does_god_exist missionary Does God exist? I find it interesting that so much attention is given to this debate. The latest surveys tell us that over 90% of people in the world today believe in the existence of God or some higher power. Yet, somehow the responsibility is placed on those who believe God does exist to somehow prove that He really does exist. To me, I think it should be the other way around. However, the existence of God cannot be proven or disproved. The Bible even says that we must accept by faith the fact that God exists, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). If God so desired, He could simply appear and prove to the whole world that He exists. But if He did that, there would be no need for faith. "Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'” (John 20:29). That does not mean, however, that there is not evidence of God’s existence. The Bible declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4). Looking at the stars, understanding the vastness of the universe, observing the wonders of nature, seeing the beauty of a sunset – all of these things point to a Creator God. If these were not enough, there is also evidence of God in our own hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us, “…He has also set eternity in the hearts of men…” There is something deep down in our beings that recognizes that there is something beyond this life and someone beyond this world. We can deny this knowledge intellectually, but God’s presence in us and through us is still there. Despite all of this, the Bible warns us that some will still deny God’s existence, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1). In addition to the Biblical arguments for God’s existence, there are logical arguments as well. First, there is the ontological argument. This argument basically says that since over 98% of people throughout history, in all cultures, in all civilizations, on all continents believe in the existence of God – there must be something (or someone) causing this belief. A second is the teleological argument. The teleological argument is that since the universe displays such an amazing design, there must have been a Divine designer. For example, if earth were even a few hundred miles closer or further away from the sun, it would not be capable of supporting much of the life it currently does. If the elements in our atmosphere were even a few percentage points different, every living thing on earth would die. The odds of a single protein molecule forming by chance is 1 in 10243 (that is a 10 followed by 243 0’s). A single cell is comprised of millions of protein molecules. A third logical argument for God’s existence is called the cosmological argument. Every effect must have a cause. This universe and everything in it is an effect. There must be something that caused everything to come into existence. Ultimately, there must be something “un-caused” in order to cause everything else to come into existence. That “un-caused” something is God. A fourth argument is known as the moral argument. Every culture throughout history has had some form of law. Everyone has a sense of right and wrong. Murder, lying, stealing, and immorality are almost universally rejected. Where did this sense of right and wrong come from if not from a holy God? Despite all of this, the Bible tells us that people will reject the clear and undeniable knowledge of God and instead believe a lie. Romans 1:25 declares, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen.” The Bible also proclaims that people are without excuse for not believing in God, “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). People claim to not believe in God because it is “not scientific” or “because there is no proof.” The true reason is because once people admit that there is a God, they also must realize that they are responsible to God and in need of forgiveness from God (Romans 3:23; 6:23). If God exists, then we are accountable for our actions to Him. If God does not exist, then we can do whatever we want without having to worry about God judging us. I believe that is why evolution is so strongly clung to by many in our society - to give people an alternative to believing in a Creator God. God exists and ultimately everyone knows that He exists. The very fact that some attempt so aggressively to disprove His existence is in fact an argument for His existence. Allow me one last argument for God’s existence. How do I know God exists? I know God exists because I speak to Him every day. I do not audibly hear Him speaking back to me, but I sense His presence, I feel His leading, I know His love, I desire His grace. Things have occurred in my life that have no other possible explanation other than God. God has so miraculously saved me and changed my life that I cannot help but to acknowledge and praise His existence. None of these arguments in and of themselves can persuade anyone who refuses to acknowledge what is so plainly clear. In the end, God’s existence must be accepted by faith (Hebrews 11:6). Faith in God is not a blind leap into the dark, it is safe step into a well-lit room where 90% of people are already standing. 