Why do we need god?

[Jacob(smooth)]

True enough. Some atheists contrive to be smugly satisfied that they never contracted or felt the need to believe in God.

Which god would that be?

Any of them!

[KichigaiNeko]

True enough. Some atheists contrive to be smugly satisfied that they never contracted or felt the need to believe in God.

Which god would that be?

Oh you know, the one that is TOTALLY interested in them, and supports ALL their bigotries.

Some are lucky enough not to have needed such delusions so yeah, I guess they can feel pretty smug about being so grown up at such a young age

[ThePinsir]

Our very life comes from the Lord. We live in Him and He dwells in us. The Lord gives us both will and reason. For someone to think he does not need God is like thinking people don't need air to breath.

That's an interesting claim. Can you prove it?

[Jacob(smooth)]

1. At a certain point in my life I suffered from extremely low self esteem. As it often will, this manifested in self destructive behavior, inevitable consequences and a vicious spiral. This was the point at which I had my religious experience, which introduce the idea that God, the creator of the universe took a personal interest in me and indeed valued me highly. This caused me to stop many of the destructive behaviors, which in turn caused better outcomes, which in turn caused higher self esteem etc. In this way, a belief in an involved, interested and benevolent God improved my behaviour and life generally very considerably.

So essentially you were an attention whore/ spoilt brat who wanted daddy's undivided attention? And now you are a grown man able to stand on your own two feet and meet reality head on?

I wouldn't put it like that. I was somebody who couldn't cope who found a belief system which allowed me to cope. Now think (hope) I shall be able to cope without that crutch.

I don't think attention where or spoiled brat really describes it very well. Today it would be described as a mental illness. Back then it was simply being a fuckup. People find all sorts of strategies to deal with that sort of problem. That was mine. If it was cbt ecst, medication etc there wouldn't be the pejorative overtones to it.

And I am indeed a grown man, as was then. I'm also balanced enough to know that my ability to meet reality head on depends entirely on what that reality contains. Everyone has a breaking point.

[jesus_wept]

Which god would that be?

Any of them!

Well I once tried to contact the god of deism but he didn't answer, and believing in him didn't do anything but give me a smug sense of self congratulations for deluding myself that I knew all the answers.

Does that count?

[My imaginary friend is GOD]

That's an interesting claim. Can you prove it?

I know the answer to this.

It is:

No.

[tor]

Chad why do atheists exist?

[Jacob(smooth)]

Any of them!

Well I once tried to contact the god of deism but he didn't answer, and believing in him didn't do anything but give me a smug sense of self congratulations for deluding myself that I knew all the answers.

Does that count?

Only if NOT believing in him gave you a smug sense of self congratulation for how enlightened you are.

---

Which god would that be?

Oh you know, the one that is TOTALLY interested in them, and supports ALL their bigotries.

Some are lucky enough not to have needed such delusions so yeah, I guess they can feel pretty smug about being so grown up at such a young age

I think feeling pretty smug about how "grown up" they are is kinda oxymoronic. I'd rather meet a humble if misguided theist than a smug atheist. Although I'll grant you that a smug atheist is marginally less odious than a smug theist.

[Neo-Scholastic]

Our very life comes from the Lord. We live in Him and He dwells in us. The Lord gives us both will and reason. For someone to think he does not need God is like thinking people don't need air to breath.

That's an interesting claim. Can you prove it?

I have done so many times already on AF. However it may be useful to create a new thread detailing the panentheist position. Nevertheless you have it within your power to confirm for yourself the Lord's presence in your life and the larger reality within which you live.

That said, I continue to ponder these same things. I went from atheist to believer after long reflection and nothing excludes the possibility that further reflection may lead me back to atheism. Currently I consider that unlikely since I find the Lord's activity increasingly obvious.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Oh, and to answer your thread title, we don't.

QFT.

Never needed a 'god', whatever that is. I would say I'm no more or less a good/bad person than those with do have faith in somesort of God. As always, on average, everything goes the same for people within the same societal group. Some win, some lose.

It's all about making yourself feel special IMHO. I know i'm special to the people around me who rely on me, but in the grand scheme of things? The Universe doesn't notice if any of us come and go in existence.