No one can ever truly know if God exist, but still we believe in Him.....but are we lying to ourselves just to be happy, to make our world simple? Life starts out empty, but it's up to us to fill that void.  So is that the true purpose of religion?  Wouldn't we be better off studying the arts (reading books, watching movies, TV, listening to soulful music, poetry)?
132942
King Solomon in in his older years had strayed away from God and tried to find the meaning of life with other things. In his search he fell into a deep depression. You can read about it in Ecclesiastes.\nBasically he finds that his life is empty without God and that all earthly things do not matter. He returned to follow God and found his joy.
590
Hi,\n\nI believe there is such things as absolute truth, variations only stand when different people believe differently.\n\nWhere do we go when we die? All brings back to the very reason for existence, very reason why God created mankind. (N.B. I do believe in God) Did God created man so that he could spend his time leisuring, get drunk, fool around, have intercourse for fun etc?\n\nYou asked for opinion and this is mine: No, God did not create us just for fun without any particular reason. The Supreme ONE must have had a cause for all of us. As for me, I believe that we are all created to 'enslave' ourselves to Him. Life is a test, and only His worthy subjects will be rewarded with heaven in hereafter.\n\nSurely, He must have provided us with a manual for us to navigate ourselves in life i.e. finding the true path to Him. Like we when buy a car, the manufacturer provides us with the manual. So it is up to us to look into the manual, or rather to look FOR the manual in any old 'drawer' that we might have misplaced it.\n\nGood luck. May God bless you.
391662
It is not the purpose of most religions to explain the physical properties of the universe.  It is not God's stated purpose to teach the physical workings of the universe.  The bible pretty much leaves an open question regarding man's future and ongoing exploration of the physical universe.\n\nSo, yeah, I'd expect astronomers (atheist or otherwise) to tell us more about the universe that God.  I don't think that violates any expectations, religious or otherwise.
132456
First of all: I consider it really important to base your faith upon something that is reasonable, because if you do not do so, when faith is replaced by doubt, it would be really difficult to sustain. according to this, I consider that God is evident because: if we, the world we live in, and the whole universe surrounding us exist, then we could say that "Emptiness" (understand this as the lack of everything  doesn't exist), therefore Everything (understand this as the total lack of Emptiness) exists, therefore God (or something that could be considered to be infinite and eternal exists.=)
110984
How do we know that atoms aren't conscious?  If we are made of the same spacedust that everything in the universe is, albeit in a complex and dynamic arrangement, then perhaps all matter and even time itself has a form of existence and experience.  Maybe we are not even individuals.  Just because most people think they are making decisions for themselves doesn't mean they are just running on some form of autopilot.  I read that the part of the brain involved in complex decision making processes finishes neural activity sometimes up to two minutes before a person thinks 'they' have decided.   On the matter of whether God created us for his own sake, I think it would be alot more likely that people created the concept of God for their own sakes.  If we are in God's soup, I'd liken our fate more to that of a fly than a cracker.
153240
I think each religion is a way for people to make sense out of their lives. It's a way to find purpose or meaning for the things they do each day. I don't believe there is any one correct religion. And I doubt that God (howeer God is defined) looks upon earth and decides that he likes some of us better than others simply because of the way he is worshipped. (I'm using "he" only as a convenient word.) In fact, I believe that God does not particularly appreciate it when people use hatred against each other simply because of a difference in religious practice. As Buddha said, "There are many paths to the top of the mountain."
87290
How often do you ask yourself "What’s it all about?"" What’s my purpose?" "Where am I going?" Like most people, many times I would imagine.\n\nIn reality we won’t know the answer to that question while we are alive. We can speculate and guess and make educated hypotheses. We can also learn to listen to our inner voice, telling us that something just feels right.\n\nFor some, being on Earth is to wake up in the morning, do your “thing” during the day and go to bed at night, then repeat it all the next day; with no in-depth meaning of what life is about. For others, being on Earth is about experiencing life, being glad you are alive and looking forward to the next day because it has meaning for you.\n\nThere will always be extremists who believe in one extreme or another. At one end are the people who view life as having no meaning. They don’t believe in God or any form of a higher Being. Its okay when things are going well but they are ill equipped to handle the rough spots. At the other end are the people who have a deep-seated belief in a Divine Being. These people have something to fall back onto when the going gets rough. It may still be painful but nevertheless, they have some form of meaning in their life.\n\nWhy are we here? Those who have no religious or spiritual beliefs won’t care very much. “Maybe its all an accident of nature” say some. “We were cloned and put here from another planet to populate Earth” say others. Fortunately, there are many that believe that we are here on planet Earth to grow in consciousness, to express love and even be a co-creator with God.\n\nSurprisingly, many people who live in tyranny and desperate poverty are able to grow in consciousness despite the absence of outside ideas or help. One would think that the daily challenge of subsistence living would take all of their effort. Nevertheless, many develop a deep belief system –individually or with their local group- and often seem to achieve that growth more quickly than people in more affluent countries.