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by Answerbag Staff on June 28th, 2003

Answerbag Staff

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Help answer this question below.

Is there a god, and either way, how do we know?

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Answers. 185 helpful answers below.

  • by Vianne on November 29th, 2004

    Vianne

    I am not a Christian, but I believe in God because I see evidence of His, or Her, existance in creation.

    If you've ever looked at a diagram of the human body, you'll see it's incredibly complex and precise. Veins, muscles and organs all working together in perfect harmony based on the messages sent by our neurons.

    Then there's the solar system. The earth is tilted precisely 23.5 degrees off kilter, and if it were any more or less, our days would be composed of twelve-hour stretches of daylight and darkness. For ages people existed without electricity, and if their days had been only twelve hours long, they would have been racing to complete as much work as possible, and then spent the remainder twiddling their thumbs until sleepiness drove them to rest. But no, the schedule is perfectly matched to a human's requirements for sleep and capability for continuous work in one day. Not to mention how carefully earth is placed in the solar system -- if it were any farther from the sun, we would freeze, and if it were any closer, we would burn. If the orbit of our planet were any different, our seasons would be radically changed, affecting our ability to plant in spring, harvest in summer, and then let the earth rest during the winter -- the way life was for generations. And the fact that the planets have not only been placed so precisely, but have continued in this perfect balance for thousands of years, clearly indicates to me the hand of an intelligent force behind it.

    I also see evidence of God in science. People didn't invent geometry, astronomy, or any of the sciences, we just discovered the principles. The concepts were already there in nature, and since it requires an intelligent mind to grasp them, I can only assume that an intelligent mind created them, leading me to only one conclusion -- that a God of some variety must exist.

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  • by Happyclam on July 1st, 2003

    Happyclam

    Jessica Alba exists. Therefore there is a god.

    Jessica Alba is married. Therefore we have a vengeful god.

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  • by HungryGuy on October 26th, 2005

    HungryGuy

    There is no way to prove or disprove the existence of God. This is not a question that can be answered by science or by reason. Any claim to the contrary is a statement of opinion.

    Some have said that the existence of the Bible is sufficient proof. However, there are many Muslims, Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, etc., who would disagree, and counter that THEIR holy books are proof of the existence of THEIR gods. And then you can say that THEIR gods are false idols, and go back and forth, endlessly... Now, what I said in this paragraph doesn't DISPROVE that the Bible is the Word of God, it just demonstrates that the claim that a particular holy book proves the existence of God is a matter of opinion, not verifiable fact.

    Some have said that life as complex as we are could not have come into existence by random chance, thus we had a Creator. If that argument is true, then God must have had a Creator. And That Creator must have had a Creator. I.e. how many turtles are there? And, what I said in this paragraph doesn't DISPROVE a Creator; it just demonstrates the fallacy of using that argument as proof of a Creator.

    As an aside, while this is not the proper forum to debate evolution at length, a brief description of evolution is appropriate to this discussion. Science has demonstrated that protein molecules can form under anaerobic conditions. Once that first step has occurred, the rest is just a matter of evolution. And evolution is NOT analogous to throwing a pile of gears into the air and watching how many different varieties of clocks form spontaneously when they hit the ground--anyone who uses that analogy to discredit evolution is merely showing his ignorance. Evolution functions by rewarding successful mutations. For example, people are occasionally born with webbed fingers and toes. We generally regard this as a genetic defect, but if we were water dwellers, this chance mutation would give is a tiny advantage over non-webbed people in catching prey or evading predators. Over the long run, the webbed ones would have a slight advantage and produce more offspring. Eventually, the webbed gene would become commonplace and humans would have evolved into beings with webbed fingers and toes. That is how evolution works, and laboratory experiments have demonstrated evolutionary mechanics at work at the microscopic level. Indeed, the seasonal mutation of influenza virus is a real world example of evolution occurring today.

    Now, to get back to the topic of this question: the existence of God... It is not my intent to refute the existence of God or to convince people that God doesn't exist. In all the above, I'm simply saying that there is no SCIENTIFIC or LOGICAL grounds to PROVE the existence, or non-existence, of God--that's all.

    Therefore, I'm pleased to say that there is, indeed, a sound and logical reason to believe in God--even if His existence can't be proven. The French physicist, Blaise Pascal, was a devout Christian. He presented a truth table in defense of God, known as Pascal's Wager. It goes something like this:

    1.) If you believe in God:

    a.) If God exists.............heaven :-)
    b.) If God doesn't exist...nothing :-|

    2.) If you don't believe in God:

    a.) If God exists.............hell :-(
    b.) If God doesn't exist...nothing :-|

    Therefore, the logical choice is to believe in God. Q.E.D.

