Why do you believe in God?

[ObliviousCat]

What is your evidence or what is your reason for believing what you believe in?

[Lek]

What is your evidence or what is your reason for believing what you believe in?

I think that God just instilled it in me. I believe that the universe needed a creator who is other than, and above, natural things. I feel his presence in my life and I also believe the people, who I deem as trustworthy, when they tell of how God has worked in them in a supernatural way. Any time I feel like I'm on the edge, my question to myself is: "If someone has a gun to my head and tells me to deny God or he'll blow my head off, what would I do"? That really takes it to the defining level. My answer to myself has always been that I'd let him shoot. I figure that if I ever answer that I would deny him, then that's the time when I no longer believe.

[Alex K]

What is your evidence or what is your reason for believing what you believe in?

I think that God just instilled it in me.  I believe that the universe needed a creator who is other than, and above, natural things.  I feel his presence in my life and I also believe the people, who I deem as trustworthy, when they tell of how God has worked in them in a supernatural way.  Any time I feel like I'm on the edge, my question to myself is:  "If someone has a gun to my head and tells me to deny God or he'll blow my head off, what would I do"?  That really takes it to the defining level.   My answer to myself has always been that I'd let him shoot.  I figure that if I ever answer that I would deny him, then that's the time when I no longer believe.

Come on, you can allow yourself a little bit of pragmatism in dangerous situations! Even Peter was forgiven after he had denied Jesus

[vorlon13]

I am thinking "inertia" and "because the Bible sez so" will be popular answers.

[Lek]

I think that God just instilled it in me.  I believe that the universe needed a creator who is other than, and above, natural things.  I feel his presence in my life and I also believe the people, who I deem as trustworthy, when they tell of how God has worked in them in a supernatural way.  Any time I feel like I'm on the edge, my question to myself is:  "If someone has a gun to my head and tells me to deny God or he'll blow my head off, what would I do"?  That really takes it to the defining level.   My answer to myself has always been that I'd let him shoot.  I figure that if I ever answer that I would deny him, then that's the time when I no longer believe.

Come on, you can allow yourself a little bit of pragmatism in dangerous situations! Even Peter was forgiven after he had denied Jesus

I am using pragmatism. I get killed in the short term, but I'll be rewarded in the long term. According to tradition, Peter was also crucified for his faith.

[Aoi Magi]

What is your evidence or what is your reason for believing what you believe in?

I think that God just instilled it in me.  I believe that the universe needed a creator who is other than, and above, natural things.  I feel his presence in my life and I also believe the people, who I deem as trustworthy, when they tell of how God has worked in them in a supernatural way.  Any time I feel like I'm on the edge, my question to myself is:  "If someone has a gun to my head and tells me to deny God or he'll blow my head off, what would I do"?  That really takes it to the defining level.   My answer to myself has always been that I'd let him shoot.  I figure that if I ever answer that I would deny him, then that's the time when I no longer believe.

ermm, what if that gun is held to your child's head instead?

Did you ever try to find a logical explanation before jumping to the "supernatural" conclusion?

[Alex K]

I am using pragmatism.  I get killed in the short term, but I'll be rewarded in the long term.  According to tradition, Peter was also crucified for his faith.

As if I had needed a reminder why religious faith is so insanely dangerous.

[Iroscato]

Any time I feel like I'm on the edge, my question to myself is: "If someone has a gun to my head and tells me to deny God or he'll blow my head off, what would I do"? That really takes it to the defining level. My answer to myself has always been that I'd let him shoot. I figure that if I ever answer that I would deny him, then that's the time when I no longer believe.

Wow dude, seriously? Why would your life be worth throwing away for the sake of giving the Old Guy a thumbs-up? I'm sure he would forgive you once your time really did come given the circumstances, if he's as loving and fluffy as you say (hint; he isn't).

[Longhorn]

Not to be too doubtful or anything, but y'know, I could bet good money you'd say anything with a gun to your head, like most people would

[Lek]

ermm, what if that gun is held to your child's head instead?

Did you ever try to find a logical explanation before jumping to the "supernatural" conclusion?

My intent is that I wouldn't in that case. I guess I really don't know until it happens.

I've heard just about every logical explanation against there being a God there is since I joined this forum. My reasons from observing the natural world seem logical to me. I have a hard time accepting that the natural world, or what makes up the natural world, has always existed. I also cannot accept that the natural world created itself. God seems logical to me.

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Wow dude, seriously? Why would your life be worth throwing away for the sake of giving the Old Guy a thumbs-up? I'm sure he would forgive you once your time really did come given the circumstances, if he's as loving and fluffy as you say (hint; he isn't).

Jesus died for me, so I'm willing to do the same in return.

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Not to be too doubtful or anything, but y'know, I could bet good money you'd say anything with a gun to your head, like most people would

Countless christians have died in terrible ways rather than deny their faith.

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I am using pragmatism.  I get killed in the short term, but I'll be rewarded in the long term.  According to tradition, Peter was also crucified for his faith.

As if I had needed a reminder why religious faith is so insanely dangerous.

Is there anything important enough for you to die for?