Six Word Memoirs on Life Stories

maryjane31 says,

Because we have to believe that there is a higher power than ourselves. I have to have faith and hope when things go bad as they have recently.

SingerSomewhere says,

Because He has proved Himself real to them. That doesn't always mean huge miracles. Sometimes, it's just something as small as a feeling in your gut.

Wench says,

The same way you know you're in love. You just know. It's made known to you somehow. And a million explanations or theories, many of them good, sound ones, aren't the real reason you know and can't touch on the certainty.

Wench says,

I would also say, if you don't just 'know', no argument will ever prove it to you. God is experienced, not proven.

KharisJo says,

Faith to me is something that enlarges my life, rather than limiting it. It gives me a sense of a greater time - eternity and a meaning and purpose to everything beyond what is here and now. It gives me hope that the suffering and injustices of this world will be redeemed, that tears will be wiped away.

Sagacious says,

Because they have a NEED to. They fear annihilation or eternal damnation. They believe that if they appease "God" enough, then "He" will ensure that neither of these two terrifying events will happen to them. Their reward, they believe, is eternal life- which means that, by the time they have spent a few million years (immortality- remember) in heaven, they are so bored that annihilation would feel like a pleasant (though permanent, sadly) release.

Wench says,

Our priest at the church we went to before we moved was an astrophysisist (spelling? Clearly, I am not one) in the Ukraine before he came here. He put it pretty simply - the search for scientific knowledge is a worthy pursuit, but at some point we have to realize that science cannot prove God's existence, we have to take it on faith.

Wench says,

Sag, I have to disagree with you. Even those who fear eternal damnation do so because they already believe in God.

Sagacious says,

It's known as "belief" because that's all it is.

Sagacious says,

It's known as "belief" because that's all it is.

Wench says,

Well, like I said, it can't be proven. So I won't try. =)

treehugger says,

Great job stirring the pot wayward_angel. :) my only contribution here is that I don't think anyone really chooses what they believe. I find it silly that believers waste their time trying to convince non-believers, and vice-versa. The same can be said for global warming or any other issue or topic. Who you are based on the influence of your family, friends, education, community and personality will determine what you believe, and I don't think anyone should be judged for that. Let's all just agree to disagree and celebrate the complexities that life offers. :)

Wench says,

What treehugger said! =)

Sagacious says,

Okay, so I went off on a tangent, but that's what tangents are for!

Dhani says,

(Extracting answers from above): 'a higher power', 'a feeling in your gut', (same as) 'the feeling when you know you're in love'....Believing in God sure beats believing in the Devil. Yes, scientists will NEVER be able to BOTTLE the One Spirit that moves the Universe & beyond.

Geronimo: Your thoughts do ramble, but you nevertheless are ON POINT viv a vis Sag's take on Creation. I was surprised to stumble upon this question, a good one & it got readers thinking.....

Dhani says,

(P.S. Wayward: I like the underwear!)

MsKillie says,

I have no idea honestly, since I don't believe in him/her/it(??) I cannot answer for those who do.

TheAngstyPoet says,

I agree with Wench, it's something you know or don't know. I used to be very religious when I was younger. I wanted to be not because anyone told me or made me. But now I do not believe. God is something that I don't believe to be true. I'm not sure what I believe so I guess that puts me in religious limbo. Religion is something that I personally don't find important. It's just not a priority of mine even though it is interesting to learn about. I just believe in being a good person and doing the right thing.

Even though I don't believe in God, I respect people who do believe or are religious. My best friend is very, very religious.

P.S. I usually don't jump in debates like this. But kudos wayward_angel

Steve__Anthony says,

This way we don't fear the unknown.

Level1 says,

Although raised Catholic, I don't believe in "God". With all the billions of people on this single planet, I don' believe that "god" cares whether or not someone hits a home run or gets an A on a test. I do believe in a higher (perhaps) collective energy and karma. And, I do know that things exist that can't be explained.

Loon says,

crutch

Dhani says,

(Politics is your SPIRITUALITY demonstrated. (Think Gandhi, M.L. King...)