I can't decide whether God exists!

[otokage007]

Believe me, my parents and brother have sometimes mentioned things they thought were a sign from god. I always laughed and said it's a coincidence, or meaningless. But the fact that this occured during the 10 seconds I was in the bathroom, and exactly WHILE I was thinking about signs/miracles from God is when the TV went out. It didn't turn off, it switched to black/white fuzzy static. I hit a button on the remote to fix it. I'm not exaggerating when I say I've NEVER seen a TV go out like this for no reason. The only time's I've seen it before was during power outages, but this was no power outage. This truly seems like it can't be just a coincidence.

There could be a thousand explanations for what happened to you, or to your brother or dad. Why do you give the explanation of God more credit?

 

[earlwooters]

If you are 23, you may be young, but life is shorter than you think. Enjoy your life. Treat others as you would want them to treat you. You will never know if God exists or not until you come to the end of your life. Always remember, anything ever written down is only the opinion of the writer. Just words on paper. Howard Storms reason for writing his book and telling his story, is to make money, period. He has made a ton of money from his "story". Money is his prime motivation for his statements, not belief. If your search for the existence of God brings you enjoyment, keep it up. If it is a source of anxiety or obsession, give it up. Many atheist have had near-death experiences that are very pleasant. Many born again Christians have had the opposite. You will know if God exists or not, because all people do, they all die. No matter what anyone "believes", we all go to the same place, no matter where it is. We are all part of everything, and after we die we will still be part of the All.

 

[Breathe]

Anyway, what it would take for me to 100% believe in God is seeing a miracle, such as the ones Jesus did, or God did such as raining frogs in Egypt.

These probably never happened, anyway.
For frogs just to appear and rain would violate natural laws.
Otherwise, frogs and stuff raining does happen - but not through supernatural reasons.

Also, I've seen a UFO once, and if they are indeed piloted by extraterrestrials, I think that disproves God because he created humans to have dominion over all things.

I believe in aliens, as well - in fact, no aliens in the universe seems a bit silly, considering the size of the universe and number of planets. There's like, over a hundred billion or something in our galaxy alone, and there's a lot of galaxies out there.

Curious, why do you think God created humans to have dominion over all things? Just because of the Bible? If so, how do you know that is for all things in the universe--and not all things on Earth? How do you know 'dominion' is not to be a 'caretaker'?

THoughts?

My thoughts are that you are simply looking for "God" in a very, well, Christian way. There are more concepts of God than just those two.

Even if these concepts of gods weren't true, without searching into what the Hindus, Sikhs, Ãrya Samājis, Deists, Panentheists, and so on believe a bit unfair on yourself?

 

[rusra02]

So I've been on this earth for 23 years. For the first 17 or so, I "kinda" believed in God, just went along with what my family said. Went to church, but more to see friends than for any other reason. Since 18, I have been unsure whether God exists. I've never "experienced" God, and I've never heard God speaking to me at any point in my life. But I've lived a fairly sinful life up to this point, even though I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, steal, and I've never murdered or physically harmed someone. By sinful, I mean somewhat selfish.

Anyway, what it would take for me to 100% believe in God is seeing a miracle, such as the ones Jesus did, or God did such as raining frogs in Egypt. Or hearing a voice speaking to me that I'm sure isn't myself.

Reasons I don't believe in God 100% is it just seems perfectly logical and possible that all life on Earth evolved from very simple, microscopic lifeforms. I'm a biology major, and I believe 100% in evolution (in fact, I've seen it happen in yeast with my own eyes). Also, I've seen a UFO once, and if they are indeed piloted by extraterrestrials, I think that disproves God because he created humans to have dominion over all things. That wouldn't make sense if there were life forms more intelligent than humans. Also, the question of why did God create such a universe so vast if we humans probably won't even be able to see it?

Reasons I believe there's some chance god exists is near death experiences. I'm reading Descent into Death by Howard Storm, and I'm getting chills reading it because what it describes is almost exactly what my church tells me spirit world is like.

THoughts?

