Why believe in God at all?

[nobspeople]

The obvious, selfish answer is 'to get into heaven'. But why else? Why should one believe in god? A god that plays aloof, many times allows the bed to prosper while the good suffer; a god that can create the whole of everything yet needs your money for his churches and spreading his word; a god that allowed the whole species to fall into sin right off the bat; a god that required himself/his son/himself to live and 'die' as a sacrifice to cover the sins of his creation - sins which he allowed; a god that allows 'wolves' into his flock to guide his 'sheep'; a god that won't allow himself to be proven and, instead, relies on faith - faith of flawed creatures - then allows eternal damnation (again, according to some) for not having enough faith; a god that allows his own disciples to argue amongst themselves over, many times, small, ambiguous things; a god that couldn't even write his own story; a god that seems to favor some over others; a god that can't be fully understood. And so on.
What benefits, outside of heaven, does God give that no one or nothing else gives?

[POI]

Why should one believe in god?

Here's my current take... I have found, that many Christians believe in god for one ultimate reason. They feel they have, or do experience his presence. Christians will contest a 'witness of the holy spirit'. And because of this/these experience(s), they will defend all comers, who bring up topics, for which they will feel they need to defend.

It's really not much different then having a staunch democrat defend their position against republicans. No amount of debate will change their current stance, to immediately become a republican. Maybe much over time, but not immediately anyways.... Core beliefs usually take time to deviate. I used to be a Christian. It took a long time to no longer believe.

I also used to be more of a democrat. But now, I'm more independent... Religion and politics are emotional topics, and sometimes necessitate some levels of cognitive dissonance

Further, many did not reason their way into belief in god. Hence, it stands to reason, they cannot be reasoned out of their faith -- (pun intended).

As William Lang Craig has pointed out, on more than one occasion... (Paraphrased) "If it should turn out that all the evidence available to me controverts the testimony of the living Christ, I will still believe." This is because he truly feels he communicates, or at least has had experience(s) from 'god'. Which begs a follow up question.....

How do you know it is the "Holy Spirit" for which you are communicating?

[Eloi]

Why should I believe that I have a father who begot me and a mother who gave birth to me?

The existence of my biological parents has absolutely nothing to do with the personal relationship I have with them.

[Miles]

Why should I believe that I have a father who begot me and a mother who gave birth to me?

Perhaps it's because you admit to such a genesis in your very next sentence.

The existence of my biological parents has absolutely nothing to do with the personal relationship I have with them.

And I'm curious as to just what kind of personal relationship you have with them. Care to share?


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[Eloi]

Why should I believe that I have a father who begot me and a mother who gave birth to me?

Perhaps it's because you admit to such a genesis in your very next sentence.

The existence of my biological parents has absolutely nothing to do with the personal relationship I have with them.

And I'm curious as to just what kind of personal relationship you have with them. Care to share?


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My relation with my parents is very good; both of them, still alive, share my beliefs. Satisfied?

The same way I don't need a reason to acept the existence of my parents, beside my relationship with any of them, there is not a reason to doubt about the existence of the Creator of the Universe.

[1213]

The obvious, selfish answer is 'to get into heaven'....

That is not very wise, because eternal life is not promised for believing that God is real.

[Miles]

The same way I don't need a reason to acept the existence of my parents, beside my relationship with any of them,

Assuming that "beside my relationship with any of them" is the reason you accept the existence of your parents, lacking any such relationship with other people do you doubt their existence? If not, why not?

I do not need a reason to doubt about the existence of the Creator of the Universe.

How about a lack of any persuasive evidence? However, if you do indeed have such persuasive evidence, what is it?


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[Eloi]

(...) How about a lack of any persuasive evidence? However, if you do indeed have such persuasive evidence, what is it?

It seems that it is very difficult for some forum participants to understand the ideas that are posted.

In other words: even if I had no relationship with my parents, or had never even met them, I would be sure that a man and a woman participated in my formation. I do not need any "persuasive evidence" to know that the Universe was created by God; it exists, as I do.

[Diagoras]

[Replying to Eloi in post #8]

This could get off-topic rather quickly if we start debating evidence for God creating the universe. The original OP asked:

What benefits, outside of heaven, does God give that no one or nothing else gives?

Are you making a claim (first suggested by POI) that a benefit that you experience is 'having a personal relationship with God'?

[Eloi]

[Replying to Eloi in post #8]

This could get off-topic rather quickly if we start debating evidence for God creating the universe. The original OP asked:

What benefits, outside of heaven, does God give that no one or nothing else gives?

Are you making a claim (first suggested by POI) that a benefit that you experience is 'having a personal relationship with God'?

You are lost ... I never said that.