Why makes you still believe?

[hrmjustin]

We all know that at times it is not easy to believe and it is not always easy to be a believer here on DU. I am curious what keeps your faith going?

I just can't accept that there is no creator. I believe the divine is loving and wants us all home in the end.

I know that I maybe wrong about Heaven but I just hope I am right. I can accept that there maybd nothing but I want more.

Personally my heart and very being believes there is a divine.

What say you and remember this is the interfaith room so no criticism of others beliefs.

[PumpkinAle]

1. Whatever path you are on, whatever path you chose

may love and kindness be your constant companions.

[hrmjustin]

2. And you as well my friend!

[okasha]

3. I continue to believe

because of personal experiences that convince me that the spiritual world exists and is accessible to humans. Such things as visions and healings are considered normal among Native Americans, so the cultural barriers that are found in majority society don't exist. We don't have to struggle through a spiritually impoverished world-view to get to them. And it's not just NA's. I know Christians, Buddhists, Jews and Hindus who have had similar experiences.

[hrmjustin]

4. Well put.

[rug]

5. Because it makes sense.

The natural world, by its own terms, cannot be explained naturally.

Nonbelief requires a basic acceptance of two things: 1) look around, there's nothing else, and 2) we can only accept what little of it we know or may know. I have no idea why people would bind their minds like that.

If either of those premises were proven or had evidence to support those ultimate conclusions, it would be another story. But instead, the logic goes: since there is no evidence of anything beyond what we see or will see (which is precious little), therefore, nothing else can be accepted - regardless of whether it indeed exists.

Details will be filled in but that is all that it comes down to. It's essentially a stance for the incurious.

[hrmjustin]

9. Well said rug.

I think there is much more and much better.

[TexasTowelie]

6. I guess that for me it means that without faith, there is no hope; and without hope, there is no

reason.

As you may be probably aware I was recently in a situation where I lost hope and therefore, lost justification for my existence. Yet for some reason, before I overdosed I still prayed to God because I thought that my decision at the time was to spare others because I was no longer productive or a contributer to anything worthwhile--I was merely a burden on others.

I will say that I'm not an overly religious person and while I've questioned if there is a "God", for some reason I still return back to believing in Him. Karl Marx said that, "religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. To call on them to give up their illusions about their condition is to call on them to give up a condition that requires illusions." So maybe I'm delirious from my illusory addiction and maybe I'll never find real happiness because of that addiction, but underneath they are a core of my being and existence.

One of the few benefits that I have while unemployed is to dig deeper into the writings of theologists, philosophers and sociologists. About 15 years ago I told one of my "deep thinking" friends that my philosophy on life is that when that I become rich enough to never have to work again. then I'll have time to be a philosopher. It is ironic that poverty has led me to become a more spiritual and introspective person than I ever did when I was wealthier.

So I might be mentally deranged and a victim of manic depression, but for some reason "God" still has a plan for me that has not been revealed. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here to provide a response tonight. However, note to God--don't take forever to let me know wazzup?

[hrmjustin]

10. You are always in my prayers my friend!

Remember that you mean a lot to many people on this Earth!

[goldent]

7. A little off topic

but one odd thing I've found is that after reading some of the mud slinging in the Religion forum, I walk away with a warm feeling about my faith.

[hrmjustin]

8. I do too. I have taken a break from that room for a bit. When I return I won't be answering every

response in there. Those who want a real dialog will get one and believe me there are plenty on the non-believer side her who would love an honest dialog. I still need my time away from that room though. I miss it but I need to restrict my time there and I need to refrain from posting there at the moment.

[Htom Sirveaux]

11. I think the existence of a creator is more likely

than the alternative, based on a variation of the cosmological argument. I haven't had any personal experiences to base such an idea on, but I've given the question a lot of thought.

[NCarolinawoman]

13. I cannot see a creation without a CREATOR. I have tried at various times in my life, but

have not been successful. I am always drawn back.

I view God as the SUPREME CREATOR.

There are intimations of the CREATOR's presence everywhere, but I think we are relegated, for now, to "looking through a glass darkly". Yet I find chinks of light, like glimmers through the trees at sunset, managing to make their way through from time to time, midst all the pain that may surround us in this world.