Do We Need To Believe In Something ?

[modeller]

A believer recently told me he believes in God, despite lack of proof because he has an inner need to.

[RATTER15]

Some may feel the need, I need some good evidence before I believe in anything. I dont have any need to "just believe"

[Baldric]

No, I don't think so.

[atalanta]

If you can think, and reason, you must first define this so-called "need". It usually just boils down to the fear of death,.

[Davethedog]

Isn't that a corner stone of Theism? "If there isn't a god, what is there?" Once upon a time, when the world was a much smaller place, people needed answers and a reason. They reasoned, through ignorance, that there must be a higher being, in charge of it all.

As time has passed and so much of the mythology and superstitions have been debunked by science, many cling to religion because they cannot accept that this is all there is.

[vulcan42]

I don't think we need to believe in anything. I have always looked upon religion as a combination of a security blanket and an insurance policy. Neither are essential for a happy and contented life and are only needed by the insecure and apprehensive.

[modeller]

Statistically less than 10% of the UK's population regularly attend church . (7% C of E )
With such a low following. Why you may ask is religion broadcast and in the media every day.

[woofgang]

RATTER if you have good evidence, you don’t need to believe because the evidence is there :)
I am not afraid of death or of what comes after.
I am not convinced by “there must be something else” arguments. or feel that I cannot cope with this life being all there is.
I don’t belong to an organised religion and think the Anglican movement in the UK is going badly wrong.
I do believe that there is a god.....I don’t know why I believe that though....I just do.

[JollyJapes]

Athiests need something to rant about ;)

[RATTER15]

Woof, "I do believe that there is a god.....I don’t know why I believe that though....I just do."

I would suggest that you believe in a God because that is most likely how you were brought up?

Do you know which God you believe in, or is it just an undetermined God that is generally not recognised?

[modeller]

woofgang ( I do believe that there is a god.....I don’t know why I believe that though....I just do.)

You are not alone woofgang when questioned 50% of the UK's population say they believe in a God but not religion. Many atheists also say ,feel
'(“there must be something else” ) !

[jomifl]

I believe in justice, fair play, honest, not exploiting people and kindness to other beings. I can't see where god is necessary for any of these beliefs.

[woofgang]

no RATTER I wasn’t brought up to believe. I went to a high church grammar school because it was then the best school educationally. which drove me away from even the thought of god for some time.
I kind of think that religions are like the moss on the rock. The moss needs the rock but the rock doesn’t need the moss. If the moss gets out of hand then the rock is lost to human view. I have had moments in my life when I have felt very strongly that the rock is there.
and yes jom, i agree with you.

[whiskeryron]

Because I am aware that there are sounds that are outside my audio range ( dog whistles for example) & things that are outside my visual range why would I be so pompous as to declare that anything that I cannot see or hear by definition does not exist. Believe me when I say to you there is no smoke without fire. Various tales & legends from all parts of the world have been passed on by word of mouth regarding ancient lifestyles etc. Which tell us of Gods & angels fairies & other creatures, all dismissed as rubbish because WE have not seen them. There are things yet to be discovered.

[anaxcrosswords]

People are free to believe what they like; it’s only the attempt to force that belief on others that’s wrong, for many reasons but perhaps the biggest is that religious belief is a deeply personal thing. It should stay that way.
I would never encourage a religious person to give it up, and in return all I want is the same mutual respect.
As for being non-religious, we all have our reasons. For me, religion represents an abdication of responsibility – “I did it because my god told me to” – and thought – “I don’t understand it so my god must have done it”.
Jomifl is spot on. You can live to the highest moral standards without the need for worshiping a deity.

[modeller]

It seems to me it is not the believing in an imaginary entity which we call God but attributing that entity with attributes of OUR choosing that defines all its characteristics. In effect we have made our God.
Maybe the opening words of Genesis 1:27 Should be : So Man created God
in

[modeller]

cont: Maybe the opening words of Genesis 1:27 Should be :
So Man created God in his own image, in the image of Man.

OK I'm being factious but everything we think we know about God comes from man.

[Old_Geezer]

I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows.

(And I believe in me.)

[mikey4444]

Some people do, probably because of a lack of something in their own character.

But I can't understand anybody believing in some that can't possibly be true, just to fill in a gap in their lives.

[webbo3]

“Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer.”


― W.C. Fields



Dave.

[woofgang]

mikey I don’t feel any lack of anything in my own character :) Its arguable that non believers have a character lack in that they lack whatever it is that I have.

And if you can’t understand something then how can you possibly make a sensible comment on it?