Simple question, that I would like to see the answer you have to. You were raised to believe, you have felt God, what?

I don't personally believe, but I can tell you why people might. 1) They were raised to believe it. 2) They are just afraid. Afraid of the unknown. Afraid of what happens after we die. God can answer all of these questions. It will put them at ease.

Main reason I've seen are being raised to believe it. I also have a really cool physics teacher that was a Catholic when young, then became an Atheist for a while, and now believes in some sort of higher power after studying physics for a while. I thought that was interesting. So apparently awe at the universe can also be a reason.

I'm also not a believer. But I do know some other reasons as to why someone else might. 1: In most churches/Mosks/whatever there is a strong sense of community. Where you can meet a lot of different people. This is probably one of the weaker reasons as to why someone might convert. But it might play a role in it nonetheless. 2: They just wanna do those 27 virgins when they die. Obviously this only applies to Islam. There are a lot of people that convert because of this (Although they'd probably deny that themselves.). 3: The promise of heaven is probably a good one as well.

I wish I could. religious people always seem so happy.

I do not hold any beliefs in a religion as I was never brought up to be. Although there are some radical sides to religion I think at it's core it is a good thing, Like the posters above have said religion brings people/communities together in a way that is hard to match. But that doesn't mean every aspect of religion is good. I have no real evidence or backing but I think that many people have used most humans intrinsic fear of death to gain money and power, which is obviously very corrupt. That doesn't mean religion at the core is bad, it's just that there are a lot of people that take advantage of it. Simply because of that I can't support

In most cases, people who were brought up by a family who going to church from a weekend to weekend basis, (like me), that will usually happen. Though even in most cases, like some of the folk in my church, they only attend church to keep their parents happy. (Until they find their higher calling such as a job or school.) Why I say that, is because due to amount of prejudice and drama when a person leaves a church. One of my relatives did so and it went bad. In my opinion, I can't really say anything on the matter. Even with me going to an actual church in all. I do believe, but when it comes to what I want to do, it usually counteracts anything I wish to do with my own life. It's quite confusing if I can say so myself....

There's also the constant religious references, buildings, people that you might encounter, with so many people talking about a god, this god's existence may just be something you take for granted to be true. Atheist here, by the way.

I was born and raised in a muslim country , so i had my share load of religious endoctrinment as well. From my personal experience and judging from previous posts as well , I think some people, especially older generations take religion and religious matters too seriously. In my opinion , it should be more of a way of life as it teaches you some important values , than some worshiping fanaticism. I mean , worshiping a god is all right , as it can help you reach peace of mind and as long as it's personal. But as we've seen many times in the past , some people will inevitably use religion to gain money and control over the masses, like tftp pointed out , and it even continues to these days (Saudi Arabia anyone?)

Several extremely disturbing dreams happened when I decided to stop going to church, so I went back.

If you believe in God, why?

pepsisan

I think like most people in our generation, it is because our generation was raised into believing it. We diden't much have a choice.

malmon

It only just hit me how unlikely it was for me to have been raised by atheist Poles.

Nodoudt

"I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of God. Holiness is in right action and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. What God desires is (in your head) and (in your heart) and what you decide to do every day, you will be a good man - or not."

I think it doesn't matter what you have faith in, only so long as you have faith, and try to be the best person you can be.

Were there a God, or any divine being for that matter, I would certainly hope that's something they'd like us to aspire to.

gearh

I was raised in a Christian family that went to church on occasion, though having grown older and developed my own habits i don't really make that effort a great deal - I studied Buddhism for quite a while, visiting temples and practicing meditation, i guess i had a fairly serious wonderment about the lives of monks so i really enjoyed meeting them and learning better techniques.

I have also identified as a Jedi since our country allowed it on the referendum ~ I enjoy world religion from a cultural standpoint... Which I believe science influences. I am an artist so clearly have some debate with modern world dynamics!

Over here YO???DX you can read about my comic which depicts G.O.D as a supercomputer that fuels an otherworldly rebellion.

gearh

ALso I've had an image of baby Ganesh with me for some time, so I guess some of my spiritual practice is influenced by Hindu trends... I am in Oceania so our religion has poured down from North. I was without belief for a while and don't identify as religious, I still find it interesting and believe it has beneficial effects on ones life; making sacrifices and practicing good habits!

slothski

Was born and raised by a catholic father and Calvinist mother. Led to a strange childhood. I would say im a casual christian, i prefer the morals, stories and history that religion provides over the saving of the soul.

m..

No, and never will. Religion has no place in rationality.

lewdygaga

My grandmother tried to get me into diferent religions, to be find peace in our family, I think she couldn't find it, I grew up in many beliefs about God but at the end I never understood that kind of things so couldn't believe in things that I couldn't understand.

Nipple_tots

I grew up Catholic, went to catholic school for 5 years before transfering to public. I never believed at all growing up and actually resented it. However as I got older and my depression got worse I actually seek solitude in believing in a god and am actually considering coverting to Judaism. Religion isn't a bad thing. Its what people do with said beliefs, IE force it on others, martyrdom, ect that is the issue

Tenshi

I personally do not believe in God, however I can understand the reasoning behind people wanting to believe that there is some omnipotent and omniscient creator watching above as it gives some people the motiviation to carry on through difficult times or to help them become a better person overall. Religion itself isn't necessarily a bad thing but the one thing that really puts me off about the whole debate regarding it is the fanaticism some people can show trying to prove that what they believe is correct and trying to shove it down other peoples throats who have no desire to have religion crammed down their throats.

TLDR; I don't personally believe in God but I can understand why people do.

Blacka

was raised christian but i believe in a collective conscious to put it extremely simply

Synergiance

I was raised in a religious family to believe but I could never make any sense of it so I don't believe in god, but if there were a god that controlled everything they would have to be behind everything that science has proven, which isn't so far fetched, no magically floating people or mystical planes of mysterious floating objects

biokouwr

I really don't know. On a emotional level I kind of do believe in God, but if I think about it I doubt it's existence.

based_bluetawn

I don't believe in a literal god, but I do accept, and find useful, all religion through the context of Jung's collective unconscious.

Cactus

I don't believe in God because I don't have any reason to.
When I feel deep love or connection to the Universe this doesn't tell me anything about the Universe and certainly not that the Universe care about me or has consciousness.
Believing that there is a God because you think that you can feel it is wrong.

« Previous Page