Do you believe in God?

[Bossy Monkey]

Poll question: Do you believe in God?

I fall closest to Choice 3, though I'm edging closer and closer to a flat No every day. (If you're wondering about Choice 1, I've done this kind of poll before. Most of the replies were along those lines.)

[RevCheesehead]

1. A simple "yes" is best for me.

[LeftyMom]

2. Nope.

:shrug:

[two gun sid]

3. No.

[ghostsofgiants]

4. You missed a "maybe" option...

Maybe, but only because I can't be 100% sure God doesn't exist.

I don't think it's likely that God exists, but I do acknowledge a possibility.

[Heidi]

5. I believe

that god is collective consciousness. I don't know where that "fits" in the poll.

Edited to add: I voted "other."

[anarch]

6. yes, but God doesn't believe in me

:cry:

[Heidi]

9. Ah, well, I believe in you,

and I think the collective that is DU believe in you. So, if I'm correct that god is collective consciousness, then you're wrong that god doesn't believe in you. :think:

[Benfea]

16. I don't believe you exist.

That was a sophmoric response, I know. Sorry. I can't help myself. :D

[Heidi]

65. Welcome to DU!

You're right, it was a goofy response. :evilgrin:

[redqueen]

7. Option 4 for me. n/t

[Ladyhawk]

8. "No"...sans snotty reply. :) n/t

[Benfea]

14. *snotty reply*

Sorry, I couldn't resist. ;)

[bridgit]

10. do it yourself god...

http://www.philosophersnet.com/games/god.htm i do however believe :hippie:

[tjwmason]

11. Easiest question of the day - yes. n/t

[swimboy]

12. Just voted yes myself

Finishing my poor lunch at my desk and right back to work. I have some tea and a good cookie for later to buoy my spirits.

[Benfea]

13. Definitely not

In fact, my sig is a sort of atheist symbol, although this is my first post and I've no idea if this board accepts named entities. I may have to edit my profile after this post. ;)

Stephen Roberts said it best:

I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

[Bossy Monkey]

18. Welcome to DU! Gosh, I've got all 4 of your DU posts on one thread

Dunno what a named entity in a sigline might be, but as it'll probably be some hours before siglines come back on, I'll just have to hang in suspense. Regardless, welcome to DU; hope you have fun here.

[Benfea]

34. Yeah, I kinda noticed that sigs are disabled.

Being terribly impatient, I changed it to a numeric value.

Excuse me while I conduct a little test:

?
™
?
?
€
…

[Benfea]

36. Yay! Named entities works!

Kudos to whomever wrote the board scripts around here.

[Ravenseye]

23. Great Quote

I have to butt heads with certain religious inlaws on occasion, mostly because they get huffy about something and I get dragged into it...That quote sums up what I say to them far more eloquently than anything I've ever said.

[WhollyHeretic]

26. Welcome to DU! Nice quote.

[Bzzzz]

15. A simple no...

[Benfea]

17. There *is* a "just no" option in the poll.

Or are you suggesting that "just no" should be the only available response?

[Bzzzz]

42. I'm suggesting a...

*simple no*...what's the problem????

[Benfea]

70. My problem is...

…that I have a small gremlin living in my left nostril, and his knees are really scratchy!

[JVS]

19. I believe in the triune God

I also believe in the proper distinction between Law and Gospel

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

29. There's a urine god?!

Never heard of that one... :D

[JVS]

30. No

[Hand]

50. Cripes! Jesse Helms wouldn't have liked that!

"Piss Christ" had him apoplectic--but this is the BIG GUY. :silly:

[jonnyblitz]

20. hell no. nt

[Deep13]

21. What for?

If there is divinity then there is whether I believe or not. If there isn't, then there isn't. In either case, neither my belief nor the fact of God's existence or nonexistance has any bearing on anything.

[Oeditpus Rex]

22. No, but

I might if the fundies hadn't destroyed the concept of what a deity should be. Theirs is vengeful; if I had one (and I once did), it would be loving, accepting and forgiving.

I do believe there was a dude named Jesus — or maybe that's just the name some folks decided to hang on him for their book. But I believe there was a carpenter who went around talking about peace and loving thy neighbor and stuff. Sort of like Brian Cohen, but without the carpenter part.

I also refuse to believe humans are the most highly evolved creatures in the universe. If we are, the universe is in a lotta trouble.

[donheld]

24. I voted

"Maybe. I believe in a higher power; I'm just not sure what it is."

Lately I've sure been hoping someone/something has been watching over me, cuz right now I really need it.

[progmom]

25. yep

[Conan_The_Barbarian]

27. Nope

Their very well could be higher beings existant in the world, but I think I'm in sole control of my entire being and that the world, solar system, galaxy, universe happens to simply be just one of the infinite possibilities. It's impossible for me to comprehend any other state of existence I can only relate to what is not what could be. I suppose that's where extreme mathematics comes in, not there yet but I am greatly interested in getting to the point where by looking at an equation I can visualize what it is describing.

