Do you have faith in God?

Question

If so, then why do you think God would want people to know him through faith instead of through plain observation or science?

It seems to be a consensus among theists that God wants people to know him and worship him. But wouldn't that be a lot easier if you could just see God in plain sight, visit him where he lives or demonstrate his existence with a simple experiment? By making faith the way through which people know him, God would alienate those who don't think faith is a reliable path to truth, and why would God want to do that?

Answer 1

Correct. The concept of faith, as pertains to belief in a deity, is a self-reinforcing delusion (splendidly illustrated by the answerer above me.)

If god appeared, not only would he strengthen the faith of those who believe, he would recruit billions of new followers, and the people who reject him now on principle would continue to reject him.

God would have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, so the only logical reason he doesn't appear is that he doesn't exist.

Answer 2

The most basic proof of God’s existence is simply what He has made. “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that [unbelievers] are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). “The heavens declare the glory of God / And the firmament sheweth His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

If I found a wristwatch in the middle of a field, I would not assume that it just “appeared” out of nowhere or that it had always existed. Based on the watch’s design, I would assume it had a designer. But I see far greater design and precision in the world around us. Our measurement of time is not based on wristwatches, but on God’s handiwork—the regular rotation of the earth (and the radioactive properties of the cesium-133 atom). The universe displays great design, and this argues for a Great Designer.

If I found an encoded message, I would seek out a cryptographer to help break the code. My assumption would be that there is an intelligent sender of the message, someone who created the code. How complex is the DNA “code” that we carry in every cell of our bodies? Does not the complexity and purpose of DNA argue for an Intelligent Writer of the code?

Not only has God made an intricate and finely tuned physical world, He has also instilled a sense of eternity in the heart of every person (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Mankind has an innate perception that there is more to life than meets the eye, that there is an existence higher than this earthly routine. Our sense of eternity manifests itself in at least two ways: law-making and worship.

Every civilization throughout history has valued certain moral laws, which are surprisingly similar from culture to culture. For example, the ideal of love is universally esteemed, while the act of lying is universally condemned. This common morality—this global understanding of right and wrong—points to a Supreme Moral Being who gave us such scruples.

In the same way, people all over the world, regardless of culture, have always cultivated a system of worship. The object of worship may vary, but the sense of a “higher power” is an undeniable part of being human. Our propensity to worship accords with the fact that God created us “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27).

God has also revealed Himself to us through His Word, the Bible. Throughout scripture, the existence of God is treated as a self-evident fact (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14). When Benjamin Franklin wrote his Autobiography, he did not waste time trying to prove his own existence. Likewise, God does not spend much time proving His existence in His book. The life-changing nature of the Bible, its integrity, and the miracles which accompanied its writing should be enough to warrant a closer look.

The third way in which God revealed Himself is through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6-11). “In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:1, 14). In Jesus Christ “dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9).

In Jesus’ amazing life, He kept the entire Old Testament law perfectly and fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Messiah (Matthew 5:17). He performed countless acts of compassion and public miracles to authenticate His message and bear witness to His deity (John 21:24-25). Then, three days after His crucifixion, He rose from the dead, a fact affirmed by hundreds of eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6). The historical record abounds with “proof” of who Jesus is. As the Apostle Paul said, “This thing was not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26).

We realize that there will always be skeptics who have their own ideas concerning God and will read the evidence accordingly. And there will be some whom no amount of proof will convince (Psalm 14:1). It all comes down to faith (Hebrews 11:6).

Answer 3

God sent his son to the earth to be seen. People saw him, heard him, saw his miracles and yet they still did not believe.He is also coming back and when that happens all men will bow down and know him as the Son of God.We as Christians have faith because we can feel his Holy spirit in our daily lives. We also can "see" God through answered prayers.

Answer 4

Yes I have faith in God. He has fulfilled his promises in the past and he will in the future. The bible tells us to leave my faith and not by sight. The bible also says no one can see God and live. God wants us to put faith in him without seeing him. It demonstrates ones faith in that way. I believe He wants us to have faith in him and not human scientist b/c God proves his existence in the bible. Um...yea. I hope I explained this well enough. :-)

Answer 5

Ask him....You will see him one day when you come before the throne for judgement! He has proven himself to me over and over in my life! I don't need proof...It's by faith, not sight!

Have you thought, Jesus walked on this earth and performed MANY miriacles!! Still people denied a God! Seeing wouldn't help at all!

Answer 6

yes i do
and u are right , we should know god through faith ,observation and science and in fact in my beliefs as a muslim , islam takes every way including those u mentioned to know God!
in many verses in the Quran(our book), God give us examples for ppl with high spiritualty and faith , and sometimes direct it to ppl who want to believe through material evidences (like sceitific miracles in the Quran and miracles in creation) and others direct us to things and signs (observation for those who think) all that to believe in him.
the main mission of the prophets as i believe was to direct us to worship the creator God by anyways depending on our nature.

Answer 7

Yes I have faith, God expects me to use my brain and my heart. I have faith because He has shown me over and over again He is active in my life

Answer 8

"Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT seen." --Hebrews 11:1

The evidence required for faith is NOT seen. I have no idea why God set things up like this, but since He did... I have faith.

Answer 9

I have faith in God.

I don't know the answer to your question but one explanation is that God wants people to choose to love Him.

Answer 10

I have faith in God. Without faith, there is nothing.....