Why Do We Need To Believe?

Question

if there was no promise of an afterlife, would life seem empty? (note, I'm an atheist)

Answer 1

You don't need any system of religious beliefs, or atheist for that matter, to see the beauty of nature, to experience the loving touch of a loved one, to enjoy the quiet comfort of a hot cup of tea. (Not sissy herbal tea, real tea.) Substance is everywhere.

Answer 2

I feel as though i DO need to believe -- actually NEED it, and Your question throws some penetrating light into my thoughts. I don't know why i need to believe. I am certain, though, that disbelief is not an option for me.

As for the afterlife, i admit my life would feel pointless without belief in that. I spent many years afraid of death, wondering why God would give me a life and then scare me with the sure knowledge of losing it. Perhaps it takes some age to start to welcome the idea, but mainly i have come to realize that "afterlife" means being with God, and that's just too joyful to pass up.

Answer 3

There is no promise of an afterlife which makes life either seem empty or that much more valuable. Depends on ones perspective I suppose.

Answer 4

We need to believe in the Words Jesus spoke, if you believe in his Words, you believe there is an afterlife, that we are spirit, that the body is just a house for our spirit. That our body means nothing to God the Father, it is our spirit that He created, in his image, not our body.

God could raise up the rocks to house our spirits, but we would not be able to taste, feel, love, and interact with each other, just as we could not do in heaven as spirits. Jesus made us these bodies, so our spirit could enjoy the things of the physical world.

This is what we need to believe, so when our time on earth is fulfilled, we can take all our feelings and experiences back to heaven, (the Promised Land) and with our expanded imaginations create our own heaven in a world without end.

Answer 5

Life is what you make of it. Life is about doing the best you can to make the world a better place to live in. There is no need for a god or follow a religion to do that.
So far there is no evidence to support that there is an afterlife.

Answer 6

I dont have the need to believe. I just do and I always have. I've experienced way too many things in my 70 years that I know came from God. I dont have a formal religion, but I know when I look out at the mountains and see a bbay being born that it could only come from God. Everyone is entitled to either believe or not. I promise not to demean your beliefs or lack therof if you promise not to put me down because I do believe in God.

Answer 7

Well to connect with your spiritual side and be closer to the lord. You won't know until you try everyone experiences something different. What I mean by try is not do it once and a while or once but actually try you will see. Think of it as exercise but for your soul. Go to church and talk to a preiest to find out how to connect. Life would probably go on but everyone would be more lost and confused. It's just like doing something without having a goal.

Answer 8

There is more to life than the materialistic, senses dulling lifestyle of a lot of americans. One can get in touch with your spirit, though meditation, mind-body exercises, and a good diet, and then feel something that can exist, without the body and can sense, beyond the body's senses. Having good intuition, can be quite an asset, in this dangerous world we live in. It is easy and simple to just not believe, but exploring knew territory should add more to your life.

Answer 9

Physiologically, we need ... something. A hero? A lover? A kind word from a friend? Whatever, we NEED it. Sometimes, there is nobody to fill any of the roles listed above. Like a simple tool comes in handy at certain moments, believing will always get some people through the day and who is there to be your hero at all times? Your lover at all times? An offerer of kind words when you need them?
When you believe, your answers are always laid out in front of you like flat, smooth, new road.

Answer 10

I think what I fear most about there being no afterlife is never again seeing my loved ones who have passed.But I do not feel like life would be empty without it.