I've never been able to "find the faith" that there was a concious creator of the earth...?

Question

...who in fact was a he (as the bible suggests), who waits for us in a place called heaven.
Sometimes I wish I could becuase the the people that seem to have that unshakable faith seem happier than faithless people. Why is that?

Answer 1

Some people can't do it. Humans seem to be born with various degrees of propensity for "magical thinking" or "leaps of faith".

For some people, it is very easy to believe things that are patently untrue, that have no supporting evidence, or that they made up themselves without even knowing it.

For others, it just doesn't work that way. They can't just believe in things that they know do not make objective sense.

The faithful certainly do seem happier, sometimes. But as with all things, there's a cost for that happiness. The aspect of their personality that allows them to believe things without good reason is the same one that tends to prevent them from reaching a deeper understanding of other people and the universe around them.

I, for one, would not trade my understanding for simple happiness. There is a much greater fulfillment available in life than a person can receive from magical thinking and religiosity.

Answer 2

I think they seem happier because they tend to have more extensive and robust social networks. Social networks are a pivitoal factor in human happiness. Religion isn't necessary for an extensive and robust social network, but in many cultures is it a ground on which many such networks are built.

Another factor I think is involved is confidence. The belief that an all-powerful being is actively part of your life, and appoves of you, seems to give many people a great deal of confidence. However, I think confidence can be built in other ways.

I think the fact that you have not been able to "find the faith" means you are being honest and and clear-headed. I also think that if there is a conscious creator of the earth, and if he or she is reasonable and good, he or she values that honesty, and that careful thinking, very highly.

Answer 3

Christians firmly believe that God created the earth and universe as we know it - but we suspect that it was a little more complicated than the Bible suggests! The Bible is a holy book and very special but it was written by ordinary mortals like you and me who recorded it as they understood it.

If Christian people seem happier than non-Christian's or who have found 'the faith' as you put it - then it is because they know that what comes after this life on earth will be beyond our imagining and very, very special. But don't be fooled, it is hard being a Christian, and we are as fallible as the next person, but maybe the knowledge of something better to come helps.

You refer to God as 'he' and that is understandable as God is always referred to as the Heavenly Father in the Bible. But God is unique and as the Creator can not be desribed as male or female in the sense we understand it. When we meet up with him/her we will have all the answers we need.

Answer 4

Don't try to find the faith. Try to enjoy life while it lasts. We simply cannot know one way or another about god as there is no evidence or information. People comfort themselves with religion. The opium of the masses. Be strong , value people, we don't need a god, more's the point, if there is one it couldn't possibly need anything from us. Read up on humanism. Humanists have faith in people not superstition and mythology. We aren't pitiful, weak sinners as religion would have us believe. People are fundamentally good. Life is as it is because of the political and economic systems we live in.

Love and peace

Answer 5

GOD exists but not as many would have you believe. God is the sum of everything, that's why it is everywhere at once. You yourself are God too, but merely a fraction of "THE ALMIGHTY GOD". To experience God you must become aware of yourself and then expand your awareness beyond your self. You try this and find that the world is actually within you. Then you experience the interconnectedness of all. When you tap into this you get a certain "AH HAH" experience and it hits you like a lightning bolt and your body will fill with light and then you will see God. From that point on your faith is unshakable. You know life, you know death, and know that to worry is pointless.

Answer 6

The answer is because we have hope. Most people live life thinking that once it's over then it's over. How sad an existance is that to know that no matter what you do in this life it's only going to amount to a coffin in a 6 foot hole.

The reason why we seem happier is because through the bible we see ourselves, the very heart of mankind and it is inherently dark. Deny this all you want but looking at those in the world from long ago and even today are selfish, narcosistic and twisted. We see the character of God. One of compassion, mercy and grace to those who even spit in his face and we see the way tp freedom from the depressing rule of the world.

A lot of it is on faith, but the perspective gained through faith is one of sound wisdom. We realize the verse that says "as a dog returns to its own vomit so a man repeats his folly" applied to us and the rest of the world. But then we see verses that say whoever hears the words of Jesus and does what he says is like a wise man who built his house upon solid rock. The storms of life beat against the house but it stands firm.

We build our lives upon a solid foundation of truth and grace where as the rest of the people build on shifting sand. The world is constantly switching it's views on life and what is good and when life's storms hit those who dwell there they fall hard. We've been there, we've fallen and been hurt under the rule and reign of the world. We found a way out, we found forgiveness and unconditional love which is not easy to come by and all we had to do is stop trying so hard and let God take control of our eternal destination.

It's not a bad deal you know? We realize that it's not about being good enough to be accepted by God, but rather God being good enough to accept you, fautls and all. As far as Him being revealled to you, that is for Him to do personally and can be done so if you recognize that by your own means that you can not appeal to an eternal diety. By accepting the forgiveness of your sins through Jesus, God's spirit indwells within your soul and that's when you experience direct communicate and that Peace that transcends all understand. Thus far in my walk with the Lord I have never felt let down or dissappointed as he has always kept his promises to me.

Answer 7

I think that people who have faith are happier because whenever bad things happen or when things they cannot explain happened - faith is the ultimate answer - its gods will - and they leave it to that.

Whereas faithless people stay without answers and that's hard.

But you know that faith sometimes blind. Faith bring people to mass thinking. They would do evil things if their leaders tells them that that is god's will.

I never looked for faith, I don't miss it. Try to find faith in yourself and create happiness, don't wait for it to come!

Good luck!

Answer 8

It's because the people with "unshakable faith" are trapped within their own little world of fantasy, while the "faithless people" are doomed to reality. Ignorance is bliss, I guess...

Answer 9

The bible is very clear on this:

Jeremiah 29:13 - You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Perhaps you have not earnestly sought Him yet. God loves a humble heart, but opposes the proud. You will find Him if you humble yourself, acknowledge your need, and ask for guidance with ALL your heart. This means a true, heartfelt searching, not a mere looking around a bit.

He is faithful to those that search. Grace and Peace to you on your quest.

Answer 10

Of course they're happy! They believe someones constantly watching over them, guiding their lives away from bad things. They believe if they keep their faith and ignore the ppl who don't their future and the ppl they care about are under some God's protection. They believe when they die they will go to some place where there's eternal happiness and all those who has ever done wrong will be punished for it. If I lived in that safe world, I wouldn't want to leave it but sadly I live in reality.