Does it really matter if we believe in God?

[Ancient Soul]

I have been thinking about this a lot lately because I usually post to atheists and I have a lot of atheist friends who do not think it matters if we believe in God. After all, there is no proof that God exists, so it is just as logical to say God does not exist as t is to say that God exists. There is evidence that God exists, but no proof.

So why does it matter if we believe in God? Why is it so important, or is it? This is a question I would like other Baha’is to answer, but also Christians, Muslims, Jews, or any other religious adherents.

The answer to your question is self evident.

It IS important to everyone to figure out the great mystery of WHY we exist, as well as WHY the whole universe exists, which all has to do with the existence of GOD. This is an inherent question we were all born with, why we were given life in the first place, to spiritually evolve as we all figure out this great mystery. Even atheists who claim not to believe in a God, STILL seek answers to this great question of WHY, but use science as their "god" construct although they will never admit it.

The second part of this question is that if God matters as much as some believers say, then why do they live for the material world and all it has to offer? Why don’t they live for God instead of the world? Why don’t they follow the teachings of their religion regarding detachment and sacrifice? This is not meant to be a criticism; it is just something I am wondering about and something to get people thinking. I mean in the Tablet of the True Seeker Baha’is are enjoined by Baha’u’llah to regard the world as utter nothingness.

Because they are lazy frauds. They just want to sit there and have someone spoon feed them some fanciful man made "god" construct so they can tell themselves they know "ALL" about whatever "god" their religion tells them "god" is. And the vast majority thinks their spoon fed carnal ""god" knowledge" and whatever man made rituals that goes along with their religion will
suffice, thinking they don't actually have to DO anything more. Like if they talk the talk, they don't have to actually walk the walk.

Notably, I do not participate in Baha’i activities so I do not know a lot about what other Baha’is think or do except what I read on forums, but most Baha’is I know seem to think I am too extreme in my views regarding detachment and sacrifice, as if I am some kind of ascetic.

Do I simply take this God stuff too seriously, or do others not take it seriously enough? What does God really expect of us? Does it even matter to God what we do? This question is for all believers, whether they have a religion or not.

You should NOT be asking such questions of others, it is your spiritual path so only you should work on answering them, least you get derailed.

A third part of this question is for believers. What do you think will be the repercussions of non-belief? By repercussions I mean what do you think will happen to nonbelievers after they die? Do you have a set belief about that? I sure don’t, but it is a big concern of mine and I have no real answers because it has not been spelled out in the scriptures of my religion, unless I am missing something. Maybe the Baha’is can fill me in if there is something I missed.

Finally, if it does not matter if we believe in God before we die, and we will all find out that God exists after we die, why even bother to believe in God? I mean most atheists I know live very moral lives, so they do not really need the teachings and laws of religions, so why does it matter if they believe in God before they die?

I have some personal reasons for asking these questions that might come out later.

This is complicated.

First, the terms "believers" and "non-believers" are usually used by Christians to set up an US VS THEM conflict with "believers" and "non-believers" of the Jesus myth. But if I take the entire context of your last questions here, I take them to mean "believers" and "non-believers" in a generic God.

Given the last part is correct, then if someone does not even believe in God, then they will be returned to this world for as many life cycles until they spiritually evolve enough to enter what most call Heaven. As there is no way they can spiritually evolve enough to pass God's judgment and enter Heaven without being able to grasp the sheer magnitude of what God, his nature, his laws, his plan for all souls, etc, is all about, without God's direct help.

 

[Trailblazer]

The answer to your question is self evident.

It IS important to everyone to figure out the great mystery of WHY we exist, as well as WHY the whole universe exists, which all has to do with the existence of GOD. This is an inherent question we were all born with, why we were given life in the first place, to spiritually evolve as we all figure out this great mystery. Even atheists who claim not to believe in a God, STILL seek answers to this great question of WHY, but use science as their "god" construct although they will never admit it.

I fully agree with that and I feel very sad for people who never solve the mystery.

