Christians, why do you beleive in your god?

Question

Not bashing anyone right now, this is for an assignment. My teacher apparently thought it would be funny to give the atheist the topic of religion. The choices were media, religion, and politics. I used to have media, but she made me switch because she was "interested in my views."

Right, well, I guess others can answer this too. But I'll a separate question for Jews, Muslims, Wiccans, etc. later on.

What is it that draws you to beleive in your god?
Do you beleive in a devil? Why?
What do you think will be waiting for you in afterlife?
For non-beleivers?
Do you agree with everthing you church does?
Do you interpret the bible word for word? Why or why not?
Do you pray regularly?

Really, I need in depth answers to these questions, and anything else you're willing to give me. Please, no rude answers. I will have to site this page in my references, and it will look bad on behalf of the Christians.

Also, please include your church in your sources. (ex. Catholic)

look, i won't say any names (though you can see who i'm talking to if you scroll down the page), i asking christians because i want the segment on christianity to be from their point of view. i'm an atheist. get over it. but i'm not going to slant my paper one way (well, not until the end, but that's what the assignment calls for).

I thank everyone who spent their time giving me good answers. It is very much appreciated!

...though I think a few of you tried to convert me...?

Answer 1

im catholic,

I feel that the teachings of Jesus are good, and therefore go along with His teaching of God.

I do believe in the devil, for many reasons:
1. Jesus believed in the devil(original point0
2. by having a negative force, you can choose good.(it would be kinda pointless if God said "ok, you can choose to do good, or do...um...well good, there's nothing else") -i think thats the jewish view of the devil

In the afterlife I hope is heaven.
By non-believers do you mean atheists or non-Christians? Either way, I think that if they were good, and lived a good life, dedicated to whatever faith they had, I think they would go to Heaven.

I don't agree with everything my church does. For example I think gays should be allowed to marry. It doesn't have to be in the catholic church, but they shouldn't push legeslation to block it.

I don't interpret it literally. Many parts are supposed to be taken allegorically. For example, In Rev., it mentions a half-killed lamb destroying evil. That makes no sense literally, but figuratively, Christ was a half-killed lamb and will destroy evil in the end.

Yes, i pray regularly.

if there's anything else feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

I would not try converting you to anything, since you are an individual in supposedly many. I am too, so I'd say that I would not appreciate anyone converting me!
Now to your questions :
I am not drawn to believe in God., only may I be compelled to think so, when I feel guilty or scared way over my faculties. Therefore, I am more the hypocrite, than a believer.
If I don't believe in God, then what reason would I have to believe there's a Devil?
Are these two "entities" not so important to BOTH exist for the sake of contrast or comparison?
What waits for me in the after life, if there exists one is not of any concern of mine when it comes to practicality or refuge. I'll just find out, if there is something to find out.
I'll not be a hypocrite and take a safe route there to be on the right and sunny side of the afterlife. Too much good brain matter betrayed IN THIS LIFE, to reserve a better place in another.
The above answer has already replied.
Of course I do not believe in what the church or any other organized group does. More so, am I interested in what individuals do. I hate being bunched up together into any herd-holding corral!
I have read bits and pieces of the Bible, but I am keenly aware that ALL of it was written by the hand of man through his evolution. What was then said, may now be differently interpreted. Above all, I do not trust that the word of man, even if he should think to be so inspired by the Spirit of "GOD", that it instantly becomes sacred.
Man can say a lot of things as time changes. So why would one give him, even if believed speaking or writing for God, much credence at all?
No, I do not pray regularly, I only wish in my heart for wellness and safety surround others, for as much and as long as it would be possible.

I was born into Catholicism, but was expelled from Catholic school at 7 for asking questions, I should not have, of their ONLY ONE TRUTH!
Then wandered about not belonging to any religion, without fear of Divine Punishment, by the way, until I discovered and took an intellectual interest in Buddhist PHILOSOPHY, for Buddhism IS NOT a religion, no matter what some people may try to turn it into.
And to this day, I remain Buddhist, for it is a practical, full of common sense, philosophy of being and living.

When you are ready to "separate" the others : Jews, Muslims, Wiccans and the etc.'s - in which category I may find myself in, I hope I see your posted queries, so that I may indeed, as well, Answer!

And one more thing . . why is it that I seem to hear the buzz of a fly in your ointment?
Since you are not bashing "anyone", why does the introduction to your questions, and the statement, that "WHAT?", for I am not so sure, will look bad on behalf of the Christians?

Your tongue in cheek style is missing refinement and/or subtlety, my dear little ill-hidden bully!

