How do we know that religion or God even exists?

Question

Now don't get me wrong about there no being God or anything like that but, with all the information and scientific advancements that we're making today, is a God likely, or even possible? Many religions say that God created Adam and Eve, the first people. But, we have scientific evidence that humans infact evolved from monkeys. Also, the bible says that God created the earth in 7 days, but we've also PROVEN that the earth was made by "the big bang."


Think about it, let's just say that these religions were created by wise men thousands of years ago, intending to get people to "do the right thing." To convince the people to follow it, they would have had to create some reward (heaven) for following the religion that could not in any possible way be proven or disproven. Humans today have discovered planets, stars, and galaxies millions of light-years away,

Answer 1

Consider this : An archaeologist digs deep into the desert sand and finds a piece of an old clay pot. After his investigations, this archaeologist can tell us, from this little old piece of dusty clay, so much about the civilisation that existed thousands of years ago that produced it; he can tell us about the types of ovens, temperatues, and dyes that they worked with, the raw materials that they used, and thus assess the level of their artistic skill and technological ability, etc. All this from a small piece of clay lying in the desert.
Did this archaeologist ever see the civilisation that produced this pot ?

How does he know that it ever existed ?

He knows because he saw that the piece of clay was produced by someone who designed it, and shaped it, and had the intelligence to be able to heat it and produce the pot, and not only that, they also had the ability to colour it and make it look beautiful.

Design ==> Designer.

To the archaeologist the existence and intricacy of the piece of pottery is conclusive proof of the existence, intelligence and ability of the people who made it.

Look around you: at the beautiful sunset on a summer evening, at the moon and the stars on a cloudless night, at the water that you drink, at the trees and how they grow from tiny seeds.

Think about yourself: your eyes with which you see, your ears with which you hear, your tongues with which you taste and talk, your hands and your feet, your heart and your brain.

Consider how these things are so complex in themselves and yet work together in such perfect harmony.

From the movement of the galaxies to the complexities of the interaction of molecules, from the dynamics of eco-systems to the intricacies of DNA, all lead to the obvious fact of the existence of the great Wisdom, Knowledge and Power that allows our Universe to exist and function.

To any perceptive person the existence and intricacy of creation is conclusive proof of the Existence, Knowledge and Wisdom of the One who creates, organises and sustains it.

Most people naturally recognise the existence of the Creator, and we find reference to the Creator in all cultures and religions. Even the atheists, communists and (disbelieving) scientists cannot avoid this reality, but avoid the term 'creator', for phrases like 'Mother Nature' and 'the amazing way nature has designed...'

How strange in the face of this, that many today reject the belief in the existence of the Creator. Perhaps this is due more to fashion and the desire to justify a materialistic attitude to life rather than real observation and comprehension of reality.

Something stranger still, and perhaps another reason for the trend to deny the Creator, are those who claim that a man, or men, who walked on the earth, breathed air, who had bodies and souls subject to the Laws of the Universe, are the Creator, or manifestations of the Self-Subsistent One.

This is of course a complete contradiction in terms. Something cannot be the Creator and created at the same time, needing air, food and drink and being self-sufficient, being temporary and eternal!

If you are one of those who believe that a man such as Buddha, or Krishna, or Jesus is the Creator and Controller, then think again.

We were created from a drop of despised fluid, in which was a microscopic sperm, which in turn fertilised a microscopic egg and we grew in our mother's womb in stages predetermined, over which we had no control. We came from our mother's womb, urinating and defecating, needing constant attention and care. Without food we will die, without air we will die ... and then such a one is God?

Indeed any intelligent person would recognise exactly how dependant life, the universe and everything is on its Creator. Our dire need for His help makes itself plain in times of great distress.

Imagine yourself in an aeroplane and you know it is going to crash...

Who do you turn to for help then ?

Or on a ship in the sea, thrown helplessly up and down by towering waves ...

There will have been a situation at one time or the other in your life when you called upon your Creator alone, forgetting everyone and everything else, hoping, trusting, wishing that the Being you know in your heart and soul that has power and control over all things would help you. The only One you know can save you!

