you could go there. It is tangible. It can be proven by science, you can examine it and know it exists; however, there are things that can't be proven. God is one of them, and love is another. Do you believe love exists, and, if so, can you prove it's existence? Your conscience is also a non-tangible thing. You have it, but you can't prove it's existence.
With Love and one's conscience there is evidence to support them. You see the affects of them on yourself and others; however, if you think about it there is evidence of God too. Science is meant to explain all things that are not supernatural, all occurrences happening in nature. Science can not explain love or your conscience, so there must be some cause for them other than a natural one... God.
Another interesting thing to note has to do with the origin of the universe, and the big bang theory. Something you may not know is that Georges Lemaître, a Roman Catholic Priest, was the one who started the theory. When it first came out atheists hated it; how could a random explosion produce a universe like this, and how could it produce human life? If you randomly threw a variety of paint colors in the air would they land forming a beautiful landscape? If you randomly threw a deck of cards in the air, would they form a house of cards? People can, however, do things like plan explosions. For example most of the work done of Mt Rushmore was done by dynamite explosions. To explain the Big Bang we must have a careful designer and planner, as well as a Creator and detonator... God.
Another thing: If no one created the universe then it couldn't have had a beginning. If it had no beginning then it must have been around for an infinite amount of time. Now this means if evolution is true and if evolution causes things to improve, then everything would be infinitely perfect. If something has been getting better and better over time then in an infinite amount of time it will become infinitely better. Is everything perfect?
The universe must have a beginning and to have a beginning there must have been something capable of producing intelligence. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe someone must have started it.
One last thing. This is not a "proof" in the scientific sense; however it is interesting to note. It is something related closely to Pascal's Wager. There are 2 sets of 2 factors. God either exists or He does not exist, and you can believe in and worship Him or not. These make 4 possible combinations: ----------------------------- 1. He exists and you believe in and worship Him. 2. He does not exist and believe in and worship Him 3. He does exist and you don't believe in Him 4. He does exist and you believe in and worship Him. ----------------------------- So if you "wager" that God exists then you have everything to gain (eternal life and heaven) and nothing to lose. If you "wager" that He doesn't then you have everything to lose ... and nothing to gain.
These are high stakes and there is no "folding" in life.
So i dont know if you believe in the big bang theory (which is complete crap) or what you believe. but if you want to tell me that the world is just here and thats that then go ahead and believe that im not going to try to force you to believe something else. I do want to say though that i find it completely impossible that in the begining, for some reason there was nothing but one atom that some how contained an entire universe the exploded and out pops th world. Thats like saying a woman gave birth to a child the size of 100 suns or something like that, it aint gonna happen. But God could make a universe he isnt just some random atom...
I don't really think there's a point to believe in God anymore. At a time it was to explain things that people didn't understand and humankind has just held onto their beliefs. It also gives people hope.
I'm... not even going to try to convince you, I don't believe in a god, so why should anyone have to convince you. it's your problem (or not) if you belive in him or not.
No i dont belive in god.. i used to and i hate when people pressure me into beliving in him, i do although like to discuss religion and why people belive the thing they do.
The whole point of God and religion is FAITH. You cannot force someone to have faith. It's a huge mental obstacle. It's completely up to the idividual.
God is our savior. He was born and died on the cross for our sins. He created the earth. He created you and me. He is real whether you want t o believe it or not. How do you think we came her, how was the earth created. People didnt just make up stories and write it in a book and call it the bible. Its real. You asking this question is like asking why do we need oxygen to live.!? Because its something we need for our bodies to breathe in and gets to our lungs so on and so forth. yeah theres some scientific answer for you. But please tell me what other religion is logical!? Think about it. The bible says that if you dont believe in Jesus Christ you will go to hell. But if you do live for him and commit your life to him, you will go to heaven. So whats the harm in doing that. if you believe in him and live for Jesus you willl go to heaven. And if hes not real then okay you die and you stay in the ground sure what ever. but if you dont then you take the chance of going to hell! What else tells you whats going to happen. you think your going to go into the ground and just die and everythings over!? NO
i completely agree with you ... you cant be sure on anything because it all happened so long ago that the books might of been written by a bunch of doped up guys who were life long stoners and then passed it down to their sons and friends
It's noones job to convince you, here in America we have freedom of religion. Some people base their whole life around God, and others don't know what to believe. That is up to you to decide.
