Can a believer ever trully consider the concept of no God?

Question

If not, why not? I've met many who just won't let their minds go there. Why do others look to examine and question their beliefs, allowing for any possibility, while many just won't let their minds go there? Even the answer to this question will be telling, right?

Answer 1

Yes. I do all the time.
Or else I would just be ignorant and stupid.
Maybe those who dont let their minds go there are struggling the most.
But to me it is important to not follow any religion blindly. I have to know about what I believe in, and sometimes I get so close to believe that their is no God, but somehow He catches me and makes me stronger again and I have better faith.

Answer 2

No. I think if they did, they would find that a lot of the things they know about God aren't logical or possible. It would cause distress to have something they believed all their lives suddenly and easily proven false. It isn't as much about logic as it is about faith for them. For example, the Catholic church has struggled with science to make their belief still believable. Even to the point of hiding many documents and rejecting science.

So if a believer ever gets to this point where they would truly consider the concept of no God, he or she wouldn't be considered a believer anymore. He or she would be a thinker (They think about God).

How do you know it's raining? Knowledge is not belief. Almost all of Philosophy is rethinking what you think you know with an open mind. God and a god are not the same things.

Answer 3

I have a sister in law who taught her son for the first few years of his life that the way she wanted him to behave was the only way that people behaved. There was no alternative - this is the way people do it and that is that. It was interesting to see him at family gatherings where he realized that not only did some people do things differently, but some mothers actually prefered that they do things differently.

If you look at history and realize that entire populations are taught falsehoods though propaganda and simply can not fathom a different point of view simply because one was not available, you can see how easily humans can embrace a truth based upon hearsay. That's why real live travel is so important for people to understand the world around them and begin to realize that there are other points of views or truths that have been hidden from them.

Now take all that and lay it over religion - often the foundation of a persons understanding of who they are and the world around them - which has a vested financial interest in who believes what. A Catholic can be immersed in the church and it's doctrine from the moment he is born until he starts going to college - or maybe even until he goes to work. That's a lot of years to engrain the idea of satan trying to hurt you by tempting you with foreign ideas - and a good person does not even listen to that talk, but goes to church (keeps donating and tithing) and reading their bible.

I know many thinking believers, who have truly considered all sides. Some change and some don't - that doesn't mean they have not truly considered alternative ideas. All in all I think people are thinking for themselves these days more than ever before - and I see a bravery in the less popular religions that I haven't before. Maybe it is forums like this that are helping us to see just how many of us are thinking for ourselves - and how few and silly are those who are so mired in the past and the old way of doing things. It's fascinating and exciting and a sign of what is coming ahead.

I think that athiests and science only folks must realize that humans are more than just a brain, though. People think with their heart and their mind and their instincts and their gut. People choose a solution that feels right and helps them live their life as contentedly as possible. Believing in the magic of this existence can be very inspirational and can help some individuals excel beyond what they might have done without it.

Peace!

Answer 4

If you are standing in the rain you know its raining. If someone asked you to examine your belief that it is raining you would have a hard time letting your mind go there. For those who believe their belief is a knowledge not just a belief. (It is as real as the rain that they would feel falling)

Below, Please note this is an example that is simplified. (I do not mean to bring up a huge discussion on how do you even know, what is knowing...) You state that knowledge is not belief but in a sense it can be. To discuss that further we really don't have the space,

Also, why do others need believers to examine their beliefs? Would them examining their beliefs help make your stronger?

Answer 5

I've considered that, because if there is no God then it is stupid to believe that their is. That's why I studied about the Bible, to see if there was any proof or not, and then which Christian group is right. The more I studied the more I knew that there is a God, and that the Jehovah's Witnesses are the only one's that are truely following the Bible.

1 Corinthians 15:29-32
Otherwise, what will they do who are being baptized for the purpose of [being] dead ones? If the dead are not to be raised up at all, why are they also being baptized for the purpose of [being] such? Why are we also in peril every hour? Daily I face death. This I affirm by the exultation over YOU, brothers, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord. If, like men, I have fought with wild beasts at Eph´e·sus, of what good is it to me? If the dead are not to be raised up, “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we are to die.

Answer 6

Yes, look at the concept and then ask yourself the questions well how did it really get here, could it be a accident. Not likely. Regardless of your concept of God of universal being you probably will come to the conclusion not all creation could happen by accident. OK so if you came to the conclusion that their is not God then entertain the possibly that we the creation are collectively that energy and on and on and on.

Like me you probably will come to the conslusion that God exists.

Fear is the mind and spirit killer. Don't be afarid to look

Answer 7

definite, actual.. some good-minded human beings do. I used to 'trust', and that i replaced into not asking questions because i replaced into inspired.. yet when I grew up and stuck my options, i concept in what i concept good.. So, yeah, believers of God who've 'good' minds actual end, imagine and disbelieve. because, c'mon, once you're a baby, you would trust what the 'adults' say.

Answer 8

I was believer and I had a lot of doubts, then I walked away from God. I was asking the question :God, where are you? Are you there?" I did not feel His presence. I lived like there was no God, but God found me. And I am happy for that.

Now I have a personal relationship with God, I feel it even when I make mistakes. I try to work on my relationship with God so that when I am sinning I still feel Him. So that I would never walk so far away from Him that I would not feel His presence.

Answer 9

No I could never consider that there is no God- because I know He personally exists,as the creator of this world, and my Savior. I cannot contemplate there is no God, any more than you seem to be able to contemplate that there is? Do you ever think there may be a God?

Answer 10

To play devil's advocate, can an atheist ever truly consider the concept of a God?

I do agree that religious folk sometimes have a one-track mind, but I don't think they monopolize this particular trait.