Do you live in a house? Do you believe in the carpenter or mason who built the house? Or do you not believe because you have never heard or experienced the person? As the Bible says; "What may be known about God is manifest...For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world's creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship." (Romans 1:19,20) The intelligence, power, and complexity manifest in all that we can see testify to the qualities of the One who made these things. If God spoke to each person individually, how would one know what God said versus what each person may attribute to God? God has inspired a book that can be read by everyone and the truth can thereby by shared and proven. This book, the Bible, was completed almost 2,000 years ago. Yet it is scientifically and historically accurate. Many who have carefully studied this Book are convinced that it is God's message for us, and contains the truth about God. God reveals his personality and purposes through this Book. To really know God, we need to know what the Bible says about him. For example, the Bible informs us God has a name.

​

​

 

[St Giordano Bruno]

So I've been on this earth for 23 years. For the first 17 or so, I "kinda" believed in God, just went along with what my family said. Went to church, but more to see friends than for any other reason. Since 18, I have been unsure whether God exists. I've never "experienced" God, and I've never heard God speaking to me at any point in my life. But I've lived a fairly sinful life up to this point, even though I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, steal, and I've never murdered or physically harmed someone. By sinful, I mean somewhat selfish.

Anyway, what it would take for me to 100% believe in God is seeing a miracle, such as the ones Jesus did, or God did such as raining frogs in Egypt. Or hearing a voice speaking to me that I'm sure isn't myself.

Reasons I don't believe in God 100% is it just seems perfectly logical and possible that all life on Earth evolved from very simple, microscopic lifeforms. I'm a biology major, and I believe 100% in evolution (in fact, I've seen it happen in yeast with my own eyes). Also, I've seen a UFO once, and if they are indeed piloted by extraterrestrials, I think that disproves God because he created humans to have dominion over all things. That wouldn't make sense if there were life forms more intelligent than humans. Also, the question of why did God create such a universe so vast if we humans probably won't even be able to see it?

Reasons I believe there's some chance god exists is near death experiences. I'm reading Descent into Death by Howard Storm, and I'm getting chills reading it because what it describes is almost exactly what my church tells me spirit world is like.

THoughts?

What you need is a process of elimation. First of all you should rule out that bearded old chap with his long flowing white Roman toga and go on from there.

 

[methylatedghosts]

Also, one more thing that made me post this topic. And this may be the strangest thing that's ever happened to me. Could is possibly be a coincidence? I've NEVER seen any type of "sign" from God except for possibly this:

After basically living like an atheist for 5 years, I went to a church workshop to learn about God, the Bible, the afterlife, ect. It was one week, 10-14 hours of lecture per day.

The day after I got home, I was watching TV. I stepped into the bathroom, and for some reason was thinking "why doesn't God perform miracles? Why did he perform them back then but not now?". Then I stepped back into the living room, and the TV screen was black and fuzzy. I've never seen that happen before. No one else was in the room, and there's no pet or anything that could have stepped on the remote.

It was kinda cloudy that night, and stormed later that night. Is it possible it's just a coincidence and that the weather made the TV go out? Almost seems too incredible to be a coincidence?

I'm not so keen on the whole idea of coincidence. But that doesn't necessarily mean God did it .

You don't need to decide one way or another right now. And I don't think you even need to decide ever. But if the question still is on your mind, I suggest reading. Like I've suggested to people on here before, check out second-hand book stores. They're great for finding good books that you might not otherwise find on a library database. That and I love the feel of the stores - it's different to anywhere else. Browse their theology section and pick out a few books that catch your eye, or wait a week and try again. I certainly think you'll find some answers in there.

I take the answers that I find in those books and fold them together so I have a grand total of answers that fit together neatly. But the best thing about finding answers in the books, is finding questions you didn't know you had

 

[methylatedghosts]

What you need is a process of elimation. First of all you should rule out that bearded old chap with his long flowing white Roman toga and go on from there.

