Why do you believe in God?
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Off the top of my head, two things. One "intellectual" and the other from personal experience.
For the intellectual reason, I think that Aristotle, St. Thomas, and Leibniz, among others, have extremely strong arguments for God. So I guess on that note, the existence of God is not really a thing of "faith" but a demonstration from first principles belonging to the science of philosophy.
The other reason is prayer, specifically, praying the Rosary. It showed me the power of God in a direct way in my own life.
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@Caray this personal sense of longing is something an author from the 20th century, Msgr. Luigi Giussani, talks about. I wonder what your thoughts on his work, The Religious Sense, would be.
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@Norwegian-Mugabe I don’t know all my true reasons, but here’s some of the main ones. The prophecy of the destruction of the Jewish temple and the end of Animal sacrifice 500 years before it happened by the Prophet Daniel in the Scriptures is what really strengthened me a lot originally in realizing the true God. The prophecies also strongly point to what Jesus did specifically, and that led me to a strong faith in Christianity. I also found that the anthropology in the Bible where mankind originally was made in a garden with fruit lined up with what I had come to know about a healthy diet, which was contrary to the type of one meal a day carnivore anthropology of mankind (this might not be important to most people but I’ve been into health/biology topics for more time then I probably should have). And I came to belief in Catholicism due to the love, miracles, and kindness of the saints in its church through years and years, the way it was the backbone of the largest growth in civilization, and most importantly how well it lined up with Scripture and logical coherence. My faith grows when I see reality map out more and more onto what I already believe by faith,
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@sztrapacska Thank you, I'd never heard of him. Will check It out.
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My friend, there's really no intellectual argument that would prove the existence of God, since by definition God surpasses reason. Instead, we can only find crumbs of evidence scattered within and with-out us.
I, for one, seek to destroy my faith, by the doings of hammer or fire, and from that destruction raise an unshakable knowing that permeates my perception, reality, and being for it is only the mystical experience that can reveal the mystery, or the direct connection with spirit that can instill in me the divine spark, not some theological argument that relies on internally consistent models and concepts.
-BigusDickus
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In prayer, one experiences the presence of God to the fullest possibility of one's absence. And within that holy absence, even in someone who is but slightly purified, there is more joy and severe profundity than any earthly experience.
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I would not say that I believe in god as per religion, however there are times when I am in nature, and I look to a vast mountainous landscape or a small pond adorned with lilies and I can't help but feel that god does exist, that some creative force had to have designed all of this. It's too beautiful to be an accident--but if it is an accident then that's ok as well : )
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I believe in God because he exists, whether I believe in him or not. There’s plenty of philosophical arguments that prove his existence.
Furthermore, I believe in God because has revealed himself to man in various ways, primarily through the incarnation.
On a more personal note, the times in my life when I was the most focused, energetic, and happy was when I had my spiritual life rightly ordered.
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Thomas Aquinas' argument is succinct and interesting.
- Nothing comes from nothing.
- We exist.
- Therefore something must have existed for all time that created us.
The item in 3 is the un-moved mover, or God.
It's also what a child intuitively seeks when they interrogate an atheist.
Where do we come from?
Our evolutionary ancestors.
Who created them?
Bacteria evolved over millions of years.
Where does that come from?
Elements formed on Earth over billions of years.
Where does Earth come from?
Galaxies and planets were formed from The Big Bang.
Why did that happen?
...
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@brad A very good argument. Very peaterian that children intuitively get it right. It seems to me that as long as there is something, there can and has never been nothing. Nothing is impossible if there is something (Conservation of Energy).
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Hi @Adonis the smartest people in history almost always talked about the value of getting to know God.
To eat from God's knowledge, is a divine diet of grace and truth.
I asked Peatbot to list the health benefits of praying, and I doubt there is many other things as beneficial for our health.
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Reduces Stress: Engaging in prayer can trigger the relaxation response, which helps reduce stress levels in the body. This can lead to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of stress-related illnesses.
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Improves Emotional Well-being: Prayer can provide a sense of comfort, hope, and strength, especially during times of emotional distress, grief, or anxiety.
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Enhances Coping Skills: For many, prayer is a way to cope with life's challenges and uncertainties, providing a sense of control and the ability to better handle difficult situations.
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Promotes Positive Attitudes: Regular prayer can lead to increased feelings of gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, and optimism, which can positively affect overall well-being.
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Encourages Healthy Behavior: Some people find that prayer motivates them to make healthier lifestyle choices, such as avoiding harmful substances or engaging in regular exercise.
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Supports Mental Health: Prayer can be a source of solace and can help reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and isolation by fostering a sense of belonging to a larger community or higher power.
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Improves Focus and Clarity: The quiet and reflective nature of prayer can improve concentration and mental clarity, allowing individuals to reflect on their lives and focus on what is important.
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Strengthens Relationships: Group prayer or prayer for others can strengthen social bonds and increase empathy and support within a community.
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Enhances Self-awareness: Prayer often involves self-reflection, which can lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth.
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Promotes Healing: Some studies suggest that prayer can have a positive effect on healing and recovery from illness, although the mechanisms and extent of this effect are still being explored.
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Increases Longevity: There is some evidence to suggest that individuals who engage in regular spiritual practices, including prayer, may have a longer lifespan, potentially due to the combined effects of reduced stress, healthier lifestyles, and increased social support.
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@brad Here is a similar kind of argument.
"Charles Taylor contends that the real is whatever will not go away. If we cannot reduce talk about God to anything else, or replace it, or prove it false, then perhaps God is as real as anything else".
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Hi @Caray , this argument was made by Anselm of Canterbury. It is some of the finest thinking in all of human history. The arguemnt is of cosmic beauty.
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We conceive of God as a being that which no greater can be conceived.
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This being that which no greater can be conceived either exists in the mind alone or both in the mind and in reality.
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Assume that this being that which no greater can be conceived exists in the mind alone.
a. Existing both in the mind and in reality is greater than existing solely in the mind.
b. This being, existing in the mind alone, can also be conceived to exist in reality.
c. This being existing in the mind alone is not therefore the being than which no greater can be conceived. (See statement 1 above.)
- Therefore, this being that which no greater can be conceived exists in reality as well as exists in the mind.
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Isn't trying to prove God's existen missing the point? You're supposed to have faith in him.
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I don’t “believe in”
Meaning
I don’t believe in my mother
I know my motherI don’t believe in God
I know Him -
Hi, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2CuAVAERjs funny short on "god"
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@bruh you have faith in what you know. The deeper you get to know God, the more meaningful your life becomes.
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I like Saint Anselm’s that-than-which-nothing-greater-can-be-thought argument. Aristotle, Plotinus, Augustine, and Aquinas are S tier too.
