Does belief in god matter?

Question

If a person can be good without believing in god, then is it really necessary? If goodness and peace can exist without god, then is it necessary? If you look at the history of the world you can see that belief in god has not helped much. If anything it has been detrimental to humanity.

I tried asking this question in the religion section but the theists tore me a new one. I figured this is a place where I could find intelligent answers. I guess many people were insulted but they shouldn’t because it was not meant to insult.

Answer 1

Whoa, there are several questions in here.

1. Can a person who does not believe in god be good?
Oh yes, definitely, for sure, That is a yes, as certain as there is a sun that shines tomorrow and that yes your god will also say yes.
Many people even as we speak have not been taught nor introduced to the concept of god and formal religion, and they are kind ,wonderful and probably even more humane than , *hush dont even finish this sentence*

2. Is it even necessary to believe in God? Only you can answer the question for yourself. You can look around and see the tremendous damage man can do in the name of god and religion. Did you by chance blame that on god? Those were all man made. Evil men can act as agents for God and there will be believers in his ability to be gods representative. How does this happen?
You remember the very well known saying about one being born every minute.
3. Despite the machinations of a few men, religion is not completely corrupted.
4. I think the beliefs that you have observed which appear to be detrimental to humanity now actually reflect ourselves several centuries ago when we were without the smoothing effects of education and economic progress.

Answer 2

God, if God is God, does not need our belief to be who God is. Faith in God is for our benefit, not God's. Further, if God is God, then everything that exists, everything that we are, is conditioned and dependent on God, whether one acknowledges God's existence or denies it. This would mean that the source of a non-believers goodness would itself be God, as God is the ultimate cause of everything that exists. As far as the history of the world demonstrating that belief in God has not helped that much, that is an assertion, a claim that you would have to justify, as it stands, such a claim is hardly self-evident. Further, the claim that belief in God has been detrimental to humanity is also simply an assertion, for which you could gather evidence for or against, again, it is not self evident. Before you assume that secularist assumptions have been all that constructive for humanity, consider reading "Humanity: A Moral History of the Twentieth Century." by John Glover. Also, John Milbank's "Theology and Social Theory" might surprise you with his thesis that the fundamental form from which secularity arises is essentially religious.

Answer 3

This is what I believe!
I believe that all men(and women) were born in sin.
So the only way we can be good is to change the state in
which we are initially born into!
The word states how we can make this change in Romans 10:9&10 These go together.
Once we are saved we are born again and can begin to learn to operate the spirit from within that comes from God!
Truly a man is not great within himself. But God should
always get the glory!
If people would just try to sit down and read God's Word,
God could begin to help open their eyes and give them
understanding!
You see, it doesn't really matter what you or I think, it's what
God's Word says that is truth.We just have the freedom to
choose if we believe it or not!
I think every one should at least try it before they reject God.
For wouldn't it be a better thing to go with God and all the
blessings than to have never tried and in the end you die.
If we go with God we shall not perish but have everlasting life!
I don't know about you? But I'll take my chances with God! :)

Answer 4

I beleive that all things good and moral came from a religion that believes in God someway.

So, as was once said in a Stephen King novel, The Stand:

(paraphrased from memory)
Nick: "Grandma Abigail, I don't believe in God."
Grandma Abigail: "That doesn't matter, Nick, because God believes in YOU!"

Belief in God has not been the problem, it's the way that people abuse and misinterpret the teachings. God's power is so great and people believe so strongly that evil men can use that belief for their own will, not that of God.

God does not want the world in the state that it is in. Far from it. God however, gave man free will, because a free person, with the choice to believe is a far stronger friend and ally than a conscript, someone who is forced or told to believe.

Answer 5

From what you've just witnessed in R&S some people are very, very into their belief of God etc, so much that it matters to them a great deal and they throw a fit at you when you ask such an innocent question as this.

I personally share the same opinions as you do Danny, I don't believe you need to believe in God or whoever to be a good and compassionate individual to society.

