I think that many people continue to believe in a god because it gives them comfort; it’s an emotional response. It allows them to pray to their god and think that they’re actually accomplishing something. It gives them feelings of structure and meaning in their lives, and makes them feel connected. It helps remove the fear of death and nonexistence that most of us experience. Belief in the Christian god helps remove people’s fear of Christian hell that has been pounded into their minds. Belief in a god also makes the world more black and white, less confusing, and easier to deal with. But, is this any actual proof for the existence of a god? Is comfort a good indicator of the truth of external reality? I don’t think that it is. George Bernard Shaw said it best. “The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.”
2006-08-18 13:36:33 · 9 answers · asked by Mr. Mojo Risin 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yeah and? You could start your own website and write down your thoughts instead of putting them on here. If you are just looking for people to agree with you, you will find plenty here (me for one), but by doing so you won't accomplish any more than the people you speak of have.
There's no reason to try to talk to them about it, they wouldnt' listen to you anyways. The only proof for their god is that they believe and that's enough for them. It should be enough for you to leave them alone. I find it best not to care what others believe and to let them go about their lives.
2006-08-18 13:46:02 · answer #1 · answered by militantfairy 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'll answer you in kind, Mr. Mojo:
'I think that many people stop professing belief in God because they are afraid of looking foolish, backwards or even ignorant - it's a herding instinct. It allows them to stop making any mental or spiritual effort and at the same time give off the apperance of being more intelligent. It gives them the feeling of security that comes from not taking any risks, and makes them feel superior. It helps remove the fear of due retribution for our actions that most of us experience. Disbelief in God helps remove people's fear of punishment. Disbelief in God also makes the world an ambiguous shade of grey, more confusing, and harder to deal with.' Etc., etc.
Get my point?
2006-08-18 21:09:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a Christian in todays society is not a "picnic". I don't believe in God out of fear. You must have some kind of hatred or belief of God , seeing how you make an effort to type a lower case "g" for His name. Yes it might be a small fact but it really stands out to me.
2006-08-18 21:08:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't find the verses right now, but it is instilled into man to worship.
Somehow, someway, man follows some sort of ideology concerning his future.
And whether he can back his views up with scripture, science, or both, or whatever, or not, man sets his destination on what he feels is future ending will be.
Man will worship something.
If he chooses to direct his worship in the wrong direction, then it is to his finality.
This includes atheism, agnosticism, evolutionism, worship of human world leaders, materialism, following false religions, etc.
2006-08-18 21:27:16 · answer #4 · answered by rangedog 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's called FAITH, believing in what the eyes can't see, what
the ears can't hear and what the feeling can't sense.
I am a Christian, but believing in God doesn't give me an asurrance that i'd go to heaven or anywhere else.
Im not at all a devotee, but somehow, believing gives me
a sense of direction. yes, it gives comfort (somehow, to others).
i don't think there would be a problem if you choose to believe
rather than not. As long as you don't become too attached to it.
it is of your own choice anyway....
2006-08-18 20:56:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say it's better to believe in God and be wrong when I die because there will be no consequences. But should I decide to not believe in God, and I die, that I should find out that He really does exist and I miss out on everything.
2006-08-18 20:46:39 · answer #6 · answered by PetitePirate 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
FAITH and Emotion?
Emotion is unstable at the most but FAITH IN GOD is a solid rock
to build your life on.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
In Christ in Love,
TJ57
2006-08-18 22:15:46 · answer #7 · answered by TJ 57 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where do you find your comfort? I think militant fairy said it best of all, so no need to say more. I second her answer.
Oh, wait, I am agreeing with a non believer?!?! That is unheard of!
2006-08-18 20:50:19 · answer #8 · answered by Nelita C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good analysis, though you still won't be changing my mind any time soon.
2006-08-18 20:44:30 · answer #9 · answered by Suzy Suzee Sue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