Why do a lot of religious people?

Question

say that athests would still not believe the truth even if you showed the proof, HOW DO YOU KNOW UNTILL YOU TRY, just because we do not accept the holy books, or the argument, just look around at trees and stuff as proof. if there WAS proof of god, their probably would not be athests.
What do you think?(do you belive in god?) Why?

ok icycloud, educate me, without refering to the holy book you follow.

well said honey10 although it doesn't really answer my Q.

Answer 1

First let me say thank you for saying "a lot of..." instead of grouping us all together like most people do.

I'm a Bible researcher and I study the original Hebrew and Greek scriptures. I've discovered many discrepancies between the man-made Bible and the original texts.

I've tried to share what I've learned with other Christians but most of them don't want to hear it. They believe what they believe and are closed minded to the possiblity that some of their beliefs may be inaccurate or just plain wrong.

I believe this is the case for many, if not most, of the Atheists (and those with other religious beliefs) as well. I've found that most people are rather closed minded on the subject of religion. Let me share one example:
The Jews have been observing the Sabbath from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday for thousands of years. Regardless of whether a person believes in the Bible or not, this is historical fact. In the 4th Century AD, Emperor Constantine outlawed observing the Sabbath on Saturday and changed it to Sunday. Again, this is historical fact. How many Christians do you suppose I've convinced that the true Sabbath is Saturday? None!

If I can't even convince a Christian that some of their church based beliefs are wrong, what chance do I have of convincing an Atheist that God is real? Personally, I have tried to convince some Atheists of God's existence during friendly discussions or debates but I've met with the same resistence as with Christians. The arguments I use are simply dismissed as "That's not proof". Short of God showing up at their doorstep and proving Himself to be real, nothing will change some people's minds.

To answer your last two questions, I do believe in God but the answer to "why" is rather complicated. I've just always believed is the short answer. I was brought up in church so belief in God was ingrained in me since I was a child. Since then, however, I've searched for myself and have found what I consider to be proof that God exists. As a matter of fact, I've never found any evidence to the contrary.

I hope this answers your question.

Answer 2

Fact is, the religious people who say that don't realize that there IS no proof. All there is, is evidence. The flaw in there being only evidence is that two people, depending on the prejudices they've already formed, can come to two COMPLETELY different conclusions.

Theists and atheists alike have access to the same information, the same evidence. However, the atheist looks at the evidence and says, "See? There is/are no god/s", while the theist says, "See? There IS a God!"

I do believe in God, I am a Christian, and I have NUMEROUS reasons why I came to that conclusion. I'll give a cursory overview, without going into details, simply because the details would take forever to type out.

1. There is archaeological evidence for many of the events in the Bible.
2. There is historical evidence for many of the places, people, and events in the Bible.
3. Many scientific discoveries in the last twenty to thirty years actually point TOWARDS the universe and life having a creator, rather than away from.
4. Not one archaeological or historical discovery has DISPROVEN the Bible. There have been a couple things that have created doubt, but they are then proven to be flawed, or faked, and then there are ten discoveries which debunk them.

That's the basic overview of WHY I believe, without going into the whole "faith" thing that I know from experience that many atheists hate.

Answer 3

I've never been an athiest but I have been a pagan, and spent my life believing in a God as a creator, but not in Jesus as such. I have now been a regular church going Christian for a couple of years, so I can see the theology thing from several angles and am sympthetic to all. In fact I spend more time telling Christians to be more open to athiests than the other way around - I'm no evangelist.
I have basically avoided the Bible when I have questions I need answered - because I find it complicating, confusing, raises more questions than it answers (for me); I just find it rather unnapproachable. But I do read a lot of Christian books - I look for ones written by people with a good long term understanding of their faith, who realise that to be Christian isn't to lose your sense of humour, who aren't radicals (who are quite quite mad), who understand that becoming a Christian isn't actually this "blinding light magical moment" nonsense that the intense born-agains get the stereotype of advertising, and realise it is hard and takes a lot of soul searching and discomfort. I find it much easier to understand God's will, His intentions for his children etc when I have had someone who is more on my level to help me through my questions. They can answer much better than I can why so many people believe.

Answer 4

Unfortunately these are the same people who won't challenge their own beliefs and accuse anyone who tries to discuss the issue with them of being destined for hell.
All religion is based on the principle of faith. Faith requires no proof.

This is why the argument "atheists would still not believe the truth even if you showed the proof" is moot. There is not the smallest iota of real evidence.

So religious types are able to avoid having to prove their conviction by saying 'why bother'. It's an admirable strategy and works well at preventing a true examination of why they believe in the first place.

Having said that, people have a right to believe anything they like as long as they respect other people's beliefs or lack there of. Unfortunately religion is not known for its tolerance.

Needless to say I am an advocate for the church of the flying spaghetti monster, all hail his noodley appendage!

Answer 5

I don't know!

What i do know is that although I still have some sort of 'faith' I no longer believe in the 'church'.

I have come across too many people with bits of white plastic around thier necks who do not life by what they preach (including my step father who is a paedophile, but wasn't prosecuted even when I went to the police, and who STILL preaches on a regular basis).

I do look around and am amazed by what I see. I live on the coast and am awestruck everytime I see the sea (ever time i leave my house!), it makes me realise just how small we are in the grand scheme of things, and that makes the huge effect we are having on the world even more disgusting.

Answer 6

I believe in God, it's kinda my reason for being the person I am, I never challenge anyone elses views and accept that different people have different Gods (but they are probably the same really) I want to believe because it gives me comfort. I have lost some very precious people (not behind the couch lost !!) and to think that they are enjoying the afterlife keeps me happy.
God bless ya baby !!!

Answer 7

I disagree, I am polytheist, but do not seek to convert people. If they are interested then I will tell them what I know. I do not seek to prove myself or my faith to people. Proof is subjective and can be twisted to suit your ends. You say that if there was proof of God there probably would not be atheists. I beg to differ, there will always be people that will not believe even if they were to be presented with "proof." Religion is more than just faith.

I must say though that it would have been nice if you had said God(s) as opposed to just addressing monotheists.

Answer 8

I think if your a good person and care about others and the earth why do you need to believe in god.

dont believe there is a god, I do think every one should have the right to believe or not believe,

Answer 9

They consider their belief IS proof. This misconception comes about because of the insulating church language they are forced to accept.

Answer 10

You have to have FAITH, not proof.

Often in the new testament, the follows of Christ would witness a miracle right in front of them, and still they would doubt.

Christ knows how man's mind works. Only faith in Christ will save you, not facts and proof.