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  • by Glenn Blaylock on November 25th, 2004

    Glenn Blaylock

    This is a question that each person has to answer for themselves. I can tell you that I know that God exists. I see His handiwork in everything through out the universe. I have felt the gentle promptings of his Spirit confirming His existence. However, this is not something that I can prove to someone else. You have to be open to the Spirit and experience it for yourself. I can tell you how it happened for me, but I think that is the provence of another question.

    """"""""""""""""
    Moderators, this is something that really needs to be addressed.

    "Alatea: I wish HE would prompt you to respect other opinions that don't agree with yours."

    There is a difference between what you are doing and what I am doing. You are going into the sections of these forums that are dedicated to my religion and you are spreading what I consider to be misinformation about things I hold sacred. As such I have rated your answers accordingly.

    On the other hand, I don't go into the sections dedicated to other religions and ridicule those belief systems. I don't give people negative ratings on answers about their religion just because I have doctrinal disagreements with other religions. I respect your right to follow whatever religion you choose to follow. God created us all with the ability to think for ourselves and to choose our own paths. You ask for a level of respect that you do not show to those who do not agree your theology.

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  • by James Edwards on November 30th, 2004

    James Edwards

    You can't KNOW if God exists. Despite what many believers, including myself, say, you can only have faith that He does. You can read the Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Qu'ran, or any other holy scripture for guidance, but those were written by men. If you could prove the existance of God, there would be no reason for faith.

    I know I'll get negative feedback for this, but it is the truth. Everyone belives in something or nothing. If you know God exists, then that is great. You have faith, and faith is a powerful thing. However, faith doen't prove God exists, nor does no proof of His existance prove that He does not exist.

    Philosophers, theologians, and ordinary people have been trying for centuries to prove the existance of God. Most of them have come to this conclusion: Have faith! It is much better to have faith in any God and be wrong, than to believe in nothing and be wrong.

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  • by Kim Siever on April 30th, 2004

    Kim Siever

    To answer the first part of your question, I believe there is a god.

    To answer the second part of your question, it cannot be scientifically proven.

    There are scriptural accounts of people claiming to see God, and while a witness is more "proof" than no witness, there is no way to scientifically verify these statements. They must be accepted purely on faith. Some say that the existence of humans or planetary balance is proof that God exists. These do not prove He exists. They may suggest He exists, but they do not prove it.

    In all actuality, I'm not sure that an absolute knowledge of God would be beneficial anyhow. I am confident that much of the goodness in the world that is motivated by religious adherence is a result of faith. We hope in the existence of a greater being whom we can't see; we hope in a better afterlife that we cannot see. If we had absolute knowledge in these things, I am doubtful we would be as committed to being as faithful as we are.

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  • by James Beatty on April 21st, 2004

    James Beatty

    A couple thousand years of philosophers trying to prove conclusively that God exists -- and failing -- leads me to conlcude that such a proof is not possible. Clearly, proving that God doesn't exist is basically impossible as well.

    But I also feel that a huge, omnipotent entity controlling the universe is a hard thing to miss. I have no evidence of God's existence in my life, and therefore see no reason to conclude that a God does exist. In fact, the concept that there is a huge, omnipotent entity controlling the universe seems so weird to me that until evidence presents itself, I must believe that such a entity conclusively does not exist. For instance, I have no conclusive evidence that Unicorns exist or don't exist, but I believe that they don't exist just because the idea seems so preposterous.

    Some would argue that the existence of the universe is evidence of God's existence, as the only way to explain our existence is through some kind of God. But that is an unsatisfactory response, because then the question "How was the universre created?" becomes "How was God created?" The existence of God only adds more questions, and so I see no reason to believe in it.

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  • by wfbrad on February 23rd, 2004

    wfbrad

    I will give you my opinion...

    There is most definitely a God. God is in control of everything in the universe, and created the same. God created all beings, and every atom in this universe, for HIS pleasure. We know God exists because He says He does. The bible is His word, left for us to read. He does not talk to us directly because we are rebellious children, and God cannot even look at the horrible things that we do. He allows evil in this world because He wants us to have the opportunity to choose either Him or evil, thereby proving our love for Him. If His was the only game in town, then there would not be a free will concious choice for Him.

    God is made evident every day when the sun comes up, and there is still air to breathe, and you made it through the night. I cannot believe that everything we know was created by accident. Things are just too perfect to have happened by chance. Man is too corrupt a creature to have invented the beautiful things in the world, as in faith, hope, and love.

    Man have learned how to do a lot of things. We can even create real live animals by cloning. BUT the clones dont have souls. They are only copies of the originals, despite the best efforts of science. A living soul is something only God can create.

    As has been said by previous posters, the actual knowldge of God is a matter of faith. Believing in something unseen is a foundation of all religions. I, myself, have no doubt.

