How can we know "God" exists?

[StarryNightshade]

How do you view God? As a literal metaphysical being in the sky? As a state of being? As a force that transcends all? Not literally real, but a symbol that points to something beyond what we can comprehend?

Is there any evidence for God? Scientific, anecdotal, philosophical or otherwise?

I think that the possibility of God is great, considering how organized and precise the universe is; but I wouldn't go so far as to say that I believe in God.

 

[Ouroboros]

A force that transcends all, but also all that is, not just the force.

Or, as a learned recently, the 10 dimensions of string theory. Time, space, infinity, universe(s), existence, reality, all folding in on each other.

Evidence for it? I don't try to convince people of evidence for this since "evidence" is thinking about it scientifically. That's why I don't like all the proofs and arguments for this or that God. By proving it, the cause is lost.

I don't see why an organized and precise universe can prove a God. That thought is based on that something more organized and precise than the universe created the universe, and the argument fails on its own premise.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I don't see why an organized and precise universe can prove a God. That thought is based on that something more organized and precise than the universe created the universe, and the argument fails on its own premise.

Actually, it does not ...

 

[sandandfoam]

How do you view God? As a literal metaphysical being in the sky? As a state of being? As a force that transcends all? Not literally real, but a symbol that points to something beyond what we can comprehend?

Is there any evidence for God? Scientific, anecdotal, philosophical or otherwise?

I think that the possibility of God is great, considering how organized and precise the universe is; but I wouldn't go so far as to say that I believe in God.

God is what I feel in the depth of my bones, God is what I see when I look at the world, God is what I hear when people laugh. God is beyond my comprehension and therfore my words.

God cannot be 'proved' - no more than the beauty of poetry, the awesomeness of a roaring ocean or the wonder of a starry sky.

Once I turned towards God He surely ran towards me.

 

[nazz]

How do you view God? As a literal metaphysical being in the sky? As a state of being? As a force that transcends all? Not literally real, but a symbol that points to something beyond what we can comprehend?

Is there any evidence for God? Scientific, anecdotal, philosophical or otherwise?

I think that the possibility of God is great, considering how organized and precise the universe is; but I wouldn't go so far as to say that I believe in God.

I find it difficult to describe God in an objective manner with any certitude. About the most I would say with certainty is that all things that begin to exist have an ultimate cause and I label that cause God. Beyond that my most minimal definition of God would be what I experience internally as God. So I endeavor to describe God from the point of view of personal experience rather than as objective fact.

The following is a little something I wrote to atheists on the subject of God's existence that exemplifies what I am saying...

Let's start with why you are an atheist. It is because you know of no convincing evidence that supports belief in any deity, right? (I will assume you will answer yes as that is what most atheists say)

And you are right! IF what you are looking for is external evidence of an externally existing deity. I mean one can make arguments like the Kalam of the need for a first uncaused cause but even if one will admit to their merit that is a far cry from establishing the existence of any personal deity that interacts with humans. So let's not even go that route.

This idea of God--as an objectively existing external being "out there" somewhere--is where the whole problem starts. Because it can't be evidenced. When we look out into the world we don't see God performing all the miraculous things he is reported to have done in the Bible. Sure there are reports of occasional miracles here and there but nothing that can be scientifically verified. In fact there is not a shred of evidence to support that God ever performed these miraculous feat in the past (I do actually think there is good reason to accept that he did at least one but let's set that aside). And even if God were doing those things would it really prove he exists? Could we absolutely rule out that there might not be some other cause? When this has been discussed before some atheists said that something like rearranging the stars in the heavens to read "I love you" might convince them. But would even something as dramatic as that convince everyone?

So what does that leave us? Only the evidence of internal subjective experience. And of course the atheist response to that is that such is unreliable and it's "all in people's heads". And once again they are absolutely right! It IS all in people's heads because that is the definition of an internal subjective experience!

BUT does that mean those experiences are not real? Of course not! Even a hallucination is a real experience. It just has no external objective reality. So an internal subjective spiritual experience can't be used to verify an eternal, objectively existing deity either. But the good news is THAT DOESN'T MATTER. Because what really matters is that the experience can be experienced and the effects of that experience can have tangible measurable effects!

