Do you believe in God?

[noerrorsfound]

I have a question. If something appears in the sky, make some wonders and says it is a God would you believe it?

You'll have to be more specific than that. It would depend on what the "something" is. It would be quite easy for a God to convince humans of his existence; the only explanation for him not doing so if he exists is because he doesn't want to. Therefore, it's safe to say that if one is skeptical of his existence, it's not going to offend him, and one won't be punished for it.

[jaint]

I believe in a higher power, but it isn't god. It's a non-rational, non-living, non-omnipotent force that we know as nature. I don't think it acts based on morality or anything, it just works as a consequence of actions. Nature has a way of correcting whatever we humans and all other living things on this planet do. I don't think it's actually a living or concious thing, it's just a set of actions that we can't classify as belonging or operating by anything so we group it and call it nature.

It's quite astounding because it always finds a way to correct problems as best as it can, when overpopulation occurs it throws in diseases and finds way to course correct. I know it'll sound bad but diseases come about as a result to weed out overpopulation, as we correct them more powerful strains of viruses tend to come about. If you look at it rationally, it's not like they're coming about as retaliation but as a result - we use antibiotics to cure ourselves of some disease, but the germs become resistant to our overuse and they become more powerful and when we find a cure to take those guys out, they find a way to adapt and become more powerful. It's always in check, it's why immortality will never exist.

On this blue planet - god exists, but it's not based on morality or the afterlife, but on how we interact with it.

[browndrake]

Do I believe in God?

The question was originally posted here as a topic for debate. However, it is not debatable. My beliefs are just that, mine. Whether or not I am correct, now that can be debated.

Beliefs can be easily stated, but often are difficult or impossible to prove...at least beyond the realms of one's self.

I could argue strongly the evidences both for and against the existence of God. What would come of it? Those who believe in God would find faults with my logic, as would those who deny the existence of God.

The 'believers' claim feelings as evidence of God. They point to the amazing order of the universe, and the world in which we live.

The 'unbelievers' claim that the lack of proof denies the existence of God. They point to science and what it has taught us. The scientific model shows us how to test and prove things.
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I believe in God. More than that, I know that He is. I have tasted of His goodness, and can not doubt it. He has lifted me from the darkest abyss and shared His love with me. He has also, let me wander and stray, into sadness...when I would not follow Him.

He has given us the ability to choose. He will not take that from us. However, with choice comes consequences, both good and bad. Never will He force somebody to do His will, nor even to believe in Him. However, He will enlighten all who ask of Him.
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The above words will surprise few, if any. Many, who believe, have experienced these same thoughts. Many, who do not believe, are tired of this repetition.

There are perhaps three main groups of people, with this topic:

There are those that believe in God.
There are those that deny His existence.
There are those that do not know what to believe.
.................................................. ..

I propose that any person can know that God is real and lives.

Use can the scientific method if you choose.....to find out. However, when you are done...even though you will find your proof, you will not be able to prove it to another.

Spend some quite time and humbly ponder about God. Read scriptures, if you want. But most important of all: Go to Him in humble prayer, and ask Him if He is. It may sound paradoxical, especially for the agnostic. BUT, it will work.

There are often some conditions though.

Do you think that He will answer you just so that you can know? I think that often it will not be so. When you ask Him if He is, you need to be willing to follow what you learn.
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I may be flamed for what I believe, and more so for suggesting that others too, can gain these beliefs. If so, refer to the top of my post. But know that I am sincere in what I have shared.

browndrake

[manux]

I have a question. If something appears in the sky, make some wonders and says it is a God would you believe it?

Honestly?

I'm sceptic as hell.

So until this thing threatens me unless I treat it like a god, I will call it so, and even then I won't believe it.
Unless, at last, he proves everything I ever though and was though is wrong, but I have this little doubt you see...

[truthguild]

Do I believe in God?

The question was originally posted here as a topic for debate. However, it is not debatable. My beliefs are just that, mine. Whether or not I am correct, now that can be debated.

Beliefs can be easily stated, but often are difficult or impossible to prove...at least beyond the realms of one's self.

I could argue strongly the evidences both for and against the existence of God. What would come of it? Those who believe in God would find faults with my logic, as would those who deny the existence of God.

The 'believers' claim feelings as evidence of God. They point to the amazing order of the universe, and the world in which we live.

The 'unbelievers' claim that the lack of proof denies the existence of God. They point to science and what it has taught us. The scientific model shows us how to test and prove things.
..................................................

I believe in God. More than that, I know that He is. I have tasted of His goodness, and can not doubt it. He has lifted me from the darkest abyss and shared His love with me. He has also, let me wander and stray, into sadness...when I would not follow Him.

He has given us the ability to choose. He will not take that from us. However, with choice comes consequences, both good and bad. Never will He force somebody to do His will, nor even to believe in Him. However, He will enlighten all who ask of Him.
.................................................. ..

The above words will surprise few, if any. Many, who believe, have experienced these same thoughts. Many, who do not believe, are tired of this repetition.

There are perhaps three main groups of people, with this topic:

There are those that believe in God.
There are those that deny His existence.
There are those that do not know what to believe.
.................................................. ..

I propose that any person can know that God is real and lives.

Use can the scientific method if you choose.....to find out. However, when you are done...even though you will find your proof, you will not be able to prove it to another.

