deltron80

Let me also add that there are certainly unexplainable phenomena in this universe. We can't even "see" most of the universe and we just call that "dark matter" due to our total ignorance. We have no clue what is really out there. To claim you know what's out there is the height of narcissism and conceit. Lack of knowledge is not proof of religion.

Still squirming, eh? There is no reason for you because YOU don't have a reason. Some do. You've been give an example. You fail to realize that. Have at it, eh? It's been fun watching you guys scream and holler for something you can't have. Kinda reminds me of a kid screaming for candy that his Mamma can't give him because there's none in the house. Funny part is that you think that's legitimate and the the kid is justified in screaming and hollerin' all the time knowing full well that there is no candy even if Mamma wanted to give him some. Keep asking though....you guys can keep yourselves entertained with it. G'day. Actually, no one has given a reason yet other than saying they had an undisclosed mystical experience or just that it makes them feel good. What's funny is that just because people are disagreeing with your imaginary fantasy world, you construe that as some sort of "screaming and hollering" temper tantrum. What's entertaining is that you guys still believe this nonsense in the 21st century. Religion has been in permanent decline since the industrial age began and as science and human progress continue to advance, your iron age mumbo jumbo will inevitably go the way of Zoroastrianism. What's childish is that Christians try to claim every single natural wonder, coincidence, strange event, and all of human philosophy as "proof" of their beliefs. A rainbow is light refracting through water vapor, not a sign from God. If people could wake up to the fact that this is the only life we have, maybe people would be a little more decent to each other and value life a little more.

I do too...but for people that believe so much rides on this decision, they seem to be making it quite lightly and with nothing more than a 'feeling' to guide them. I would posit that 'feeling' is nothing more than childhood indoctrination.

From everything I've heard about AA it does sound a bit religion obsessed and cult like. There are other programs available for people who don't feel the need to surrender to a higher power is a prerequisite for addiction recovery. Good things can come from religion, but I would argue they are vastly outweighed by the bad things.

THIS^ Yet so many get their panties in a wad over it. These are the busybodies that would have you live your life according to their biases. Ahhh, such is life. Thanks for being honest. So you base your entire belief system around something just because it makes you feel good and for no other reason? Don't you think something as weighty as the eternal fate of your soul deserves a bit more consideration than that? Also, why wouldn't you care whether something so important is actually true or not? If you don't even care whether it's true or not, then do you really believe it in the first place or are you just pretending because it makes you feel good? Why do you feel these types of questions are an attack of some kind? They're perfectly legitimate questions.

Why are you asking questions when you have already made up your mind as to what the answer is? I'll answer your 2 questions: because it makes ME feel good. I could care less if it is true. Yes, I've finally made up my mind, but it took quite a long time to find my way out of the intellectual wilderness of a religious upbringing. Thank you for being the first to answer honestly.

No one has answered the questions yet. Two people cited a specific event in their life as why they believe, but they didn't say what the event was. That's dodging the question. I do care whether evolution is true, and I agree you can't "believe" in it in a spiritual sense, but I do believe/think/assert evolution is true. I believe it because I've seen scientific evidence for it. This is a poor comparison for religion. I only brought in evolution because it's an example of something demonstrable and it's in the title of the thread. If you have questions about evolution you can visit http://talkorigins.org/. I also very much care whether religion is true. That was a contributing factor to why I'm no longer a Christian.

I agree with all that. The thing is, I'm not asking for evidence or any kind of proof of religion. There isn't any evidence. I'm simply asking WHY they believe in their religion. They can't answer the question, because the only reason they actually have is that they were just raised that way. There isn't even a "spiritual" explanation for it, or any other explanation for that matter. When you are raised in a religion you are directly taught never to question it. Most people are never asked why they believe something. That's what faith is all about. The question, "do you care if it's true?" is also a very simple and direct question. Christians can't answer these 2 questions, because of course to even acknowledge them with an answer is an admission of the fallibility of their beliefs. If you actually care whether it's true or not, it requires further thought beyond, "I have faith and that's all." If you don't care whether or not it's true, then there's no sense in pretending you believe it for a reason. I'm not trying to tell them they're wrong. I'm just asking for an explanation why. In fact, by doing this I'm welcoming them to proselytize to me.

THIS ^

It completely destroys the credibility of religion when believers cannot answer simple questions such as: Why do you believe in your religion? Do you care whether or not it's true? If you ask someone why they believe in evolution, they will likely be able to answer the question.

Hypothetical question: If there is no god, would you prefer to know the truth, or continue believing there is one?

Religion has other negative side effects, therefore they are better off finding another source of strength, inspiration, comfort, etc.

They'd be better off just doing it on their own or with the help of real things.

Such as?

I just find it odd that for all their condescention to non-believers, Christians can never answer the simple question why they believe in their religion. They just repeat that they have faith or believe in it, but they can never actually give a reason. It's like asking a North Korean why they believe in their dear leader. It seems like they don't even understand the question.

Why does it matter so much to you? As I said, it's a personal thing...how do you know what you're missing? How do you know? I don't feel burdened... I know because I was raised in the church and I used to be a believer just like you. It matters to me because I don't like to see other people living in the same false ideology that I was in. It has effects on your thinking that you don't realize until you are free from it. The truth is always better, even when less comforting. Don't be scared to rigorously question your beliefs for fear of eternal damnation. That's how they control you... I guess it comes down to whether you prefer to seek real truth, or just remain bogged down in a comfortable fiction. I know it won't mean much to you, but just ask yourself why you really believe these things and if they are really true or if you just want them to be true. I don't mean to be "preachy," but it's taken me several decades to work through these things and now I want to share that with others.

Why do you have faith in and believe in God? Why do you have faith in and believe the Bible is the word of God? I believe faith itself is a gift from God...It seems to me that in order to exercise it you have to have a need for God. This seems to typically happen when one is completely broken and stripped of most pride...a clean slate so to speak, so as to begin life anew. It has given me happiness that I was never able to find in life despite all that I had. It showed be how to be happy with nothing so everything gained is a bonus that can be appreciated and not taken for granted. It has shown me the importance of self reflection and the confidence to overcome anything...even myself and my narcissistic carnality. This list is hardly exhaustive...it's a personal thing and YMMV. The hardest part I think is "dying" to yourself...it will always be a challenge for us to get over ourselves. It's very difficult to have a contrite humble and sincere heart that is necessary for it all to work...it almost goes against our nature. I don't even think we have initial control over it...that too I think is a gift from God. It is then up to us to fight pride by cultivating humility in our lives, but nobody wants to hear that. Galatians 5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. It's great that you have been able to make this personal journey, but why do you think you couldn't have had these personal breakthroughs without religion? You can be an even stronger person without religion. I agree it is very unnatural to surrender yourself and your freedom of thought to a system of dogmatic control. Why do it? You might be surprised how happy you can be without the burden of religious belief.

No real Christian can answer these questions... It's too difficult for them to overcome the reality that they have no reason to believe what they've based their entire life upon.

Ron believes in God because he personally met him. That sounds like a good reason to me. Most other people's reason is simply that their parents raised them in the church.

Ron, Why do you believe and have faith that God exists? Why do you believe and have faith that the Bible is the inspired word of God?

Why do you have faith in and believe in God? Why do you have faith in and believe the Bible is the word of God? Not asking for evidence per se, just wondering why.

Your question offends me.

Belief in a god is not the default position. The default position is atheism. We don't fly out of the womb wearing yarmulkes after all. The person making the supernatural claim bears 100% burden of proof. Otherwise his claims are worthless

Is that real???

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