Am I saying that God does not exist in any external, objective sense? Of course not, I believe he does. But even if he didn't it doesn't really matter. What matters is that God exists in an internal, subjective way. Even if that were the only way God existed it is enough. And in this world it is all we really ever have. That doesn't make God any less real at all. Quite to the contrary. I know that God exists in this way beyond a shadow of a doubt. It is a fact. There is simply no argument that can refute this fact. It's not even a matter of faith but a matter of knowledge.

You don't have to believe in God. You don't have to muster up faith in him. You don't have to go looking for some evidence to try to establish his external objective existence. All you have to do is experience him. Because the experience of God IS God.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I think that the possibility of God is great, considering how organized and precise the universe is; but I wouldn't go so far as to say that I believe in God.

Nobody believes in their god because of how organized or precise the universe is. However, it is often used as a rationale afer-the-fact. Additionally, peoples' concepts of gods are usually as vague and banal as their concepts about the "organization" or "precision" of the universe.

 

[Quintessence]

Functionally speaking, the gods are whatever aspects of reality some person or culture deems worthy of worship. In order for something to be deemed worthy of worship, it must be knowable by humans in some way, and therefore obviously exists. The question should be about manner of existence, not existence. Only when claims about manner of existence are made does "evidence" (whatever that constitutes) become a consideration of some importance.

The things I personally deem worthy of worship are so widely "evidenced" it's stupid to even ask for evidence of my gods unless you feel like wallowing around in the extremes of philosophical skepticism (e.g., is this keyboard I'm typing on really here?!?). But some people have definitions of the gods that do not allow them to see the things that I find worthy of worship as gods. They think something has to be this or that in order to be worthy of worship or called a god. Each to their own.

 

[Sir Doom]

How do you view God?

I haven't managed to view god yet. I assume it'll be with my eyesight if ever I do. I keed, I keed...

I view god as...

As a literal metaphysical being in the sky?

I would say in the universe as opposed to 'the sky' and I'm really not a big fan of words like 'metaphysical' or 'supernatural' as they seem to be fancy ways of saying, 'I'm not going to describe this thing in any meaningful way.'

As a state of being?

Yes, this as well. I believe that every living thing is potentially a god and the one that I believe in is just another living thing that realized this potential. Thus god is in a state of godhood. Godliness. Goddity? Godderation? Whatever it would be called.

As a force that transcends all?

Most definitely not. I believe there are probably billions of gods in the universe and not one of them is anywhere near almighty. That would be the end of reality.

Not literally real, but a symbol that points to something beyond what we can comprehend?

I don't believe there is anything in this reality that is beyond comprehension. Anything we are not currently 'comprehending' is a matter of time and effort on our part. And no, I believe god is a real being and not just a metaphorical place-holder for something I can't describe.

Is there any evidence for God? Scientific, anecdotal, philosophical or otherwise?

Obviously. The idea is evidence in and of itself. My ideas of god are incredibly convincing to me. And since I am the only person I intend to convince... that's 100% success! I'm batting 1000!

I think that the possibility of God is great, considering how organized and precise the universe is; but I wouldn't go so far as to say that I believe in God.

What is stopping you? You state that the possibility of God is great, which means that the possibility of 'no god' must be 'not great'. They are the only two options available. I generally consider them both equally possible and make my decision based on something else entirely. In this case, my rampant sense of self-interest. Not that I recommend this course of action, necessarily. If you aren't an egomaniac it isn't likely to work out as well as it did for me.

 

[fallingblood]

How do you view God? As a literal metaphysical being in the sky? As a state of being? As a force that transcends all? Not literally real, but a symbol that points to something beyond what we can comprehend?

Is there any evidence for God? Scientific, anecdotal, philosophical or otherwise?

I think that the possibility of God is great, considering how organized and precise the universe is; but I wouldn't go so far as to say that I believe in God.