I don't thank god for my meals, house, education, etc. I made those happen, I worked, I toiled, I learnt, I did it all, those things are the result of my work, and my work alone. They are not the gifts of some charitable greater "spirit". They are not the product of some miracle, they are a result of ME!

I happen to be one of infinite possibilities, but I am that one, a possibility that became a reality after an X amount of time. There was a .000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001% (you get the picture) of me coming into existance but it happened!

I think mankind (or humankind) is pretty damn amazing. I don't think there is a single obstacle that this race can't beat. There is always going to be the potential for disaster but I think humans have what it takes to avert it or survive the hard times. Humans truly are an amazing creature. With the ability to contemplate the past and future, rationalize, learn, and built along with our inherent sense of curiosity I think we're a winning combo. In only 5000 years, ONLY 5000, a blink in the scheme of things humans have come to dominate the surface of an entire planet on the macroscopic level. We're not stopping there, we're begin to understand and hopefully will one day control the microscopic level, and dominate even below the oceans, I think we'll establish ourselves eventually on other worlds. Whether it be in 100, 1000, or 10000 years I think we'll do it. We'll hit bumps on the way, plagues, wars, famines, natural disasters. It'll all happen. Billions could be wiped out in a matter of weeks due to some miscalculation in an expierment but that'll only hold humans back so long.

I try to appreciate amazing human accomplishment when I can. Every new scientific concept I learn, every great novel I read, every skyscrapper built, and every plane in the air I'm still in awe in amazed that they are all the result of the human mind. Why we degrade ourselves with sayings like "I'm only human" is beyond me. Only human? That should be said with pride I AM HUMAN. I'm the most kick ass animal this earth has ever seen. The human to me is defined by it's capacity for reasonable and rational thought. It seems whenever humans stop doing this we have a genocide or some other horrible event. I think humankind is the master of itself, the sooner we as a whole realize that being a human is simply amazing, giving us perhaps unlimited potential the sooner the race will thrive. People need to stop thanking "greater" beings or forces for the good in their life and realize that those are all the result of themselves or other humans.

That's why I'm an atheist :)

[Bossy Monkey]

32. Would you mind terribly cutting out about 20 of those zeros?

The point would still come across and your post would probably be read by many times more readers if we didn't have to scroll right and left to do so. Not a big deal or anything, but it might be helpful.

[Benfea]

37. I concur /nt

[Conan_The_Barbarian]

40. I would

but the editing period expired already, sorry about that, didn't notice how annoying that was.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

28. I believe in lots of gods!

[scarlet_owl]

31. Yes.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

33. I fit in the "Maybe, not sure what it is" category

I see all kinds of possibilities; none of which seem particularly important.

Would you love a child less for not believing you're his parent? Do you only water the plants in your garden that acknowledge you as their caretaker?

If a god is responsible for my presence here, I hope I provide an pleasant source of amusement until I wear out. :toast:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

35. Yes, I do...

[Ronnie]

38. I believe

it doesn't matter what I believe. What is, is. I just try to behave as I think she would like me to behave if she exists. If she doesn't, I'm still ahead of the game.

[Shine]

39. God IS....regardless of my personal belief.

to "believe in God" is to assume separation from, or in other words, that God is something OUTside of us, which I don't happen to agree with.

[Ron Green]

44. I vote your answer the best.

[Shine]

47. why thank you, kind stranger!

:pals:

[Ron Green]

80. Thank YOU - for pointing out that the Unity is the reality, and the

apparent differentiation we see is the illusion. If there IS infinity and eternity, which seems to be borne out by science, then there can be nothing outside of the infinite and eternal, including God, including us, including all the earnest young atheists.

[Shine]

83. Yup, exactly.

Hey, and I like your sig line,btw. Very appropriate. :thumbsup:

[Beware the Beast Man]

57. Refreshing assessment.

:thumbsup:

Something's running this show- has to be...

[Benfea]

68. I disagree.

Your statement is based on one particular premise that—for obvious reasons—I just don't buy into. ;)

Nice sentiment, though.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

41. Other--I believe in a higher power, a force, but I don't call it "God"

To me, this force is just the energy system that connects all beings. It's "higher" than us, I guess one could say, but the human soul is still the most powerful thing out there. Envision a human soul as a knot in a fishing net. The string that the net is made of is this other "force," but the knots are essential to this net. And of course, the knots are formed from the string; likewise, the human soul is formed from this "force." What others call "God" I just know as life-energy without a body and mind, and so it is energy uncomplicated by wills and wants and whatnot. That's why this energy SEEMS to be so much more powerful, but really isn't. Ultimately these very human desires and complications are what really drive innovation in the world. I have a saying: "Worship inside; no one can change your life as quickly as you can."

