Why do people belive in god?

I want to understand why people believe in god!!
As you can probably tell, I personally don't believe in god. However I'm not closed to the idea of there being a god type being. Same as I'm not really closed to anything else, I believe anything COULD be possible, we just don't know.

Now I hear often these people who say that life should be lived a certain way "Tele is bad for you" and "One shouldn't smoke" and so on.

I wonder what actually makes people believe in a book that was written by other men and women? Unless you believe that god actually wrote the book through them?
Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. There's no way I could know.
But thats exactly why I don't understand. How can anyone know? Unless you have had a visit from god personally, your the same as me. You DON'T know.

Is it because its easier to believe? I can understand it being a help if you do believe in something like god. It can give shape and purpose to life, and be a help when you lose those close to you.

Really I just want people to explain to me, what makes you belive to full heartedly? Is it a matter of having faith?

Just so everyone knows. I am not condeming the bible or any other religion. I am just asking a couple of questions, and stating my opinion on a few points.

I will look forward to reading other peoples opinions, whether they be totally for, or like myself (a little skeptical).



Contest is Over

  • Contest was judged on December 17, 2008
  • Rewards: Gold: 100
  • Final notes:
    I thank all for their opinions and beliefs, I have learnt a lot from the entries. I still keep to my own beliefs, but this contest has given me a wider understanding of faith.

    Thanks all!!

Contest Winners

  1. Religion?
    What is religion? My definition is: Religion is humanity's spiritual, emotional, and intellectual response to existence. It began as hum
    by Andy Stephenson 1500 words, 23 comments, on Nov 16 12:21 AM 2008. In First person, Inspirational, Life, Religion
    Gold trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  2. Discovery of self : ultimate religion
    by lavanya 700 words, 26 comments, on Nov 4 9:28 PM 2008. In Essay, For contest, Inspirational
    Silver trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  3. My Answer
    It's not complicated, it's not something that should confuse you unless you choose to look farther into the crevass and cracks of the bible.1
    by Asonine 300 words, 1 comment, on Dec 17 5:49 AM 2008. In Beleif, Contest entry, Faith, God, Personal, Thought
    Bronze trophy winner
    • Viewed by judge. [remove]
  4. My God Is Like a Lamp Unto My Feet, and a Light Unto My Path
    by vampire of thought 600 words, 4 comments, on Dec 6 4:54 AM 2008. In Christian, Inspirational, Life, Other, Personal, Religion, Thoughts
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]

Entries [14]

1 - 14 of 14

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Comments

1 - 18 of 18

  • patrickhschan
    December 6, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I was sort of confused too. They say that there is Jesus, and there is a man who lived called Jesus Christ. But how could he do so much magical things? And the disiples of Jesus wrote about it, but still I don't belive in God nor Jesus


  • Elvenfairy
    December 6, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    ugg, I'd enter this, but I have to go, and I am going to be away wish I had seen this sooner


  • Chibi-chan
    December 6, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I wasn't quite clear on one direct question in this contest, so I just entered something that seemed to answer your question how can you KNOW. You can cut it out if ya want.

    ~Chibi

    • tony333
      December 6, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      All view are welcome!! I read your work.

      Thanks for entering my competition, and there's NO WAY I will cut the work out

  • alex levi
    December 6, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    um...the reason he can do quote "magical" things is because he's God. duh!!!!


  • Rosie-Straw
    December 6, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Is there any way you'd consider not having this contest in the adult category? my 14 year old cousin really wants to enter this!

    • tony333
      December 6, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Ofcourse!!

      Maybe I shouldn't have put that Everyone is intitled to thier views. Give me a sec and I will get rid of the adult thing

    • tony333
      December 6, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Done!!

      I have done it Is it ok now?


  • beezy92
    December 6, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    "You DON'T know." Yeah, probably in the human sense we don't know. Just like when someone we love says "I love you" we might think we know they mean it but we might be mistaken. In the spiritual sense we have assurance. And not just Christians. People of all different beliefs have assurance in the reality of their deity. I'd love to write something for this...I have a ton of homework now, but I'll try my best to enter.

