First of all, what are your beliefs, and what is it about that ideology that is believable to you? If you are an atheist, why do you not believe in a supreme being? If you do believe in God, why do you accept the idea that there is a God? And if you are anything else, why does that belief system make the most sense to you?
Also, I would like to ask atheists something else: How do you believe the universe first came into existence without something "helping it along?" By this, I mean how do you believe that first matter came about--the "material" that started it all? Now, I'm not asking this to be like those nutty zealots who ask goofy questions like "If we came from apes, why do we still have apes?" I'm just asking this because I want to get in-depth ideas from all sides.
One final note to all: A quote(s) from your religious text (be it the Koran, Bible, or whatever) is not acceptable. I want to hear this in your own words.
2006-10-05 05:16:30 · 18 answers · asked by I'm Still Here 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
One last thing...
Please, no inflammatory responses like "I just don't believe in a magical sky fairy!" or "Athiests are closed-minded fools!"
2006-10-05 05:17:26 · update #1
I think some of you are missing the point, or perhaps I just chose a bad word when I used the word "justify." When I mean is, what rationale do you have for believing what you believe?
2006-10-05 05:24:13 · update #2
a rosenthal: Actually, being a theist, I do have trouble believing that something could come from nothing, but I guess you are right in suggesting that at some point, we will have to say that something came from nothing--after all, God had to come from somewhere (or did he? hmmm). But thanks for your answer, for you gave a good perspective into this issue.
nice girl: Honestly, when I checked back several minutes after posting this question, I was a little surprised by the answers I had gotten so far. But I guess people answer from their own perspectives, so I really shouldn't be too suprised. I also hope you didn't think I was upset, for when I look at it, I think everyone has given good answers in that they answered in how they truly felt. And in reponse to your comment, I have seen people who claim that God has worked in their lives. Honestly, I sometimes think He is working in mine as well.
2006-10-05 05:36:21 · update #3
Once again, I don't think I made a very good choice when I used the word "justify" in my question. Just in case anyone was thinking I said this, I am not suggesting that people should have to justify their beliefs to me or anyone else. I was just acknowledging the fact that there are numerous beliefs and faiths, and I thought it would be interesting to hear (read, actually) why people accept certain beliefs over others. And many of you have given really good answers, and I thank you for that. If you feel that I am "invading your privacy," then you can just ignore the question and not answer it. Pretty simple, huh?
Peace out.
2006-10-05 05:53:58 · update #4
I have had several different beliefs throughout my life. From the time I was 12 until I was about 17, I was a really devout Christian, and I still am, but in my own way. I no longer see a need to go to church every time the doors open for service (though I still do go occasionally), mainly because I feel that God is everywhere and loves me and hears my prayers regardless of where I am.
Although I have entertained atheistic thoughts--in other words, I have considered the possibility that God may not exist--I am pretty well convinced that he does exist. I think there's something out there, anyway. If I end up being wrong, I'll just eat my words and get on with it in whatever way I can, though I'm not sure how I could do that, because I would be dead. But getting back to why I believe, it's just really hard to explain. I hate to beg the question, but I just feel that there is a strong spiritual realm, because of some of my experiences, and because of a lot of other people's experiences.
But this is really a good question. And I think it's a little funny that people get all flaky when you ask them to put a little thought into why they believe what they believe.
2006-10-05 12:34:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Through prayer. Whenever I need to know something I just need to sit down and pray in the evening and when I wake up in the morning I'll know the answer. This doesn't mean that I don't also use reason when thinking. For myself the feeling of the spirit is enough and I don't need to justify my religious beliefs to anyone else, because no one else is responsible or in control of my belief! The thing that started everything that religions see as God, I think is some kind of pure universal intention, which keeps expressing its self and is the cause of all existence. This makes the most sense to me because when keep searching deeper and deeper for more basic principles there has to be something as elementary as this. This pure intention must also have created time so you can't really ask when it started. For some reason human reasons can also cause this intention so we can also be creative - maybe not create an entire universe, but who knows - we might still develop.
2006-10-05 05:34:13 · answer #2 · answered by clevver17 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am an atheist/agnostic and proud of it.
I don't believe in a supreme being because I have yet to see a single bit of evidence in favor of that concept. However, I like to think of myself as open minded and would be willing to consider most anything.
I believe that the world is pretty much the way we see it (though, obviously, we have a lot of learning to do before we see it all clearly). I also believe that if there is a supreme being then he/she/it can probably take care of their own business and that things are probably working out the way they planned.
As far as the origin of the universe question goes - I have a very definite answer to that one - I don't know. But let me turn the question around to you. You probably believe that "Nothing Comes From Nothing". Seems reasonable to me. But then where did God come from? It seems like cheating to say that the universe or life is far to complex to have arisen on it's own and at the same time saying the the God (who is by definition the most complex and advanced thing in the universe) is just magically there. That is a paradox and suggests that the question is just plan wrong.
2006-10-05 05:24:29 · answer #3 · answered by Alan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love the question.
This is very close to the Biblical command to
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."
Part 1
How do I justify/ rationale my beliefs?
#1 When I look at the wonder and complexity of physical existence I come to the conclusion that something had to create this wonder.
BUT
A. If something created this wonder, then what created that wonder? and that wonder? and that wonder? and that wonder?...and that wonder...and that..and that..>>>>?