    AHHHhh! Thomas you are displaying the same attitude as your namesake. Must you poke your finger in the nail holes too? It is very simple, you have the choice to believe in God or not believe in God. If you choose not to, then you will get what you deserve when you die, if you do, then you will escape what you deserve. God evidences Himself every day to the believer. He protects me, loves me, and sticks closer that a brother. He will never leave me nor forsake me, and gives me every good and perfect thing I have. Greater love hath no man than He who gives His life for a friend. Jesus did that, for ME, and for YOU too. Believe on the name of Christ and you shall be saved. My logic has been stated already, the world exists not by accident, but because God wants it to. Intelligent design is the current buzzword, but it fits. There is no such thing as luck, and chance is an abberation in the minds of ungrateful and foolish men.

    By the way, it took about 300 years after Jesus to get the Bible written. That does not count the roughly 3000 years before Christ to write the Old Testament.

    A zealot? well I guess I have been called worse things....A Christian should be a zealot. If you don't have joy in your salvation, and a zeal for God and His people, you better make sure you're saved.

    Colossians 4:12-13 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

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  • by scymitar72 on July 31st, 2005

    scymitar72

    Simply put, God cannot be proven to exist, at least by any scientific means. That's why faith is so important. The scriptures ask us to put our faith/belief in something that cannot be proven to exist. And, according to those scriptures, that's how your place will be decided after this life. Those who have faith will go home to God, those who don't, well, I don't even want to think about that!

    It's all a matter of belief. One who believes will see the work of God everywhere. One who does not believe, will not see God anywhere. Who is right? That's for each individual to decide for themselves.

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  • by Anonymous on November 26th, 2004

    Anonymous

    One can know that God truly exists by having an open heart, and by sincerely seeking Him. Prayer is usually a good starting point. He can reveal Himself in different ways to different people since everyone is unique, and has different needs.

    Hope this helps.

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  • by Santaanacanyon on July 13th, 2003

    Santaanacanyon

    If you are predisposed to refusing to believe any kind of God exists, then no amount of evidence will make any difference to you.
    However, logic suggests that you cannot prove a negative. While one may not be able to "prove" God exists, it would be impossible to "prove" that God does not exist.

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  • by Gingerminx on October 24th, 2011

    Gingerminx

    No one knows, but there is no evidence to suggest so.

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  • by Helix42 on May 25th, 2005

    Helix42

    Many have focused on "proving" or "disproving" the existence of God. There is a fault with these proof attempts. There is the assumption that the proof must be absolute beyond ANY doubt. Our justice system requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

    We assume that some things are true because we believe them to be and sources in which we have faith have given us evidence to support our assumptions. This happens in school quite a lot. We accept what we are taught on faith. Those that argue for evolution - have you traveled to the dessert and examined the evidence? How much time do you spend in the lab looking at the fossil record? You take what the "scientist" says on faith.

    Those that state there is no God are not being reasonable. They say that the evidence does not show there is or is not a God. This supposition is not reasonable. If the evidence is ambivalent then there is not a God. It is unreasonable to assume that a God would create an entire universe and not leave His mark upon it. However, the evidence is not ambivalent. It is direct and every scrap points squarely at the existence of God.

    The universe is huge and filled with matter. This matter had to come from somewhere. But, origin aside, cosmology once thought the universe to be this huge chaotic thing, but as they learn more they are finding a complexity, beauty and balance that could not have been achieved randomly. I read a book by a college professor who was trying to interview an atheist. He went to his college physics department and asked the department head any of his professors were atheists. He was answered "You will not find any atheists in the this department, we are fresh out, if you want to find an atheist you need to go to the philosophy department". The point is, the level of complexity and non-randomness of the universe at large is a strong indicator of a creator God.

    Life...how did it originate? How did we get here? The short answer is God made it. Life is hugely complex. Even the so called simple forms of life are amazingly complex. There are structures in these animals that could not have evolved over time. They are multipart structures that require all the parts present and the step by step model of evolution has no mechanism to handle it. Darwin himself stated that structures whose formation could not be explained as a gradual process would refute his theory. I think that Darwin would see many such structures given todays science. This aside, the probability of life arrising is to this level of complexity, even in 15 billion years is almost 0. The reasonable conclusion is: it had to have help.

    Romans 1:20 (NIV) says: "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood form what has been made, so that men are without excuse." What Paul is saying here is that the evidence in support of the existence of God is obvious and compelling. God has made it possible that we can have a rational faith. One that is reasonable and based on what can be observed. To ignore the evidence requires an irrational leap of faith, and an irrational dogma that is unsupported by the visible evidence. It would be like denial of the existence of wind and making up some absurd hypothesis to accout for all the movement caused by it.

    Is this proof positive that God exists? No, but all of nature, the universe and our own hearts clearly demonstrate the case for God. The jury of our minds must then decide if there is still a reasonable doubt.