Answer 6

I am a believer. I believe the whole reason for us being on this earth is to serve the Lord. Without that purpose, we wouldnt even have an earth to tear up. Yes, I do believe that you have to believe in God to get to heaven. I disagree with your assessment of religion throughout the history of the world, though. In my opinion, religion was heavily relied on in the early years. Most peoples existance at that time was dangerous, hard, and short at best. Because of this, I believe reliance on a greater power grew. When you have nothing to look forward to in life BUT Heaven, it tends to make life a little more bearable. I will not, however, diasagree with the fact that there are some people within ALL religious sects that choose to hide behind their faith. For some reason, and I assume its because Faith has no boundaries, there are those people who are motivated by self and use faith as an excuse to get away with things. That is wrong, no matter what religion you follow. If being good feels good, then do it no matter what. That is called humanitarianism. If being bad feels good, then also know that the God I serve gave us the ability to be both and if you choose to be bad, there are grave consequences to your actions. I serve a God of sencond and third chances and my favorite commandment is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Its priceless, its golden and if it was used by all, there would be more peace. Please note that these are only my opinions, and just like you, I am interested in what others think and feel as well.

Answer 7

Belief on a personal level matters to many. Is it necessary for society? No. But respect is, and that includes the respect to believe in God.

The trauma and violence perpetrated throughout history have been brought on by organized religions. Organizing a religion makes it exclusive. It excludes... any who do not follow the dictations of that particular religion. It has very little to do with a belief in God.

Answer 8

I don't think God is necessary for being good. That seems to be the problem often, though I am a theist.

But as a wise man once said "I would rather live my life as though there is a God and die to discover there isn't than live as though there isn't a God and die to discover there is."

or something like that

Answer 9

Belief, is only the beginning, believing something, anything without enquiring into why you believe what you believe is no more than a type of hypnosis.

No one can be 'good' without God, because the standards of 'good and evil' presented by society are corrupt.

Many people think that a policeman shooting a robber dead has just killed the 'bad guy' - but satan has in that moment deceived people (using their own fear) into thinking that the 'policeman' is 'good'.

What we have in reality is a murderer and a dead thief, whereas before, we had just a thief.

The solution to 'crime' - the problem of 'good and evil' is to create awareness of the beauty of the gift of life.

When people learn to see the beauty in life, they will enquire into its source and this will lead them directly to God (if they are sincere in their efforts).

Peace actually means 'wholeness' and we are not whole until we unite with the source of life within us: God.

Belief in God has not helped, because those claiming to believe have not investigated their beliefs and have been producing the same murderous behaviour as their forefathers.

Had they invested the time to investigate their belief, they would have found God, experienced Peace and shared their experiences with others.

Peace is first individual, then collective. That is we find God within ourselves, then by expressing the Love and Wisdom of God, help others free themselves from the selfishness of the ego and find peace within themselves.

The theists who spoke against you have not yet realised that it is their own beliefs that are their only enemy, not you. When they realise this, they shall awaken and attempt to find out why they believe, what they believe and if they are sincere, they will open their minds to the Ever-Living God and kindle the Fire of Love within them, which alone can free them from their self-deception.

This Yahoo Answers Forum is an excellent opportunity for people to grow together, develop understanding and share experiences, but unfortunately only a very small percentage of people seem to be sincere. Those that mess around are not aware of the fantastic opportunity we have to create a better world and manifest peace.

It is not possible to 'insult' or 'hurt' Truth, so when you get angry responses, realise that those who do so are in slavery to their selfish ego and once you realise this, it is easy to forgive them.

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" - Jesus.

Even when people totally convince themselves that they are justified in hurting others, they are in a deep sleep of selfish deception caused by the satanic consciousness, their own ego.

They hurt others, but also commit suicide by cutting themselves off from the inner stream of life, which is the only source of Peace, there is.

Answer 10

Suppose you wanted to make a reservation at a restuarant or hotel but you didn't believe they existed. Would you make the call or ever go there? What would be the use? It would just be a waste of your time.

If you don't believe God exists then you will never end up at God's house will you?

Goodness and peace exist when we channel the love from God into our surroundings and war and strife exist when we don't.