I want to believe in God?

Question

But I really just can't. I don't know why. I hear all these people saying how awesome it is knowing Jesus, and I'd like to. I'm an atheist, and I really just can't figure out any logical reason why God should exist. Jesus sounds so neat, and I know he was a real person. I like his teachings, but I just don't want all the BS dogma baggage that many christians seem to haul around. Is there anyone else out there who feels this way?
So far as Hell in concerned, I don't believe any loving God would create such a place, or send his creations there. If that is what God is like, I won't follow him regardless of where I end up. I don't care if he did create everything, if he sends his children to eternal torture, he's a Jerk.

So, considering these opinions, is there any solution? I'm quite happy the way I am, Jesus just seems neat.

Answer 1

I don't blame you for becoming an atheist, you were probably, if I may venture, taught all your life that the Bible is the word of God and don't read the Qur'an.

This deleted all options except to become an atheist.

My concern is that all the things that drove you to be atheist in the Bible, are also opposed in the Qur'an. In the Qur'an, God assures you that those who tampered with the Bible, those who drove you to be atheist are burning in hell.

God assures you that he saved Jesus from the cross, and Jesus will return on Judgment day.

There are zero contradictions in the Qur'an.

God wrote that the Earth is oval (Qur'an 79:28) over 1,400 years ago which was just discovered less than 50 years ago while the majority of Christians up to the 1800's believed it was to be flat, and then believed to be perfectly round..

God put water in and on this earth in precise measurement so that you can survive." (Qur'an 23:18), God raised mountains from the Earth so that the earth crust does not quake with you." (Qur'an 16:15). All phenomenon's and much more that humans discovered less than a few centuries ago while it was written in the Qur'an over 1,400 years ago.

There are over 127 references to science in the Koran, all proved true by Christians Doctors and Scientist who then converted.

I will stop here.

If you find something is missing, try God.

The Qur'an is a book from God, who else could have removed the curse of Babylon by having only the true believers in ONE God (1.5 Billion) speaking only 1 language and only 27% of Muslims are Arabs.

If you ever want to return to God, you may attempt to re-enter the Church community but you know by now that God must be perfect, forgiving and He does not prompt people to do bad things.

You must have tried to give Church a second chance only to find yourself an atheist once again. Well, the next time you feel the need to return to God, go to a mosque, take the translation of the Qur'an and read it.

You will discover why missionaries, bishops and preachers are converting, all who have had the temporary lapse of atheism such as yourself.








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!

Answer 2

You can become a believer in Jesus. You will experience peace and joy like you've never known. You'll never be alone for the rest of your life,he will protect you, and will steer you clear of pitfalls. You don't have to carry baggage. A lot of Christians carry baggage by their own choices. You don't have to go door to door and alienate people. A lot of Christians do things by their own accord and aren't sent by God. Hell was not created for people to live in. It was created for the devil and fallen angels. The only reason anyone goes to hell is rejection of Jesus Christ. (By their choice not God's choice) Jesus took your place, so you don't have to carry the baggage or go to hell. He loves you so much. He has put people in your path tonight to answer your question and help you. The only way to fill the void in your heart is with God. You may not feel it now but as you grow older, the void or "searching for something" feeling will grow. That is a God given void so that you will seek him.
Look around you at the good things in your life. These are proof of God's love and blessings on your life. I hope you'll think about what I've said. It's just a simple prayer asking Jesus in. He did all the hard work.

Answer 3

Well, you can join the Unitarian Universalists. They believe that everyone is saved, regardless.

God and logic should not be seperated. A lot of atheists claim they don't believe in God becuase there is no absolute proof. There's no absolute proof for the big bang or for evolution. In fact the big band is statiscally as impossible as the existence of God is. So why would one would chose to have faith in those and not in God?

I would recommend just trying to get to know God. Attempt to have a conversation. Pray. You don't have to include anyone else in this deiscion. Keep it private. Just ask God if he exists and could it be possible to have a relationship with him. And then take it from there.

And God is a lot different then what a lot of people have taught. God is merciful and loving. People routinely turn their backs on him and shove his Law aside - yet he gives them countless chances in the bible to make it right.

Answer 4

Here is some logic for you:
We know mathematically that the universe is of a finite age.

Here's how:
A) if I had an infinite number of things and gave you all of them, I would have zero and you would have an infinite number. So Infinity - Infinity = 0, right?

B) I could also give you an infinite number of things by just giving you the odd numbered things, thing 1, thing 3 etc. since there are an infinite number of odd numbers in infinity. So Infinity - Infinity = Infinity, right?

C) I could also just give you anything whose number was higher than 10 since there are an Infinite number of things in my infinitely large pile whose numbers are 10 or higher. So Infinity - 10 = Infinity, right?

