Do you believe in God/a higher power?

[CuriousAboutWhatYouThink]

Not religion. I have no time for organised religion and the associated man made rules.

But do you believe in 'something'?

For context, my grandad was a CofE vicar but my parent rebelled against it and we were brought up broadly l in the religion (eg we celebrated main religious festivals like Easter and Christmas) but not as practising Christians and without a particular belief in God.

As an adult, I have friends of different faiths and none and it's something we have discussed from time to time. It's also something I used to discuss with my grandma who had a very strong belief in God but also believed the Bible until she became older when she still had a strong faith but admitted she thought the Bible was largely nonsense!

I suppose I've always felt that there is 'something' but I refer to it as the universe. I don't know, I always feel that there has been 'something' looking out for me.

That doesn't mean bad things have never happened because they have and religion/belief doesn't protect anyone from that. And it doesn't mean my life is anywhere near perfect because it's not. But the universe has always seemed to 'step in' when needed.

I don't know. I'm going through a tough time at the moment but I have a feeling everything will turn out to be OK because it always does.

A figurehead devised entirely to keep the masses in awe and fear.

Next.

Yes, but not Christian religion, which PP was trying to claim.

The fact that pretty much every country in the world agrees that it’s wrong shows that it’s something innate in our being, whether through evolution or otherwise.

I really like this definition.

If you think her comment was inappropriate then feel free to report it.

Looks like someone else already has as it’s gone for breaching talk guidelines.

Was an Atheist for 10 years, read The God Delusion and watched plenty of Christopher Hitchens.

I believe in God, not that I am particularly special but I see intelligent design all around us.

It’s a rather narrow definition though isn’t it? One could equally define god, indeed gods, as an aspect of ourselves - parts away from our logical brain. The question then is, also we create these beings through our divine imagination or do we all lock into an archetype that exists somewhere out there and clothe it in the robes of humanity.

It’s an important thing to consider and we can’t move of to the “Next” until we have bottomed that out.

@No33

This is partly why I sometimes choose to get involved in discussions like this - they are ALWAYS (naturally) dominated by atheism or some form of Abrahamic (usually Christian) monotheism. I think it's a good idea to let people know that polytheistic paganism exists, and that people exist who identify as such.

I don't have to consider anything. IMHO any 'divine being' is as much a figment of our wonderful imaginations as Father Christmas, the bogey man, elves at the bottom of the garden or ghosts.

I work with the subconscious and I am in awe on a daily basis of what our minds are capable of conjuring up. Doesn't make it any more true, does it?

"Do people really still believe this stuff?"

People are allowed to believe what they like.

Followers of Islam believe that the Prophet Muhammad rode regularly on a flying horse called "Buraq" from Mecca to Jerusalem.

Followers of Mormonism believe that their leader John Smith was instructed by an angel called Moroni to a field where a box of gold plates were buried. These had writing on them in hieroglyphics which were translated into the Book of Mormon.

The Hindus have many gods. Of the many Hindu gods, three stand out as forming the foundation of the Hindu religion. This group is known as the Hindu trinity and includes Brahma, Vishnu, and the god Shiva.
Another one called Ganesh has the head of an elephant.

Followers of Raelism. follow is a UFO religion that was founded in 1974 by former French car-racing test driver Claude Vorilhon (now known as Rael). The religion is based on the belief that scientists from another planet came to Earth and created all forms of life, including human beings, thousands of years ago.

Care to make any comments about these religions ?

@RedAdmirals Nope. Why should I want to comment on any religion if I don't believe in any of them?

As an aside, if you haven't see The Second Coming, give it a look.

@Eyesopenwideawake "Why should I want to comment on any religion if I don't believe in any of them?"

Because you seem to be making disparaging/derogatory remarks about people who do have a religious belief.

"Do people really still believe this stuff?" was what you said, so obviously you have a problem with the belief systems that people choose and it bugs you.

So I gave you an opportunity to comment on other religions.