I think the problem with that would be that your list begins with a certain limit of ideas. There could always be more that hasn't been spoken or written down. You'd miss those then, and your answer would be inaccurate

 

[Tristesse]

Do you live in a house? Do you believe in the carpenter or mason who built the house? Or do you not believe because you have never heard or experienced the person? As the Bible says; "What may be known about God is manifest...For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world's creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship." (Romans 1:19,20) The intelligence, power, and complexity manifest in all that we can see testify to the qualities of the One who made these things. If God spoke to each person individually, how would one know what God said versus what each person may attribute to God? God has inspired a book that can be read by everyone and the truth can thereby by shared and proven. This book, the Bible, was completed almost 2,000 years ago. Yet it is scientifically and historically accurate. Many who have carefully studied this Book are convinced that it is God's message for us, and contains the truth about God. God reveals his personality and purposes through this Book. To really know God, we need to know what the Bible says about him. For example, the Bible informs us God has a name.

When was the last time you saw a house reproduce naturally? You're making a category error in your analogy, it's false reasoning.

 

[waitasec]

Believe me, my parents and brother have sometimes mentioned things they thought were a sign from god. I always laughed and said it's a coincidence, or meaningless. But the fact that this occured during the 10 seconds I was in the bathroom, and exactly WHILE I was thinking about signs/miracles from God is when the TV went out. It didn't turn off, it switched to black/white fuzzy static. I hit a button on the remote to fix it. I'm not exaggerating when I say I've NEVER seen a TV go out like this for no reason. The only time's I've seen it before was during power outages, but this was no power outage. This truly seems like it can't be just a coincidence.

well this idea is what religious dogma seems to thrive on, making the individual the center of the universe...are you really going to believe this is a sign while people are in fact dying and are in need of a miracle? think of elizabeth fritzl a girl who was imprisoned and raped by her own father for years and years...

 

[outhouse]

So I've been on this earth for 23 years. For the first 17 or so, I "kinda" believed in God, just went along with what my family said. Went to church, but more to see friends than for any other reason. Since 18, I have been unsure whether God exists. I've never "experienced" God, and I've never heard God speaking to me at any point in my life. But I've lived a fairly sinful life up to this point, even though I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, steal, and I've never murdered or physically harmed someone. By sinful, I mean somewhat selfish.

Anyway, what it would take for me to 100% believe in God is seeing a miracle, such as the ones Jesus did, or God did such as raining frogs in Egypt. Or hearing a voice speaking to me that I'm sure isn't myself.

Reasons I don't believe in God 100% is it just seems perfectly logical and possible that all life on Earth evolved from very simple, microscopic lifeforms. I'm a biology major, and I believe 100% in evolution (in fact, I've seen it happen in yeast with my own eyes). Also, I've seen a UFO once, and if they are indeed piloted by extraterrestrials, I think that disproves God because he created humans to have dominion over all things. That wouldn't make sense if there were life forms more intelligent than humans. Also, the question of why did God create such a universe so vast if we humans probably won't even be able to see it?

Reasons I believe there's some chance god exists is near death experiences. I'm reading Descent into Death by Howard Storm, and I'm getting chills reading it because what it describes is almost exactly what my church tells me spirit world is like.

THoughts?

if you want to remove the question completely, read the bible.


Once you read the words and learn the history it should help you to understand how man made god.

God never put pen to paper because in my eyes he is a figment of imagination.


Looking at history you can see how man has made many deitys over thousands of years. Again, man makes deitys. They always have to explain what they dont know.



Even today you only believe what you do based on where your born.

 

[Revoltingest]

So I've been on this earth for 23 years. For the first 17 or so, I "kinda" believed in God, just went along with what my family said. Went to church, but more to see friends than for any other reason. Since 18, I have been unsure whether God exists.

You don't need to decide.
Lacking evidence either way, leaving it an open question is just fine.

 

[crocusj]

Also, one more thing that made me post this topic. And this may be the strangest thing that's ever happened to me. Could is possibly be a coincidence? I've NEVER seen any type of "sign" from God except for possibly this:

After basically living like an atheist for 5 years, I went to a church workshop to learn about God, the Bible, the afterlife, ect. It was one week, 10-14 hours of lecture per day.

