Why haven't people lost faith in God?

mr_fegelien

There seems to be too much injustice in the world which ironically can drive people towards faith and make people lose faith.

But seriously, life's a bitch then you die? How can an omnipotent, all loving God be responsible for this?

touts

mr_fegelien wrote: »

There seems to be too much injustice in the world which ironically can drive people towards faith and make people lose faith.

But seriously, life's a bitch then you die? How can an omnipotent, all loving God be responsible for this?

Sure isn't it all the Devil's fault

Mad_maxx

mr_fegelien wrote: »

There seems to be too much injustice in the world which ironically can drive people towards faith and make people lose faith.

But seriously, life's a bitch then you die? How can an omnipotent, all loving God be responsible for this?

It's nicer to believe a god exists who will even things up in the second half

The idea that Hitler, stalin and Thierry Henry got away with it is too much too take

I haven't lost faith in your ability to create atrocious threads.

JohnnyFlash

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I haven't lost faith in your ability to create atrocious threads.

What’s wrong with the question, Bertie? Seriously? Seems like a reasonable topic for discussion.

Pauliedragon

Why do people care what other people believe in? We're all different. If a certain belief gives people a peace if mind or helps them sleep at night so what. I see people worship players running around a pitch and cry when they win/lose. I find that bizarre but It doesn't worry me. Each to their own. It would be very boring if we were all the same.

buried

mr_fegelien wrote: »

There seems to be too much injustice in the world which ironically can drive people towards faith and make people lose faith.

But seriously, life's a bitch then you die? How can an omnipotent, all loving God be responsible for this?

The God of this world is not the One you think it is

Del2005

Pauliedragon wrote: »

Why do people care what other people believe in? We're all different. If a certain belief gives people a peace if mind or helps them sleep at night so what. I see people worship players running around a pitch and cry when they win/lose. I find that bizarre but It doesn't worry me. Each to their own. It would be very boring if we were all the same.

Sectarian violence, though if we got rid of sectarian violence humans just would find something else to kill each other over.

mr_fegelien

Deleted User wrote: »

I haven't lost faith in your ability to create atrocious threads.

Sting said the same..

EmmetSpiceland

mr_fegelien wrote: »

There seems to be too much injustice in the world which ironically can drive people towards faith and make people lose faith.

But seriously, life's a bitch then you die? How can an omnipotent, all loving God be responsible for this?

They’re afraid.

Gynoid

Del2005 wrote: »

Sectarian violence, though if we got rid of sectarian violence humans just would find something else to kill each other over.

Like oil? Water maybe someday? The scrabble for the planets rare and dwindling resources. Power. Wealth. Tribal Dominance...
Nah. Get out of here. That's a crazy idea.

James Brown

Because she's grand and all but I'm not a Muslim myself so I don't support her views.

Naggdefy

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

They’re afraid.

Maybe they're not afraid.

What's to be frightened of if no God or afterlife?

'Blessed oblivion' as Bob Geldof said. Going back to a state of pre consciousness, like before birth, isn't in the least scary if you're tired, sick, in pain and old.

Because you seem to suggest that religion is the only way to believe in God. You can believe in God, without following a religion.

I have faith in God. I have no faith in religion. Simple.

And my concept of God is nothing like how you described, OP. Personally, I don't hold God responsible for all our BS. That's our own responsibility... and death gives meaning for life by providing a frame of reference. I'm not afraid of it.

branie2

I still have my faith

Spanish Eyes

Have often wondered WTF God is doing at all if he allowed all this terror and mayhem and kiddy fiddling, and Magdalens and so on (too many disasters to mention) in his name.

Can anyone explain?

I doubt it. But each to their own.

Boredstiff666

I am sure Bono is happy you still believe in him.

Naggdefy

branie2 wrote: »

I still have my faith

I do too. But even if there's no God it wouldn't worry me.

Spanish Eyes

Seriously though, sounds like a God who cannot control disasters or anything else really.

Does this God care about us?

I really wish someone would explain this to me.

I am a total sceptic. But would love to be convinced.

Boredstiff666

Naggdefy wrote: »

I do too. But even if there's no God it wouldn't worry me.

But if you found out he didnt exist wouldnt you think you had been conned and wasted your time?

Spanish Eyes

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Have often wondered WTF God is doing at all if he allowed all this terror and mayhem and kiddy fiddling, and Magdalens and so on (too many disasters to mention) in his name.

Can anyone explain?

I doubt it. But each to their own.

Free Will? Why pass responsibility away from Humans on to a God?

Each crap thing that people have done, has contributed to our evolution as a species in a social sense. Without those experiences, there would probably still be spaces in our society for the people who behave in that manner. People learn far more from mistakes....

Naggdefy

Boredstiff666 wrote: »

But if you found out he didnt exist wouldnt you think you had been conned and wasted your time?

No. Praying is relaxing I find. I meet the neighbours and have craic after mass.

Spanish Eyes

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Seriously though, sounds like a God who cannot control disasters or anything else really.

Does this God care about us?

I really wish someone would explain this to me.

I am a total sceptic. But would love to be convinced.

No. God doesn't care about us. Doesn't mean that God doesn't exist.