    There is another question that disenters often raise. If God is there why not just reveal himself and stop all the debate? The answer is two part. First, we cannot have free will and make a decision to follow Him if we are cohersed into it. What could be more cohersive than the presence of God? He wants us to love Him by our own free choice, and not because we are overwhelmed by his presence. Second: mercy and love. God has said that he will reveal himself. He said that just as the lightening which flashes in the East is visible in the West so will everyone on earth be able to see His coming. The problem is, because of the first part, it will be too late to believe when he comes to earth and is revealed. He wants to give us a chance to come to him on our own.

    [askmesomething]: I was wondering why you rated this negatively? Perhaps I wasn't clear - The existance of God cannot be ABSOLUTELY proven. I believe this is by intention on God's part. My point is that the evidence supporting the existence of God is so strong that you have to make a deliberate choice to reject the evidence and abopt a position that is irrational and deluded in order to believe that there is no God. So to be perfectly clear, my answer to the question is: yes there is a God and we know based on the evidence that He has provided us with.

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  • by Anonymous on April 19th, 2005

    Anonymous

    Very easily..

    If I use , can it be possible for it to make itself? Someone has to create it right? You're eating pizza, did the cheese and pizza dough,etc. make itself? what about the mountains and the rain? did it just happen by some accident? Who created Adam? Did he just pop out of no where? Who created the universe? and how can everything in it stay like that? is it just controlling itself? Just ponder on everything around you. Things don't come into existance out of no where or by accident. It's not just about science,...or the "big bang theory"

    plz. listen to these lecture called big bang:
    http://www.islamyesterday.com/audio.htm

    http://www.islamyesterday.com/videos/ (lower left corner.. "No Brainer!")

    and please read:
    http://www.islamtomorrow.com/bigbang/
    God-proof!! http://www.islamtomorrow.com/allah/proof.htm

    http://thetruereligion.org/modules/wfsection/index.php?category=5

    "God doesn't exist!" http://www.islamic.org.uk/gde.html (check out the questions and their answers there.)

    Some articles, author(s) unknown..(?) Allah=(Arabic word for God; same term used by Arab Christians)

    There was a young man who went overseas to study for quite a long time.
    When he returned, he asked his parents to find him a religious scholar or any expert who could answer his 3 questions.
    Finally, his parents were able to find a Muslim scholar.

    Young man: Who are you? Can you answer my questions?
    Scholar: I am one of Allah's slaves and
    (God willing), I will be able to answer your questions.
    Young man : Are you sure? A lot of Professors and experts were not able to answer my questions.
    Scholar: I will try my best, with the help of Allah.
    Young Man: I have 3 questions:
    1. Does God exist? If so, show me His shape.
    2. What is takdir (fate)?
    3. If shaitan (Devil) was created from the fire, why at the end he will be thrown to hell that also created from fire. It certainly will not hurt him at all, since Shaitan (Devil) and the hell were created from fire. Did God not think of it this far?
    Suddenly, the Scholar slapped the young man's face very hard.

    Young Man (feeling pain): Why do you get angry at me?
    Scholar: I am not angry. The slap is my answer to your three questions.
    Young Man: I really don't understand.
    Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?
    Young Man: Of course, I felt the pain.
    Scholar: So do you believe that pain exists?
    Young Man: Yes
    Scholar: Show me the shape of the pain!
    Young Man: I cannot.
    Scholar: That is my first answer. All of us feel God's existence without being able to see His shape.
    Scholar: Last night, did you dream that you will be slapped by me?
    Young Man: No.
    Scholar: Did you ever think that you will get a slap from me, today?
    Young Man: No.
    Scholar: That is takdir (fate).
    Scholar: My hand that I used to slap you, what is it created from?
    Young Man: It is created from skin.
    Scholar: How about your face, what is it created from?
    Young Man: Skin.
    Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?
    Young Man: In pain.
    Scholar: Even though Shaitan (Devil) and also the hell were created from the fire, if Allah wants, (God willing), the hell will become a very painful place for Shaitan (Devil).

    ----------------
    How Do You Know He Exists?

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Once, a Bedouin was asked what made an unsophisticated man like him believe in Allah.
    Bedouin: "Do you see these marks in the sand?"
    Man: "Yes."
    Bedouin: "What do they tell you?"
    Man: "A camel went by."
    Bedouin: "Did you see the camel?"
    Man: "No, but these footprints in the sand suggest that a camel made them."
    Bedouin: "Do you see these mountains?"
    Man: "Yes."
    Bedouin: "They are indicative to me that Allah made them."


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Once Khalifa Haroon Rasheed asked Imam Malik: "What is the evidence (daleel) pointing to the existence of Allah (S.W.T.)?"

    Imam Malik replied: "Difference in languages, difference in pitches of voice, difference in singing are proof that Allah (S.W.T.) exists!"