ReplyDeleteWell, this book is a religious text, so it's no one's job to convince you to believe in God. You can believe in Him or not.
ReplyDeleteThere are also many reasons to believe in Him. One such reason is that some people like to think there is someone there, always watching out for them. Others like to believe in God because it explains aspects of our lives, whereas others believe in Him because they want to believe that everything has a purpose.
And then there are people that either don't believe in Him or are on the line of believing and disbelieving.
Any way you are, it's not OUR jurisdiction whether you believe in God or not.
Yeah i agree. No one can convince you to believe anything infact. That's all your choice. But it almost sounds like you want to hear some proof or something. I personally do believe in God. Whether i have been raised to or just do is questionable. I mostly do on my own now. But also i think becasue he is an answer. Like the answer to where did i come from, why am i here, where am i going? i'm having trouble finding words to expess myself at the moment. The religion I belong to has a website if you'd like to visit it. Maybe it can help you find the answer to some of your questions. It's www.lds.org But to answer your question of what's "the piont?", I would say for personal comfort.
ReplyDeleteGood question, though maybe a little aggressive/confrontational in the asking. Are you looking for an answer, or an argument?
ReplyDelete(Good answers, above -- in three very different styles of thought!)
First: lack of proof does not necessitate lack of belief, just as proof does not necessitate belief. You believe in many things you don't have empirical proof for, such as, say, China. Assuming you've never been there, all you've got are pictures for evidence -- and who's to say you aren't seeing pictures from Thailand, or Mongolia, or Arcturus IV? And then there are things that can be proven, that have been proven, that people don't believe in -- such as the sun orbiting the earth. Or is it the earth orbiting the sun? I always forget.
Second: belief is not something that someone else can give you, because it is not something you choose. Either you have it, or you don't, based on your upbringing, your experiences, and your personal standard of truth. For example: try to stop believing in something you believe in, such as, say, evolution or gravity. Just for a moment, try to believe we don't fly off into space because microscopic gremlins are holding us to the ground.
See? Can't choose to believe, can't choose not to believe. Someone might say something that would connect to your personal experience and inspire you to begin believing, but nobody can convince you to believe, not ever.
By the way, if you want to have the argument over whether God does or does not exist, I can point you to a good debate site that delves into it pretty well. We could have it ourselves, but this is probably not the best way to go about it.
ReplyDeleteMr. Humphrey had a good point but I would like to add to it. China can be proven; you could go there. It is tangible. It can be proven by science, you can examine it and know it exists; however, there are things that can't be proven. God is one of them, and love is another. Do you believe love exists, and, if so, can you prove it's existence? Your conscience is also a non-tangible thing. You have it, but you can't prove it's existence.
ReplyDeleteWith Love and one's conscience there is evidence to support them. You see the affects of them on yourself and others; however, if you think about it there is evidence of God too. Science is meant to explain all things that are not supernatural, all occurrences happening in nature. Science can not explain love or your conscience, so there must be some cause for them other than a natural one... God.
Another interesting thing to note has to do with the origin of the universe, and the big bang theory. Something you may not know is that Georges Lemaître, a Roman Catholic Priest, was the one who started the theory. When it first came out atheists hated it; how could a random explosion produce a universe like this, and how could it produce human life? If you randomly threw a variety of paint colors in the air would they land forming a beautiful landscape? If you randomly threw a deck of cards in the air, would they form a house of cards? People can, however, do things like plan explosions. For example most of the work done of Mt Rushmore was done by dynamite explosions. To explain the Big Bang we must have a careful designer and planner, as well as a Creator and detonator... God.