The day after I got home, I was watching TV. I stepped into the bathroom, and for some reason was thinking "why doesn't God perform miracles? Why did he perform them back then but not now?". Then I stepped back into the living room, and the TV screen was black and fuzzy. I've never seen that happen before. No one else was in the room, and there's no pet or anything that could have stepped on the remote.

It was kinda cloudy that night, and stormed later that night. Is it possible it's just a coincidence and that the weather made the TV go out? Almost seems too incredible to be a coincidence?

Do you really, honestly believe that the god of all creation would give a doubter like yourself a sign through your TV? Seriously? And since you have supplied some info on your life so far - if there is a hell then there is a large queue and I am in it but you are not. Get out and experience the world, have relationships, talk to people, read books, only try to remember to believe none of what you read and only half of what you see! Most of all, be happy.

 

[Yeshe Dawa]

Also, one more thing that made me post this topic. And this may be the strangest thing that's ever happened to me. Could is possibly be a coincidence? I've NEVER seen any type of "sign" from God except for possibly this:

After basically living like an atheist for 5 years, I went to a church workshop to learn about God, the Bible, the afterlife, ect. It was one week, 10-14 hours of lecture per day.

The day after I got home, I was watching TV. I stepped into the bathroom, and for some reason was thinking "why doesn't God perform miracles? Why did he perform them back then but not now?". Then I stepped back into the living room, and the TV screen was black and fuzzy. I've never seen that happen before. No one else was in the room, and there's no pet or anything that could have stepped on the remote.

It was kinda cloudy that night, and stormed later that night. Is it possible it's just a coincidence and that the weather made the TV go out? Almost seems too incredible to be a coincidence?

Hi Yodachoda!

I've been reading through your thread and I guess I will add my opinion. I think that some people have faith, and some don't. Some people will only accept what can be scientifcally proven to them, which is fine. They are happy with the way the see things, and happiness is good. Other people have faith. They believe there is a spiritual side to things - gods, angels, afterlife. They are happy with their convictions and this is also good.

Spiritual things can't and never will be proven - in fact, the scientifically minded people can spend all day showing you evidence that disproves them. I would agree with Bobhikes and Quadman19 - you should do a lot of research. If, after looking at all the arguments, you still have this conviction that there is a spiritual side of things, then you have faith.

If the religion you grew up in left you disillusioned, you can always find another one (of course, this will have repurcussions with your family, but you have to weigh the positives and negatives for yourself).

Miracles won't help, because as you've already seen in this thread, any miracle can be explained away as a natural phenomenon or as coincidence. Faith gives significance to a miraculous event. If you have faith - it was a miracle. If you don't, it was coincidence, or nature.

I wish you peace and blessings,
Yeshe
:flower2:

 

[Kathryn]

So I've been on this earth for 23 years. For the first 17 or so, I "kinda" believed in God, just went along with what my family said. Went to church, but more to see friends than for any other reason. Since 18, I have been unsure whether God exists. I've never "experienced" God, and I've never heard God speaking to me at any point in my life. But I've lived a fairly sinful life up to this point, even though I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, steal, and I've never murdered or physically harmed someone. By sinful, I mean somewhat selfish.

Anyway, what it would take for me to 100% believe in God is seeing a miracle, such as the ones Jesus did, or God did such as raining frogs in Egypt. Or hearing a voice speaking to me that I'm sure isn't myself.

Reasons I don't believe in God 100% is it just seems perfectly logical and possible that all life on Earth evolved from very simple, microscopic lifeforms. I'm a biology major, and I believe 100% in evolution (in fact, I've seen it happen in yeast with my own eyes). Also, I've seen a UFO once, and if they are indeed piloted by extraterrestrials, I think that disproves God because he created humans to have dominion over all things. That wouldn't make sense if there were life forms more intelligent than humans. Also, the question of why did God create such a universe so vast if we humans probably won't even be able to see it?

Reasons I believe there's some chance god exists is near death experiences. I'm reading Descent into Death by Howard Storm, and I'm getting chills reading it because what it describes is almost exactly what my church tells me spirit world is like.