    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The same question was asked, by an atheist, of Imam Abu Hanifa and he replied, "Forget it! At the moment, I am busy thinking about this ship. People tell me there is a big ship, it contains
    different goods on board. There is no one to steer it, no one maintaining it. Yet, this ship keeps going back and forth; it even traverses big waves on the oceans; it stops at the locations that it is supposed to stop at; it continues in the direction that it is supposed to head. This ship has no captain and no one planning its trips."

    The atheist who posed the question interrupted and exclaimed, "What kind of strange and silly thought is this? How can any intelligent person think that some thing like this can occur?"

    Imam Abu Hanifa said, "I feel sorry about your state! You cannot imagine one ship running without some one looking after its affairs. Yet you think that for this whole world, which runs exactly and precisely, there is no one who looks after it, and no one owns it."

    Hearing the reply, the atheist was left speechless but he found out more about Haqq (The Truth) and proclaimed Islam.



    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Imam Shaa'fi replied to the question in the following way, "The leaves of Toot (berries) are all but one. Each leaf tastes exactly the same. Insects, honey bees, cows, goats, and deer live off of it. After eating these the insects produce silk; bees produce honey; deer give musk (a special kind of scent), cows and goats deliver off-springs. Is this not clear evidence that one kind of leaf has so many qualities, and who created these qualities? It is the Khaliq (Creator) who we call Allah (S.W.T.) Who is the Inventor and the Creator."



    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal reflected on the question in the following way. He said, "There is an incredibly strong fort, it has no doors, there is no way to get in. In fact, there is not even a hole in it. From outside it glows like the moon and from inside it shimmers like gold. It is sealed from all sides, matter of fact it is air tight. Suddenly one of its doors breaks down, a living thing with eyes and ears, a beautiful looking animal appears yelling and wandering all over. So is not there a creator who made it possible for life to take place in this secured and closed fort? And is not this Creator better than humans? This Creator has no limit." Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was referring to an egg which is closed from all sides but Allah (S.W.T.) The Khaliq (Creator) puts life in it and a chick pops out.



    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Judge yourselves before you are judged on the Day of Resurrection. Make an assessment of yourself before you are called upon to account for your conduct in this existence.

    Ali, Fourth Khalifa (caliph) of Islam
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    http://get.to/islam (see other articles, for example, Best Kept Secret, A Scholar Visits China, and The Athiest in the Poems and Stories link.)

    Thank you for taking the time to read this. May you benefit from it, amen.

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  • by Kim Siever on November 29th, 2004

    Kim Siever

    You cannot know. At least not in the same way we know the sun exists. However, that is the way it should be. There is something to be said for people whose actions are motivated by faith rather than personal motive.

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  • by Im Alec has abandoned this account on December 5th, 2009

    Im Alec has abandoned this account

    There is no solid evidence for one.

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  • by SaraBella on October 11th, 2005

    SaraBella

    You, yourself are the most fit person to be answering this question.
    Regardless of what anyone (other than yourself) tells you, if it does not come from within, it will mean nothing to you. This is one of those things that an external source can not solve for you.

    Sit alone in quite reflection and ask "Is there a God and how do I know that?” trust the answer that you receive, it will be correct. The answer may come as a feeling or a thought, it may come right away or later on but you will know when it has arrived because suddenly you will have an answer to your question.

    I commend your curiosity and wish you the best in your endeavors.

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  • by Jake Weaver on November 28th, 2004

    Jake Weaver

    I have been raised in a God loving home, but it took a long time for me to really believe. I guess at one point I got tired of searching, and I began to live for God, and I immediately noticed a change in my life. Life is still hard and nothing comes easy, but the hope I get in knowing I'm going to heaven outweighs the bad.

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  • by Lachesis on November 26th, 2004

    Lachesis

    God: "Yes, I exist"
    Man: "Hmmm we're not convinced. I know, lets make up lots of gods to play it safe and then kill each other over them"
    God: "Bugger"

    But, seriously, its completely a matter of opinion and personal belief- there is, as of yet, no real way of proving or disproving the existance of any kind of higher power.

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  • by fabolous on July 21st, 2004

    fabolous

    To be straightfoward THERE IS NO GOD... life was never created it was always here.. see 1 + -1 = 0 . lets say 1 is something and -1 is nothing.
    we know that the universe is just a big blop of nothing but then again..
    if u think about it, nothing IS something.. so u see for there to be nothing
    there must be something... it has to be balanced out
    for there to be something there must be nothing so for there to be
    life there has to be nothing, which we know. the space is never ending
    therefore it is nothing but for that nothing to be there, there has to be
    something and that something is LIFE.... LIFE AND NOTHING was always here and no one created them both... no one says that there
    has to be absolutely nothing before there is life, there can be both
    and thats how it probably is.. life and nothingness was always here
    no god, no one created us, we were always here and always will be!

