Why do people not believe in God?

[chris m]

How can you not believe in God?

[chris m]

I've been thinking alot lately about how you can not believe in God. I been thinking how i would feel if I never believed in an after life. God tells us in the bible to not fear death. I just don't see how if you are an atheist, how you can not fear death. I mean, you believe that once you die, you die. I don't believe in heaven or in hell. How can you be satisfied with not living eternally. I mean, if you at least believed in God, you would have an after life or something to look forward after you die!

[Saranacotter]

Many people believe in God that don't believe in a particular religion. Are you counting the non-aligned believers as believers? I ask only because I was accused of Atheism on another thread because I do not consider myself Christian.

[CHRIS NEEDS TO EVOLVE]

CHRIS -
HOW CAN U BELIEVE IN GOD. NO PROOF. PERIOD. YOU IDIOTS. THERE IS NO ARGUMENT TO BE HAD, BECUZ ALL OF YOU LESS INTELLIGENT BEINGS SIMPLY SAY "YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH." STUPID STUPID STUPID. PLEASE HURRY UP AND EXPIRE SO YOU CAN BE REPLACED WITH AN INTELLIGENT BEING SUCH AS MYSELF. LOL.

[EDI]

chris m wrote:

I've been thinking alot lately about how you can not believe in God. I been thinking how i would feel if I never believed in an after life. God tells us in the bible to not fear death. I just don't see how if you are an atheist, how you can not fear death. I mean, you believe that once you die, you die. I don't believe in heaven or in hell. How can you be satisfied with not living eternally. I mean, if you at least believed in God, you would have an after life or something to look forward after you die!

its not that people wouldn't like to live forever, its just a question of what convinces them.

I'd like to believe that the hot girl from work likes me. However, wanting it to be true (however badly) does not mean that I should BELIEVE it to be true.

sure, given the choice, I'd like to live "heaven" once I die.

Doesn't mean I THINK i'll end up there.

[NYC_MC]

Have you ever heard the saying, "Don't believe everything that you read?"

I was raised Catholic but find organized religion too unaccepting to be a part of. I hope that my faith in God and the belief that one should lead a "good" life and be kind to all of his creatures will get me a ticket to heaven.

If not, then I feel there is something wrong with religion and I don't want to spend eternity in "that heaven".

[Cherokee]

Edi, exactly. Believeing is being used incorrectly. They should say,"I wish god exists", not I believe in god, since there is no proof. Now, people like the one bashing Crhis m are the ones that make people hate atheists.
There's one thing many haven't tought about, it seems. People always take a side, Believe or don't believe. Now, why do people have to take a side?
Because humans have been educated like that, is either this or that. The good thing is that you have a place where you can be where you can observe and have no conflict with the other extremes. Is called neutral. I am a neutral.
I don't either believe or not believe.
The wish for a god is something interesting. Since we can't know what is people's minds we have to be able to respect what others do abour religion.That doesn't mean we can't point out something for them to see.People will be at the end, responsible for what they did.So why really bother if someone believes or not.What really matters is that you live in peace, and respect what otheres do. You need to really be able to see what's in front of you. Now, do I follow what I say all the time? Not always. I am human. I am not perfect. And who is perfecta anyway?

[israel]

