Do Buddhists believe in a creator god?
No, we do not. There are several logical reasons for this. The Buddha, like modern scientists, sociologists and psychologists, believed that religious ideas and especially the god idea have their origins in fear. The Buddha says:
"Gripped by fear men go to sacred mountains, sacred groves, sacred trees and shrines." *Dhammpada 188
Primitive man found himself in a dangerous and hostile world, the fear of wild animals, of not being able to find enough food, of injury or disease, and of natural phenomena like thunder, lightning and volcanoes was constantly with him. Finding no security, he created the idea of god in order to give him comfort in good times, courage in times of danger and consolation when things went wrong. To this day, you will notice that people become more religious at times of crises, you will hear them say that the belief in a god gives them the strength they need to deal with life. You will hear them explain that they believe in god because they prayed in time of need and their prayer was answered. All this seems to support the Buddha’s teaching that the god-idea is a response to fear and frustration. The Buddha taught us to try to understand our fears, to lessen our desires and to calmly and courageously accept the things we cannot change. He replaced fear, not with irrational belief but with rational understanding.
The second reason the Buddha did not believe in a creator god is because there does not seem to be any evidence to support this idea. There are numerous religions, all claiming that they alone have god’s words preserved in their holy book, that they alone understand god’s nature, that their god exists and that the gods of other religions do not. Some claim that god is masculine, some that she is feminine and others that it is neuter. They are all satisfied that there is ample evidence to prove the existence of their god but they laugh in disbelief at the evidence other religions use to prove the existence of another god. It is not surprising that with so many different religions spending so many centuries trying to prove the existence of their gods that still no real, concrete, substantial or irrefutable evidence has been found. Buddhists suspend judgement until such evidence is forthcoming.
The third reason the Buddha did not believe in a creator god is that the belief is not necessary. Some claim that the belief in a god is necessary in order to explain the origin of the universe. But this is not so. Science has very convincingly explained how the universe came into being without having to introduce the god-idea. Some claim that belief in god is necessary to have a happy, meaningful life. Again we can see that this is not so. There are millions of Atheists, free-thinkers and Buddhists, who live useful, happy and meaningful lives without belief in a creator god. Some claim that belief in god’s power is necessary because humans, being weak, do not have the strength to help themselves. Once again, the evidence indicates the opposite. One often hears of people who have overcome great disabilities and handicaps, enormous odds and difficulties through their own inner resources, through their own efforts and without belief in a god. Some claim that god is necessary in order to give man salvation. But this argument only holds good if you accept the theological concept of salvation and Buddhists do not accept such a concept. Based on his own experience, the Buddha saw that each human being had the capacity to purify the mind, develop infinite love and compassion and perfect understanding. He shifted attention from the heavens to the heart and encouraged us to find solutions to our problems through self-understanding.
But if there is no creator god how did the universe get here?
All religions have myths and stories which attempt to answer this question. In ancient times, when man simply did not know, such myths were adequate, but in the 20th century, in the age of physics, astronomy and geology, such myths have been superseded by scientific fact. Science has explained the origin of the universe without recourse to the god-idea.
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2007-09-02 08:08:29
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answer #1
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answered by Thomas 6
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Because God will always be what He will be. God is god. He is never outside of His own character.
2007-09-02 11:42:09
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answer #2
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answered by Nina, BaC 7
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One God
[21:21] Have they found gods on earth who can create?
[21:22] If there were in them (the heavens and the earth) other gods beside GOD, there would have been chaos. Glory be to GOD; the Lord with absolute authority. He is high above their claims.
Never Question God's Wisdom
[21:23] He is never to be asked about anything He does, while all others are questioned.
[21:24] Have they found other gods beside Him? Say, "Show me your proof. This is the message to my generation, consummating all previous messages." Indeed, most of them do not recognize the truth; this is why they are so hostile.
One God/One Message/One Religion
[21:25] We did not send any messenger before you except with the inspiration: "There is no god except Me; you shall worship Me alone."
[21:26] Yet, they said, "The Most Gracious has begotten a son!" Glory be to Him. All (messengers) are (His) honored servants.
http://www.submission.org/suras/sura21.html
Can They Create a Fly?
73. O people, here is a parable that you must ponder carefully: the idols you set up beside GOD can never create a fly, even if they banded together to do so. Furthermore, if the fly steals anything from them, they cannot recover it; weak is the pursuer and the pursued.
74. They do not value GOD as He should be valued. GOD is the Most Powerful, the Almighty.
75. GOD chooses from among the angels messengers, as well as from among the people. GOD is Hearer, Seer.
76. He knows their past and their future. To GOD belongs the ultimate control of all matters.
77. O you who believe, you shall bow, prostrate, worship your Lord, and work righteousness, that you may succeed.
http://www.submission.org/suras/sura22.html
2007-09-01 22:03:39
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Who would you suggest? We (humans) certainly are not up to the job!
I would have jumped off the cross, sent a few lightning bolts to zap people, and let people know I'd had enough. Thank God He is more patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish--He longs for everyone to repent and receive eternal life!
http://www.fathersloveletter.com/flltextenglish.html
2007-09-01 22:08:21
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answer #4
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answered by Rella 6
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Because she is god and nothing else.
2007-09-01 22:03:26
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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They added that cheesy "lucky lotto ball".
Busted.
2007-09-01 22:03:46
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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I don't want to hand over the title.
2007-09-01 22:02:40
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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Read a book...maybe the bible. It will help you with that question.
2007-09-01 22:09:45
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answer #8
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answered by sxanthop 4
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