A serious question for those who do not believe in God

[Jacko]

I believe that religion exists for many people because it works for them in life in a way that our other social institutions (family, community, etc) do not . I believe that peole believe in their god because it works for them. I believe that people pray because it works for them (I would imagine that it has wonderful meditative benefits and the power of inner reflection is huge)......And to the degree that it works for them and does not hurt other folks, I think that it fulfills a very good purpose.

I believe that the major religions have done an extraordinary job in caring for the hungry and the poor in this world. I believe that pastors, priests and imams provide spiritual comfort to millions of people where they would otherwise be alone.... I think that to the degree that they do this and do not otherwise cause any more pain and grief in the world than other institutions, that religions are good.

So for me, I understand why people are religious I think...I can appreciate the benefit that they get from it...and the benefit that society gets from it....I understand why people pray..and I understand the benefit they might get from it. I understand why people believe in their god...if it gives them peace and happiness, and does not otherwise impact other people in unnecessarily negative ways,.it seems to me to be a very wonderful thing.

[UGAplaya]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Like my friend Steve in high school? He was kind of a dork, but we hung around with him cuz he had a car (even if it WAS just a Chevy Chevelle.)

When the rest of us got our own cars, we kind of drifted apart (mean, I know.)

I think what UGA is saying is that if my Plymouth Duster had broken down, and I needed to get to the mall, I shouldn't EVEN bother calling upon Steve and his Chevelle, cuz I already dissed him.






(I'll bet you didn't know God's name was "Steve!&quot

No not exactly Stew. What I was getting it is that most of us, myself included, only call on God in times of need. I believe that it takes a personal relationship with God to really know Him and to know when He is talking to you. God is omnipresent and all powerful but he wants us to have a personal relationship with him. He will not reject anyone who seeks Him.

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by UGAplaya

No not exactly Stew. What I was getting it is that most of us, myself included, only call on God in times of need. I believe that it takes a personal relationship with God to really know Him and to know when He is talking to you. God is omnipresent and all powerful but he wants us to have a personal relationship with him. He will not reject anyone who seeks Him.

Again...does he reject those who do not seek him?

[UGAplaya]

Originally Posted by Jacko

Again...does he reject those who do not seek him?

That depends. Does not seeking Him equal rejecting? God knows your heart and he gives us free will to make a decision to accpet his invitation.

[Maverick69]

To me. If there was a god. These terrible things in the world wouldn't be happening today.

[UGAplaya]

Originally Posted by Maverick69

To me. If there was a god. These terrible things in the world wouldn't be happening today.

If everything was great, why would we need God? :-)

[blueton]

Originally Posted by Mercy

DISCLAIMER: There is no sarcasim in this post. I am genuinely curious.

I just wanted to know what those of you who do not believe in God, or do not have faith in a higher power, do in crisis situations. As a believer and a person of faith, when I am faced with a crisis in my life it is just second nature for me to turn to God in prayer for whatever need I may have at the time.

For example, I have now buried both of my parents. They both died of cancer, and for those who have loved ones who have suffered with this disease, you know how hard it can be. I personally don't know what I would have done without my faith in God and being able to go to Him for comfort... which, I might add I received, big time.

So if you do not believe in God, what do you do when faced with a crisis in your life. What would you do, say, if your child was seriously ill or injured? I know that some say, they are sending good thoughts, etc., but what does that exactly mean? I mean what power does a good thought have, etc?

PS: I hope this thread doesn't get locked

In what way did you receive comfort 'big time'?

How do you know you recieved it?

You presumably received nothing tangible such as a nice letter or financial assistance or something?

Therefore isn't the notion of the comfort itself just a matter of faith?

If you think you had a change in state of mind that allowed you to cope, then how do you know that wasn't just a manifestation of your own inner strength? You assume it is from God but there is no way of knowing this.

I am often confused by heart warming stories of miraculous survivals.
Often you will hear assertions that it was after my prayers that God to 'saved my daughter' or 'gave me strenth to survive' etc.
This begs the question that for all the other innocent children that have perished etc did God refuse to hear those prayers?
If so, why?

I am sorry - it just makes no sense to me at all.

If God is actively helping and/or comforting in this world, then the corollary must be true when he takes no action.
i.e. That he chose not to help? Why is this. Please answer as I just don't get it.

I therefore have to believe that it is just a state of mind, and inner stength is what counts, or tangible support from loved ones or friends.