Answer 3

I am a Christian who grew up in the Methodist Church. I currently go to a Presbyterian Church but am not really happy there because of the rigidity.

I have faith in God. I believe the Bible. I can't "prove" there is a God, but I can't "prove" there isn't one, either. Faith is believing something without seeing it. That's as best as I can explain it. I would also be less than honest if I didn't say that the notion of God/Jesus, Heaven gives me comfort. I know I'll see my loved ones again one day. (Everyone in my familt is dead.)

I believe in a devil because of my faith. I believe the Bible.

I believe I will go to Heaven when I die.
No way do I agree with everything my church does. That's why I am leaving it and finding another church. (My church is fundamental, and I am turned off. I do not believe in the fanaticism.)

I do not interpret the Bible word for word. If you did that, none of it would make sense. The Bible was written by a bunch of different people, all of whom had their own interpretation of things. I also believe that the Bible is full of allegories and symbolism.

I pray all during the day, thanking God for my blessings and asking for help.

I guess I am non-denominational.

Answer 4

I'm a nondenominational Christian who attends a Baptist church. NOT the Westboro Baptist Church, just to make that perfectly clear.

What draws me to believe in God? Well, there are so many things that it would take ages to type it all out. I used to be an atheist, and I spent a lot of time researching. What I found was that there is enough scientific evidence to support the idea of intelligent design. Even atheist scientists admit it, but they use the disclaimer that since they don't believe in God, intelligent design isn't an option. I have the quotes, and I can give them to you.

Yes, I believe in Satan. I've had too much experience of darker things to NOT believe in evil manifested in one place.

What will be waiting for me in my afterlife? Well, none of us knows for sure, except for the dead. I would hope that what's waiting for me is eternal peace with my God. I don't want to think about what will happen to non-believers.

No, I do not agree with everything my church does, nor do I agree with all of its parishioners. Some of them are quite ignorant.

Do I interpret the Bible word-for-word...well, that would depend upon the passage. I also study the original Hebrew, so I have to consider things that might have been lost in translation, and the use of idioms are different in each culture. Some of the Bible is literal, some of it is not. For example, I don't believe that the Earth was created in six days of our time, though I'm sure that God could have done it that way. To accept the existence of God is to accept the existence of miracles, and it's my opinion that it's entirely possible that the Earth was made to appear older than it actually is. But I don't know for sure.

Yes, I pray regularly. I try to pray without ceasing, whenever I can. It's important to me to stay in touch with God.

Answer 5

What is it that draws you to believe in your god?
I believe in God because there is no way all of this happen by chance. Everything has a creator like someone made the car you drive and built the house you live in therefore someone must've created us. I believe in the christian God because of personal experience .

Do you believe in a devil? Why?
Yes, I believe Satan exists. Because of all the evil in this world and because of the bible states He is a real being and he is the current ruler of this world until Christ Returns.

What do you think will be waiting for you in afterlife?
Heaven.

For non-believers?
Hell.

Do you agree with everything your church does?
No, in fact i don't even attend church because a lot of churches teach doctrines like the pretribulation which I do not agree with because it's unbiblical.

Do you interpret the bible word for word? Why or why not?
Yes. It's all true though there are metaphors such as the parables Jesus preaches.

Do you pray regularly?
Yes.

Answer 6

I believe in the teachings of Jesus because what he teaches is the way of peace and love. I strongly believe in non-violence, this is what I believe Jesus taught.

I don't really believe in a devil.

I think everyone will see the same afterlife, very scientific explanation for this, also quite long.

I case you couldn't tell from my first answer I disagree with much of what the church does. I like that they do so much for the poor but I disagree with most of their political stances.

I don't interpret the word literally because we know so much more now than they did when the Bible was written although much of it is just historical writings.

I pray sometimes not very often. I do not attend church regularly.

Mostly I just try to live my life like Jesus did. If you were to read it for yourself I think you would find a much different Jesus then how is usually portrayed.

Answer 7

Christians, that is true believers and followers of Jesus the Christ, believe in their God for various reasons. The most popular reason is everlasting life. They believe that there is a devil, because the Word of God states that their is one. They believe that there will be either eternity with God, or everlasting punishment in the afterlife.

Non-believers have various reasons for denying the existence of God. To list them here would be fool-hardy and involve way too much typing for my already tired fingers.

Most church-going Christians, (real believers), don't believe everything their church teaches and/or does, since so many churches nowadays are crafted after mankind's beliefs and teachings, and not the Word of God.