\n\nWe should never lose sight of the fact that the United States is a wonderful place to live. Here we have above all, freedom of speech and belief. Our environment is conducive for learning and expanding our consciousness. However, all the luxuries that we have often make us lose track of the significance of keeping in touch with our spiritual side. To grow in consciousness and be an expression of the Divine Source requires some effort on our part. But, it is well worth the effort.\n\nThink of your life as an expression of God, experiencing a journey on planet Earth. Learning to be a creature of love, still faced with trials and obstacles of everyday life but developing faith and trust in a Divine Plan. Know that there is a reason for your life, and if we all start by trusting the Divine Source, life is less painful, more tranquil, and more rewarding. We all have a choice in life; to be kind and understanding or be cold and uncaring, with no concern for others. You will find that life actually goes more smoothly for you if you follow the path of Loving-Kindness.\n\nEvery time someone does a kind deed or says words of kindness it helps to raise the level of consciousness as a whole. Just think what a wonderful world it would be, if everyday each person consciously committed an act of loving-kindness. It doesn’t take much, just a smile or even making eye contact with someone whom is in need of a “pick me up.” Then think what the world would be like if we all went around self-serving and full of bitterness, each person caring only for him or her self. Not a very pretty picture, surely not what the Creator had in mind, not what its all about.\n\nThe world is made a better place one step at a time by each one of us taking the time to be considerate and caring. It really doesn't take much effort on our part and the benefits are well worth it. Try it, you might like it
370383
If there is no God, then I have two things to consider: Either there is an afterlife, or there is not. If there is none, then there is no me to be sad. If there is, then I hope that I will have lived the life I wanted to.\n\nIn any event, I am striving to live a life that I will be proud of when I die. Whether there is or is not some God, Goddess or Deity, I hope that I can be proud of the life I have lived when it is time for me to travel to the summerland.
249228
Woo hoo, a comment clearly designed to start a big argument on here, which I don't agree with, everyone has their own opinions!\n\nHowever, I sense that the basis of your point is that there is no real hard evidence to sustain the existence of any god, which is not the same as saying he doesn't exist, but is a definite statement to say that wehave no way of knowing. \n\nSo why everyone doesn't just live their life based upon earthly things, eg looking after and revering the earth around us, rather than pinning our hopes on some concept of a higher being, I don't know. \n\n(by the way, there IS actually hard evidence to suggest that the whole idea of a god stems from a part of the human brain, which operates only to convince us of a higher power, so we feel more significant than we actually are..)
170759
I'm an athiest as well.  Religion just didnt do it for me as i got older.  I guess i leaned more toward science.  I have no problem with there not being an afterlife.  Seriously, why have 2 lifes?  One here and one in heaven?  Just doesnt make sence.  And why does there need to be a god?  I think people just need a crutch to lean on in times of need.  But let me ask this, when you try and do something good, is it for your fellow man, or to make god happy?
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If god in fact exists, and actually did create people, then that is a very interesting point.  So basically what you are saying is, either god doesn't exists, or if he does exist then he is irrelevant.  Sweet.\n\n~Kyle
61095
Sounds good.  But why pray to the universe?  Is the universe conscious?\n\nAnd it does sound a lot like some things other religions have, like Eastern Religions.  Hmmm, perhaps you should study them and see if there are other good ideas they have to add to your Purist religion.\n\nGood luck with your religion.  ;)\n\nEDIT:  Oh yeah, and let me know if you get anywhere with it, because I am going to be a religious studies professor.  Wouldn't want to leave your religion out.  :-D\n\n2nd EDIT:  I didn't mean to imply you ripped off an Eastern Religion.  How do you think they came up with their ideas?  They contemplated the universe and the self!  And that is what you are doing.  That is why you both come to the same truths.  I only suggested to research them because if there is something good in them, then there is no sense in reinventing the wheel.
209607
the purpose of human life hmmm..even i wonder that...well acc. to our philosophy there are 8400000 species of living forms on earth...of which only the human form has the ability to perform an action or "karma" so we have been given this chance to liberate our souls or thoughts whatever u may call it "aham" or "I".... to get rid from the cycle of birth and rebirth ...that's the purpose...how we got here....coz the universe if u look at it as a single entity...it decided somehow to divide and keep dividing...that's how we were born....when we die nothing great really happens except that it depends on ur actions and the extent to which u have reined in or let loose ur thoughts...it really depends on "U" ...death is just a door to another realm of existence....is there a god...mmmmm no...and yes....a god in the physical sense no ... and god as in the whole universe (including YOU) as a single entity ...that's god...hip hop is good at times for me :) well neither the 50 cents nor the game for me...i'm indian :) before we were born .... we were souls fighting with other souls to grab that oppurtunity of human birth when the seed was laid....the universe is infinte ...no one knows the size ....not even god.....something like ...do u know how good can u be????....:) \n\nhope this answers at least some of ur doubts...