    • tony333
      December 6, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Ofcourse we can't know what someone means when they say "I love you" because everyone is thier own person, and they think and feel differently (at least thats how it seems to me).

      I don't really understand the comparison, we can have some assurance from another human telling us they love us because we can see and speak to them. And judge them by thier actions (Yes I know they can lie nd be sneaky). What assurance is there in the spiritual form? Can people see or speak to thier diety to get reassurance? Or is there another form of cumminication that I am missing?

      Always remember this is only my opinion, I mean no offence.

      I will look forward to your entry!!

      Regards, Tony

      • beezy92
        December 6, 2008
        Edit | Reply
        I'm not offended at all. (: It's nice to talk to someone coming from a standpoint that's not closed or hostile but just curious.

        The comparison was that our human brains don't really KNOW anything for sure. For instance, color isn't actually color. It's refracted like. So things that we think we know, aren't actually fact. Nothing is fact for us because we're not all knowing. However we can believe very strongly and think we know. We all do about something. For some of us, it's God.

        • tony333
          December 6, 2008
          Edit | Reply
          I'm glad your not offended

          I understand about light and colours. And I understand too that we can't know anything for sure. I was just wondering what the spiritual assurance was? I know the people who I love, I hope they love me too But I don't feel any spiritual assurance. But then again everyone is different, maybe others do feel that, how can I know?

          • beezy92
            December 6, 2008
            Edit | Reply
            You know one thing that made it so easy for me? My mom was a Christian. So she raised me in it and growing up, I believed her word on everything. So I was already pre-disposed to believing it and then I went through some things. Life throws crap at everyone and everyone handles it different, but I really felt like I connected with a real, true God. I know it sounds sappy and I hate religious cliches, but that's about the best way I know how to put it.

            Now that I'm growing up and my opinions strongly contradict my mom's on a lot of different fronts, I'm doing a lot of thinking about what I believe. But I still feel God in my life, just clear things (for me) and I can't deny it.

            I can't imagine believing in God if I hadn't been raised in it though. And the people that do, I have immense respect for them. I mean there's so much that's hard to believe and unknown...

            I think it's really cool that you're delving into this. (:

            • tony333
              December 6, 2008
              Edit | Reply
              Yes it must be a lot different if you have been brought up to believe in God. Our childhood shapes our beliefs, the way we act, think.

              I wasn't brought up believing in God. I went to a catholic school, and I had to go to church once a week to sing and pray. But I was never really taught to believe.

              Not too long ago I thought that the people who believe in God were weak. Yes weak. I thought they believed in God because they wasn't strong enough to deal with what life throws at them on thier own. Then I thought "But SO many people believe. People who are both smarter, and more intelligent than me. Maybe I am missing something?"
              That was about 2 years ago. I done a little research, but there were so many different views. In the end I agreed that people believe for many different reasons.

              Now I just want to learn more about people's beliefs. I doubt I will ever believe, but nothing is impossible

              • beezy92
                December 6, 2008
                Edit | Reply
                I can completely understand that. And I'm not going to try to change your mind. A little part of me feels like I should but I'm not up for it tonight. (= Life sucks and right now I just want everyone and everything to let everything be. You know?

                Like I said, it's hard being brought up without having the belief instilled in you. And it's hard being brought up in Catholic school. (:

                I like that you're doing research to form your opinion. I always appreciate that in people. I'm not really sure outside research is the best avenue though. A good and effective avenue, but maybe not the best.

                Anyway I have to go to bed now. Maybe we can talk more tomorrow (:

                Have a good night. (Or morning, wherever you are.)


  • Andy Stephenson gold member
    December 17, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    Thank You

    Thanks so very much for the gold trophy and points. I appreciate it. I'm glad you like my essay.

    Thanks for hosting.

    Andy

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