Do you believe in god?

[Unicorndreams24]

i have recently been thinking a lot about religion and wondering how many believe in god and also what made you come to the decision of believing?

@isyouready. Thank you for this comment: If there was something in the beginning then how did something be there in first place. If there was nothing in the beginning then how did something happen out of nothing
Its what makes it all so mind stretching. Which is one stage.
The other stage is about the teaching of the prophets and Jesus. Real people who lived and walked and spoke. Listening to the words of Jesus especially are so much more important.

No

I am open to the concept of a being that has something to do with my existence. I can’t prove we aren’t in a computer simulation or a Petrie dish somewhere.

I object to the very concept of a god though. Just because someone has evolved to the point that they can create sentient life does not mean that they need to be worshipped.

Thinking of ourselves as less worthy is damaging to our progress as a species.

No. Never have and never will.
Religion is a man-made construct. Brought about by men in power to control others deemed lesser than them ie: women, children and the poor, and to benefit other men like themselves.
I find it interesting that for hundreds and hundreds of years, religious speakers and "men of the cloth" are just that... men! Even the end of a prayer is finished with "Amen"

Sadly any god that one might postulate has a lot to answer for. This creator has put together a world based on kill or be killed so that every creature lives in fear of its predator. What a cruel idea.
I do not know whether there is a god and have no problem accepting that, but what ai do know is that, should such a being exist they are not good.

I struggle to believe in God because I really can't see how he or she would allow people to suffer. I want to believe though.

I guess im agnostic - i believe in 'something', but not sure what.
(I think agnostic is right term?)

Yup. Imagine a mumsnetter dog lover being told they have to treat dogs the same way these alleged gods treated humans.

Yes

I want to believe, but the logical conclusion of Christianity is that the vast majority of posters on this thread (non-believers) will go to hell. Regardless of how they behave towards others. Is that right? Happy to be corrected

It's misogynistic bollocks, designed to keep the masses under control. From start to finish. End of.

There is no point to life at all. It's all just random chance. Enjoy it while it lasts, it's a lot later than we think.

I think this is a wonderful mindset. I think I shall adopt it.

Good question. What do believers have to say to this?

As a non believer I won’t go to hell - it doesn’t exist!

They often come onto threads like this to tell us that their god loves us so completely, he gives us a chance to change our minds right up until death. If we don't do what he (lovingly) wants, he will send us for eternal torture.

He sounds like a celestial Stalin.

This post says you don't believe what it says in the bible or any other 'holy book'.

Your beliefs are your choice, obviously. I'm just pointing out that all but the most fundamentalist believers treat their religions as a pick-and-mix. The bible, apparently, warns against this several times. Proverbs 30:6, 2 Timothy 3:16 and others.

No, not regardless of how they behave.

To be saved, to go to heaven, you must follow Jesus, living out his example of loving God and loving others. Although we will do this imperfectly it is about the lean of our heart, our intention and desire to serve Him and love others.

For those who reject God and his saving son, Jesus. They will not be forced into an eternity with Him. They have used their free will to harden their hearts against Him. Their desire to be separate from Him will at some point result in eternal separation from Him.

Hell is a place devoid of God, His goodness and His provision, which is all around us whether we choose to recognise it or not.

I do, and I attend Church regularly.

I focus on the actions of Jesus Christ, much of the rest has been corrupted by man to serve his ways. I don't think God is or should be just, I think his focus is compassion for all of us who are fallible. This probably doesn't fit in with lots of CoE teachings but it's where I find my peace. I've always believed.

I haven't believed in a god since I was about 11.
I questioned the R.E. teacher where god came from.
He said that he's always been here.
I thought, nah, that's rubbish.

No. Because there's not the slightest shred of evidence or reason to believe that the Christian god or any other deities exist, so why would I believe? I can understand why people might want to believe, but I'm not interested in fooling myself into believing things that clearly aren't true.

Oh dear. If I ever thought there might be a god I am darned sure that a being who has created universes would be above such vindictive pettiness.

Lived with a vicar for 20 years, was very involved with the church.
So No.

No

Yes

I'm hoping we will hear from the poster who assured us that fleas go to heaven - but only the ones that live a good life. Bad fleas will go to Hell. It was probably the most entertaining thread I've ever been a part of.

Hell doesn’t exist - it’s just a concept used the scare people. FYI - heaven doesn’t exist either - on death we are all the same.