How do I believe in God?

Question

This is such a stupid question. If i saw it on here, I would laugh!

I want to believe in God but I can't. I've tried but I can't. I feel like I have this emptiness that can only be filled by this...
I'm prepared to give up anything, this is how strongly I want to...

You'll tell me that by asking this question, I must believein God a little bit but I don't. I'm probably just wanting to brainwash myself....who knows....

I don't even understand my own question...

If you can help me, I'd be grateful.

Answer 1

Try believing in the Invisible Pink Unicorn and the Flying Spaghetti Monster, too.

If you can't, start thinking why you need to believe if your intelligence and rational thinking is making it difficult for you. Do you need a policeman to threaten you with an unpleasant stay in jail to stop you wanting to steal and murder? No? Then you don't need God for morality.

Do you want to believe people you love go somewhere nice after they die? Well this is sad but it would be better if they didn't die at all, wouldn't it? Reality is what it is, not what we would like it to be.

You don't need religion. I expect you're just trying to fit in. You're already ahead of the group, don't give up your lead.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_Pink_Unicorn
http://www.pinkunicorn.net/
http://www.venganza.org/
http://www.godisimaginary.com/
http://www.truthdig.com/dig/item/200512_an_atheist_manifesto/

Answer 2

Believe in God with your heart and soul, and there you will find an ongoing reason to keep the Faith. It's in having something new and different each and every day when you wake up, even if it is the same battle.

Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, niether indeed can be.

Answer 3

catholic crusader has a decent article, but i think i can get even more specific than good st tom did (sorry if that sounds arrogant, but st thomas aquinas never spent as much time debating atheists on R&S as i have, and his argument, though good, is outdated). if you'll leave this question up for a day or two, i'll come back and edit my answer, but i have to leave right now. be patient. i'll be back to check on this later.

and it's not a stupid question at all, nor do you have to ''brainwash'' yourself. it's a very valid question indeed.

edit- i'm back two days later. i wanted to write this huge poster, but i didn't even know where to start, so here are a few websites you can visit.

this one talks about a code in the torah (the first five books of the bible; genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, and deuteronomy). the first is a hard read, but that's because it was written by scientists. you see, jewish tradition maintains that the torah was written by God, through moses. in other words, the first five books of the bible were directly dictated by God. it sounds pretty far out, but these codes make it a lot easier to believe. jews have known about this code for thousands of years, but because of the complications entailed in the mathematics, not much progress has been made with the supposed codes. now though, with the use of computers, mathematicians and scientists have been able to better study these codes. even the US pentagon has looked into these codes;
http://www.torahcodes.co.il/

this site reports what a similar experiment with the torah has shown. the same kind of information on it, but here it is shown that the fibonacci sequence is also used in the torah to mention various names. if you don't know what the fibonacci sequecnce is, you can google it. you'll find that the fibonacci sequence (also called the golden spiral or golden ratio) is present in every natural entity in existence; plant, vegetable, mineral, or otherwise. that means that if the universe was in fact created, whoever created it also had a hand in the writing of the bible. it would simply be far beyond intellect of men to write a book in such a sophisticated way, especially 3400 years ago.
http://www.carelinks.net/books/lp/2006/ratio.htm

these two links give a arguments for the existence of God from a philosophical point of view. i haven't read them all yet; i just skimmed over them quickly, but they seemed good to me.
http://www.everystudent.com/features/isthere.html
http://www.gotquestions.org/Does-God-exist.html

this one provides an introductory historical look at who Jesus was, and there are more links at the bottom of the page that will take you to some of the quotes of other historians, if i remember right. i would suggest typing the name of this guy, paul maier (he's actually some kind of high ranking official in my church, as well as a professor of ancient history). he has written a great deal on the historical/ archaeological accounts of Jesus' earthly life and ministry.
http://www.issuesetc.org/resource/archives/maier3.htm

if you'd like some more information, feel free to email me through my profile. i'm sure i can come up with some, and i don't mind searching for it. this should give you a pretty good start though.

peace,
drew

Answer 4

I think you misunderstand belief.

To believe means "to hold as true". It is an act of the intellect and it is always associated with moving toward an end or goal. Belief is not the end goal but the method of reaching the end goal.

