Does anyone here believe that perhaps the universe is purely within God's (for lack of a better word) mind? Perhaps the universe is simply a impermanent thought of his which he continues in order to simulate growth in his souls (us)? In order for us to learn lessons that only can be learned from being mortal? Such as lessons that include not just human physical or mental stimulus but also acts of evil that we inflict or can have inflicted on us? This is pertaining from the belief that in God's actual reality there can be no evil.

care to assist me more?

care to assist me more?

the creative nature of the universe for one, just ask yourself this, do you like the thought of you dying and becoming nothing? Or would you rather want to go to a place of paradise and be with loved ones... The faith is also hope, hope that we are on a road to somewhere magnificent, even if its just enlightenment. Logic and possibilities are just man's ways, if it were easy to believe in God then this world not teach anyone anything.

I havent given a description of him...

What is this obsession to reinvent god because the old gods failed the test of logic...

... just ask yourself this, do you like the thought of you dying and becoming nothing? Or would you rather want to go to a place of paradise and be with loved ones...

It's brutal honesty, and he/she needs a hundred cookies and a copy of the Philosophy Forum Home-Game for this. It's something I think very few have the courage to say. In a sense, it says, "who cares whether or not its true, I choose to believe". Now, I don't think this is a good idea - at all - but it speaks volumes about the emotional need so many humans have. It doesn't matter how silly, absurd, murky or pointless the concept is (as a whole), the human heart asserts itself and reaches out for something.

To my mind one is happier, healthier, more peaceful, more compassionate once this whole silliness is shed. I can understand the desire to believe in "something"; but to me that does not make it (and such can be very painful and terrifying at first, given how we've been socialized). In the end equation, we all must do what our heart bids, no matter how it looks to others.

My beliefs on the afterlife are vague, obviously. I'm not describing God or heaven. It's purely hope of relationships carrying over. Through intwining or enlightenment. It's not an emotional need, it's a want, nobody needs a purpose, it just is felt. It's what stops me from being nihilistic, it's what stops most people from being selfish altogether. Not the fear of judgment but rather self worth and dignity. If you choose to be some science thumper, and think our own little method is going to solve or at least somewhat logically ensure you the probalitity you made....you will always be empty. It makes you sleep at night knowing we are the smartest thing in the universe...? That's illogical. Science is bias, it just takes substantial spirituality to become aware. Those who haven't experienced it are the ones who's egos lay in their own observational fallicies. :nonooo:

I'm not quite sure what it is that leads people to think that 'science' is some sort of replacement for silly notions of any kind of god. To me, both concepts/notions serve two distinctly different functions, have different aims and vastly-divergent appeals to the human mind.

Another disconnect is that somehow the absence of traditional god-notions or dime-store mysticism somehow equates to a nihilistic feeling; ah contrare!

• It is the embracing of our existence as mortal - as we all collectively experience - that imbues us with purpose, meaning and hope.
  

• It is the shedding of puerile notions of an afterlife that gives the present so much more value.
  

• It is the acceptance that humans do evil and good that spur us to fight injustice, reward compassion and take responsibility for our actions.
  

• It is the adherence to our mortality that causes us to value each moment. Life is so much more precious when viewed in its temporary condition; all life.
  

So yea, I just don't get it. But that's ok, I love y'all just the same Why? Because we're all in this together and we have only each other. Let's live our lives, relying on and protecting each other because yes; this is most likely "... all that we are".

Thanks

Until we can demonstrate that we have no need for God in our explanations of the universe then I suppose we'll just have to have faith in his non-existence.