Spend some quite time and humbly ponder about God. Read scriptures, if you want. But most important of all: Go to Him in humble prayer, and ask Him if He is. It may sound paradoxical, especially for the agnostic. BUT, it will work.

There are often some conditions though.

Do you think that He will answer you just so that you can know? I think that often it will not be so. When you ask Him if He is, you need to be willing to follow what you learn.
.................................................. ......

I may be flamed for what I believe, and more so for suggesting that others too, can gain these beliefs. If so, refer to the top of my post. But know that I am sincere in what I have shared.

browndrake

a few things wrong here. first, you ignore the existence of 2 groups of people
those that do not believe a god or gods exist
those that believe in a different god or gods than you


secondly, the method you describe is definately not scientific - to be scientific it must be objective, verifiable and independantly repeatable. what you describe is a subjective experience. members of all religions make the exact same claim regarding their gods.

[Conmiro]

I believe God exists, He is real in my life. He has shown many things to me and I believe his truth. Whoever does not believe in God will go to a bad place, I know that for a fact.

[truthguild]

I believe God exists, He is real in my life. He has shown many things to me and I believe his truth. Whoever does not believe in God will go to a bad place, I know that for a fact.

do you know that, or do you believe that? if you know it, as you claim, then you can provide objective evidence and it would be demonstrable.

[browndrake]

a few things wrong here. first, you ignore the existence of 2 groups of people
those that do not believe a god or gods exist
those that believe in a different god or gods than you

secondly, the method you describe is definately not scientific - to be scientific it must be objective, verifiable and independantly repeatable. what you describe is a subjective experience. members of all religions make the exact same claim regarding their gods.

I don't think that I left any groups out. (at lease how I meant it..i guess that I had clumped some together.)

those that do not believe a god or gods exist......these I included with:
"There are those that deny His existence."

those that believe in a different god or gods than you.....these I included with:
"There are those that believe in God."
.................................................. .....
I suppose that the 'clumping' would not sit well with some people. However, I believe it to be generally accurate.
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As to whether or not this approach is 'scientific' is debatable. Even though it is subjective, I believe that this 'experiment' is repeatable and verifiable.
Any scientific experiment, to be verifiable and repeatable, must be followed step by step...by anybody repeating it. To be valid, various people need to get the same results. I think that this experiment would fulfill those requirements.

as far as the objectivity of science....although it is often present, it often is not. Many 'theories' and much 'common accepted knowledge', in the scientific world, are extremely flawed and based on antiquated ideas and dogmas. This has been proven true throughout history, as 'new discoveries' have shed light on old ideas.
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this is not meant to be a debate of science vs religion. Traditionally, a majority of the religions melded nicely with the science and technology of the cultures in which they were. They were not at odds with each other, rather complimentary ...........................
Nor am I claiming that religion is scientific. Rather that the experiment that I pointed to was very similar to the scientific method.
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whew...I guess that was more than a mouthful.

[Kayos]

As to whether or not this approach is 'scientific' is debatable. Even though it is subjective, I believe that this 'experiment' is repeatable and verifiable..

Any scientific experiment, to be verifiable and repeatable, must be followed step by step...by anybody repeating it. To be valid, various people need to get the same results. I think that this experiment would fulfill those requirements.

You’re missing the obvious. There is no scientific basis for what your suggesting. Therefore the scientific method would never be able to get past the research stage let alone the testing stage.

as far as the objectivity of science....although it is often present, it often is not. Many 'theories' and much 'common accepted knowledge', in the scientific world, are extremely flawed and based on antiquated ideas and dogmas. This has been proven true throughout history, as 'new discoveries' have shed light on old ideas.

First, in science there is never "common accepted knowledge". However, there are laws so I'm guessing you're referring to them. Those laws are considered factual (but in the unlikely event they are proven wrong they can be changed).

Now the idea that these theories and laws are flawed and whatever else you have said could be true in some cases, not many, but some. Could they be extremely flawed? No.

What I have noticed is that what you are describing sounds very similar to religious teachings.

For example:

Ideas that are extremely flawed, which have been proven to be wrong, still get taught after thousands of years. Those ideas are based on fantasy and nothing more.

this is not meant to be a debate of science vs religion. Traditionally, a majority of the religions melded nicely with the science and technology of the cultures in which they were. They were not at odds with each other, rather complimentary

Actually, if you take the religious teaching literally it doesn’t. You can bend, skew, mold, interpret, reinterpret, etc… those teaching to fit with science all you want, but at the end of the day they are two separate beasts. One based off of proven ideas and the other based off of faith.

Nor am I claiming that religion is scientific. Rather that the experiment that I pointed to was very similar to the scientific method.

Something similar to the scientific method is still not the scientific method.

[noerrorsfound]

I believe God exists, He is real in my life. He has shown many things to me and I believe his truth. Whoever does not believe in God will go to a bad place, I know that for a fact.

If your god punishes people eternally because they don't believe an unproven and unsupported claim, your god is evil. I've mentioned this before, probably more than once in this thread. A good idea is for you to actually read the discussion that has taken place here and then try posting something well thought out.

No, you don't know that for a fact, because facts are things that have been proven. If that has been proven, show me the proof. Whatever your religion, you are giving people a very bad impression of your god, and I question your morals if you think it would be acceptable for a god to behave that way. In fact, if you think that's acceptable, you're the kind of person who should be punished.

The staff should be more strict with posts in Crossfire.