Why anthropomorphize something so wondrous? Complicated, esoteric things are much lovelier than a simple "man in the sky."

[grace0418]

88. I hate to jump on your bandwagon but that was

exactly what I was going to say and you said it better than I ever could. The white-haired, beared guy in a robe sitting amongst the clouds just doesn't do it for me. Whatever force is out there, if it was able to create a universe then it's probably way too complicated for humans to understand.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

89. Thankee kindly, grace.

;) :D

[grace0418]

90. You're most welcome.

I meant it!

[Arugula Latte]

43. Nope. Never did. And always found it amusing that believers thought

that I was capable of "making" myself believe in something. That's like saying: "You MUST believe in the Tooth Fairy!" Well, I don't believe it, so, by definition, I don't believe it.

[Skittles]

75. but.....you must have FAITH, Orgegonian!!

there's no reason or logic involved as long as you have FAITH!!!

[Arugula Latte]

79. D'oh!

You're right. Silly me ... Ahhhh, so much better w/out that silly logic and reason kicking in ... You know, come to think of it, Bush actually IS a great leader!

[Skittles]

85. LOL......I don't think faith in a higher power is necessarily a bad thing

it is obvious a lot of people need it and I am fine with it except when they try forcing it on me or encroaching on the separation of church and state - faith in GWB is, however, sheer idiocy

[NaturalHigh]

45. Yes, I believe in God.

[Roon]

46. My mind is too analytical

I just can't believe in a god, no matter how hard I try. It really sucks because sometimes I feel left out.

[Wapsie B]

48. I believe in a Divine Power

connecting us all. Some people would call it a collective consciousness, others Allah, or a Christian God. I don't know who it is. But I do know there is something that makes us more than bones and muscles, something that makes us who we are.

[Initech]

49. I cant believe humans are the highest form of development in the universe

[Deja Q]

51. Does it matter?

We'll eventually know.

[zone]

53. Dyslexic agnostic

Theer is no dog!

[elshiva]

52. YES! And thank God for DU.

:hug: :grouphug:

[ZombieNixon]

54. Option 4.

"Maybe. I believe in a higher power; I'm just not sure what it is."

If asked this question in general conversation, I usually just answer "yes" if I don't feel like going into my entire belief system...

[Benfea]

56. Maybe we should subdivide #4 into "deist" and "just very confused"

;)

[baldguy]

55. Yes

[La Lioness Priyanka]

58. only if s/he is a callous bitch.

not the benign loving god other people believe in.

i can quite believe a higher power who is cruel/sadistic and a callous bitch.

[sundog]

59. only?

there are good things in the world too

[La Lioness Priyanka]

60. yeah well. thats what i believe.

or rather i would believe in a god if it were ever described like that. otherwise i mostly dont believe in god.

[sundog]

64. but why would only those attributes be applied to a non-entity?

assuming that only human logic can construct a higher essence which is capable of human reasoning

you have to account for the full spectrum of human experience, not just an isolated emotion... even if you don't believe in a god

[Benfea]

71. Not enough good things in the world...

…to support the existence of a god who is all-knowing, all-powerful and good. Any two out of the three would fit this universe, but not all three.

[hickman1937]

61. I stopped believing in him for years.

I could not understand how, given my childhood, he could exist. At the lowest time in my life I asked and he gave more than I asked for. For some of us epiphanies come from small quiet answers.

[Benfea]

72. Or from thinking things through. ;) -NT

[gristy]

62. Ruh-roh

In my haste I voted no. Does that mean I won't get in?

[Benfea]

73. Yes. You will burn in hell for all eternity when you die. -NT

[mvd]

63. Yes

but nothing like the one the Falwells and Robertsons advertise. I don't see God as an old man. I believe in God as a kind of force, and believe in an afterlife and Jesus's teachings. I was baptized Catholic, but I just call myself Christian.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

66. Hardcore Agnostic here!!

I voted other.

:shrug:

[Benfea]

69. Huh. Why isn't there a proper agnostic option?

Agnosticism started out as a philosophy, not a religious view, one that stated it is arrogant for any human to claim to know anything with absolute certainty.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

74. Well this time it's the religious sense.

[Benfea]

76. I know.

But none of the "maybe" options really describes the agnostic viewpoint (religious or philosophical).

[Blue_Tires]

67. Shammgod?

[Popol Vuh]

77. When I see him

Then I'll believe.

[pokerfan]

78. Might exist

If God exists, I guess I'm gonna face the performance review from hell.

[aclog]

81. I don't know if the masses will survive

but I'll believe in God when one and one are five...

[dysfunctional press]

82. man created god in his own image

and i wish that the people who believe in one would hurry up and go be with it.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

86. ...

:rofl:

[Fox Mulder]

84. Not sure if I do or not.

I classify myself as a hopeful agnostic--I hope there's a God, but I'm still not sure if I believe in one.

[Strong Atheist]

87. Guess ... nt.