O creature of God, contemplate upon these verses:

" Behold! In the creation of the Heavens and the Earth; In the alternation of the night and day; In the sailing of the ships through the Oceans for the profit of mankind; In the rain which God sends down from the skies, and the life that He therewith to an earth that is dead; In the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the Earth; In the change of the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth -Indeed these are signs for a people that are wise." [The Qur'aan 2:164]

"It is He who has made the sun a shining glory and the moon a light of beauty and has measured out their stages, that you might know the number of years and their reckoning.Allah did not create this but in Truth. He explains His signs in detail for people who understand.[The Qur'aan 10:5]

"He has created the heavens and the earth with Truth. Far is He above having the partners that they ascribe to him. He has created mankind from a sperm drop; and behold this (same) man becomes anopen disputer! And the cattle, He has created them for you; in them is warmth (warm clothing) and numerous benefits, and of them you eat." [The Qur'aan 16:3-5]

"Blessed be He who sent down the Criterion to His servant that it may be an admonition to all creatures. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; no son has he begotten, nor has He any partner in His dominion; It is He who created all things and gave them their due proportions.Yet they have taken besides Him gods that can create nothing but are themselves created; that have no control of hurt or good to themselves; nor do they control life nor death nor Resurrection."[The Qur'aan 25:1-3]

"Were they created by nothing or did they create themselves? Or did they create the heavens and the earth ? No, they have no firm belief."[The Qur'aan 52:36]

"He it is who enables you to travel through land and sea, until, when you are in the ships and they sail with a favourable wind and you are glad about that. Then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to you from all sides and when you think that you are encircled by them, you call upon God making your faith pure for Him alone saying :'If You deliver us from this we shall truly be grateful.' But when He delivers you, behold! you rebel in the earth wrongfully. O mankind, your rebellion against God is only against your own selves - a brief enjoyment of this wordly life, then in the end unto Us is your return We shall inform you of that which you used to do." [The Qur'aan 10:22-23]

Answer 2

I don't think we know all there is to know about evolution and or the big bang. And I think that the big bang is not PROVEN as you say as some scientists, even evolutionists disagree whether the big bang is the way it really happened. I think that there is a lot we don't know and that many people draw conclusions because it seems to fit other things that are observed.

It is said that we, as humans only use less than 10% of our brain. What would a person be like that was able to use 100% of his brain? No, God is so far advanced beyond anything that we can imagine. And who is to say that the "big bang" is not the method that God used to create the world? I don't know.

If you read the scriptures, there is a place that says that 1000 of our years is like a day to God. I don't know if that is literal or not, but at the very least that would imply 7000 of our years to create the earth.

All we really know for sure is that there are seven different periods through which God created the earth. Each time doing just a little more. I think for the sake of giving these time periods a name so that people could understand the concept, the term days was used.

It's also possible that God used this as an example of how He wanted us to live. We work 6 days, we rest 1 day and devote that day to Him. If it was good enough for Him, it's got to be good enough for us.

Answer 3

Several scientists have already answered your questions online, Here are links to their answers:

Reconciling Science and Religion ...
- An Enduring Quest
- - Accept the Limits
- - Let the known facts speak
> - The Creative Days--24 Hours Each? [NO!] <
- - Faith, not credulity
- - Respect science; acknowledge belief
- - Has Science Taken the Moral High Ground?
http://watchtower.org/e/20020608/article_01.htm

Does God Exist?--Some Scientists Answer
http://watchtower.org/library/g/1999/2/8/article_01.htm

Can Science Help You to Find God? :
- IS It Unscientific to Believe in God?
- Why Some Scientists DO Believe in God
- Where Can You Find Answers? ...
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2004/6/22/article_01.htm

A Nuclear Scientist Tells
- "Why I Believe the Bible"
http://watchtower.org/e/20040122a/article_01.htm

The Awesome Universe---Where Did It Come From? :
> The BIG BANG--What It Does & Doesn't Explain
- So Mysterious, yet So Beautiful
- 'Something is Missing'--What?
http://watchtower.org/e/19960122/article_01.htm

Do You Believe in What You Cannot See?
- Why Some Do Not Believe
- Getting to Know God
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2000/6/15/article_01.htm

