Does God exist?
Does God exist? I was taught as a child that God (He) did exist. I was told that God was all powerful, all knowing, and perfect. I was told that God knew what everyone was doing all the time no matter where they were. I was told God would punish me if I was bad and God would reward me if I was good. I was told to pray to God for help when I needed help. However, I was also told that God helps those who help themselves. Then I had a question: If I helped myself, why did I need God?
I spent many years wondering if God existed, but reasoned that I must believe in Him since everyone else believed in Him. But, I always wondered where the proof was for the existence of God. I was told that the proof was all around me and in all things living. I was told I needed to have faith.
I did not really understand faith or what other living things had to do with the existence of God. If I merely accepted God and asked no questions, how could I learn what I needed to know in order for me to understand that God was real? I wondered why everyone accepted God without proof. Eventually I realized that ‘faith’ was a copout. Saying you had faith is the same as saying you have given up on the search for truth; an excuse to not keep looking for answers. Of course, that’s only my opinion and you may feel free to tell me why I am wrong.
The question ‘Does God exist?’ is the most important question about religion that I can ponder. Why? If God doesn’t exist, then all beliefs that stem from a belief in God may not be true. Why do I say “may not be true?” Let me explain.
I am an atheist because I see no proof that God exists. I also see no proof that a God needs to exist. However, I do believe that all things living are connected and I believe there may be what I call a Universal Life Force.
“Well,” you say. “Your Universal Life Force is God.” I’m afraid not. I do not attribute the ULF, if you will allow me the latitude to abbreviate, as having a consciousness of its own. I do not believe the ULF is all knowing, all powerful, and perfect. I do not believe the ULF watches over us and decides who will live or die today. I do not believe when a child dies that God, or the ULF, has recalled them to Heaven. In fact, I don’t believe in Heaven.
“Well, what do you believe in?” you say. What I believe in will take many pages to write and when my life is over, I expect I will not have all the answer I seek. So, what I believe in is much too broad to answer all at once. I think we should keep this conversation to the original question: Does God exist? My answer is no and I ask you to show me evidence that I am wrong or why it even makes a difference if I am right.
Thank you,
Eran<—88896180a00f2114a326c2cd01ecfa94—>