The Million Dollar Question: "Is There A God?"
Submitted by Kristin on Tue, 08/04/2009 - 12:28
This week’s topic: “Is there a God?” I don’t think there is a more controversial question than this one. This issue is so complex that people around the world are dying because they believe their God and religion is somehow superior. Religious wars have been fought throughout history, think of the crusades or today’s Jihad. Countless people dying and killing in the name of God. What happened to love thy neighbor?
Let me place my disclaimer here; I don’t claim to be an expert on any religion, but I agree with the basics that I think most religions try to convey; morality, respect, community, prayer and peace. These are all things I am sure most of us want out of life. The problem seems to lie within the logistics. When man comes and takes the word of God (who I assume was written by man at some point), and construes it to fit their well-being (personal, financial or political), and in this process chastises people for experiencing their freedoms because they do not agree with their literary interpretation (i.e. gay marriage), it's not right.
Another issue I have with this whole question of is there a God is which god are we referring? God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), Allah, Yahweh, Jah, Buddha, Zeus, Krishna? The list could literally go on for pages. Every country and culture has numerous belief systems, no one better than the next. Claiming superiority is what leads people to division and, in extreme cases, war. I suppose it's human nature to think you are right, but here is a question I would pose to the people of conflicting religious views: if god created man and he makes no mistakes, then how can you kill other people because of their beliefs? Didn’t god make them just as they are and shouldn’t you love your fellow man regardless?
Another question I’m struggling with is; how does anyone know with 100% certainty there is a God and that their God is “The God”? The bottom line, in my opinion, is that no one has concrete evidence that there is a God. This doesn’t mean I am a believer or non believer; it is just that I don’t know. On another note, I do think that faith is a good thing, it brings people in communities’ together, gives them hope and keeps them in line with a certain moral code. I have nothing against church-goers. I think everyone should be able to praise whichever deity they please as long as it doesn’t infringe on others rights.
In conclusion, I believe that people should have the right to choose and practice the religion of their choice, if you aren’t hurting anyone then preach on. Ultimately, no one knows where we go from here and if he/she will be waiting at the pearly gates, perhaps reincarnation is our fate or maybe this is it. Either way, I think we should all live our lives like someone is watching and taking notes; a little fear never hurt anyone, might even make us all be a little nicer to one another.
- Kristin's blog
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Comments
Million Dollar Answer: Yes!
Religion seems to be a hot topic to talk about.
I started questioning my faith when I attended a public university. What, not everyone is Catholic here? Yeah, it was such a culture shock because I was living in a bubble prior to that. At that time I was challenged for being Catholic as opposed to Christian, in my philosophy classes it was huge especially when we started to talk about contemporary moral issues such as abortion and euthanasia, and I even questioned my own religion because my boyfriend at that time was Mormon (and initially religion doesn't become an issue until you start getting serious). I spoke to the priest at UCI when deciding what to do and he said, that "Birds of a feather flock together. If you hang out with people who are Catholic, you'll most likely end up Catholic."
Even when I became a Catholic school teacher, I became fascinated with the idea of different religions. I liked reading books by Thich Nhat Hanh (a Buddhist monk), befriended people of different faiths, and went to different museums or sections of museums that concentrated on a particular group (ex. Jewish Museum of Florida.) I found that regardless of what religion, they had what you mentioned: they try to convey; morality, respect, community, prayer and peace.
I watched Religulous (2008) with Bill Maher that challenges organized religion and preaches the "idea of I don't know", and watched Zeitgeist: The Movie (2007) which interestingly mentions Horus, Attis, Krishna, Dionysus, Mithra, and Jesus all representing the same characteristics of "the Messiah" throughout time. I didn't automatically believe everything I watched but the ideas that were brought up were very interesting and it does make one think.
Then there are my friends that believe in a God (but not in the idea of organized religions or religious institutions because they believe they are corrupt/ or are ran like a business) and then they are my friends who are Catholic but are non-practicing Catholics.
With all that aside, I came to respect that is what they believe.
Do I believe in a God?
Yes, despite the things mentioned, I still believe in a God.
Is there any evidence?
I haven't actually seen God, but I've seen people who believe in God do amazing and incredible things, which include giving testimonies about overcoming life challenges, people who feed the hungry or serve the poor, organizations building homes, wells, clinics, etc. in third world countries, stories of forgiveness...the list goes on.
My grandmother, who was big influence on me growing up, is a devout Catholic. She seems to be one of the nicest and strongest women I know. She lost her mother at the age of 6 and father by the age of 25, she survived the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in WWII, she raised four of her own children in addition to adopting a boy who was neglected by his alcoholic father, came to the States and left of life of having maids to working in a convalescent home, and then helped her daughter (my mom) raise her three children (one of them being me.) I still go to her for advice about life and I don't know what it is about her, but everything seems to work out for the best. I've always pinpointed her strong faith for making her such a rock - she's unshakable.
Holly Wagner, co-pastor of the Oasis Christian Center, is also a mother, wife (married for 25+ years), a writer, breast cancer survivor, conference speaker, and leader of the Women's Ministry (GodChicks). How is she able to do so many great things? Her faith.
Faith is believing without seeing.
In the end, like all things: it boils down to a choice. We can choose to believe or not believe in a God.
I choose to believe and I also believe that God will use believers to do great things for this world.
Look at Mother Teresa.
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Thanks for your blog and allowing me to share. It inspired me to respond about my own experiences.
-April