Personally, I don't think you're going to find a completely satisfying answer here. This idea has been one that has had massive amounts of writing dedicated to. Some have even (as Aquinas did to a point) come to the conclusion that one can not really know anything about God, and that to try to place a definition on God really is useless and impossible.

I follow this idea to a point. I think trying to place a definition, or even parameters upon a being that is outside of our world simply is not reasonable. We can only think of things as humans would think of things. We are limited by the very fact that we are humans. So then to try to define something that is outside the human world, and put parameters around such, as if it was subject to human thought, just does not work.

There really is no evidence for God (and I might add, none against). One can find arguments that may make sense to some, and there is always the argument based on experience (which personally, I find that if it makes them feel good, let them have it), but they just are not thoroughly convincing, nor really logical. That is the nature of God though. How can we provide proof of a being that we can not observe with our normal senses? And if God truly is a supernatural being, that can manipulate so much, how would we even know when such a being came into our own world?

If we look at the argument of how the Universe is so precise and organized, there are other explanations. One could be that there are an infinite amount of universes and every possible layout has been used. It would simply be matter of probability then. Or, the idea I prefer (I do accept God though) is that there have been multiple big bangs, and by sheer probability it was only a matter of time until a sustainable universe was formed.

So there are other explanations. When it comes down to it, I believe it is nothing more than faith. I have faith that a supreme does exist, and that it appears to people in the manner in which they need (as in, there is only one God, but that god appears in a multiplicity of ways).

 

[StarryNightshade]

What is stopping you? You state that the possibility of God is great, which means that the possibility of 'no god' must be 'not great'. They are the only two options available. I generally consider them both equally possible and make my decision based on something else entirely. In this case, my rampant sense of self-interest. Not that I recommend this course of action, necessarily. If you aren't an egomaniac it isn't likely to work out as well as it did for me.

By "great" I mean there is a big possibility that God could exist. I'm just not quite convinced yet, but I won't dismiss God as a "delusion" or a "fairy tale".

Nobody believes in their god because of how organized or precise the universe is.

Then explain Deists.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Then explain Deists.

Indeed, deists are an excellent example of people who use such arguments after-the-fact as a rationale for their belief.

 

[ChristineES]

A belief in God is just that- a belief. Believers say "I believe in God"- in that case proof would not be necessary. I can understand why someone who is scientific would want proof- science is all about proof- do experiments and studies for proof. But religion is not science.

 

[Sir Doom]

By "great" I mean there is a big possibility that God could exist. I'm just not quite convinced yet, but I won't dismiss God as a "delusion" or a "fairy tale".

I know this is what you meant.

Possibility 1: God exists.
Possibility 2: God does not exist.

These two possibilities are polar opposites. Therefore, if one is 'great' than the other must be 'not great'. I suggest you pick the 'great' one and stop spinning your wheels on what looks to me like a foregone conclusion.

 

[Peace]

Once I turned towards God He surely ran towards me.

Hi Stephen

Your words reminded me of the following Sacred Hadith (Hadith Qudsi):

The Messenger of Allah said,
Allah the Almighty said: "I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed."

Peace

 

[Culturemonk]

How do you view God? As a literal metaphysical being in the sky? As a state of being? As a force that transcends all? Not literally real, but a symbol that points to something beyond what we can comprehend?

Is there any evidence for God? Scientific, anecdotal, philosophical or otherwise?

I think that the possibility of God is great, considering how organized and precise the universe is; but I wouldn't go so far as to say that I believe in God.

The existence of god is a philosophical matter; although the Western World used to consider philosophy one of the highest of the disciplines, in recent years philosophy has been usurped by biological science (& evolutionary science).

Although biological science is definitely an important discipline I believe it has been given too much preeminence in Western society than it deserves.

I say all that in responding to your questions because it seems as though their is a premise behind your inquiries that is based in scientific academics.

Having studied biology and scientific observation ad-nausea in college I know first hand that science cannot 'prove' anything. Science can only make observations that are always subject to critique; there is NOTHING absolute in science.

Thus, if your looking for scientific proof that god exists; your premise is wrong because science can't prove anything.