Answer 4

Well, I believe that . . . . I will start of with a parable. If you do chinese whispers with about 250 people and the first person whispers a secret to the next and so on. By the time it gets to the end of the line its not the same, right? Right! Usually this happens. Well, there is one thing that has never changed and science proves it! That is the bible. They have proved parts out the bible!
I can tell you about a cuple of things that I have seen in my life as a non christian and as a christian. I used to have doubts about whether God existed but I used to pray and ask God to show me if he does exist. But I neverknew where my prayers were going. I had many traumatic experiences until one day I said " God if you exist show me!"after 18 years of so-called prayer, I thought no, god is not answering. He musnt be real. I was on the verge of giving up my search. I thought I am just going to live for today. And the day I thought that a lady came into my life and she took me to her church. I still had doubts. But I had overcome these doubts by seeing my prayers being answered. I will tell you a story of how this happened. I thought ok god I am going to try you and see if you answer. I prayed that God would give me a drum kit, a guitar and a bass and I totally forgot about it until one day I went to my friends place for a meal and I was inside talking to his wife and I heard a loud bang. I said to her what was that? and she said go out into the garage and have a look. WOW I DIDNT BELIEVE MY EYES!!!! There was a drum kit. I fell down to the ground in shock and screamed I prayed for this. But I also prayed for a guitar and I thought God didnt answer that. Until my friend pulled out a guitar. WOW I WAS STOKED!!! I thought no bass. and my friend said. We also have a bass. WOW!!! It was amazing. This happened 3 weeks after I prayed for it. It still shocks me But that only 1 experience I had. I have had many others and this really shocks me.

I think it is about faith and not by sight. God will show you if he exists. If your really searching in your heart, sincerely. After a life time of doubts I have become a minister because God has shown me the truth. The bible says that false religions like evolution will errupt in the 21st century and many will be decieved but how do you overcome this? I will tell you 1 thing. Give God a try and give him a go. You will be surprised! The bible answers all the questions you are asking. I will keep you in my prayers.

Answer 5

There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 217) The Jews await the Messiah, the Christians the return of Christ, the Moslems the Mahdi, the Buddhists the fifth Buddha, the Zoroastrians Shah Bahram, the Hindus the reincarnation of Krishna, and the Atheists - a better social organization! Baha'u'llah represents all these, and thus destroys the rivalries and the enmities of the different religions; reconciles them in their primitive purity, and frees them from the corruption of dogmas and rites. For the Baha'i Faith has no clergy, no religious ceremonial, no public prayers; its only dogma is belief in God and in his Manifestations (Zoroaster, Moses, Jesus, et al., Baha''llah). (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. vii)

Answer 6

Regarding the theory of of use being monkeys it's still a theory.

It hasn't been proven yet. They teach it as if it is a fact but it's a theory hence, it's called the theory of evolution.


In islam, the science is compatible with it. That part of it's beuty.
http://www.islamisforyou.com/science.shtml

Islam agrees with the bigbang theory, it said it 1400 years before it's discovery by science as well as many other discoveries such as the earth being round.


This videos is one of the videos that shows how the bible fails when it comes to science and how the quran agrees with science perfectly since 1400 years
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckMwbVmMkIw

Answer 7

Of course the Bible is not the only proof of God's existence! Just open your eyes and take a look at creation all around you.....Do you think all this just happened?
The awesome beauty of Creation is a wonderful expression of God's love....yet some still choose to ignore it...

However, for those of us who know and talk to God daily we have experiential proof He exists....everything from answered prayers to peace of mind....you name it ; we have allowed His Holy Spirit to come into us....and we hear His voice daily AND see the wonderful results of His intervention in our lives.

You cannot intrude into that type of evidence however until you act on God's Word and let Him into your life through faith in Jesus Christ.
That type of experiential proof is reserve for those who put their trust in Christ

Answer 8

These questions are stupid because a person can always say something else to prove their point and whatnot. However, if you used some logic and did some research and talked to priests and such then you can find out for yourself!

Answer 9

We can be reasonably certain that religion exists. The presence of churches can be regarded as evidence.

Answer 10

There is no way to prove it, which is why religious people came up with faith. God does not exist, but religious people will say he does. They will go against all evidence and state that one must have faith. And what is faith-belief without reason.