B

[UGAplaya]

A couple of weeks ago our Pastor did a sermon on the book of Jonah. He touches on a few of the questions that some of you have asked in this thread. This sermon last about 33 minutes. I encourage you to take 30 minutes out of your day to listen to it. http://www.southcrestchurch.com/media/Audio/041308.mp3

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by UGAplaya

That depends. Does not seeking Him equal rejecting? God knows your heart and he gives us free will to make a decision to accpet his invitation.

So what is going to happen with all the 100's of million people in China? No comfort from your god?

How about the Muslims? Are they rejecting your god? Or is it the same god?

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by UGAplaya

No not exactly Stew. What I was getting it is that most of us, myself included, only call on God in times of need. I believe that it takes a personal relationship with God to really know Him and to know when He is talking to you. God is omnipresent and all powerful but he wants us to have a personal relationship with him. He will not reject anyone who seeks Him.

Oh, I knew what you were saying... And I understand your point. I think that is a healthy perspective from the standpoint of a believer!

Honestly, I was just trying to have a little fun...

[Mercy]

I'm on a work break now, so I can't respond fully to some of the posts I've read... but will so later. Great discussion going on here though!

Carry on....

[flyingpig11]

Originally Posted by Jacko

I believe that religion exists for many people because it works for them in life in a way that our other social institutions (family, community, etc) do not . I believe that peole believe in their god because it works for them. I believe that people pray because it works for them (I would imagine that it has wonderful meditative benefits and the power of inner reflection is huge)......And to the degree that it works for them and does not hurt other folks, I think that it fulfills a very good purpose.

I believe that the major religions have done an extraordinary job in caring for the hungry and the poor in this world. I believe that pastors, priests and imams provide spiritual comfort to millions of people where they would otherwise be alone.... I think that to the degree that they do this and do not otherwise cause any more pain and grief in the world than other institutions, that religions are good.

So for me, I understand why people are religious I think...I can appreciate the benefit that they get from it...and the benefit that society gets from it....I understand why people pray..and I understand the benefit they might get from it. I understand why people believe in their god...if it gives them peace and happiness, and does not otherwise impact other people in unnecessarily negative ways,.it seems to me to be a very wonderful thing.

That is a fantastic statement.

The question posed has no particular easy answer. I have a jewish identity and way of life, but I am not so spiritual as others. Religion gives me a membership to a particular section of society. Belonging is comforting. One thing I love about Judaism is that you are not only taught that it is okay to question the teachings of the old testament, but it is downright encouraged, and remains a constant responsibility of our clergy. It is intellectual study. I do not say this with any negative connotation, but blind faith is not expected.

I think that goes hand in hand with some of the inquiries about how bad things can happen when there is supposed to be a supreme being guiding our way. I have lost a parent, I have had a sick child. In each instance, I tried to pray to a supreme being, but, honestly, I felt a bit awkward, and a bit hypocritical about it.

However, my true approach is also very matter of fact. I believe that crisis mode requires as much clear logical thinking as possible. It requires calm reaction. It requires selflessness. If members of my temple or your church assist any of us in those processes then we are one step forward.

We live our life here on this earth. I do not definetively believe in any afterlife. I beleive that you are meant to lead a good life, and be a good person. If some afterlife might exist, I cannot imagine exclusion would take place, if you lead a good life and are a good person, regardless of whether you have prayed to a particular god or something else.

[TJordan]

I believe in the possibility of a god.


I just refuse to worship something that is not there.

[carroll]

I haven't read all of the posts here, but I found two things to be generally true about people in relation to God. Please note I said GENERALLY true:
1. People in our world today have too much of a"if I can't see it or touch it, then it must not be true" attitude. Belief in God is based on Faith. Faith (to me) means believing in and trusting no matter what - whether I can see it or not.
2. People have the misconception that if there was a God there wouldn't be anything bad in the world. Totally not true. In fact God promises in the Bible that there will be hard times.

For me I have found that reading and studying the Bible has provided a lot of answers to my questions.

Now that I think about it - I have to edit - there are three things
3. If I don't get what I pray for, there isn't a God. God always answers your prayers - it may not be what you want when you want it - but if you have faith and patience you will see the bigger picture. This is due largerly in part to the "it's all about me"attitude that is rampantly perpetuating this society today.

[UGAplaya]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Oh, I knew what you were saying... And I understand your point. I think that is a healthy perspective from the standpoint of a believer!

Honestly, I was just trying to have a little fun...

Yeah we need to meet up again a Kool soon.