Do you believe in god?

[nube]

So let's talk about spirit here folks. Yes, I believe there is some kind of higher spirit out there, and I don't think any of the mainstream or sideline religions can stake rational claim to it.

Exactly my opinion too. Doesn't matter what you call it - there is something bigger then us. Do I understand it? NO. Can I comprehend it? NO. Do I feel it? SOMETIMES.

I used to spend a lot time wondering, thinking etc. about life after life. Then I decided, I'll never figure it out, and what does it matter anyway. When I pass on I'll find out. In the mean while I live life knowing that there is more to my existance then this earthly one and I live this life knowing that how I act here could very well be a factor in the next 'whatever'.

 

[luv-em-n-lv-em]

I believe in the possibility of god.

The idea that life was created from nothing (without God's work) may seem impossible to believe. However the idea that God was created from nothing (or has always existed) is not easier to believe.

I'd like to think I am a scientist. To me that does not mean denying the presence of everything that does not fit into my cookie-cutter world. Instead it implies that we are open to possibility and do the best we can (however imperfect that may be).

 

[LonelyGhost]

I consider myself a 'strange athiest' because I believe in 'god' but not
religion ... and 'agnostic' is a religion so I won't use that term.

What's 'god' to me? the fact that life exists at all ...

even the simplist life form is beyond our comprehension ... but just
imagine that from a tiny spurt, 23 chromosomes join up and create you!

and not just you ... but specialized cells that do all kinds of amazing things.

Do I believe there is a higher 'intelligence' at work? Nope.

But is all 'life' connected? Yup ... and that 'connection' is about
the closest to 'god' we're gonna get.

 

[chilli]

Does it really matter?

Man does what he wants, regardless of whether there is a god or not.

Just 2 weeks ago, a rather popular spiritual/religious leader in the states announced he was gay, after years of denouning homosexuality.

I could list 1000's upon thousands of examples of man doing one thing, while saying another.

The belief in or not of God has not helped us to be better people.

In fact in most cases, it has shown us for how weak we are, how we will latch on to anything to force our beliefs on others, to point fingers, to look down on others, to judge, to be hypocrites....

People who believe in god, scare me.

Maybe just maybe, instead of believing in something "out" there, you should start believing in something "in" here.

Man is continually looking "out" there, purses that cost thousands of dollars, Yes I believe in the lord, just give me my prada, give me my benz...

Believing in god doesn't matter, it really doesn't - believing in being the best possible person you can be for all of humanity does.

That makes you a god.

That makes you a creator.

A creator of something good, something that allows for the best in others.

A creator of something that shows compassion for others.

A creator of something that allows for freedom, freedom of thought, choice, freedom from judgement.

You are god, you choose what to create everyday, the choices you make (the little of ones and the biggest of ones) influence and shape the world we live in.

Stop looking "out" there, and start looking "in" here.

 

[aznboi9]

I consider myself a 'strange athiest' because I believe in 'god' but not
religion ... and 'agnostic' is a religion so I won't use that term.

Do you mean 'strange agnostic'? Agnostic simply means that you don't know or are open to the evidence as it presents itself. Athiest would mean that you don't believe in a god.

 

[georgebushmoron]

If there is any such thing, it is so far beyond our understanding that even pondering it is pointless. So no.

Good quote but the conclusion is premature. It certainly is beyond our understanding because before humans, before air, before earth, before the galaxy, before the universe, before matter, and before the existence of time is God. God created time and everything else which is the framework from which we live. As humans, we barely understand ourselves let alone the world in which we live. Human existence to the existence of God is like the existence of a sperm to the existence of Man. The sperm may know a bit about itself and surroundings, and may even realize it has a creator, but can't comprehend the creator. Just like us.

 

[gravitas]

interesting comments, keep them coming

As for your question TJ, I left out agnostics on purpose for two reasons. One, I wanted to keep the poll binary as I was convinced it would generate better dialog. Two, its my own personal opinion that agnostics are to varying degrees chicken shits about the afterlife. Don't have enough faith to believe in god but not enough balls to totally denounce the notion lest they do face a fiery wrath upon their death and can get out by accepting religion. Incidentally I'm an agnostic.

