What makes someone believe?

Question

I am an Atheist. I would very much like to know why someone would give their life in service of a "god". Dont talk straight from the bible because it would not answer my question.

Answer 1

The truth to this question is the fact that 99,9999% of peaple are sheep like in nature and need to put their destiny in someone elses hand.

New religions like scientology proves this fact.

I'm an athiest too. Why? Because I like to control my own destiny. Also because I have the courage to be my own leader.

Answer 2

I don't get Atheism, so I guess we're even.

It just seems to be too big of a coincidence that even civilizations that had little or no contact with each other believe in Deity and some form of hereafter.

Our brain is filled with electrical impulses. Our thoughts are energy, and what happens to us after we die is determined by that. Some people go to heaven. Some go to hell. Others simply cease to exist. How we live, how we breathe, what we do, what we believe affects what we become.

If you concentrate your energy on becoming a doctor, study hard with dedication, you will become one. If you concentrate on being a drug addict, looking for the next score, then that's what will become of you.

And think of what we as humans are able to do with technology, DNA....it boggles the mind. Are you at least open-minded enough to consider Intelligent Design?

Science can change its theories all the time, so it isn't exact, and so why would evolution be any different? Some new planets were just discovered, just when we though we knew the solar system.

Spirituality and souls are very real things, like gravity or wind. Can't be see by the naked eye, but the effects can.

And interesting about the "just sheep" answer, because "The Lord is my Sheppard....."

Thanks for the question. Really made me think.

Answer 3

What makes you doubt? You were not born an atheist. You may have been influenced by your family or you may not have but to be an atheist is a learned belief. Just as someone who is a christian they were not born christian they were taught until they could make there own decisions. how can you not believe that there is not a higher power ? look around you how can you explain it if there were not. look at new life, see the trees, smell the rain. watch the forces of nature. I believe in a higher being because over 20 years ago I was pronounced dead for over 10 minutes but I live. Did I see a tunnel of light no. did I hear a booming voice no. Did I feel peace and warmth yes. Have I given birth and witnessed it yes. Have I seen flowers grow for no reason yes have I seen people die and before they do they smile and open their eyes as if they are seeing long lost family members yes. THE ONLY REAL ADVISE THAT MYSELF OR ANYONE COULD GIVE YOU is to volunteer in your local hospital and request to work with dying children they are at peace they know there is more not because they have been told that they see it and feel it. then visit the hospice floor for adults see the difference between the two. The children have no preconceived ideas ( which is instilled into us as we grow because the majority does not believe this way or that way ) then make your own decision

Answer 4

Please take a look at the book "Mere Christianity", written by C.S. Lewis. It presents in very easy to understand terms the answer to your question, without resorting to biblical quotes.

In a nutshell, once you accept that there is more to this world than what is in front of you and what you can detect with your five senses, questions naturally arise about the true nature of reality. If you check it out, and are satisfied (for example) with the claims of Christianity, you will find that the longings you have always had for something that cannot be satisfied in this world (if you've had them) suggest that there is another place, and satisfaction. After all, we get hungy. Well, there is food. We have sexual urges - the world is filled with members of the opposite sex. But sometimes you yearn for ...something.

You can't put a name on it, but certain things or events bring a tear of joy or longing to your eye, an upwelling of something like happiness or sadness so great you just don't understand it. And you don't know why. - you just know that the thing that triggered it is not the longing's fulfillment, only a sort of sign that reminded you that all is NOT well and complete with you and your life.

I'm sorry, but that's the best I can do. Read the book.

Answer 5

I can't see why anyone living today would question the Bible and God's word. With any brain you can see that every prophecy given by God has not only come to pass but has come to pass in every little detail. There is no need to question God, look around you, turn on the TV, what do you see? You see the pages of the Bible alive and well on planet Earth. Why don't you try reading the Bible and make a decision of your own instead of listening to someone's theory and just believing it.

