Religion vs. Atheism: Why do you believe as you do?

I don't believe in God and even if I'm wrong isn't he supposed to forgive me anyway? Apparently he gave us free will so I'm not even scared to be wrong...even though I know I'm not wrong...lol

I can't prove any gods with the information I'm privy to.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm Agnostic. I believe in a higher power or powers, but I choose not to label them. How do I know what's what or who's who? I'd rather die and find out, then die and realize that everything I believed in was a lie. That make sense?

I have to say I have always believed in God and Jesus. As a small child, my grandmothers would always talk about God, Jesus and heaven and I don't remember a time that I didn't believe. I also had enough experiences to remind of God's omniscient presence throughout the years.

Christianity is always looked at as a whole when there are two main parts: protestants and Catholics. Catholics follow the true way of the lord and the protestants do their own little twist on things.

You're right that there are two main parts, being Protestants and Catholics but I disagree with the way you are categorizing them. As a Baptist and a Christian, we believe in the bible as God's word and what we follow. I think it's a little disrespectful to say that Catholics follow the true way and Protestants put their own twist on things. I know there are many fundamental differences and I'm just saying your comment just didn't sound very nice but you may not have meant it that way. Btw I was married to a Catholic but he wasn't much of a practicing one and I'm not saying I know that much about the Catholic faith.

Because the metaphysical and philosophical arguments for God outweigh the arguments for not God. Especially since 99% of what passes for evidence from guys like Richard Dawkins is nothing more than straw-man arguments and appeals to ridicule.

Einstein believed in God.

Nope.

Yep. Not really a "personal" God, but in God, nonetheless.

Why are you being so contrary on this poll? If you don't believe that's fine (not really, but I'm not going to try to convert you or anything) but why make little snarky comments?
Have a nice remainder of the holiday.

Nope

because there is no evidence of supernatural beings.

"I've seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me
believe there's one all-powerful force controlling everything. There's
no mystical energy field that controls my destiny."
~Han Solo

There are many reasons I believe there is no god, but the strongest is simply that there is no evidence that there is. I don't believe in unicorns, or mermaids either. There is more evidence of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, than there is of a deity.

i don't currently tie myself to a religion as i don't believe in any of them, but if the right one came along, and if it was based on fact, then i would see no problem with practising it.
basically i'm an agnostic atheist. i think - it's 1:30am, my mind's a little weak atm.

I choose to let the mystery be. People are spending their time and energy worrying about later and not enjoying now.

I have seen life from both sides and my mind is much better now that I have set myself free.

lack of compelling evidence from any religion and way too many pushy "salesemen".

Also, the "fanbase" kinda puts me off.

I don't have any fixed beliefs; I'm rather open to discussion and simply require a logical reason for a specific point of view. I personally like the Tao since if follows pretty well with science and is a rather straight forward easy going... way.

i am agnostic because i'm waiting for proof.

There actually is a lot of scientific proof found for this religion, but my biggest reason for believing in it is what I have experienced emotionally. It's not something that I can describe very well in words, but it's something that, once felt, is very hard to ignore.

What is the scientific proof?

Amen! :) Very well said, I agree 100%

You're right it is hard to explain and to someone that doesn't believe it doesn't make any sense.

It is hard to explain to someone with a brain you mean.

If I would have meant that, I would have a said it. The reason it's called "faith" is because it is not something that you can literally see.

I have had some experiences that I feel so plainly point to God as being omniscient and caring. There are some many testimonies of people who have had amazing experiences. Sometimes it is those that didn't believe and then something miraculous happened which made them believe.

It is hard to explain to someone who doesn't believe because those tend to scoff at anything said.

Anyway, hope you have a great Thankgiving (at least the remainder).

What proof?

I am a spiritual being,having a human being experience!And connecting on that level holds no bounds to race,religion,or creed!

There are things that have happened in my life that I can only explain by introducing faith.

First of all, I believe that if you believe in God and that Jesus is his son and our Savior, then I believe you qualify as a Christian. I don't really care if you are a member of a local church, the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses or Catholics. Jesus Christ is the only reason we CAN call ourselves Christians. Those who feel that the way I (or someone else) worship(s) God determines whether I qualify as a Christian or not should kneel down and have a heart to heart about how He feels about us judging one another. Charity is the pure love of Christ. He never asked or cared about how people worshiped or if they did. He loved all, gave to all and saved all, regardless. Now, as to WHY I believe as I do? I've seen things that science can not yet explain and faith has always worked for me. I don't care if someone I love is an athiest or agnostic. I love them just the same. I never try to convert them. I respect their beliefs. I only ask that they respect mine (this only happens sometimes). I believe because I have no reason not to. I lose nothing by being a kind, strong, faithful, productive, happy, religious person. I'm not bitter or self-righteous. I just do my thing and let everyone do theirs. :)

Facts and reality. All religions are based on superstitions and ignorance.

From the age of sixteen I lost interest in God and religion. I now know that it was too much work and didn't feel right to try to force my brain to accept religion and the belief in things unseen. There were no adequate answers to my questions of why and how, other then the standard "you have to have faith".

My definition of belief in God is ones willingness to accept as fact things that are unprovable and absurd because of promises of an after life or fear of eternal hell.

I have been most versions of Christianity and also raised till I was 18 as a conservative Jew. I have been protected from harm on many occasions. I am only alive today because of voices that I have heard be fore an impending danger. The one time I did not listen, was the time I had a wreck on the Schuylkill Expressway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I separated from my Vespa at better than 60 mph. I hit the road and spun till every joint in my body was showing raw cartilage. I was out of work for a month. I had developed infections and phlebitis. I am probably the only person in the world to recover from that. That is why I believe.

An amazing testimony!

I believe there is some type of force that keeps the energy of life going. I don't know what and I see no reason to pretend like most religions. Just be nice and try to treat everyone like you would want to be treated. Do good as often as possible and don't judge others. Even judging yourself based on anyone else will be a recipe for failure. Some of the ideas in Buddhism seem very useful. Being an Atheist means you say I know there is no God or anything else.You don't know and you can no more prove your point than the guy who is a Jehovah's witness.

I started an extensive study of my Christian faith about 7 years ago. My religious education was done as a child. I wanted a deeper adult understanding. The end result is that I am now somewhere between an atheist and an agnostic. It has been an interesting and difficult journey but one that was most certainly worthwhile.

I was raised in a Christian home, but not really a church-going home. I always believed there had to be some higher power in the universe, but I really wasn't walking with Christ until my mid-20's when my child was born. At that point, simply the miracle of her birth made me take a second look at Christianity. After alot of Bible study and soul-searching, I just came to understand that I wanted to be a Christ-follower.

I really don't think I'd be the person I am today without my Religion. People tell me "there's not enough proof." This is what I have to say to them: Faith is not blind, faith is based on something you have already seen. I have seen all the things my Lord has done for me. That's why I believe.
I don't shove the fact that I'm Christian in other peoples faces; that's not my style. If you ask, I'll tell you. That simple.

O Ragu, the greatest prophet of the Noodly One ever to walk this good earth!

Ramen !