    i hope this helped you but keep thinking about it if it dosnt make sense
    the first time it will after u think about it

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  • by syosh2024 on October 4th, 2003

    syosh2024

    It depends what you mean by "how do we know"? If by "know" you're expecting an answer akin to a mathematical, indefatigible proof, there's little in life at all that can be "known". Otherwise, if an open-minded yet critically-minded seeker is asking the question, then the answer is: to investigate religious claims. Start with the major religions, not because more is truer but because there is a greater chance that there are extremely intelligent people in them who've thought things through and could lend you good insights or arguments to ponder over, and if these religions have lasted over generations, that says something. Start with the direct sources themselves (e.g., the Bible). Start with those religions that have been open to public scholarly debate, research, and publication. This shows a kind of intellectual-honesty allowing you to see a breadth of views once you've considered the sources. Of course, you can read the major objectors to theism, but that should be secondary. If I wanted to be sure God did not exist, I would want to be able to object directly to the sources claiming to reveal God rather than depending on someone else's objection. In the same way, if I wanted to be sure God did exist, I would want to be able to verify those same sources for myself rather than relying upon someone else's belief. Finally, all "knowledge" even by philosophical standards is ultimately an act of faith. (Classical "knowledge" is defined as "justified, true belief".) So "faith" is not a species of religion only but all epistemology. Any choice you make will be a faith-choice (also since no human being is omniscient). How well-informed of a faith-choice it will be is your responsibility.

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  • by Friartuck on October 24th, 2011

    Friartuck

    Probably not. Certainly the many thousands we have on offer currently are distinctly man-made.

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  • by chung32 on November 28th, 2004

    chung32

    It depends on your definition of God.
    Some people see God as a force, like light or gravity, only God is the force of morality.
    Some see Him as a being, like an all-powerful and/or all-knowing parent.
    Some see Him as one being made out of many lesser gods (for example, in some forms of Hinduism.)
    Some see Him as a subliminal system, like nature or physics, that just exists and affects us by laws we can't understand.
    Some see Him as a crutch for people with not enough personal strength, and believe he is needed by some people as an "imaginary friend" or used by society to control people or explain the unknown, such as death.
    Whatever your definition, there is no way to prove God exists using already defined senses such as sight and touch. If we were to apply the same rationale to his existence as we were to Santa Claus's existence, we would say he does not exist. But religious people use their intuition (which is just as legitimate) rather than logic. He is a theory, and that doesn't mean that he does or does not exist. His existence cannot be proved to those who believe he doesn't exist. At the same time, His nonexistence cannot be proved to those that truly believe he exists.
    I love paradoxes.
    by the way, babies are atheists. Organized religion does not come naturally.

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  • by wickedwillie on November 28th, 2003

    wickedwillie

    I don't believe in (a) God myself, but if people who do get strength or comfort out of praying to him, it is a usefull concept. In that case God does exist, in their minds and/or harts, it's a spiritual, but power giving entity.

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  • by Sodapop on August 21st, 2009

    Sodapop

    I worship Martha Stewart too.. ;)

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  • by A on November 23rd, 2006

    A

    This is where faith comes into the picture on both sides. Those who do not believe in God have faith that there is no God, and those who do have faith that there is a God.

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  • by cetrip on June 13th, 2006

    cetrip

    God exists just like time exists, u cant see time but u kno it exists right? same with god. also how can molecules make emotions like love and joy

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  • by Answers101 on February 19th, 2006

    Answers101

    We know God exists by faith. Our faith is not by sight, but by belief. We also know that God exists because He created the world, outerspace and every living and non-living thing; including, ALL of the planets, galaxies, etc.

    For more information about God and His creation and how we all fit in His big picture, then I highly suggest His book, The Holy Bible.

    I hope this helps to answer your question to your satisfaction! :0)

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  • by Alatea on November 4th, 2005

    Alatea

    There are many “gods” but only one God.

    The gods of greed, arrogance and power appear easy to prove because humanity has chosen them as its leader. It has manipulated all things good for its own benefit. Those benefits are short lived in the grand plan.

    God isn’t found in books, temples, synagogues, mosques or churches. He’s not found in the opinions of others. His creation surrounds us and one glance at the detail is proof that a designer exists. Within the chaos and noise there’s a beauty often unrecognised.

    The very fact you ask if there’s a God is proof of one. He gave you intellect to ask the question. Throughout life we hear many conclusions and opinions but what matters most is our recognition of the proof we seek.

    When humility is found in others and ourselves then God is showing proof of His existence. This is the proof that God gives the seeker.

    It’s about recognition of greatness when it presents itself.