To believe means that we take the position that, unless God is proven to not exist, we will seek Him.

You have this emptiness inside and perhaps that attracts you to God but we all also have this resentment of God because He watches us and judges our behavior all of the time. Finding God is not going to be a necessarily pleasant experience. It is a surrender. We will no longer be masters of our souls and captains of our fates. Jesus said to count the cost.

Answer 5

Some people feels like you too . But I must tell you this that a true and living God does exist . You need to open your heart to God and let Him into your life . You must really have the intention to change .
I would suggest this :
Do you have a problem ? A big one ? OR maybe one of your relatives /friends/close ones has a diseases and the doctors says ' She/he has no chance of living ,maybe a few months or a year .......then he/she will go ? But you just can't accept it ! You love them too much and you'll willing to even give up your own life ? I would suggest you to pray . Pray to who ? Who would help you ? Pray to the One and Living God that is Jesus Christ . And I have faith that your problem will be over and your loved ones will be cured . Don't worry , I'm not forcing you ..It's your choice ..You can pray to other gods and see if your problem is over . Or you can pray to Jesus Christ .
But you must believe in Him and have faith in Him , then your prayer will be answered ... I do believe strongly that your prayer will be answered ( not including the prayer for greed ..money ..etc ) For He had answered mine ... First I'll tell you my stories and my uncle's ..
My Story :
Everyday , I pray to Jesus Christ to help me in my studies so that I can excel and prove to everyone who looked down and me before ... I prayed : Lord , Jesus . Let me get good marks and results and prove to everyone that I too can suceed . But I prayed and believed and confiden of what i want
Today ,my prayer answered :
I got Top 2 in the whole year , :) It's not only of my hard work .. but i believe it's also the prayer
My Uncle's story :
Before , he did not believe in Jesus . He was a blind man and he has no chance to cure and see this world again . But he tried and tried . Until one day , he decided to pray to Jesus to cure his eyes so he would be able to see again
Today :
Praise the Lord ! Now , for once he could see the world again . God has answered his prayer . And now he's a Christian
See , how He could change people's life . Yes , He does . We cannot stop believing . Don't foget that I'll always pray for you :) Yes , Jesus answers prayers according to His time . :)

Answer 6

Jenny,

Do you believe in Love? Do you believe in Hope? What do you believe in?

God doesn't fit into a box...it's not like i can say - God = Chocolate chip cookies. have a chocolate chip cookie and you will believe. Instead of trying to see societies beliefs and trying to cram them into your heart, open your heart and see what FEELS right. Call it whatever fits and ressonates inside of you. I call it God, but my mom, an equally spiritual person, calls it the universe. The words don't matter... beleive what you believe and trust that all is well.

Answer 7

Jenny,

I think God is trying to reach you now and that is why you are asking this question at this point in time. God does love you and can fill the emptiness you are experiencing. Please know that confusion is caused by an enemy who whispers in your ear and is relentless in trying to turn you away from the Lord.

If you are prepared to give up anything, give your life to Jesus and ask Him to be your Saviour. Then find out what His will is for your life and make your decisions by what He would have you to do.

Let me know if you would like any further information.
take care

Answer 8

First all look at yourself imagine what happen around you day in day out. Look at the sky the moon and many more. just these will definitely convince you about the existence of GOD.

Answer 9

Jenny, I know exactly how you feel. I really wanted to be a believer, too. But I just couldn't bring myself to do it. You can't force yourself to believe in something that your brain is telling you doesn't add up. Go with your instincts. I promise, once you get used to the idea, you won't feel that emptiness anymore. You'll feel incredibly fulfilled and liberated.

If you need to talk, you can always email me. I've been through what you're going through. *HUGS*

edit> lol joe, you are a big meanie :P just kidding. (((joe)))

Answer 10

hey did u ever felt when ur doin sumthin and it could of happen dis way but it didn't it turned out to be good well that was GOD protecting you. one day talk to GOD tell him how u feel believe me GOD understands how you feel he the ONLY one that really know how u feel jus ask him to come into ur heart and that u believe in him and believe that his son JESUS died for us confess ur faith in Jesus as ur savior hope i helped and i will pray for u mail me if u would like to talk