Alright, so there was a question posed on one of my posts. I want this to be a very positive atmosphere so I hope my answer reflects that. Keep in mind these are my personal responses and not that of any particular religion's doctrine. I am not teaching one specific Gospel in this post. The question was:
What are the Top 5 Reasons for Believing in God?
What are the Top 5 Reasons for not Believing in God?
First off, I think that "believing" in God is a choice. However, it's not just about believing, but it is through choosing to believe that we eventually come to know, undoubtedly, that He is there. I think the reasons for both believing or not believing are very personal and will vary from individual to individual. My view will probably be biased, on the believing side, but I am answering this question with my personal beliefs and to the best of my ability, so please be mindful of that.
Respectfully,
Kaeli
Reasons for Not Believing:
1. Something bad happens, which deeply affects people and they are unable to understand why bad things happen, and so they become bitter and don't want to believe in God because they feel pain anyway, and it's harder considering the fact that he did nothing to stop them and/or someone they love from getting hurt or doing something wrong.
2. People know that the life they are living is not consistent with what would be expected by God, so it is simply easy and more guiltless to not believe in him.
3. People are raised and taught not to believe in him, and simply know no different.
4. They have little or no understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and therefore are unable to see how God has provided us a way to be saved, not just eternally, but even from our pains, trials and sins in this life. And if (well, for me, since) there is a God who loves us, he would of course provide an Atonement for us. If we do not understand the Atonement, do not know of the Atonement or do not believe in the Atonement it is hard to believe in a benevolent God who would subject us to this world.
5. I truly believe it is simply a choice, and that some people are too logical, scientific or skeptical to make it, some are stubborn and some do not want to change their lifestyle.
Like I said, things vary from person to person... and I am sure there are many other reasons why people don't believe in God but I think most of it is either pain, guilt, lack of knowledge/education of God, or an unwillingness to have faith or try to believe. I also believe that some of those reasons are more valid than others, but I won't get in to that. To each his own.
Now, reasons to believe in God, are a lot harder to understand which is probably another reason why people do not believe in Him.
My reasons for Believing
1. I have felt his love for me when I have prayed. Or even just in times when it was really hard. Some people claim this is a psychological reaction. All I can say, is there are some things you just KNOW. Kind of like when you go to the Doctor and he runs all kinds of tests and tries to tell you what is wrong with you, but occasionally you know your problems better than he does. He still has all the scientific knowledge to treat you when he is able to identify the problem, but only you TRULY know how you feel. And occasionally, the doctor and all his science is wrong, and he either has to listen to you, or lose the patient. Knowing that it is God's love works the same way. Sometimes... nobody else can understand it until they feel it too, they just have to trust that you know.
2. I am always, always, always happier when I am striving to be closer to God. My life runs smoother and I am happier, even in my trials when I am mindful of a Father in Heaven who loves me. I think that is because he is happier when I am close to him and he blesses me, and because there are natural laws that even God has to obey, but that when I strive to be with him or be like him, I naturally follow those laws too and reap the benefits rather than the consequences of breaking them.
3. Daily miracles. There are some things that just cannot be coincidence.
4. Knowing that there is something bigger than just living and dying makes perfect sense to me. There is something greater, something that we are all here for and we have a purpose. I think there are so many principles and laws and things that we learn in this life that make no sense if there is no life after this, and no God to strive to meet again.
5. I choose to. I think that believing in God makes me a better person, it helps me progress and I don't think progress is bad, I think it is generally a good indicator of truth, actually.
I know that I have a Father in Heaven who created this earth with his Son, Jesus Christ. I know that he loves me and wants me to come back to him one day, and he has provided his Son's Atonement as the means for me to return to him. I know because I want to, because I choose to, but also because there is nothing in this world that can convince me otherwise and everything inside me and around me convinces me that God does exist. :) I say these things in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
-Kaeli
Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.
I appreciate the time and care you put into this response. Your love, devotion, and big heart are clear as well as the firmness of your faith. However, I would humbly advise you (since, as I understand, you will soon be serving a proselytizing mission) to take more time and care to develop further knowledge, understanding, and empathy for those who do not believe. Compassion, a warm heart, and an open ear will get you further than you can imagine. Do not see non-believers as ignorant, immoral, selfish, or arrogant (and I don't make claim that you do, just that it happens often to many); see them as equals in all things lest they misconstrue your unshakable faith and love of things so high as unwavering pride and unwillingness to listen. Deaf ears can be contagious. Of course, I cannot claim to know anything of missionary work, but I claim to know a bit about the power of compassion and humility and I hope you can utilize these powerful tools well in your endeavors :)
ReplyDeletehank you for your comment, because I think it is extremely relative and valid. Of course, there is always so much more to learn, and I recognize that. Also, this is a blog... not a discussion. I can't sit down face to face with anyone and have a whole-hearted conversation with them on a blog, which I will be able to do on my mission. If my comments come off as prideful or unwilling to listen, I am sorry, they are certainly not meant that way, but that's certainly something I need to fix as well.
ReplyDeleteI cannot judge people for not believing in God, and it's hard for me to make a list of reasons why they wouldn't when I can't seem to find any reasons not to. However, because I have friends who do not, I have seen many of their perspectives. Some of them have been hurt SOO badly that I can understand how hard it would become to have faith in God. Some of them have not been brought up in an environment or a family which could teach them about God, and therefore it can hardly be their fault that they don't believe. I don't mean that because people don't believe in God, they are uneducated. Goodness... let's look at literature... many of the most brilliant minds were atheists or unsure. I just mean that people who have not been taught about God, cannot be held accountable for not believing in him, and people who have been raised not to believe in him, are likely not to be held accountable for that either. I do not believe that people who doubt God or even who don't believe in him at all, are bad people. There are a great deal of Atheists in this World that will probably be more sinless than a great deal of the Christians. My response was not as long and well explained as it could have been, and I know my lists were rather short and to the point, but I do understand how it is possible to lose faith in God.
And there's a major difference between people who have solid reasons for their disbelief and those who really seem to know deep inside, but deny it in pride or guilt.Either way, I do believe both believers and atheists can be good or bad people. So much of life is simply about our choices. And I believe that ultimately, it is mostly our choices that we will be judged on.
Now, I think I'd like to hear your perspective. What do you think people's top five reasons are in either category?
ReplyDelete