It should be fairly easy to see that there is no physical reality which behaves this way - you can not in the physical world transcend the infinite. Therefore, there can not have been an infinite number of events prior to today since we would have to have passed through an infinite past in order to get to 0 moment, or now. This being true, there have only been a finite number of events in the universe. Therefore, we know the universe is not eternal - that it had a beginning.

The big bang has been amply demonstrated mathematically, so we can be certain on the basis of the simple math shown above as well as the findings of modern physics that the universe had a beginning. The string theory and other theories all rely heavily upon the use of unsolved equations based upon the use of imaginary numbers, in other words numbers whose domains do not describe reality. String theory was invented primarily to circumvent the inevitable conclusions of the big bang and gave rise to highly illogical theories such as steady state and oscillating universes.

Here finally, is an elegant logical evidence for the existence of God:
1. That which begins to exist had a cause. Nothing comes from nothing.
2. The universe had a beginning.
3. Therefore the universe had a cause.

It would be just pushing back the issue to say that the big bang caused the universe. You must explain the big bang since it had a beginning, it had a cause. At some point in time, matter came into being, and in a blinding brilliant explosion of light like there has never been the like, the universe came to be. Where did that singularity, that incredibly dense bit of matter come from? It had to have been caused since it came to be.

In order to dismiss this simple 3 step argument, known as the Kalam cosmological argument, you must falsify one of the two premises.

Can you demonstrate anything in the here and now that has no cause? Science has been showing this to be true for thousands of years - it is basic! Therfore, there must have been something outside of time and matter which caused it. We know on the basis of this, that the cause was eternal if it caused time and that it was immaterial if it caused matter. These are core attributes of God

Having demonstrated this, I urge you to consider Jesus as He is the Son of the God I have shown you by logic. If you would like more information, email me at [e-mail]

Logically in Christ,
Tom

Answer 5

Deism is very wrong. How can one not believe God and also believe He deserted or forgot He created us? Bunk.

The fact that hell is real should not deter your desire to know who Jesus is and why you should know Him personally. Hell was created for Satan, his followers, his angels. Why? To destroy him and his hellish work that makes life rough on us.

Many people speak of eternal torture in the 'lake of fire'. Others, including myself, don't believe that is what our God will do to those who do not except His truth. Yes, those who deny His existence or distort His word, misleading others, will be destroyed. Not tortured for eternity.

I attend a nondenominational church because I do not want someone else to tell me what is right or wrong. I think I am able to read and understand what He is saying. I do not only believe what I want to believe, I have to believe it all or nothing.

All I can say to you is to continue reading His word, The Bible. And read the NIV or even the Living Bible as these are written in our language using words and speech that we best understand. There will always be questions, that is why a Bible believing church is necessary for me. I can ask for explanations from one or several who have studied much longer than I.

It's all up to you. Hope you make the right choices.

Answer 6

First off I think it's really cool that you think Jesus is neat. Secondly, Hell is not some evil place God created. Hell is the absence of God. long ago 1/3 of the angels in heaven rebeled and God decided that if they didn't want Him then He would allow them to live without Him. So He is allowing them to live on Earth and will one day completely seperate Himself from them. As for humans, He gave them the same offer. If we believe in Him and love Him then we will go to heaven, but if we don't want anything to do with Him or we go and worship other gods then He will seperate Himself from us. God did not create Hell for humans. He decided that if His creations wanted to be seperated from Him then He would give them what they wanted. Try visiting a nondenominational church. They don't have any rules or anything, they just follow the Bible and teach the ways of Jesus.

I hope this helps. God Bless.

Answer 7

The fact that you are asking this question leads me to think that you Want to believe in ...Something... but that none of the options presented to you seem right to you. I was in the same position.

Your desire to find an answer...whatever it be.. says to me that you are on the right track. What works for you, what feels right to you; may not be the be the same thing that is right for anyone else. Some people may tell you that there is only one true belief ...and to believe anything else dooms you to an eternity in hell (or some other horrible fate). If you believe that, great! Question answered. Millions of people will attest to the above and for most of those people it may even work, maybe they go to heaven.

None of the answers out there worked for me..I made a great effort to make some of them work, but none of them felt right…until I found one that did. All I can suggest is keep your mind open. God may be an old man sitting on a throne in the clouds above the earth, he may be the living god who died so that you could be forgiven for your sins, or he may be none of the above. Perhaps not a he, nor a she, nor even an it. Perhaps god is something that the human mind is not even capable of ever understanding or defining. Perhaps the universe itself is god, and all things in existence a part of it. Or Perhaps the Atheists are correct and there is nothing, this could be true, but I don’t buy it… The more I learn about science, the stronger I feel that there is no way that life, nature, humanity, physics, genetics and hundreds of billions of stars, all came about by accident.