Answer 6

I dislike the term Atheist, because it means that you have no theory. I find this hard to belive since you ask about others. If you have not decided on what you want to belive that is diffrent. (my opinion)
To get to your question, in many religions a God is more of a perfect idea, why a person would feel strongly about a idea is simple to see, you might think bread exist and that you can eat it and it will give you nuturition, others think that a god exist and that if you serve him in a way that pleases him he shall reward you. Although there is a question, if they give there life only to reserve there place in heaven do they not act a sin in greed?
I dont know how much sence this makes cause I am really tired, in anycase i do not meant to offend anyone.

Answer 7

I am an Atheist too and I never really understood the whole believing in a god thing either. I always thought the thing that made them believe was fear. If there was no god than what would the meaning of life be? how could you live a life without looking foward to meeting your maker in the end. Who knows... personally I think they are all a bunch of crazies with the same imaginary friend.

Answer 8

Consider this: Everything in Nature has a purpose. Everything in nature supports something else. Take out the tiniest microbe and something else dies. Nothing in nature exists just to exist.

What in Nature requires the presence of Humans? What in nature would cease to exist if there were no humans on earth?
In truth, humans do not support anything in Nature. Nature does not need the presence of humans for any of its purposes.

So, why are we here, what is the human purpose? All humans do is kill, destroy, and war! Too, we do that to nature!

Why even come here (be born), stay a while, then leave (die?).
What is this for? Humans affect nothing, give nothing, and create nothing.

Even worse, with our arrogance, humans have the audacity to think that they are the ALL. Yet they have no clue as to the all, how much, how many, or the where,

Figure out where you were before you came here and started using the physical form you are now using. Keep in mind that the form is not YOU. We can amputate arms, legs, and exchange the heart still you would remain. Figure out where you are going when you leave that form.

Come up with a reason for any of this! The force that created and governs all this, for what ever reason, the name GOD is given to it. Something did not just pop out of nothing, Be it the Big Bang 0Where did that energy/matter come from and why did it happen or who/what CAUSED IT TO HAPPEN) GOD playing with HIS chemistry Set?

Answer 9

Because of strong will and emotions, it is logical for me to reason that a part of me is intangible . I can not see but it is there.Because of this, I questioned creation and the means by which everything came about. Random genetics and the totally illogical generation of mankind was to me ludicris. Humans are physically much to complicated and mentally, well, that is just off the "reason" charts. Someone challenged me as I do you now, From the Bible in James Ch 1-vs5 "If any man need wisdom let them ask of God. You see there is a Creator, a Father of us all and I can prove it and so can you. All you have to do is ask and you will get an answer. I choose to serve Him because He deserves it.

Answer 10

Everyone has a god, or several gods. A god can be very abstract, such as money, or self-esteem, or desire for pleasure, or belief in science.

What makes someone believe is experience. For example, let's examine science. Many people are unscientific, in that they don't have enough education to really understand or apply science. But their experience teaches them that when a scientific specialist, a doctor, diagnoses and prescribes a pill, it very often works. So the unscientific person can have great faith and belief in science. Probably more than it deserves.

Other types of experience might be if a person had been very poor, they might worship money, seeing it as the solution to many, perhaps all problems.

A person who encounters beautiful women might make a god of desire and pleasure.

It seems to be human nature to want to believe in something. There are certain stages in life where a person needs to feel purpose and guidance. Belief in god helps to deal with adversity, to create self-discipline, and to harness the community as a co-operative unit.

Answer 11

There are many answers to this question as not many people can say that their beliefs are exactly the same as anyone else's, even if its just one little issue they differ on (for lack of a better example, which is a more calming color - blue or green... hmmm...). For some, they believe because they were raised in a *insert religion here*-friendly environment and accepted it without question, discrepencies and all. For others, hope pushed the magic button. For others, something physical, like almost dying, did/will have the effect. And yet others were just strong-armed into going to church with their significant others and became hooked. (I've actually lost friends when that last one happened to them - I don't like being preached to by anyone for any reason on any subject.) All in all I think its the need for something to hold on to (metaphorically speaking, of course), to give everything a meaning that they themselves just can't or couldn't seem to find themselves. Not everybody is a Do-It-Yourselfer. I hope some of this has helped.