There you go... But you wont be convinced because you have to make that leap of faith for yourself. You need to establish the identity of God for yourself within your own reality and apply boundaries to that belief. Nobody else can do that for you.

Take responsibility for your own life, and establish your reality with your core beliefs. Then you'll be more at ease with living and happier in general. (Although that really depends on what you establish.., but the power is in your court). Stop waiting for someone to hand you a reality that you'll automatically believe to be true... It's not going to happen. You don't have the innocence of childhood anymore.

Spanish Eyes

Deleted User wrote: »

No. God doesn't care about us. Doesn't mean that God doesn't exist.

There you go... But you wont be convinced because you have to make that leap of faith for yourself. You need to establish the identity of God for yourself within your own reality and apply boundaries to that belief. Nobody else can do that for you.

Take responsibility for your own life, and establish your reality with your core beliefs. Then you'll be more at ease with living and happier in general. (Although that really depends on what you establish.., but the power is in your court). Stop waiting for someone to hand you a reality that you'll automatically believe to be true... It's not going to happen. You don't have the innocence of childhood anymore.

No worries. Just cannot accept a benevolent God exists. You know, the one we are all told is great and good and etc.

Wish someone would tell me he does and backs it up. That's all.

Mad_maxx

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Free Will? Why pass responsibility away from Humans on to a God?

Each crap thing that people have done, has contributed to our evolution as a species in a social sense. Without those experiences, there would probably still be spaces in our society for the people who behave in that manner. People learn far more from mistakes....

"free will" only exists for those committing harm, those having harm done to them have no say in it

PoulMM

PoulMM wrote: »

Nothing wrong with losing faith in God - as long as you don't loose faith in yourself.

I am sure God would agree...

Some profound wisdom contradiction there.

NIMAN

Many have.

Agricola

I think the empty churches every weekend would point to the fact many have?

theological

mr_fegelien wrote: »

There seems to be too much injustice in the world which ironically can drive people towards faith and make people lose faith.

But seriously, life's a bitch then you die? How can an omnipotent, all loving God be responsible for this?

Injustice in the world strengthens my faith in God rather than weakens it.

Sin and rebellion against God leads to humans mistreating others. Sin and rebellion against God is why we live in a fallen world.

It shows that humans are sinful in many regards which is why the world is fallen.

Our sin points us to our need for a Saviour. The Bible makes clear that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8-9). Our sin separates us from God and Jesus paid the price so that we can be made right with God.

I'm thankful that Christianity doesn't try and whitewash the brokenness of our world. It acknowledges it. Our God isn't unfamiliar with suffering. Our God stepped into this world to suffer for us.

That idea is pretty unique among world religions. The idea that Christianity asserts that the world is good without acknowledging suffering is wrong. It might be worth looking into what Christianity really says about this.

If you or anyone else wants a few pointers on where to start just PM me or check out the Christianity forum.

bfa1509

mr_fegelien wrote: »

There seems to be too much injustice in the world which ironically can drive people towards faith and make people lose faith.

I was always struck by a line that came from Futurama of all things when the robot was given advice on how to be God -

"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all"

Spanish Eyes

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

No worries. Just cannot accept a benevolent God exists. You know, the one we are all told is great and good and etc.

Wish someone would tell me he does and backs it up. That's all.

Except there's no way to back it up. Discussion? You've heard it before and dismissed it. Evidence? Well, that requires some belief in the first place.

I tend to follow the Terry Pratchett line of thinking with God, or Gods. A slightly deranged absentminded God. Did great and powerful things in his youth (the world, humans, showing his wrath), and now has slipped away for a doze in his rocking chair.

As a Roman Catholic I was raised with multiple versions of what God represents, depending on the persons own interpretation and the message they wanted to use God as proof for. The great good God was one angle. So was the righteous wrathful God. Or the forgiving God. etc etc etc. And then there's the whole religious aspect with original sin, purgatory, etc. I was a true believer at one stage, spending time at a seminary, to explore the option of becoming a priest. Things change though.

I'm not in a rush to define God anymore. I tried that when I turned away from Christianity, and explored many other religions looking for a right fit. And then I realised it didn't matter. I hold myself up to standards I consider worthy, and I believe God will recognise that as being enough. Otherwise, it's all rubbish and not a God I find myself believing in. Beyond that though, I don't need specifics, because religion tries to define specifics, and that leads to the Dark side.

As for an After life, I'm genuinely not bothered. I've done plenty in this life already and I'm only 42. Even if I died tomorrow, I'd be pretty content with what I've experienced, so dying is just another adventure. If it's the end, so be it. Nothing I can do can change what there is or isn't afterwards.. and tying myself up in knots isn't going to help either.

MMyers

As a believer I can relate to the OP. The thing that keeps me going is we're told in the Bible that this world is under Satan's power, and that things like war,greed,corruption are part of this sinful world. I usually keep my beliefs to myself as i don't like anyone forcing their beliefs on me, but the bible tells us not to love "the world" but to be loving and patient with our neighbours which i try to do.

Following Christ isn't a life of smiles and no problems, Christ tells us that we'll be persecuted and hated for following him.

Ubbquittious

He's been awful quiet the past few years but hopefully he will show up again soon

smilerf

I haven't lost faith because I never believed in that fairytale