THoughts?

Well, immediately this thought comes to mind:

It doesn't matter what you "decide." Your decision has absolutely no bearing on whether or not God exists.

 

[laffy_taffy]

So I've been on this earth for 23 years. For the first 17 or so, I "kinda" believed in God, just went along with what my family said. Went to church, but more to see friends than for any other reason. Since 18, I have been unsure whether God exists. I've never "experienced" God, and I've never heard God speaking to me at any point in my life. But I've lived a fairly sinful life up to this point, even though I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, steal, and I've never murdered or physically harmed someone. By sinful, I mean somewhat selfish.

Anyway, what it would take for me to 100% believe in God is seeing a miracle, such as the ones Jesus did, or God did such as raining frogs in Egypt. Or hearing a voice speaking to me that I'm sure isn't myself.

Reasons I don't believe in God 100% is it just seems perfectly logical and possible that all life on Earth evolved from very simple, microscopic lifeforms. I'm a biology major, and I believe 100% in evolution (in fact, I've seen it happen in yeast with my own eyes). Also, I've seen a UFO once, and if they are indeed piloted by extraterrestrials, I think that disproves God because he created humans to have dominion over all things. That wouldn't make sense if there were life forms more intelligent than humans. Also, the question of why did God create such a universe so vast if we humans probably won't even be able to see it?

Reasons I believe there's some chance god exists is near death experiences. I'm reading Descent into Death by Howard Storm, and I'm getting chills reading it because what it describes is almost exactly what my church tells me spirit world is like.

THoughts?

Good luck! I don't know about you, but my beliefs are the result of being convinced of something's truth. I cannot choose to believe in the existence of something based on fear, or even based on my wants/desires. Heck, there are some things that I believe in that I would rather not believe, but have no choice based on the overwhelming evidence.

Even if someone were to offer me 10 million dollars to believe that I was a porcupine, for example, I couldn't make myself actually believe. Would I want to believe it? Heck yeah! Could I “try” to believe? Yes! Could I pretend to believe it? Sure! But would I actually believe it? No. Like I said before, wanting to believe something does not change the fact that I do not actually believe it.

Believing that something exists should be independent of whether or not that belief could give you comfort. Either you are convinced by evidence that a particular god exists, or you are not convinced and you withhold belief (as a non-believer; atheist) until such time as you are provided with such. For instance, if I was convinced by evidence that a two headed tyrant god existed, I would have no choice but to believe that he existed, period....regardless of how it made me "feel." As an atheist, I have not yet been persuaded to believe in any god due to the lack of convincing evidence. However, I am always open to the possibility!

 

[laffy_taffy]

1. I want to believe because if I don't, and I don't live a good live, I will have to spend a long time in hell. From what I've learned from my church, the harsh reality is that I will go to hell if I die right now. I've never killed anyone, only stolen something (that costed $15) once, I've never physically hurt someone. But if there is a God, when I am judged right after I die he will say "I don't know you". And that's hell according to my church.

3. Because the only religion I've been exposed to all my life is Christianity, and it makes the most sense to me and is the most popular religion.

Well, two-thirds of the world's population do not believe that jesus is god and do not believe in your religion, so I don't know what your point is regarding the popularity of your religion.....

 

[BruceDLimber]

Don't worry.

When you get to the Next Life, you can ask Him about His existence.




Bruce

 

[otokage007]

Don't worry.

When you get to the Next Life, you can ask Him about His existence.




Bruce

Or maybe by that time humanity finds the secret of inmortality and we all scape God's will :yes:

 

[crocusj]

Don't worry.

When you get to the Next Life, you can ask Him about His existence.




Bruce

Or not. I think that's what's bumming the guy out.

 

[AmbiguousGuy]

1. I want to believe because if I don't, and I don't live a good live, I will have to spend a long time in hell.

You should stop worrying about that. There is no such place a hell. It's just a story which primitive people concocted thousands of years ago in order to scare people.

I hope this makes you feel better.