I am christian and I believe many people do not believe in God for many reasons.Many do not believe because they think,scientifically, and need concrete proof.Some because they are cynical, others because they see everyday the pain of this world and dont see how a God figure would allow it. In my opinion,others dont believe because they want to rebel against a society that primarily does believe. Others because they believe the idea of a god figure is simply a tool used by mankind to counteract the fear of death. Some because they see the atrocities done in the name of God and they shutter.I am Christian and I believe in God but I still fear death. Using the blanket of a religion to attempt to blind oneself into believing that you should not fear death due to the idea of "everlasting life" is foolish. Because you are denying one simple fact YOU WILL DIE, and until you accept that one day you will feel great pain, go cold, struggle for breath, breathe no more you will always fear it, no matter how much you say "Oh no I dont fear it because I'm going to heaven". I believe in God and the teachings of Jesus Christ but to say I dont fear death would be lying to myself and saying I KNOW that their is a heaven is lying to myself as well, I BELIEVE but I dont KNOW. And that is perfectly natural in my opinion, to fear the unknown. That is my problem with religion, I believe in God but I dont know for a fact if he's up their, that is faith. So many people down here KNOW, "I KNOW GOD IS ALLAH" "I KNOW GOD IS JESUS" " I KNOW GOD WANTS MY PEOPLE TO INHERIT THE PROMISED LAND" "I KNOW GOD APPROVES OF MARTYDOM IN HIS NAME" "I KNOW GOD WANTS ME TO PUNISH THESE DISBELIEVERS AND TRANSGRESSORS" if everyone would just stop owning their beliefs and just say " You know what I believe their is a God and I hope he's up their but to be perfectly honest I dont KNOW if he's up their or not" the world would be in a much better state than it is right now.

[Saranacotter]

NYC_MC wrote:

Have you ever heard the saying, "Don't believe everything that you read?"
I was raised Catholic but find organized religion too unaccepting to be a part of. I hope that my faith in God and the belief that one should lead a "good" life and be kind to all of his creatures will get me a ticket to heaven.
If not, then I feel there is something wrong with religion and I don't want to spend eternity in "that heaven".

Wow our beliefs are similar - are you my lost twin? 8-)

[Jacob63]

people dont believe in god because either
a- they are forced to
b- they dont understand christianity or disagree with it.
c- they want to belive in something that is TANGIBLE and/or factual.

yes, i am an athiest

[NYC_MC]

Saranacotter wrote:

<quoted text>Wow our beliefs are similar - are you my lost twin? 8-)

Hey there brother.

I think the fact that we reside in NY has something to do with it. NY is a very accepting state. Funny thing is, the rest of the angry country claims we are mean and rude!

[Saranacotter]

Cherokee wrote:

Edi, exactly. Believeing is being used incorrectly. They should say,"I wish god exists", not I believe in god, since there is no proof. Now, people like the one bashing Crhis m are the ones that make people hate atheists.
There's one thing many haven't tought about, it seems. People always take a side, Believe or don't believe. Now, why do people have to take a side?
Because humans have been educated like that, is either this or that. The good thing is that you have a place where you can be where you can observe and have no conflict with the other extremes. Is called neutral. I am a neutral.
I don't either believe or not believe.
The wish for a god is something interesting. Since we can't know what is people's minds we have to be able to respect what others do abour religion.That doesn't mean we can't point out something for them to see.People will be at the end, responsible for what they did.So why really bother if someone believes or not.What really matters is that you live in peace, and respect what otheres do. You need to really be able to see what's in front of you. Now, do I follow what I say all the time? Not always. I am human. I am not perfect. And who is perfecta anyway?

There is also no proof God doesn't exist. If people believe in God they Beleive in God, if they Don't believe In God They don't. Just because you do not believe does not meaan you are right. How would you prove an absence anyways?

[Cherokee]

NYC_MC wrote:

Have you ever heard the saying, "Don't believe everything that you read?"
I was raised Catholic but find organized religion too unaccepting to be a part of. I hope that my faith in God and the belief that one should lead a "good" life and be kind to all of his creatures will get me a ticket to heaven.
If not, then I feel there is something wrong with religion and I don't want to spend eternity in "that heaven".

I support some of what you say. I don't how ever need a heaven. I enjoy life here a lot. If there's a heaven or what ever, my beliefs aren't going to change that.

[Eyes Open]

Jacob63 wrote:

people dont believe in god because either
a- they are forced to
b- they dont understand christianity or disagree with it.
c- they want to belive in something that is TANGIBLE and/or factual.
yes, i am an athiest

You are correct but c- you need the same faith as a believer in God to think that the world just happened because on a random explosion of non-existent matter that no one or nothing created. Personally I find it difficult from a scientific standpoint not to believe in God. Where is your so-called fact?
I believe in evolution but I also believe something got the ball rolling and it wasn't just chance.
Now, who need more faith me or you?