041110 ... Definition God = "?" 041110 ... smurfus rex except for the last paragraph, this reminded me of a research paper I wrote for a critical thinking course in college. thanks, missionary, for putting this out. it's a good summary of the classic arguments. 041110 ... Thus Have I Read / Heard. "What is the reason for this? The Thus_ Come_One knows and sees the triple realm as it really is. There is no birth or death, no retreating or advancing, no existence in the world or passage into quiescence. There is no reality or unreality, no likenesses or differences. He views the triple realm as not being the triple realm. Matters such as these, the Thus_Come_One clearly sees, without mistake or error." 041110 ... . iLINK:- Lotus_Sutra CHAPTER SIXTEEN THE THUS_COME_ONE"S LIFE SPAN 041110 ... . "And throughout these limitless eons, In order to save living beings, I expediently manifest Nirvana. But in truth I do not pass into quiescence. I remain here, always speaking the Dharma. I always stay right here, And using the power of spiritual penetrations, I cause inverted living beings, Although near me, not to see me." 041110 ... ....... Since you're citing the Bible as authority, you're arguing not just for God or religion in general, but Jesus Christ and Christianity in particular. So why ask about God's existence in general? Not that popularity is convincing evidence of a belief system's truth, but while 90% may believe in "some higher power," only about a third identify themselves as Christian. So what about the gods of other religions? 041110 ... missionary Such as buddhism? 041110 ... . that would be one of them, now wouldn't it 041110 ... . Let's not forget that many believe a god doesn't have to be floating on a cloud, but is superior to all humanity, so a mortal can become a god. 041111 ... One Never_slighting_bodhisattva ‘I dare not slight you, for you shall all become Buddhas.' 041111 ... missionary The evolution of Faith will produce one surviving belief system. Survival of the Fittest. I mentioned buddhism, because, while it is a profound, logical and philosophical belief system, it is one that will not likely survive. As Western thinking shapes the minds of global society, and scientific findings refute the basic beliefs of buddhism, hinduism, and many eastern beliefs, they slowly become obsolete. For example, the Big Bang findings, as well as much of the recent data collected about the evolution of the Universe, suggests the universe BEGAN, and more so, that it will END, starkly conflicting with eastern ideas that there is no beginning, nor ending, for the universe, that it simply always existed in it's "Steady State". The Super Faith that does survive and prove itself to be Fittest will need to be logical and profound, but more so practical and effective in producing a lasting change in human behavior, as well as an overall positive effect on the world. After all, faith is an evolving part of humanity. It could even be said that faith, as the foundation of law and morality, is one of the most deterministic factors of our societal advancement, separating us from the animals and promoting us to a civilized dominion on Earth. 041219 ... )( )why must law and morality be founded on faith?( 041219 ... )( )is separation from animals good?( 041219 ... )( )perhaps the superfaith is here: scientific method( 041219 ... One ... 041219 ... monee do dogs exist? 041219 ... . The_Buddha's_majestic_power 041219 ... missionary Do you know what is right, and what is wrong? How do you know? From the beginning, laws and morality evolved from Faith. I think we are potentially far superior to animals. I think that is good. Some of us still behave like animals. I think that is not so good. The scientific method is a useful tool, but cannot answer "Why?". It can only prove "how". Faith, in the minds and spirits of humanity, always wonders "why?" 041219 ... missionary Dogs do exist, I've seen them. I played with one earlier tonight. His name is Kirby, and he likes me. 041219 ... a "point". The_Rule_of_Law 041219 ... Thus have I read / heard. The_wisdom_of_all_modes We_are_the_Universe... 041013 041219 ... . god i am the world, i am the children... 040922 041219 ... . The_doctrine_of_karma = what_goes_around_comes_around with_the_Golden_Rule = "Do_unto_others as_you_would_have_others_do_unto_you." Act_as_a_benefit towards_understanding, what_you_reap_is_what_you_sew. Upon_completion, take_care_of_yourself with faith_hope_and_love! 041220 ... What determined the geometry of God... 120429 ... and the Topology of Existence? 120429 ... . does dot exist? 120429 ... Einstein ...depends upon your frame of reference 120429 ... and its m_scent... 120429 ... not god i wouldn't know 120430 what's it to you? who go blather from