An atheistic perspective: Why do theists believe in God?

Question

Here's a few reasons I though of: Can you think of any more?

Fear: Theists don't want to be sent to hell or excluded from some kind of version of heaven described in almost every religion when they die.

Brainwashed: Most theists were indoctrinated during their infancy to believe some kind of "god". A time when they're too innocent to question a belief because all the people around them don't. "Well if the adults believe in god and they're much smarter than me, it would be right to think I believe in god as well."

Comforting: It's nice knowing some supreme being may or may not be taking care of you in this life and the "next".

Gullibility: A lot of people seem to think that Criss Angel is some kind of demon when he explains his tricks and that he's NOT actually using (black)magic. If you still believe Criss Angel is a demon, imagine how much easier is to believe that god exists. Basically what I'm saying here is: "People will BELIEVE in anything."

Laziness: God snapped his finger
vs.
evolution, big bang theory or pretty much any science that disproves the existence of god or any holy book.

Who would want to learn about science when it's so much easier to say god did it?

Sorry the last reason is a bit off. Science doesn't disprove the existence of god but it disproves a lot of things that are said in the Bible and other holy books. Therefore, in some respect, it disproves their personal god (like Jehovah).

Answer 1

Fireball 226 isn't brainwashed...
You need to have a brain for that!!!

Answer 2

I'm a Theist, though not Christian. It's not out of Fear, as I don't Fear anything.

I wasn't indoctrinated/brought up with any kind of belief in a Higher Power, so Brainwashing is out the window.

Comforting - not really. Interesting to find out certain things, definitely... but not always comforting in the sense you put it here as I can't say anyone is taking care of me other than ME. And I don't say any afterlife is absolute... for all I know, this life is it and there won't be anything else for me.

I'm not normally Gullible, though there are some pranks that I just easily fall for and I don't know why. Though I can say it's not the "your shoe laces are untied" or "what's that on your shirt" pranks.

Theists aren't always inside the box you've made here.

Answer 3

1. Not all theists believe in a place of eternal damnation
2. Say there was vast majority of atheists. Could I then argue that all atheists have been brainwashed since infancy? The brainwashed argument is useless.
3. This could be a good reason, given that you look up support for this idea, but you cannot base it merely off of your own perceptions of Christians. Nobody is perfect, not even the Christians. The best Christian would be Jesus (but he wasn't even Christian).
4. I've never heard of this Criss Angel guy.

I do agree that people will believe in anything, which is sad. This is the case a vast majority of the time because people want to believe whatever they want and not be told wrong. I could believe in the flying spaghetti monster and yet have no rational thought behind it, and people would think that is okay. To them, I say, "Idiots!" People need to learn how to think again.

Answer 4

Yes, Fear: atheist worry religion and knowledge such a lot that they have got brushed aside all of it in combination. The identical manner unattractive men and women hate mirrors. Brainwashing: atheist have strayed up to now from the reality, that they have got actually brainwashed themselves into pondering that it's relative. two + two = four handiest whilst effortless, huh? Comforting: It's comforting to feel that it doesn't matter what you do, there can be no responsibility for it. No gift nor punishment. So why no longer reside just like the little hopeless animals you may have brainwashed yourselves into believing you're. Lack of a primary concept approach: Science is handiest valuable whilst it's clinical. Stop hinging it upon philosophical motif. Also, quit educating the ensuing rubbish to the youngsters in our colleges. Justice: And sooner or later, EVERY knee will bow. Choose one.

Answer 5

I have no fear of being sent to hell. I'm not going there, I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal saviour. My parents are Christians, but I hated God for the longest time. I am comforted in the fact that I'll be with my Saviour someday. But i am also comforted now that He is with me here on this Earth. I have no idea what you're talking about Criss Angel for, but ok. So you have no clue why I believe in God. Here's some reasons:

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Matthew 11:28
"Come to Me, ALL who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest."

i'd give more ...but you get the point. that is why a theist believes in God. science doesn't prove the Big Bang Theory. Science does though prove the existence of God.

Answer 6

You overlooked the MOST important one. People STILL experience events - shifts in reality than are not understandable to them - and so they attribute these "miracles" to a deity. Like the old sun worshipers or whatever. Science is not far enough along to explain this intersection of psychology and physics that various adepts (religions) have attempted to describe for several thousand years so people cling to this "daddy-in-the-sky did it."

Sure, the brainwashing - related to burning in hell - is a graphic motivator and makes them such energetic, and silly proselytizers but until it is common knowledge how these events occur most people will keep personifying a deity.

Answer 7

Contrary to popular belief and your statement, true operational science does not support the hypothesis of evolution. True operational science supports the Genesis Flood and special creation
The reason why I believe in God is because the evidence of His existence and the evidence which supports and confirms the Bible is overwhelming.
Evolution is a faith and must be accepted on faith. I already have a faith, why should I choose the faith called evolution?
Why do atheists insist there is no God when they can not disprove His existence? Why believe the lie of evolution which is unsupported by operational science and which contradicts known laws of operational science?
(The best part is that God believes in us).

Answer 8

You are in no position to explain any other persons religious affiliation. You do not know me. You have never spoken a word to me before therefore do not have any knowledge applicable to my beliefs. So this INSTANTLY makes all the above mentioned premises FALSE. Unless they applied to everyone, all religious persons, then they would be true. You have proven nothing. I believe because of my own personal experiences, nothing of what you listed applies...

i am somewhat overwhelmed by God's power, but not afraid of it. I have a working mind of my own infact many people have constantly remarked ony my creativity and originality. I take comfort in what i believe, just like everyone else, whether it is valid or not, everyone relies on their beliefs. I am hardly gullible, i started believing because i witnessed what God is capable of, before that, i was an athiest. I do not need to know science either way, my career hardly calls for that knowledge, i have studied it, however, out of interest.

You are wrong, in all respects. I just proved it, logically.

Answer 9

Yes... I can think of one more -

Satisfaction of Curiosity. Religions offers answers to the questions we are naturally inclined to ask as the curious beings we are.

Not the right answers, usually, but answers none the less.

As an atheist I have had to learn to be content with "I don't know" as an answer for many a question that my religion had previously answered.

Answer 10

im not brainwashed, ive actually studied many religions and islam is the one that felt true to me, how can anything be made without a creator. instead of bad mouthing ppl who believe in god, cant u just respect them and keep ur beliefs to urself?