Philosophy however can be used to demonstrate the necessity of a infinite god that presides over the universe. How else can we explain the personality of humans?

 

[AdityaMookerjee]

You know God, but not because you can think. If God can exist, before existence. There is no empirical or scientific proof about the being of God.

 

[Pegg]

How do you view God? As a literal metaphysical being in the sky? As a state of being? As a force that transcends all? Not literally real, but a symbol that points to something beyond what we can comprehend?

Is there any evidence for God? Scientific, anecdotal, philosophical or otherwise?

I think that the possibility of God is great, considering how organized and precise the universe is; but I wouldn't go so far as to say that I believe in God.

where ever we see order or organization or laws, we know that a lawmaker of some type is at work in the area.

If you are in the middle of a barren land and find a signpost, you know by seeing that signpost that the land you are standing on is governed by some body. Its no different with the material world we live in. We find evidence of laws and order everywhere, from the outer universe to the tiny molecular level that we cannot see with our naked eye, to the multitude of creatures/animals who live in harmony with times and seasons. For example, migrating flocks travel vast distances at certain times of the year...who tells them to do that? Obviously someone put that instinct into them...its not something a newly hatched bird can 'learn'...its just something they do. When a turtle hatches from deep within the sand, it knows exactly where it is going and no one had to teach it. When the embryo of a kangaroo is born, it knows to travel up into the mothers pouch and immediately latches onto a teat...there it stays until it is old enough to get out of the pouch.

The evidence for a supreme law maker and creator is all around us...its as the scriptures state in the bible:
Romans 1:19 because what may be known about God is manifest among them, for God made it manifest to them. 20 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, so that they are inexcusable;

 

[1137]

How do you view God? As a literal metaphysical being in the sky? As a state of being? As a force that transcends all? Not literally real, but a symbol that points to something beyond what we can comprehend?

Is there any evidence for God? Scientific, anecdotal, philosophical or otherwise?

I think that the possibility of God is great, considering how organized and precise the universe is; but I wouldn't go so far as to say that I believe in God.

I have trouble defining God, and depending on how you define it makes me lean towards belief or non-belief. I certainly would never accept an metaphysical being as God. I also would not accept God as a state of being, though maybe I would listen to an argument that you can only know God from a certain state of being. A force that transcends all / something that cannot be put into words, I could maybe go for that, but still I would not say I believe in God or not for certain, as I doubt we could really know that such a feeling has any objective truth. A feeling is subjective, there are other explanations, and so I would still have to remain agnostic.

As for evidence, again, it depends on who is listening to the reasoning. Scientifically God is not even worth considering, it would be non-physical. Philosophically I certainly have had some fantastic arguments.

I also would not say I believe in God, I would say I cannot ever know for certain. However, the order of the universe is not as convincing to me as is some things I've simply felt at different times in my life.

 

[Thief]

I have trouble defining God, and depending on how you define it makes me lean towards belief or non-belief. I certainly would never accept an metaphysical being as God. I also would not accept God as a state of being, though maybe I would listen to an argument that you can only know God from a certain state of being. A force that transcends all / something that cannot be put into words, I could maybe go for that, but still I would not say I believe in God or not for certain, as I doubt we could really know that such a feeling has any objective truth. A feeling is subjective, there are other explanations, and so I would still have to remain agnostic.

As for evidence, again, it depends on who is listening to the reasoning. Scientifically God is not even worth considering, it would be non-physical. Philosophically I certainly have had some fantastic arguments.

I also would not say I believe in God, I would say I cannot ever know for certain. However, the order of the universe is not as convincing to me as is some things I've simply felt at different times in my life.

One word (universe).
Better word....Almighty.
In superlatives...bigger, faster, stronger, more intelligent and greatly experienced.

If the Almighty should come up short on any one of these items.....it's not Him.

oh yeah!....Creator.

All attributes in sum....top of the line life form.

 

[1137]

In superlatives...bigger, faster, stronger, more intelligent and greatly experienced.

I guess I should worship my physics teacher, who is all of the above.