Just keep you mind open… Indeed, it is often said by men of god as well as men of science that anything is possible.

People say it is absurd that some religions will denounce certain sciences…E.G. Evolution.. And I agree, it is absurd to say something is untrue when you can see the proof before your eyes…but is it any more absurd to say "Belief in evolution is against my religion" then "Believe in God is against my science"? Both statements are absolute and both statements are ignorant.

Answer 8

Wow, sounds like you want to create God, YOUR WAY. If you really want to seek out God/Jesus, you are going to have to humble yourself a bit, ok? Read God's Word and get to know God/Jesus. Also, pray to God thru Jesus and ask Him into your heart. I cannot begin to express how awesome Jesus is!! He truly is way beyond neat. Why do you think many true christians want so badly to share Him with you!! Try to rid yourself of human logic that cannot possibly get along with God-given Faith in Truth for awhile while you search for Jesus. When you have a relationship with Jesus, you will have the Holy Spirit indwelling you and your eyes will open to truth that surpasses ALL human understanding! Without Jesus and The Holy Spirit, all that christians try to say to you or the Bible is foolishness to you as you try to use mere logic to figure it out. God/Jesus is not some equation that you calculate and it all adds up. God/Jesus is your Redeemer who lives and wants you to be His child in eternity. I could go on and on. Please ask Jesus and do repent with a willingness to change. Make God/Jesus your master. You too, will come to know, understand and love God/Jesus like you never knew was possible and everything else will fall in place!! God bless your search.

Answer 9

Indy,
I hope that you will view my answer with an open heart and an open mind.

I know that Atheists tend to lean to the structure of science, so as a science-loving Christian, I will try to answer your question logically and spiritually.

Stehpen Hawkings commented that even time needed a beginning, and in THIS specific universe, every reaction needs an action, but Christians believe that it was God Who created this universe and time itself, and if the concept of time was created by God, then he would, indeed, have no beginning and no end.

Many atheists argue that a loving God wouldn't send people to hell. But it's people that are sending OURSELVES down to hell. Unfortunately, many people refuse to believe in Jesus Christ because they cannot bear the thought of a complete surrender of their lives, even if it was God that granted it in the first place. However, Jesus Christ took the world's sins to his own and suffered enought that everyone who wanted salvation could escape this punishment and bring our eternal souls to where it was meant to be, to give glory and joy to the Lord.

Imagine Mount Rushmore, do you think that given an infinite amount of time, natural erosion could create a mountain in its exact image? No! For a work like it to happen, controlled energy must be used. Like us. The concept of a "primodial soup" is fascinating, but by itself, provides a scientific paradox that "spontaneous generation" cannot occur. Do you believe that life, which we hold so dearly, are just freak accidents of nature? Einstein even commented that even a rock is so stucturely and chemically complex that he expected an intellegent design. How more complex are we than a piece of dead earth?

Besides, if our minds and emotions were just swishes and splooshes of chemical liquids, then we really wouldn't matter. Our entire being and image would just be a delusion. Our lives would be utterly meaningless except to produce offsprings with better genes than others.

Just remember that God gave all of us a choice, because controlled love wouldn't be love at all.


You are one of God's dearest creations, and He wants you back as His child.

Answer 10

But listen, Jesus claimed to be God. He said, "before Abraham was, I am." Isn't this narcissism? Or a sign insanity?

Or was he really whom he claimed to be? Do you think Jesus is neat because you see a faint glimpse of God in him?

But there is a problem!

You imagine God to be different. Like someone high on a throne who passes judgment on sinners and sends them to hell without a second thought. An angry God who judges you right at this moment.

But don't believe it! That God not only wants us to turn to him, he begs us. He gets down on his knees for us to believe so he could save us. He begs us through Jesus's passion, and the suffering of all his martyrs and saints. Yes, this is a suffering God, because people don't listen to him.


His greatest source of joy is to connect with a soul and to fill it with mercy, but people don't pay attention. "They just scurry about their business" He says, "leaving me to myself".

Especially now on Good Friday.

Answer 11

Well, God didn't create a place like this. In fact it was once a paradise. However, people rejected God. When God saw this he didn't want people living for all eternity in this (the earth now when people choose bad things). So death came. He gives everyone a choice Choice him or don't. He doesn't send people to hell. When people get in the presence of God they can't stand it. It hurts seeing perfection and you see your own imperfection.

Jesus is the sacrifice for all sins. Believing and allowing him to change your life is what he came for. The Jewish people used to sacrifice lambs for sins. Now Jesus is the perfect lamb.

As for thinking Jesus is cool and you like his teachings, If you want more, if you want to experience Jesus, then you must develop a relationship. God is a relational God. He wants all of you. Not just knowing about him.