Jesus as an Inspiration (Artwork, Photos) or Jesus as a Tradition? (church, bless)

[cfmember]

Do people believe in God because they want to be inspired, protected, led, and understood (by higher being) OR is it really that majority of believers follow God because they unconditionally believe in him?

[scitsofreaky]

I think it is both. People seem to naturally want something bigger than them to protect, lead, and inspire them. But many also unconditionally believe in him.

[michel]

Perhaps there is something wrong with my explorer, but the link given seems to take me to a 'Job seaech' page by Dantol.

[Unedited]

Originally Posted by michel

Perhaps there is something wrong with my explorer, but the link given seems to take me to a 'Job seaech' page by Dantol.

The same for me.

[Unedited]

...My new avatar is starting to creep me out.

[scitsofreaky]

Originally Posted by Unedited

...My new avatar is starting to creep me out.

It is freaky.

[Jaymes]

Reminds me of The Grudge, Unedited... I keep expecting it to blink.

On topic, I think it varies from person to person. Some want to be protected, some want assurance of an afterlife, and some honestly believe in him.

[Sunstone]

Cfmember, I'm not sure what your question is. Can you rephrase it?

[Melody]

Originally Posted by cfmember

Do people believe in God because they want to be inspired, protected, led, and understood (by higher being) OR is it really that majority of believers follow God because they unconditionally believe in him?

The thread title asks a different question so I'll answer that first. Yes, Jesus is both inspiration and tradition, depending on who you talk to but it doesn't have to be both. He is tradition to people who grow up in a religion but never really think about what they believe or why. It's just something their grandparents and parents did, so they're doing the same thing. It's tradition to get up on Sunday to go to church...or maybe just to go to Easter or Christmas services and not the rest of the year.

For others, He is an inspiration and far more personal. We are constantly questioning what we believe and why, even when our basic faith is unshakeable. For example, my faith in God never wavers...but I am always questioning the tenets of that faith.

A tradition sometimes becomes an inspiration. An inspiration can become nothing more than tradition.

Now...if I understand the question, you're asking whether people follow God because they *need* to believe there's somebody out there that knows what they're doing so they've created a god....or that they truly believe there is a God. I would expect that also varies from individual to individual and I can only speak for myself.

I've lived a fairly blessed life. I grew up in a loving family with some religious tradition (catholic) but it was the Easter/Christmas type of belief and one I abandoned when I was 14. I still speak to all my siblings and enjoy getting together with them. I've always had a job when I wanted one and each time I changed jobs it was always an upward movement. I've accomplished all the dreams I had in high school (and I had a fair number of them) and then some. I married possibly the only person in the world who could put up with me on a 24/7 basis and have 3 lovely sons who are turning out to be lovely adults. I'm not rich but I've always had jobs that paid enough that I didn't have to worry about money. I now own my business (which is more than I could ever have hoped for), live in the country and have the chickens and other animals I wanted and have in-laws I adore. It looks like I'm going to get a daughter-in-law I adore as well.

My point being that I don't *need* to believe in God because I have hardships in life and need to believe that there is something better in the next. I love this life!

I believe because I *know* there is God....a topic which is best for another thread although I have answered it several times in other threads.