Reply #14: short & dirty answers [View All]

"Is it because of tradition?" I think that plays a large part in my own spirituality. Had I been born a Muslim, I would most likely be a practicing Muslim.

"Is it because of prayer?" Yes! When I pray for more than just a moment, I feel different. Is it biochemistry? A higher power? Both? I dont know for certain, but when I pray I awaken a part of me that feels right.

"Is it because of the social services that your church provides..." Im not sure thats a reason for WHY I believe in God, but it certainly reinforces my faith. The Bible, my upbringing, and my own moral compass all point me down that road. I fall short but I hope I will improve. I dont spend nearly enough time in the service of the less fortunate.

"Is it because there seem to be forces unexplainable in the world..." This is a certainty, that there are things which the human mind is (in my POV) incapable of comprehending. Like the scale of the universe. You can kind of get a fuzzy idea of how big it is but you will never really "get it." The concept of God helps to ease my mind. I think to myself, "Its beyond your understanding. Accept it and move on." This frame of mind certainly doesnt require a God, but since I accept the existence of God, it fits with my world-view. (p.s. side note. I teach Earth Science. I saw a calculation which tried to give a comparison for the size of the universe. It said this: For every grain of sand on Earth, for every grain of sand on all the beaches, in all the deserts, EVERY little tiny speck of sand... there are ONE HUNDRED stars in the universe. The next time you go to the beach, grab a handful of the stuff and try and let THAT sink in!)

Obviously this discussion, the existence or non-existence of God has been an ongoing one since humans first had the capacity to think. No amount of arguments can prove it, one way or the other. I think it comes down to personal choice, what you choose to believe.

Never give up searching for the truth. Examine your world, try to get the deepest understanding you have, and dont get frustrated. For every argument there is a counterargument. Remember Walt Whitman. "Do I contradict myself? Very well, I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes." Its the searching that is important. Hang in there :)