 

[CinnamonGirl]

ever since someone pointed out the whole rib thing being like incest, I have never looked at christianity the same.

Never believed in god, even year after year of summer bible camp. Kinda like the easter bunny, santa thing......things just don't add up!

I enjoyed some of the stories in the bible....but I prefer Deepak Choprah, Gary Zukav, Gandhi & Buddhas take more..

 

[mick_eight]

The only part of the bible I believe in is " ashes to ashes and dust to dust" I beieve in a supreme being, call it what you want. Something started all this

 

[napcodog]

I have to....

All I ever here from any woman during sex is: YES GOD, OH YESSSS, OH GOD OH GOD...

Is this what your referring to????

 

[BoredMaverick]

Do I believe in God?

Interesting question. However before I answer it, I think I'd like to know if God believes in me.

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

If there is a god it hasnt communicated with us. Jesus,Allah, etc are just made up stories.

 

[luv-em-n-lv-em]

If there is a god it hasnt communicated with us.

Good Point. Given our ignorance, it is good to be open-minded.

Jesus,Allah, etc are just made up stories.

So much for being open-minded. That is one opinion.

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

I had a look at this link about jesus and horus.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jcpa5.htm

 

[Damaged]

The sky exists. If you can't see it, then you are blind.

God exists. If you can't feel it, then you're blind to your soul.

That's some funny shit!

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

It doesnt prove anything. Im just saying some of the ancient stories out there are copied from other ancient stories. As for Jesus he probably did existed but has no powers and certainly not god or son of god

 

[nube]

If there is a god it hasnt communicated with us. Jesus,Allah, etc are just made up stories.

The interesting question is why would he need to communicate with us? Most times we don't even answer

As for Jesus etc. I believe he/they existed - and many stories have been written. So many that its hard to seperate fact from fiction. I have to remember that they were written by and for the people at that TIME. 2000 years ago. Not necessarily applicable today.

I can see god or a higher power what ever its called, all around if I want to, in other people, nature etc. An interesting quote I heard once and like is that we are 'spirtual beings having a human experience'

As for organized religions...most of them are screwed up

 

[CinnamonGirl]

It doesnt prove anything. Im just saying some of the ancient stories out there are copied from other ancient stories. As for Jesus he probably did existed but has no powers and certainly not god or son of god

the only thing I have faith in is that there is a possibilty that a man, Jesus, we refer to him as, did help people bcse of a special gift like those listed below for example:

http://www.magical-tricks.com/criss_angelmindfreakseasonone.htm
http://www.psychicdirectory.co.uk/tv_psychics.php
http://www.davidblaine.com/

 

[CinnamonGirl]

Avarice no offense taken, u get my point I'm sure...I am not a huge fan of Chris myself, I did think the walking on water clip was pretty cool though......

and the time David Blaine refilled a coke can. All I have to say on this topic.

Nap time, Calgary wore me out. I cleared my PM!

 

[BoredMaverick]

Of course he does.

Then assuming that God does indeed exist, my next question would be can we really communicate with him?

I know this topic has already been touched on by others in this thread, but I see two major concerns regarding communication with a supreme being:

1) Does God really want to communicate with us? It's comforting I suppose to view God as a sort of stern but loving parent, but what if he just doesn't care about us? People can come up with all sorts of rationalizations for why God takes the "hands off" approach to us (at least in recent history), but we really have nothing but faith to support this belief. The more tragedy and injustice I see in this world, the more my faith in a "loving" God erodes away.

2) Could we really have any sort of meaningful communication with God? I mean we're talking about a being that is supposedly much higher above us than we are above the ants, and to tell you the truth I'm really not sure how well the ants outside my house understand me.

It seems like virtually every religious leader claims to know the mind of God, and promises that if you follow their own particular brand of religion, then you'll go to heaven. If you don't do exactly as they say, or if you follow another system of beliefs, then they'll tell you you'll end up in hell.

So how can they all be right? I have a feeling that these people have no more true understanding of God than I do ... which really isn't saying much.