Why do people believe in God when there is no proof that he even exists?

Answer 1

Several possibilities
1. thousands of people, often very intelligent people, are actually just really stupid and believe everything they are told

2. thousands of people are so terrified of going to hell (even if they don't really believe in it, which you wouldn't if you don't believe in God) that they are frightened into church.

3.thousands of people, even well adjusted people, are so weak that they need a 'crutch' to lean on, and God seems like a great idea.

4. thousands of people have had a personal experience of meeting and being changed by Jesus in such a profound and joyous way that they are able to withstand being mocked and misunderstood in an increasingly hostile world without in any way losing sight of the fact that Jesus is alive and loves them.

Answer 2

By proof, I suspect that you mean some tangible evidence, apart from the issue of faith.

I bet you "believe" in love, hate, anger, and compassion, even there's no tangible proof that those things exist. And I'd also wager that you have "faith" that the chair you're sitting in will hold you or that the lights will come on when you flip the switch.

There's plenty of evidence to suggest that this delicately balanced planet of ours and our equally amazing bodies were deliberately planned by a Mind greater than our own. The more I read about the conditions necessary to create and maintain life, the more I believe that there is a Creator Who put all the elements together that were necessary for our existence.

You already have belief and faith in one form or the other. I suggest applying both to the study of God's existence, and you may be surprised to find out that the assumptions you've made about Him in this post were wrong.

Answer 3

As soon as our ancestors became self-aware, they wondered at the nature of existence, and feared the things they didn't understand. The ideas of a God or gods was a comfort to them, and is still the case for millions.

But where did the concept of a single all-powerful being, as opposed to the collections of deities in early societies, come from? I recall that Joseph Campbell, an American philosopher, suggested an answer to this. I don't have the book to hand ("The Power of Myth") and hope I don't mis-quote, but it was on the lines that those who knew, or at least had a glimpse of the truth of reality, realised that it would be difficult to communicate it to others, as it beyond normal concepts. Therefore, they created a "god" figure that the average person could relate to, and "aim" for in their spiritual practice. It would have been made clear that the real truth was beyond that, and they should aspire to go beyond the "mask of God" because the truth lies beyond that. Unfortunately, the original concept has been lost, the mask has become solid, and become an end in itself.

I would suggest that we should accept that not all "Goddists" think of God in the same, limited way (big guy in the sky demanding unconditional obeisance) but in a more general sense of an existing pervading cosmic reality, more on the lines of what was originally taught as suggested by Campbell. The truth being sought is available in any religious activity that teaches deep reflection and meditation, but teaches no fixed ideas. Shop around!

Answer 4

It is said that once Isaac Newton made / bought a model of the Solar System and invited his friend over. He didn't direct his friend towards it but kept it on the table. His friend was intrigued by the model and began appreciating it. He than asked Newton about the maker so he (Newton) replied that there was none. The friend asked him again and received the same reply. Then Newton said to him that you cannot comprehend that there is no maker of this model of the solar system and yet believe that there is no maker of the original?

I dont' remember where I got this story from, but it gets the message across. I can give another example -

If you find a wrist-watch in the middle of a desert would you say that in a million years this watch, with all its intricate working came by itself? If you do then people will doubt your sanity.

Or try this one - Pick a kid in your neighborhood and tell him that his father's car wasn't manufactured, but came about itself over the years in the junk yard. The parts somehow got mixed in the swirling winds and popped out into a polished new car. Of course the process is complicated and took time....

No sane person will be ready to believe these things, and yet we say that this intricate body of ours with its amazing perfection in shape, proportion and function; this body of ours has come by chance???

YOU are the biggest proof of your Creator! The fact that you are there in flesh and blood, alive and breathing itself is the simple yet biggest proof, which even a child can understand.

The question is not "why do people believe in God", because this is common sense. The question should be "why do people say they do NOT believe in God". This could be for a number of reasons -

a) Brainwashed at school through failed theories which people are desparately holding on to since they do not have any other explanation to the mystery of life and the Universe except to believe in God
b) Identity crisis - (wanting to stand out or be talked about)
c) Peer pressure
d) Too much sci-fi or fantasy movies/books
e) Not being able to see life upclose - the problems of people and how they live through it
d) Not aware of his/her surroundings
e) Weak observation, etc

To conclude, Science will only inform you about matter but will never tell you how it was created. It can only tell how it acts and reacts and how it changes, but will never tell you why. A day may come when man will have the power over weather and the very sinews of this Earth, but it will never be possible for him to create something out of nothing - be it a speck of dust! Man can only change the state of matter but can never create it. Creation is for the Creator Alone.

Answer 5

i don't believe "He" exists-
the God that most believe in- the old male figure with a gray beard that looks down on us and judges who is worthy and who is not-

i believe that God cannot be put in such a small box and cannot be completely defined because it is so beyond our understanding. what i can do is describe what i believe to be as close to what our small minds can comprehend:

to me-

God is the energy that is in all things, the process of Life itself, Life in the the constant state of change and evolution, the intelligence that guides the universe and beyond, the Being in all, the Supreme Creator- the Alpha and the Omega, every thing and the spaces between

Answer 6

Well, some people believe in God because they've been conditioned to believe in God. Others believe in God(s) because they've had a sober "supernatural" experience that science cannot really explain. I'm sure there are other reasons people believe in God, too. But those are probably the two most popular reasons. I'm of the secondary variety. I've had too many experiences that can't be explained scientifically, or dismissed by "superstition" or "coincidence" and it simply makes me think there is something intelligent and greater than us out there. However - I don't expect anyone who has not had personal experience like that to believe. And I am willing to admit I could be wrong. But it's a belief that works for me and for the most part (unless I'm here or with people who share my belief) I keep it to myself.

Answer 7

do not believe you when you say you have no proof look around you at creation all the colours smells all the beauty and nature the diversity of it all has to prove there is a creature rather than a big bang theory and yes there are places that are a mess now but that is our doing not gods

Answer 8

A desert dweller was once asked how do you know God exists?

He said, “Well, when I see camel dung I know that camels passed by here. When I see footsteps in the sand, I know that someone had walked by. When I look around at the world, I can tell that something had to make this.” Ie. God.

Look at stars isn't the one who made this beauty, beautiful?

Answer 9

people believe in GOD for different reasons.we all have our problems and trials in life.for some it is answered prayers.for some it is a life changing experience that has brought them into a relationship with their LORD and SAVIOR.for others it is a strong faith because of prayer and studying GODS words and trying to live their life in a way that reflects that belief and that hope and the love of CHRIST to their fellow man.there is no proof of love but you know it is so.so is GOD simply the bible states that GOD IS LOVE! AMEN!

Answer 10

It is a matter of "To each his own". This is a day in time where you have to have something in your life. There are plenty of positive religions out there and if people feel it enriches their lives then so be it. There may be something there for them and what we have to do is find our own something and not knock a good thing especially when it is not our place to judge. Find your path of peace and don't disrupt the ones that have found theirs. You have presented a very controversial question and I am looking forward to reading the answers. Take Care!