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  • by Wisdom on July 28th, 2005

    Wisdom

    I certainly hope not! (well not the Christian/Jew/Islam God anyway) The God depicted in the Torah is one angry, mean son of a bitch without an ounce of compassion.
    For example, when Moses went up Mt. Sinai to recieve the ten commandments, God informed Moses that if one of his people tried to climb or even touch His mountain, He would kill them and curse their children. He then went on to demand gold, silver, fine linen and other nice things as gifts, and also a solid gold box for Him to live in (the Ark).
    He also demanded that Moses sacrafice his favourate son (Issac or Ishmail, depending on who you ask) to prove his loyalty.

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  • by quaternity on June 20th, 2005

    quaternity

    The only way a person may "know" that a god exists is through what one perceives to be direct personal experience; empirical evidence of God. Therefore, my knowledge or lack of knowledge is completely irrelevent to another person, at least as far as "knowing" goes.... This is the root of the "gnostic" Christianity of antiquity; a claim of having knowledge, not a belief.

    That being said, there is no method by which God's existance can be proven by science at this time. No alleged 'evidence of design' proves the existance of God; the simple fact that there is complexity in the world doesn't mean that it must necessarily be a product of intelligence; that is to large a step in deduction There may very well be design, but there is no direct evidence of it. People frequently cite an analogy that goes something like this: 'for life to evolve in the form that it has would be as unlikely as Mount Rushmore being formed by wind and water erosion.' But this analogy always refers to inanimate things and is ultimately a faulty analogy because inanimate things are inherently different from living things.

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  • by Alex Durrani on May 3rd, 2005

    Alex Durrani

    A Quote from the Excellent "The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams ->

    Now it is such a bizarrely improbably coincidence that anything so mindbogglingly useful [the Babel fish] could have evolved by chance that some thinkers have chosen to see it as a final and clinching proof of the non-existence of God.
    The argument goes something like this: "I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."
    "But," says Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. QED."
    "Oh dear," says God, "I hadn't thought of that," and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.

    -- Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (book one of the increasingly inaccurately-named trilogy of five Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy books), p. 50

    My Opinion-> Know one really knows if he exists or not. I personally don't believe in a higher power, and if he was proved to exist, you would just be left with the question "Who created God?" Equally difficult!!

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  • by jesusfreak289 on May 1st, 2005

    jesusfreak289

    I feel the same way that a lot of people before have before, I believe you can never know if God exists. It is a question of faith. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "being sure of what we hope for; faith is being certain of what we do not see." So, to recapitulate, it's a question of faith. You can't physically know God exists, but you can know that God exists spiritually through faith,

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  • by Sunblynd 5.0 on January 2nd, 2005

    Sunblynd 5.0

    My dad asked me a long time ago before he died, How do you know if you go to heaven or hell when you die?

    You know in your heart I replied. What faith do you have in your heart?
    Do you believe (faith) that god exists? If you do, then he exists. If you dont then he doesnt. You have to invite god into your being, whatever god that is.

    God is not an invisible man in the sky,...but everything and everyone around you. We are part of a collective, connected to the infinite universe. All this energy is one being...not two.

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  • by TRAVIS SIMPSON on February 16th, 2004

    TRAVIS SIMPSON

    Every being of existence is proof that God exist. Say something like the big bang theory is true. How does that explain all of the other things that are apart of life. Albert Einstien said " how on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so importanta biological phenomenon as first love". There is no possible way that any man could create something as great as faith, hope, and love. One must recognize that there is a God and that God loves them very much. It is no mistake that you woke up this morning. Albert Einstien also said " there are two ways to live your life. One as though nothing is a miracle. The other as though everything is a miracle."

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  • by MrJosh on October 24th, 2011

    MrJosh

    The only answer is, we don't know. However, depending on the particular god we are talking about, near 50/50 to near nil.

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  • by drequeen on October 24th, 2011

    drequeen

    No explaination necessary. Only you can answer that.

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  • by Stranger in a Strange Land on December 5th, 2009

    Stranger in a Strange Land

    Probably not. +5

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  • by 23Skidoo on August 21st, 2009

    23Skidoo

    Outside that fertile human imagination?

    Nope.

    +5

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  • by Buzz1962 on August 21st, 2009

    Buzz1962

    There are many thousands of gods. However, since they are all fictional the answer to your question is HELL NO!!!!!!!

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  • by pudzey101 on July 7th, 2006

    pudzey101

    theres no such thing as god

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  • by Anon on April 22nd, 2006

    Anon

    The question should not be "Is there a god..?", but "Is there a God beyond the realms of the human mind, and human society?". In other words, does a God/s exist outside the human and social phsyke? And would God exist without us?

    I believe God to be a fix in the human phsyke. Imagaine the first spark of intelegent conscience in the human animal. It would have probably started with the basics, thinking about the best way to hunt an animal, or the best shelter to use, where to go, who to mate with. But as the human intelegence grew, and hunting food, shelter, and mating become more effecient, then the human mind would be more free to think about other things. Why, what, how? The mind would begin to question everything around in an attempt to understand. These questions would soon amount, and soon they would turn inward, such as who am I, why am I, what am I, etc.