It’s ok, I did see the comment but was not upset by it. I don’t have a MH issue. They used to think I had psychosis but took me off all the medication as I don’t. So that’s how I know the Angels are real.

I also have always had the feeling that generally everything will turn out ok, because it tends to. However I couldn't be more atheist. So I put that down to being generally optimistic and a glass half full personality, combined with a decent smattering of luck.

And I declined, which bugged you!

Look, if people get pleasure from things that I think are dumb, that's fabulous – they absolutely don't need my understanding or approval. I get great pleasure from things that other people find dumb or weird.

All part and parcel of the wonderful human existence 😎

But it's the fact they are telling you to get rid of evil people that's worrying - to say the least.

"And I declined, which bugged you!"

It doesn't "bug me" as you put it, so please don't try and second guess my mindset.

It just puzzles me that some people are quite happy to ridicule/ rubbish/deride Christianity but don't apply the same attitude to other religions.

If you don't believe any religion that's fine, but why take time out to ridicule the followers of Christianity without applying the same derision to other religions?

That seems illogical

OK, Spock. I think Vulcans and Vogons are twats as well. Happy?

I agree - the control is awful. Worship me and follow my rules, or I’ll send you to yell. Thankfully I neither believe in heaven or hell - life is good.

@Parker231

That is one of the fundamental differences of polytheist paganism to Abrahamic monotheism, of course.

In polytheism and paganism there is no requirement to believe in or worship any of the deities. No punishment if people don't believe.

In pagan religions, there is also no single text of rules; there are multiple texts that people can take inspiration from, but no set dogma or moral instructions. As a polytheist pagan, I choose and define my own morality and ethics.

Biblical teachings can only be understood by people of a higher intelligence. You wouldn't understand ...

Nasty replies by minions of the devil

Glad god doesn't allow me to be blind like you

And thse remarks from self-described Christmas are supposed to convey the benefits of the faith are they?

So glad I'm a reincarnationist instead ...

Yes, I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Like you OP, I don't believe in organised religion. I appreciate a lot of the art, music and architecture that were produced in the name of it though, and the community it can provide and comfort others might find in it. I can understand the ideas behind some of the prescriptive doctrines as well, as a shorthand to help people live. It can be seen as controlling, but there are many people who crave a framework in what can be a difficult world. It's harder to create your own mortality or ethical code from scratch, although maybe ultimately more rewarding.

I believe that there's something beyond us, ie something greater. Not in terms of God as he's presented in religion, an omnipotent being looking over us. I think more in terms of a universal consciousness which is made up of all past, present and future consciousness. I think every experience that has ever or will ever be is contained within this repository that is the universe. There's nothing that can't be.

The universe is infinite, such a mind blowing concept, and everything that ever was or ever will be is in the matter of the universe. The idea that we are made of stars is amazing. And that it's basically recycling material into new forms all the time. We are all infinitely connected, with all other life, even in death.

In human terms, I do think psychology is the universe looking out for us. How we present ourselves in the world reflects back to us, like self-fulfilling prophecy or confirmation bias. If we are generally looking for the best in others we will find it, likewise the positives in situations, good luck etc. Conversely if we look for the bad we find it. Life can become a virtuous or vicious cycle. Which is why believing in the universe as something good has that effect. It's not a placebo, is the energy you generate affecting your environment.

So similarly, someone that believed in God, in for example a Christian tradition in a previous century, put that energy into creating a carving on a cathedral as their life's work in the name of that God. This craftsmanship continues to exist several centuries later and is seen, appreciated, loved, provokes curiosity, or fear, hatred, disgust maybe, in countless other people throughout that time, sparking ideas that turn into other crafts, art, stories, songs, arguments, memories etc. Every action has a reaction, the consequences of which are eternal. We have taken part in something so much greater than us, but which couldn't have been without us. It's wonderful.

Yes it’s complicated and a big pressure for sure.

As an atheist I decide my own morality and ethics.