[EDI]

Saranacotter wrote:

<quoted text>There is also no proof God doesn't exist. If people believe in God they Beleive in God, if they Don't believe In God They don't. Just because you do not believe does not meaan you are right. How would you prove an absence anyways?

not saying you are one, but I always like to tease agnostics... they claim that unless something is disproven, you have to take a middle of the road. So what about ghosts? astrology?

If you take the mindset that things need to be DISPROVEN before you take a stance (even though some theories are, almost by definition, unfalsifible) then apply that consistently to any theory that anyone proposes ever.

Unless the agnostic can disprove that I have lived to be 150 years old and have to date chosen to remain anonymous, are they willing to concede that they are agnostic about this point?

[Cherokee]

Saranacotter wrote:

<quoted text>There is also no proof God doesn't exist. If people believe in God they Beleive in God, if they Don't believe In God They don't. Just because you do not believe does not meaan you are right. How would you prove an absence anyways?

Yes indeed. I am inclined to think, not believe, that there must be some body or a group of beings in charge of at least the creation of humans here. The creation of the cosmos is an altogheter much more large effort. It to me really doesn't matter.

[Cherokee]

Eyes Open wrote:

<quoted text>
You are correct but c- you need the same faith as a believer in God to think that the world just happened because on a random explosion of non-existent matter that no one or nothing created. Personally I find it difficult from a scientific standpoint not to believe in God. Where is your so-called fact?
I believe in evolution but I also believe something got the ball rolling and it wasn't just chance.
Now, who need more faith me or you?

I support some of what you say. The faith part I think is a matter of personal tought too.Do we need faith? Let's see...If I don't have faith what do I have? A book that tells a lot of stories.If I have faith those stories become real, they become fact.And there will be "experts" that will make sure proof will be served. The reality is that we have faith for a reason. We have fear of death. We worry about what will happen after we die. So we negotiate with a god. "If am good will you let me in"?
Faith is a cceptance of something. You either accept it, you don't or stay neutral.Mostly we accept it when we are vulnerable, weak. What is neutral? You observe both points, you use your brain to try to understand. And you make no judgement. It is not easy sometimes not to judge. But that is what respect and love is all about.

[Cherokee]

EDI wrote:

<quoted text>
not saying you are one, but I always like to tease agnostics... they claim that unless something is disproven, you have to take a middle of the road. So what about ghosts? astrology?
If you take the mindset that things need to be DISPROVEN before you take a stance (even though some theories are, almost by definition, unfalsifible) then apply that consistently to any theory that anyone proposes ever.
Unless the agnostic can disprove that I have lived to be 150 years old and have to date chosen to remain anonymous, are they willing to concede that they are agnostic about this point?

Sorry but I had some difficulty following your point.
Neutrals don't try to disprove things. What we do is try to point out something we have noticed. Then it can be discused. The thing I see not solving an issue is when you completely go into the conversation thinking you and only you are correct.

[Saranacotter]

EDI wrote:

<quoted text>
not saying you are one, but I always like to tease agnostics... they claim that unless something is disproven, you have to take a middle of the road. So what about ghosts? astrology?
If you take the mindset that things need to be DISPROVEN before you take a stance (even though some theories are, almost by definition, unfalsifible) then apply that consistently to any theory that anyone proposes ever.
Unless the agnostic can disprove that I have lived to be 150 years old and have to date chosen to remain anonymous, are they willing to concede that they are agnostic about this point?

Ghosts are real - know that from personal experience.

[Saranacotter]

NYC_MC wrote:

<quoted text>
Hey there brother.
I think the fact that we reside in NY has something to do with it. NY is a very accepting state. Funny thing is, the rest of the angry country claims we are mean and rude!

Lived in Southern California, New York State has nothing on the rudeness and meanness of Southern California. Friendliest 2 states I have been in are Virginia(especially around Petersburg), and Alabama. Peace Bro. 8-)