563734
first we have to know are we a belivers or not ??? becouse if yes have many concepts but if no the is nothing to answer \nlets say it is yes so my answer will be like this way\n       The question of God's existence has preoccupied man's mind for many centuries. Those who believe in God seem to agree that the limited finite human intelligence cannot prove the existence of the infinite boundless God. It can only illustrate or demonstrate his existence to the satisfaction of the curious human mind. Those who deny God claim to rely on science, \nphilosophy, or special theories of knowledge. Their arguments are sometimes inapplicable, sometimes irrelevant, always complex, and often incomprehensible. However, the developed mind will find its way to Allah. Failure to find the way does not mean that there is no way. Denial of reality does not make it unreal. \n\n       As we look around in our environments, we see that every family has a head: every school has a principal, every city or town has a mayor; every province or state has a premier/governor; and every nation has a head of state. Moreover, we know beyond doubt that every beautiful art is the creation of some great artist. All this is obvious, yet it does not satisfy the hunger for knowledge and the curiosity of man about the great things in the world. One often wonders at the beauties of nature with its scenic charm and marvels; the almost endless horizons in the sky and their far-reaching expansions; the ceaseless succession of day and night in the most orderly manner; the course of the sun, the moon, and the great stars; the world of animate and inanimate objects, the continuous process and evolution of man, generation after generation. One often wonders because one would like to know the maker and maintainer of all these things with which we live and which we immensely enjoy. Can we find an explanation of the great universe? Is there any convincing interpretation of the secret of existence? We realise that no family can function properly without a responsible head, that no city can prosperously exist without sound administration, and that no state can survive without a chief of some kind. We also realise that nothing comes into being on its own. Moreover we observe that the universe exists and functions in the most orderly manner, and that it has survived for hundreds of thousands of years. Can we, then, say that all this is accidental and haphazard? Or can we attribute the existence of man and the whole world to mere chance?\n\n      If man were to come into being by  accident or by sheer chance, his entire life would be based on chance, and his whole existence would be meaningless, and no rational being would leave his existence at the mercy of fluctuating chance. Every reasonable human being tries to make his life as meaningful as possible and set for himself a model of conduct according to some design. Individuals, groups and nations do plan their course of action. And every careful plan produces some desired effects. The fact of the matter is that man does engage in planning of one sort or another, and can appreciate the merits of good planning. Yet man represents only a very small portion of the great universe. And if he can make plans and appreciate the merits of planning, then his own existence and the survival of the universe must also be based on a planned policy. This means that there is a Designing Will behind our material existence, and that there is a Unique Mind in the world to bring things into being and keep them moving in order. The marvellous wonders of our world and the secrets of life are too great to be the product of random accident or mere chance. In the world, then there must be a Great Force in action to keep everything in order.\n\n       In the beautiful nature there must be a Great Artist who creates the most charming pieces of art and produces everything for a special purpose in life. This Force is the strongest of all forces, and thi
576347
religion is important for people to feel that they belong and to have meaning in their lives.  most can't live their life to just enjoy it, but need a purpose to it and need something to follow.\n\nbut can you imagine a world without religion, no religion could be its own religion.  everyone would believe the same.  nobody would feel superior over another and treat others like inferiors.  nobody would be battling and killing one another because of beliefs.  \n\ni don't know, maybe it would be a better world with everyone having the same understanding of life.  people would treat one another better and see each other as equals.  interesting concept, but this will never happen - that's for sure.
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That's the beauty of the human mind.  Many people are able to completely block out logical questions such as this one.\n\nI think that, if you're a good person, you'll wind up with a good afterlife (if such a thing exists).  No one can prove anything conclusively about any religion, so we should just do what makes us happy, as long as it's not harmful to ourselves or others.
339773
Every now and then I'll take a chance and answer this.  \n\nIf God created us, he created us for a reason.  This suggests we can have purpose.  Our human potential is set at the moment of conception, genetically.  God, can assess how you did against your potential.  It is up to you.\n\nThe other side.  Life is totally materialistic.  Everthing is cause and effect.  If so, how can you have an original idea.  How would it be caused.  It is random?  Sorry!  I have random ideas, but I also think, I assess, I understand, I think, I am me.  Life is not materialistic, at least to me, unless I am deluded.  By the way, if I am deluded, so are you.  I am not, I believe, thus, life is not materialistic.  Think about it!\n\nBottom Line:  atheism leads to no free will.  A creator allows free will.  \n\nSorry, just seems to be the way it is.  If you are facing a contradiction, check your premises, you will find one is wrong. \n\nBy the way, who says God knows this, or that, or whatever?  Another man?  Why?  So what does that mean?  Be honest, what does that mean?  Nothing more than your words. Did God tell you He knows all?  If so, I'd like to talk to you.      \n\nMy friend, think about what you say.  You are looking for answers, but you reject them before you start.