    Relegion, or a beleif in some supernatural force, was an easy answer to many questions. For example, the thunder bolt (which of course is lightning, not thunder) in Greek mythology was zeus, the God of Gods. We now know this to be friction in the air due to hot air rising. Our minds are satisfied with this answer, as were the greeks with theirs, and both answers are valid in their own way. With the mind satisfied, the modern human is able to grow into social groups and communities, and expand with technology, politics, and economy. But these communities would all grow around the beliefs. Think about it, there is not one society in human history that didn't have a belief system that was shared by all, and governed its society in some way. Whether it was the Inca's, Greeks, Red Indians, Egyptians, Romans, Saxons, Mongolians, etc. What are our beliefs, but answers to questions. And since every society ever, created a belief system (relegious or otherwise), then every human must have an underlying need to answer questions.

    Relegion and God were needed in the early stages of complex society. They united people, gave universal laws, and promised universal justice. But most of all, they gave answers.

    With the growth of science and non relegious leadership, more and more people became athiest and turned to logic and science. But nothing has really changed, although you no longer beleive in god, you are merley changing the answers to your questions. It is the answers you need, not God. God is merely a product of the question, a product of a beleif in an answer.

    So there is no question of Gods existence, his effect can be seen around you, without him or a belief in him, the modern world would not exist in its current state. It is other peoples belief in a God that formed there decisions, and moulded our future. But questions still remain, would God exist without the human phsyke? And would God exist without the questions? Do we give as much meaning to Gods existence, as God gives meaning to ours? Do we really need a God, heaven, and eternal life; or are we actually just after a definite answer and an understanding of ourselves?

    So in answer to your question. Yes God exists, he exists in the form of an answer.

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  • by jeaniefirst on April 17th, 2006

    jeaniefirst

    You will never know, just as none of us will ever know the answer to that question. Its like the question, where does the universe end?, we simply cant answer that, its the same as infinity, we dont as humans, or cant conceive the answer to it.

    One of the above answers says to have faith, yes that a good idea, but more importantly is to have faith in yourself, know that the choices you make in life are good choices, that what you do in day to day decisions is morally correct, that you dont impinge on others, that you dont hurt, or decry others choices, that you are responsible for where you head, and from where you come, that you can change your outcome, and you can make the correct choices, that will lead you along a path of life choices that should keep you happy and safe, and being able to offer others help and safety along the way.

    Dont wait for god to do that, you are completley free and able to do so yourself. If there is no god, who else is going to take control of your life, only you, so dont wait, have faith in yourself.

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  • by kamal jamal on March 28th, 2006

    kamal jamal

    Can i car comes to exsiting by itelf? no......so how can this world come to existing without a creator? .. so it means that there is a power and he control all the activities of the his creatures and this creator should be alone... he should no have a partner and son ,, if he has son so when this god dies his son should control his activities,,, or if he has a partner it is impossible for two people to not have disagreement ,,, just think for second if they have some disagreement what will be the result?

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  • by Answers101 on March 20th, 2006

    Answers101

    We know that God exists through faith and by seeing everything around us that He created.

    I hope this helps!

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  • by Anonymous on November 16th, 2005

    Anonymous

    There is no God? Then who made apple trees...

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  • by Exachix on September 13th, 2005

    Exachix

    You can never prove if he exists, because proof denies faith, and without faith there is no god.

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  • by An0nym0us on August 15th, 2005

    An0nym0us

    One cannot.

    What I CAN tell you is that in 26 years I have seen absolutely NO evidence to prove that a "God" DOES exist... I have seen / experienced many surprising, hard to explain, and "miracle-like" occurances but almost all have a scientific and verifiable cause if analysed in enough depth. The things that do not are more likely to be because we do not understand them than because some imaginary friend for adults made them appear out of thin air. Have you been to a magic show? Can you explain all the tricks? Just my two cents worth...

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  • by Dakini on July 26th, 2005

    Dakini

    No one is gonna read my answer, look how many there are, but.....

    In the spirit of "As above, so below", here is an exercise in the "real world" that might help you answer this question about the metaphysical world.

    Look at a rainbow. Not just a picture, but a "real" one. Did you know you are seeing two different rainbows? One for each eye. The lens of your eyes allow for the gathering of the "split" white light into something viewable.

    When you move your head back and forth, are you seeing the same rainbow from one position as another?

    Now close one eye. Did the rainbow that the eye was seeing continue to exist? What makes a rainbow "exist"?

    God, being transendant of this world, is like a rainbow.

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  • by scymitar72 on June 22nd, 2005

    scymitar72

    Faith.

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