Why did you choose to believe or not believe in "God"? What convinced you?

Question

Have you ever had any doubts?

Answer 1

I used to have doubts, but I believe because of what I've observed of Mars and what I've heard in ancient mythology. It's amazing, Yeti, I'm sure it would make you believe. It's a beautiful tale of creation and destruction.

Answer 2

When I studied the History of Civilization in college and became aware of the ignorance of biblical people. They had a 99% illiteracy rate. Religion hides the fact that during those days it was common for people's food supply to run out during the winter time so they would hunt for animals or forage for food, IE: pick up any plant, bark or root. if it could be chewed and swallowed it was food. Biblical people didn't know that many wild plants can contain halucinogens. The root of Payote Cactus, Mugwort and many wild mushrooms to name a few. If they ate the wrong thing a person could see a staff turn into a snake or hear voices that they called God. When Moses went into the mountain did he bring a supply of food? When Jesus went into the desert for so many days, did he bring donkeys loaded with a supply of food? When Mohamed went to the mountain did he bring a supply of food? No, they all foraged like everyone else. And then they heard God. If you could be transported back to biblical times just bring a cigarette lighter and light it and everyone would drop to their knees and worship you as God because you could make fire instantly come from your hands. Religions hide the fact that biblical people didn't have the knowledge to understand the things that they went through. Yet we have been forced to accept their God concept while mankind has abandoned all the rest of their beliefs but the religion business says, 'Not this one', we are going to keep it, interpret for you, and capitalize on it. If today with our knowledge was the first day of civilization on this planet, do you think that our God concept would be different? You can bet that it would.

Answer 3

I assume you're talking about the God of the Bible. I'll tell you why I chose not to believe:

- The fact that the God of the Bible has so many human-like attributes and characteristics
- Contradictions in the Bible
- Concepts like heaven and hell. Hell especially. The concept of "eternal punishment" is totally absurd and ridiculous, in my opinion.
- The whole idea that God cares most about whether we acknowledge him or not, and needs us to "worship" him. Why does God care what religion we are? Why does God care about whether we "believe in Christ" or not? Why does God even NEED to be worshipped? Why isn't it things like charity and kindness to strangers and service that count? To be honest, I cannot imagine the supreme, all-powerful, loving creator of the universe caring even just a little bit about whether we "acknowledge him" or not -- it's the things that I've mentioned that count, not a person's religion.
- The sheer number of religions out there. If there was one real God, and all the other gods that people worship out there are fake, why isn't that one true God helping out those other people? Why is he letting Muslims and Hindus go down the wrong path, especially considering the fact that there's so much riding on it? Why does he even ALLOW the establishment of Islam and Hinduism, if everything other than Christianity leads you to hell?
- Most importantly, lack of evidence. If God really exists, where is he? Why do atheists and agnostics and members of other religions have such a hard time finding him? Why isn't it obvious to EVERYONE that he exists? There are so many questions you could ask on this particular subject.

Answer 4

A bit of a loaded question there, we don't choose. It's God who chooses us, so the answer to your second question is who, not want, convinced me -- the Holy Spirit of course. Have I had any doubts in the past? Of course, but that doesn't mean that what I believe in is false.

Answer 5

I think it is a matter of hope. I was baptised catholic, and to be honest, I don't believe 1/2 of what they preach about. At times, I wonder how people can be so naive and gullible.

At the same time, I acknowledge that there is good and evil out there. There is something out there that is very powerful. What is it? God? who really knows...no one.

I choose to believe in a God almighty because to me, it represents hope. I have a reason to live because of hope. This is what convinces me.

Answer 6

believe in God or a Supreme Being or whatever name you give it is a part of man's nature. no matter how man denies the existence of God deep in his heart there is a feeling of emptiness that seeks to fulfill it by no other way but dependence of a Higher Intelligence ie God. There is a narration from Imam Jaafar as Sadiq who lives some 14 centuries ago. He had a debate with a man who claims himself as being an atheist. Imam says who do you implore deep down in your heart in a situation if are ship wrecked in a stormy sea and there is no one at all to help you. The atheist eventually conceded that it was God that he prayed to save his life. Therefore denial of God is impossible even though man tries very hard to deny his very nature that God bestows in him.

Answer 7

The total lack of evidence for any god. Yes I had doubts, I was saying that my parents were delusional when I was only about ten. That would give anyone doubts. I no longer have them at all.

Answer 8

i didnt choose to
experiences around me were suggestive of God and although i have no proof of God alone , i have proof of these other things
i doubt many things and i will always look for answers...
i dont doubt there is a God energy .. i am still searching for what that is

Answer 9

If God loved us so much that he had a book written to help us cope with our problems and to teach us how to serve him, then I needed to hear what he had to say.
I went to the Mormon Church when I was only 6. My mom would drop me off and I would have to sit outside by myself for hours waiting for her to pick me up.
Times were different then.
She left the Church when I was 12. I question their beliefs when I was 10 and 11, then I left when she did.
I went to many other churches, talked to those who sincerely practiced what their church taught and found too many common treads.
When I ask Reverends, Priest, Pastors, Bishops, etc questions I had, they all asked me in I was talking to Jehovah’s Witnesses. I asked who are they?
So when I turned 18, I found out who Jehovah’s Witnesses are, started to study, was baptized 28 years ago and it is still the best decision I have ever made!

Answer 10

God lives in you or He does not. Its simple. He leads you to His Saviour and you accept Him or you don't. Its simple.

However, you can as an unbeliever choose to believe and ask forgiveness. God will then accept you through His Son Jesus Christ.