Why do you believe in God?

Question

I'm the daughter of a Christian and a Jew, but I was told that I could choose my own religion, so I've never gone to church or synagogue regularly. I do pray every night, but I have the nagging feeling that my prayers aren't being heard because God might be a placebo, and might not exist. Honestly, I don't understand devout Catholics or atheists - how can either be sure that God does or doesn't exist? And how can so many people be so passionate about their faith, yet I can't seem to believe, even though I wish I did?

So..what makes you so sure that God exists?

Answer 1

Many of the answers here trouble me. I am sorry that when you are asking an honest faith question so many are telling you to check a website or not believe. Your question deserves a more honest answer.

Why do I believe in God? Like you, I grew up in a home with parents of different faiths (both Christians). They did not live out their faith in any way. I was told about God but he was not a factor in my life and certainly wasn't real.

My first year in college I remember discussing with someone that God had to be real. My answer had to do with the beauty of nature and the awesome world in which we lived. However, God still wasn't real to me. When I came home that summer, my life abruptly changed when my mother died suddenly. I still remember the darkness of that moment. I was alone and it felt like life had come to an end.

I called out to God and said "If you are real...". I experienced an overwhelming presence. It was almost frightening - not in that it was terrible. It just felt holy and pure. Beside it I suddenly felt sinful. Never had I felt anything like it in my life. I suddenly realized that this was God. I found incredible strength to deal with the pain of that loss in the weeks ahead.

For a long time, I felt dissatisfied because I wanted to relive that moment. But nothing I said or did would bring that experience back to me. One day, I heard a quiet whisper within my soul that told me that I didn't need that experience. God reminded me that he came in the midst of a terrible tragedy. But I didn't need that presence every day.

So I learned to simply listen for the quiet voice within. I have found that I times when I patiently and quietly listen, that God is willing to speak. I have learned that he loves me more than I love myself. He has been very patient with me.

I don't always feel his presence and sometimes I still wander from the path. It always amazes me that as much love and hope as I find when I listen, that I fall into spells when I just don't take the time.

I hope that this helps answer your question. I know that there is a God because I have felt his presence and heard his voice. I can't tell you whether to follow your mother or your father's faith. Both Christianity and Judaism are great religions. You alone can make that choice.

I have chosen to be a Christian because the voice I heard was the Holy Spirit who has shared the truth of Jesus.

I encourage you to read both your parents' holy scriptures. I also encourage you to take time in your prayers to simply listen to God. Be patient, I find that when I haven't been listening he often waits to make sure that I am serious.

As a Christian I can say to you that Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit of the Hebrew scripture to us to teach us and to tell us the truth. Ask God to send that Holy Spirit to you and he will.

But when you listen remember the truth of Elijah. He sought God in some big and magnificent way. But he didn't find him. He only found God when he listened to the gentle voice within. God bless you my sister.

Pastor John

Answer 2

I believe that God exists because of faith. Sure, I have my doubts but then I remember that God said that He would never leave me or forsake me. When I really find myself struggling in my faith, I pray and God reminds me of all that He's done for me.

I've seen miracles; my daughter was healed from an injury and I had a dentist look at me and tell me that what he saw didn't make sense. That's my God and He loves me.

Of course, there's another fact that I think everyone should consider: I'd rather live life believing in God and find out that He doesn't exist than to live life like He doesn't exist and find out that everything the Bible said was true.

But it's all up to you.

Answer 3

Look at the world all around us - So many reminders are out there that things exsist we can not see. Take the air for example . . . we can't see it - but we can't live without it. The wind . . . the birds can not see it - but they need it to fly . . . God tells us in His word if we seek Him we will find Him when we search with all our heart. Keep searching . . . don't give up hope . . . Sometimes God doesn't answer in the way we want Him to . . . only because when we does answer - it's going to be greater than we've ever imagined!

Van Gogh, Beethoveen - great artists . . . they created beauty with their hands. Everything men make we make with our hands. It's an amazing truth to know our God created the stars in the sky! Doesn't it make perfect sense, if we create things on Earth with our hands . . . art, medicines that cure diseases . . . that someone could and did create the universe?! Look at the stars in the sky . . .imagine that God painted those with just his fingertips. That is truly amazing . . . God is real.

I went thru a lot in my young life - I rebeled against God. But - He never gave up on me! As I grew older - I grew closer and closer to God. I now have a wonderfult husband, beautiful children and a thriving writing ministry! The number one reason I believe in God . . . Why do I never give up on God ?. . .because God never gives up on me.

Answer 4

Because I believe there is an intelligence greater than myself, that I am probably not meant, or capable of understanding,'coz I'm not as evolved. One fallacy of the human brain is that we tend to reject anything we can't figure out..as if God has to bring the mysteries of the universe to our feet, so we can browse through it and see if we approve...Then and only then, IF science as we understand it can rubber stamp it as acceptable, then WE, not God, or a higher intelligence, can decide if it's true.
There are a boatload of things and experiences that can't be duplicated twice in a science lab. And those things just might be of God. I'd rather flex my faith muscle, than pull my "doubting Thomas" trap door lever. It's just a personal choice.
Most religions screw up by thinking they've "cut a deal"
with God, and they're on the fast-track to heaven. I think this breeds laziness, spiritually. I think we are compelled to be
"seekers of truth" as part of the privelage of being here. Why get complacent thinking we are on God's A-list? When you stop seeking
you stop caring
you stop living..This is one of those things where the reward is not in the destination, but the journey! I agree with Natalie Merchant and David Byrne..."Let the Mystery Be..."

Answer 5

Only God knows.

Answer 6

The Jews do not understand but the same God they serve is the same God that Christians serve. They are looking for the coming of the Messiah. We believe in the Messiah (Jesus).
Talking about himself:
(John 5:39 KJV) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
All They had at the time was the Old testament, The Old Testament speaks all through it about Jesus who is also known as Emanuel which means God with us.
Besides that I have almost died 3 times and God has made himself real to me.

Answer 7

how old are you. When I was younger I had the same thoughts. Deep down you proubly know he exist but you just havent found him yet. Call on him. You have to only focus on what is being said when you pray. GO to a Pentecostal church. And talk to one of the woman. TRUST ME

Answer 8

I have had a few metaphysical experiences. Supernatural events that makes me believe that there is something else going on here that I really just can not explain. I understand how people do not believe, but if you were there with me then you would beleive also. God will teach you what you need to know and he is interested in your happiness, be patient but more importantly be righteous.

Answer 9

You get a star at once for 'placebo' - brilliant.

The atheist position can be a passive one, in which you simply don't accept the God hypothesis because of its absurdity.

Or, more actively, you will find if you study the relevant subjects that there is simply no *need* for a supernatural entity in order for the universe to be as we see it. All the necessary precursors - from the origin of matter to the origin of Man - are known about and well nailed-down.

Good luck with your quest - it's a good one.

CD

Answer 10

Listen Keira, let me tell you the most truth that you'll probably GET outta this question...if a person believes, then that's all the proof that person needs that God exists, there's no way to prove or disprove this to anyone other than yourself, same with an Atheist, since they don't believe, then that's all the proof THEY need that God doesn't exists, and the reason why the battle it out is that it's human nature to argue and fight over stuff like this, and as for the reason why you can't seem to believe, that's something *YOU* need to decide, for, I wish I could help you, but there's no way that I can, it's something you have to decide for yourself, if you want add me on Yahoo! and I'll be glad to talk you through it, give you some opinions of mine and stuff, but I'm not gonna force you into anything (like what both sides will try and do) I answered some of your questions, but there's no way I can answer the most important one of all...but you need to do some soul searching and see what it is that you believe.