you will live longer then others.

Heh. Emotional crutch. Having an "answer" to most of life's difficult questions. Believing that your deceased loved ones are now "in a better place".

Doesn't that assume there *are* benefits to believing in "god"? I have yet to see any.

There really aren't any,

It makes some people feel good. That's the only real benefit. However, when weighed with the bad things believing in God brings, that benefit doesn't hold up well.

Knowing that you're right. Even when the evidence indicates that you're wrong.

To have a right relationship with God.

Anyone can believe in God just like anyone can believe there is a devil. There is not much benefit in that. It is only a benefit when you take your belief and act on it ;)

A sense of peace.

Confidence, You will get a confidence that some body is there to support you. to help you.

You are forgiven for things you should be put in jail for.

The satisfaction of being right.

You can say the devil made me do it w/o taking personal responsibility. Or, you can say God wants this without taking personal responsibility.

Oh there are so many for me Skidoo: Being forgiven and knowing I get to spend eternity in heaven with my Father and Savior. Having God's protection for many different things and the security of heaven even if something does happen to me. God's presence is definetly a bennefit! It is the best feeling to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I really enjoy seeing prayers get answered! And if God answers a prayer with "No" that is still amazing to see how God will work in that specific situation. Not having a desire to go back to my old bad habits. Being surrounded with a large family that all love Jesus and realizing we aren't perfect and not judging each other and just loving on each other.

Life everlasting? Knowing that no matter how bad things may seem at present, it's just the equivalent of boot camp, so we'll be able to help others in their time of need.

Having a ready available escape goat.

For just believing, there are only superficial benefits, similar to having a positive attitude can help you heal quicker. But if you act in harmony with your beliefs, there will likely be some immediate benefits. Though some people that don't know the Bible, do by nature some of the things recorded in it, there are many that could benefit from the principals in it, as people have different consciences allowing some to commit things that might be deemed unconscionable by another. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James2:19,26;%20rom2:14-15;&version=16;47;15;49;51; The biggest benefits will be in the future. The following is the last portion of a large article from a Watchtower from April 15 2002: Blessings for Those Obeying God’s Laws 15 Through his prophet Isaiah, God said: “My word that goes forth from my mouth . . . will have certain success.” (Isaiah 55:11) Just as surely, when we earnestly strive to follow the standards found in his Word, we will have success, accomplish good, and find happiness. 16 Consider how God’s laws are a sound guide to a successful marriage. “Let marriage be honorable among all,” wrote Paul, “and the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.” (Hebrews 13:4) Marriage mates are to be respectful and loving toward each other: “Let each one of you individually so love his wife as he does himself; on the other hand, the wife should have deep respect for her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33) The kind of love that is needed is described at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: “Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” A marriage marked by this kind of love will not fail. 17 Another evidence that Jehovah’s standards are beneficial, is the fact that he condemns drunkenness. He even disapproves of ‘giving oneself to a lot of wine.’ (1 Timothy 3:3, 8; Romans 13:13) Many who ignore God’s standards on this matter suffer diseases caused or aggravated by excessive drinking. Ignoring the Bible’s counsel on moderation, some have got into the habit of heavy drinking to “help them relax.” The problems resulting from overdrinking are many, including loss of respect, strained family relationships or family breakup, wasted income, and loss of employment. (Proverbs 23:19-21, 29-35) Are not Jehovah’s standards regarding the use of alcohol a safeguard? 18 God’s standards have also proved to be practical in financial matters. The Bible urges Christians to be honest and diligent. (Luke 16:10; Ephesians 4:28; Colossians 3:23) Because they follow this counsel, many Christians have been promoted or have kept their jobs when others were laid off. Financial benefits also result when a person avoids such unscriptural habits and addictions as gambling, smoking, and drug abuse. No doubt you can think of other examples of the economic practicality of God’s standards. 19 It is easy for imperfect humans to stray from God’s laws and standards. Think about the Israelites at Mount Sinai. God said to them: “If you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then you will certainly become my special property out of all other peoples.” They responded: “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do.” Yet, how contrary was the course they chose to follow! (Exodus 19:5, 8; Psalm 106:12-43) In contrast, let us accept and hold to God’s standards. 20 The course of wisdom and happiness is to stick closely to the incomparable laws that Jehovah has provided to help guide our lives. (Psalm 19:7-11) In order to do this successfully, we also need to appreciate the value of godly principles. This is the subject of the following article.

There is none that I am aware of.

Having a clear and focused mind. I remember when I was younger there was all these thoughts going through my head...it was like 5 at the same time...always turning. Now I dont do that, at all. I can sit and think of nothing...and when I wanna think of something focus on it, and meditate on it... I suppose its peace.

NO MORE LOOKING

The" Retirement Package".

None

Peace of mind and to grow old gracefully.

Couldn't tell ya

There can be many: - Knowing that you will be rewarded - Knowing that your oppressors will be punished - Knowing that you will be reunited with deceased loved ones - Knowing that you are protected against evil - Knowing the true purpose of life ...Unfortunately, none of those things actually involve really "Knowing" anything. They're just a bunch of hopes and opinions passed off as revealed fact. There's also one big benefit which many people seem to overlook: Strength in Numbers. Most people will condemn critical thinking if it causes them to lose the people who have "got their back".

The same as being a drug addict or an alcoholic: escape from reality

People who say that they believe in God are not being honest unless they can prove that they believe in Him; ie. you cannot prove a belief in something that does not exist.

Free church suppers. Oh, wait, you have to pay for those things. You make the food, donate it, and then have to pay for it. Quite a scam.

Having answers to the big questions. Being able to put all the bad stuff into context. Having confidence that the one's future is more than just being fertilizer forever. Knowing that there is a good reason to do the right thing, even when you don't feel like it and no one else will know. There's more but I'll stop at 3. +4

being able to not take the blame of stuff that goes wrong because "god has a purpose for all of us and wants it to be this way".

Teachings , like one that hit me really hard was Jesus saying never to call someone stupid. Means to teach them , instead of insulting them. Jesus was a dope dude , to have been able to convince so many people without today's technology's Even Muslims believe in Jesus The Jews not so much But there are Jewish people who believe in Jesus and remained Jews. So really it's all about teachings. Like one of the 10 commandements Not to lie Lies have caused the most chaos in peoples lives. Even if you see three religion s who are intengaled if they are to be true i mean one of them the other 2 are false there fore Lies and this goes for all religions Cuz only 1 can be true. God offers ethernal life . Believe in God , also means to know he is around you. In every sound / I always really on my environment to lead me. And I will hide this from you. Jesus wrote to me. The words said between my feat in front of the doors of a church in lebanon Eliano Moti Moti Writen in english to be read in lebanese , when I realized how to read them . It was a time in which I was in need , I was betrayed by my family . And at jesus 's death because that what the words Mean Eliano my death , my death. At his death he asked his father to forgive them . As I did to my family that day. And everyone else who had wronged me. For the simply don't know. And thus you must teach. Gl Luck is everything you cannot control But is Someone?

Living in truth and reason in addition to faith, hope, and love. With love in Christ.

not being afraid of anything.

Increase the order of your faith :) ..

As a Christian, we then learn to love other people, in the full belief that if we follow His commands we will both enter into His Kingdom on earth as in heaven, and that we will be living, as best we sinners can, according to His will.