Why do we believe in God, when there is no scientific evidence of its existance

[cosmosdan]

@Muffin

The thing is, your particular sect, which works for you, and which works for a great many other people, does not work for everyone. Your sect is not willing to recognize this.

Thats my concern as well. I suppose Amen is inappropriate.

Which brings us back to my initial question of what is it about our brains that make people be this way? What is it that makes you so certain of the supremacy of your particular brand of religion, while other people are equally certain of the supremacy their various brands of religion? Within the Judeo-Christian-Islam sphere, why do so many different brands of religion all emerge from the same roots, but then go on to claim supremacy to the exclusion of all others? What, other than the circular argument of god, is it that causes people to believe in god, and for some to passionately believe that their god is the god and that some other fellow’s god is not the god?

I wonder about this a lot. In another thread we were discussing believing provisionally. It seems wisdom to me to understand and acknowledge how very much we don’t know, and be willing to let go of certain beliefs as we grow. Many organized religions embrace traditions that seem to take on a life of their own. It’s as if one aspect of the tradition being threatened might mean everything will fall apart. I know from experience that some things are hard to let go of. I think realizing what we don’t know, and that we all see through a dark glass as Paul said, helps free us to be more tolerant of things we don’t understand. For me it all boiled down to the actions and basic spirit of the individual rather than the details of any doctrine.

[Muffin]

@cosmosdan

If a person is susceptible how able were they of critical thought to begin with?

Probably not much – all the more reason to steer clear of door-to-door selling of religion.

@cosmosdan

If joining a group meets some emotional needs for a time and gains them new experiences and education how bad is it?

Probably a good thing. If it helps then with their life, then good for them. Religion has helped a great many people turn their lives around.

@cosmosdan

When and if people are ready to move on and abandon belief systems that no longer work for them they will.

That’s where I have concerns about cults, for once a sense of close personal community is developed, that tremendously valuable sense of personal community can be held for ransom by forcing a person to either toe the official line, or else be shunned by that community – including one’s close friends and one’s family. When it comes to that point, one is not truly free to choose one’s own path. It is emotional blackmail.

For example:

The Watchtower September 15, 1981, page 25
“A simple ‘Hello’ to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshipped person?”

Watchtower 1988 April 15 p.27
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. It might be possible to have almost no contact at all with the relative. Even if there were some family matters requiring contact, this certainly would be kept to a minimum, in line with the divine principle: “Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person [or guilty of another gross sin], . . . not even eating with such a man.”—1 Corinthians 5:11.”

“Understandably, this may be difficult because of emotions and family ties, such as grandparents’ love for their grandchildren. Yet, this is a test of loyalty to God, as stated by the sister quoted on page 26.”

Watchtower 1963 July 15 p.444
“The wrongdoer has to realize that his status is completely changed, that his faithful Christian relatives thoroughly disapprove of his wicked course and show this disapproval by limiting contacts to only those which are unavoidable…”

Kingdom Ministry 2002 August p.3
“God’s Word states that we should ‘not even eat with such a man.’ (1 Cor. 5:11) Hence, we also avoid social fellowship with an expelled person. This would rule out joining him in a picnic, party, ball game, or trip to the mall or theater or sitting down to a meal with him either in the home or at a restaurant.”

Watchtower 1952 March 1 pp.131, 134
“We might wonder, then, since this congregation which God is developing or bringing into existence is based on love, why anyone should ever want to talk about disfellowshipping or putting people out of this congregation. There certainly must be some reason. Well, the reason for disfellowshipping is that some persons get into this congregation of God that do not love Christ. … Those who are acquainted with the situation in the congregation should never say ‘Hello’ or ‘Goodbye’ to him. He is not welcome in our midst, we avoid him. … Such an individual has no place in the clean organization or congregation of God. He should go back to the wicked group that he once came from and die with that wicked group with Satan’s organization.”

[hereKittyKitty]

“We address self-proclaimed psychics and mediums as lunatics, but praise those who devote themselves to God.”

We do?

"We all know that the universe came about because of the Big Bang and we came about through the natural process of evolution( Not from Adam and Eve ). All, this are solid scientific facts right in your face and not some fabled tale made up by others… "

I don’t even think Darwin believed in the big bang, did he? Evolution was mostly his thing (somebody correct me if I’m wrong) The Big Bang: Solid scientific facts? They’re not facts. That’s why it’s called a theory.

If you want to debate the existance of God you have to start smaller. Start on a certain religion, like Christianity and Jesus Christ.