The logical answer is that there is only one ultimate wonder
we call God, the Creator
and all other wonders are tools or manifestations of the ONE ULTIMATE GOD the CREATOR.
BUT
B. Couldn't that ultimate wonder just be the
mechanical NATURE, of the universe
controlled by and including all the unyielding laws of science, known and unknown and
there is not ONE ULTIMATE GOD ?
So there is either only ONE ULTIMATE GOD and NATURE is a tool or manifestation of that CREATOR or there is only a mechanical NATURE.of the universes.
To be continued:
Part 2
#2 What are the evidence for A or B?
2006-10-05 14:48:58 · answer #4 · answered by B S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You make a good question, friend. One I really can't give you a definite answer to. I'm kind of like a neutral atheist. I don't believe in God, nor do I place any true faith in proven science or anything else that much in society. Can't really say why I chose this path. Maybe I feel that in not choosing sides, I can come closer someday to finding out why I exist and why I live the life I have now.
2006-10-05 05:32:47 · answer #5 · answered by Daemon 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't justify anything. I merely allow God to use me to justify Himself in any way He sees fit.
I'm sorry if this isn't the answer you are looking for. I'm not trying to be "smart." It's just that it's not exactly something I can write out on this space. The living God indwells the hearts of those who believe (It's a deep personal experience anyone can have if they desire to). So when you do meet or see someone who truly has allowed Him into their heart (someone who is sincere and not faking it) you will know because you will see the evidence of Him in that person's life. That doesn't mean the person will be perfect, or smarter, or "better" per se. But you will be able to tell a difference. There will be a love and a passion in that person and it will stand out to you because it will be different.
2006-10-05 05:21:46 · answer #6 · answered by Consuming Fire 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My belief system is based on the life of Ifa which is a traditional belief from yorubaland in Nigeria. Life of Ifa is based simply on making that very important connection with forces of nature and having them work for you in a way that will be satisfying. It becomes you. You cannot become it. Some call it orisa, others may say Santeria and there are the rest that will call it voodoo.
I live in the Caribbean. I would have to say that one of the main reason why i accepted it was based simply on the fact that it was the way of my forefathers. My great grandfather was a slave.
So i felt more connected to this way of life. The African way felt familiar to me. It was almost as if this was my way of life in a past life as well.
Another reason is because it not a religion. You have certain things to do when you are doing rituals etc but if i get up Monday morning and i feel like praising my God, i call him Olodumare, i do. i do not have to wait until i go to a church on that Sunday to hear his word either because he is all around me. I speak to him and and he answers me.
I do not have anyone telling me that i have to do this and i have to do that. I am free to question anything that i do not accept. If i ask that something be proved to me, whatever it may be, it will be. If i ask why this must be done and if it is not what will happen then my questions will be answered.
Most importantly, i am not obligated to serve anyone God in particular. And there is no one to tell me that if i do not do this i will not go to heaven.
I get up in the morning, i pray and ask God for guidance and straight and all is well with me. I call on the name of my ancestors to guide me in the name of Olodumare. I call on all orisa and ask them to guide me in the name of Olodumare.
All is good with me.
I hope this answers your question.
2006-10-05 05:34:05 · answer #7 · answered by Osunwole Adeoyin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all bro
i'm no atheist nor am i a free thinker but i do think freely
about words of bible or koran
there's just something that speaks the truth but in a puzzling or confusing way as many may seem
it's just how one sees a puzzling painting and tries to deciphate its true meaning and if one does manage to do that, the rest comes as easy. it's just like tasting good beer from a free flowing drum but one thing for sure it takes real hardship initially like trying to figure out a jigsaw puzzle
don't deny about the holy books
this is just a good example of what i meant
the more you read it, the more you're lost in a holy world as many tends to be one from reading it
What do you really expect from the books?
Are these books truly as holy to be called holy?
they're man written/printed by machines one can expect no more than just piles of papers
Look and go for the true holy book that will remain as holy as ever undue by time and youshall see how yor puzzle starts to match-up
good luck bro
2006-10-05 05:45:16 · answer #8 · answered by St.Jon A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am a christian, first of all. by being a christian means reflecting jesus christ's image onto others- the name christian is taken from what we call christ, that is jesus.
acting like jesus doesn't mean that i can act like a God because that is blasphemy...i just have to act as how Jesus did as a human...being kind and good and follow His footsteps all the way.
they say that when things become unbelievable we resort to things beyond the possible..we turn to spirituality...but God has shown us millions of evidences that science had not proved,some people have just turned their back from Him. the Bible can prove everything i said by the guidance of the Holy Spirit...and i advise you to try asking a Seventh Day Adventist pastor for any inquiry you would like to ask about our christian faith...there are many kinds of religions oout there, and to heads are better than one, so do what you can to clarify these things...
thanks...
2006-10-05 05:34:17 · answer #9 · answered by icenjel 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its kinda hard to say why I believe..Thats probably why they call it blind faith. I was raised in a catholic home and its all I've known..I dont think that all atheist are closed minded fools either. I do believe in God I dont neceseraly believe in the teachings anymore. Its funny how they teach children the bible allot differently than the way they taught it to say my grandparent.
2006-10-05 05:22:36 · answer #10 · answered by Candy S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