Believers of the Word, real Christians, believe that every word of the original bible (the Hebrew and Greek texts) is God inspired, and therefore true. They do pray regularly and are not afraid to admit that they believe in Christ.

May God touch your heart and give you understanding.

Answer 8

Non-denomination Christian. - Calvary Chapel

"What is it that draws you to believe in your God?"
Being an imperfect human, I could not reach God with my puny good works or deeds. So God paid the price for my sin with His own Son's blood. It is a free gift, all I need do is believe and receive.

"Do you believe in a devil? Why?"
Yes. Because my Savior identified him as being real and an accuser of believers and the enemy of God's people--the Jews. (I am pro-Semitic) You can see the devils destructive hand throughout history--most in the name of religion.

"What do you think will be waiting for you in afterlife?"
Eternal fellowship with God. (via free will choice)

"For non-believers?"
Eternal separation from God. (via free will choice)

"Do you agree with everything your church does?"
No, but then again, the church is an imperfect institution. But I must say, they do their best to walk according to the Word.

"Do you interpret the bible word for word? Why or why not?"
Interpret? No, I depend on translations for the majority, and just look up Hebrew and Greek for words where the translation is critical. The original Hebrew and Greek are inerrant. Modern translations are acceptable.

"Do you pray regularly?"
I'm praying right now. Prayer is just talking with God. I do that all the time because I have a personal relationship with Him.

Answer 9

*Is Catholic*

Message me for more info. I really enjoy helping out with people's research and assignments. I can give you more in depth answers if you message me.

I would also be interested in reading your paper when it is done.

Obviously I am Catholic. My rite is Roman Catholic but sometimes I worship with the Melkite Catholics.

1. What draws me to believe in god is my years studying science, literature, and art. To me, it is rather silly to say "there is nothing" when you can look around at the world and see that "there is something". Of course it is a long way to go from there to Christ, but that is the start. Only a heart that is cold to beauty can say that there is no god(s) for the universe sings of god. Perhaps one does not understand the music, but the music is there, none-the-less.

2. Yes. More so because of my Catholicism. But one must also understand that because we know that creation sings of God, but we do not easily understand the music, that there must be something wrong. That which is wrong we call evil or the devil. Because of my Catholicism I also believe that humanity was told about the devil and we have passed this knowledge down through the generations.

3. What awaits is heaven or hell. I hope for heaven and I strive after it. Do you need more info on what heaven and hell is like?

4. What awaits non-Catholics is also heaven or hell. Just because you are not a Catholic doesn't mean that you are going to hell. This is an official teaching of the Catholic Church to the point where if you say that all who are not Catholic go to hell, you are a heretic.

5. It is not a part of the Catholic faith to believe "everything" because not everything that the Church does rises to the quality of the requirement of being necessary for salvation. If you do not believe this, read the opening chapters of THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CAHTOLIC DOGMA by OTT. I believe what is the Faith, side with the Church on what I am unsure on, side with the Church's decision where they have the authority to make the decision, and humbly listen to the advice of the Church and her Bishops on matters that are not matters of the faith. For example, I do not agree with the teachings of certain bishops on the matter of the death penalty. I agree with the fundamental dogma concerning the death penalty. My own position is greatly informed and modified by the teachings of those bishops even whereas I hold different views because I respect them and their authority and see them as my spiritual fathers and guides. Thus I work with and do not dismiss, and even incorporate their thought into my own.

6. No I do not interpret the bible word for word. First because that idea is really really stupid simply from a literary point of view. If you have ever read scripture you know that by its own language that it is not meant to be taken word for word. Additionally the Catholic Church says that the bible is not to be taken word for word (see DEI VERIBUM) but rather it needs to be read in context with history, read in context with tradition, and read in accordance with the literary forms for that specific book and chapter. Scripture is true but it is true according to the literary form and it is not all word for word historical fact. For example, it is not possible to take poetry and say that it is historical fact even if the poetry is true and depicts reality.

7. Yes I pray regularly. Several times a day. I do part of the Office of the Hours as well as private prayers.

Answer 10

Yes Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I have seen Him at work in my life and in the lives of others. He does still preform miracles every day. He also answers prayers
Satan does exist. He is always trying to come in and destroy Christians and temp them to turn away from God.
Heaven is waiting for me in the after lifeI don't know what it will be like, but I am very exited to be going there. I know that I will love it no matter what it is like.
After life for all non believers is hell. The only way to heaven is through the Son Jesus Christ. God's Word is very specific about that.
Yes I believe the Bible word for word. Because it is God's words.
Yes I pray every night with each of my kids. I also spend quiet time daily praying to God.