Another thing: If no one created the universe then it couldn't have had a beginning. If it had no beginning then it must have been around for an infinite amount of time. Now this means if evolution is true and if evolution causes things to improve, then everything would be infinitely perfect. If something has been getting better and better over time then in an infinite amount of time it will become infinitely better. Is everything perfect?
ReplyDeleteThe universe must have a beginning and to have a beginning there must have been something capable of producing intelligence. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe someone must have started it.
One last thing. This is not a "proof" in the scientific sense; however it is interesting to note. It is something related closely to Pascal's Wager. There are 2 sets of 2 factors. God either exists or He does not exist, and you can believe in and worship Him or not.
These make 4 possible combinations:
-----------------------------
1. He exists and you believe in and worship Him.
2. He does not exist and believe in and worship Him
3. He does exist and you don't believe in Him
4. He does exist and you believe in and worship Him.
-----------------------------
So if you "wager" that God exists then you have everything to gain (eternal life and heaven) and nothing to lose. If you "wager" that He doesn't then you have everything to lose ... and nothing to gain.
These are high stakes and there is no "folding" in life.
Given that i have the same viewpoint of John....
ReplyDeleteGod is someone, something for people to believe in to put faith in because they feel the need to do so, because they believe there is a higher being.
So i dont know if you believe in the big bang theory (which is complete crap) or what you believe. but if you want to tell me that the world is just here and thats that then go ahead and believe that im not going to try to force you to believe something else. I do want to say though that i find it completely impossible that in the begining, for some reason there was nothing but one atom that some how contained an entire universe the exploded and out pops th world. Thats like saying a woman gave birth to a child the size of 100 suns or something like that, it aint gonna happen. But God could make a universe he isnt just some random atom...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I don't think I really made clear was when I said "...there are things that can't be proven. God is one of them...", I meant that God can not be proven scientifically; however, philosophical proofs are different.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think there's a point to believe in God anymore. At a time it was to explain things that people didn't understand and humankind has just held onto their beliefs. It also gives people hope.
ReplyDeleteI'm... not even going to try to convince you, I don't believe in a god, so why should anyone have to convince you. it's your problem (or not) if you belive in him or not.
ReplyDeleteNo i dont belive in god.. i used to and i hate when people pressure me into beliving in him, i do although like to discuss religion and why people belive the thing they do.
ReplyDeleteThe whole point of God and religion is FAITH. You cannot force someone to have faith. It's a huge mental obstacle. It's completely up to the idividual.
ReplyDeleteI don't ever want to try convincing anyone to believe what I do or do not believe in. That is up to them, they can figure it out for themselves.
ReplyDeleteYeah, don't believe in him so, sorry :/.
ReplyDeletecant help you there. im just as oblivious as anybody else on earth.
ReplyDeleteGod is our savior. He was born and died on the cross for our sins. He created the earth. He created you and me. He is real whether you want t o believe it or not. How do you think we came her, how was the earth created. People didnt just make up stories and write it in a book and call it the bible. Its real. You asking this question is like asking why do we need oxygen to live.!? Because its something we need for our bodies to breathe in and gets to our lungs so on and so forth. yeah theres some scientific answer for you. But please tell me what other religion is logical!? Think about it. The bible says that if you dont believe in Jesus Christ you will go to hell. But if you do live for him and commit your life to him, you will go to heaven. So whats the harm in doing that. if you believe in him and live for Jesus you willl go to heaven. And if hes not real then okay you die and you stay in the ground sure what ever. but if you dont then you take the chance of going to hell! What else tells you whats going to happen. you think your going to go into the ground and just die and everythings over!? NO
ReplyDeletei completely agree with you ... you cant be sure on anything because it all happened so long ago that the books might of been written by a bunch of doped up guys who were life long stoners and then passed it down to their sons and friends
ReplyDeletethere is no god, try to prove me otherwise
ReplyDeleteand sarah, "god" was not the one who was "born and died on the cross for our sins" that was that other stupid guy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nick. I can't really say any more than that cuz that's what I was going to say.
ReplyDelete