Because they are lazy frauds. They just want to sit there and have someone spoon feed them some fanciful man made "god" construct so they can tell themselves they know "ALL" about whatever "god" their religion tells them "god" is. And the vast majority thinks their spoon fed carnal ""god" knowledge" and whatever man made rituals that goes along with their religion will
suffice, thinking they don't actually have to DO anything more. Like if they talk the talk, they don't have to actually walk the walk.

There might be some truth to the laziness because they become lazy when they have beliefs that say you do not have to do anything but believe Jesus died FOR YOU. They even brag about it.

But I think there is more to it than that. I have posted to so many Christians now that I think I have a handle on the psychology. I think most that adhere to the Christian doctrines even though they are nonsensical because they have been brainwashed by the Church. It’s that simple. You can try to reason with them, but it usually does not work. They LIKE what they believe because it is emotionally appealing that Jesus loves them and Jesus died for them. They don’t want to be told that original sin never existed, that it is a sham, because then they don’t think they would need Jesus anymore. But we still needed Jesus, just not to save us from original sin.

You should NOT be asking such questions of others, it is your spiritual path so only you should work on answering them, least you get derailed.

I was just asking the questions to make people think. I already know the answers to the questions. Once in a while I think that maybe I am too serious, but deep down I know I am not, and that I am just being unduly influenced by the materialistic people all around me.

First, the terms "believers" and "non-believers" are usually used by Christians to set up an US VS THEM conflict with "believers" and "non-believers" of the Jesus myth. But if I take the entire context of your last questions here, I take them to mean "believers" and "non-believers" in a generic God.

Given the last part is correct, then if someone does not even believe in God, then they will be returned to this world for as many life cycles until they spiritually evolve enough to enter what most call Heaven. As there is no way they can spiritually evolve enough to pass God's judgment and enter Heaven without being able to grasp the sheer magnitude of what God, his nature, his laws, his plan for all souls, etc, is all about, without God's direct help.

I do not believe anyone ever comes back to this world after they die physically. They rather continue to progress in the spiritual world. The mystery is how we progress or if everyone will progress. Will nonbelievers realize there is a God after they die? There are so many mysteries.

 

[Gandalf]

The second part of this question is that if God matters as much as some believers say, then why do they live for the material world and all it has to offer? Why don’t they live for God instead of the world? Why don’t they follow the teachings of their religion regarding detachment and sacrifice?

This always shocks me when I see this attitude in religion. Life is good and as to why somebody would desire another world they can't experience baffles me. Why do people think God must be detached from this world to begin with that alone seems bizarre.

 

[Trailblazer]

This always shocks me when I see this attitude in religion. Life is good and as to why somebody would desire another world they can't experience baffles me. Why do people think God must be detached from this world to begin with that alone seems bizarre.

God is not detached from THIS world, nor does God have to be.
It is believers who have been enjoined to be detached from this world and for good reason. This world is not FOREVER. It is only temporary.

I asked "Why don’t they live for God instead of the world?" I was not suggesting that they do not live for this world at all. I was only suggesting they not get too attached to this world because it is only temporary. We will all die someday. WHAT about THAT do people NOT understand?

Life is not good for everyone. Why are people so self-centered in thinking that life is good just because it is good for them? That demonstrates a lack of compassion.

“O thou seeker of the Kingdom! Thy letter was received. Thou hast written of the severe calamity that hath befallen thee—the death of thy respected husband. That honourable man hath been so subjected to the stress and strain of this world that his greatest wish was for deliverance from it. Such is this mortal abode: a storehouse of afflictions and suffering. It is ignorance that binds man to it, for no comfort can be secured by any soul in this world, from monarch down to the most humble commoner. If once this life should offer a man a sweet cup, a hundred bitter ones will follow; such is the condition of this world. The wise man, therefore, doth not attach himself to this mortal life and doth not depend upon it; at some moments, even, he eagerly wisheth for death that he may thereby be freed from these sorrows and afflictions. Thus it is seen that some, under extreme pressure of anguish, have committed suicide.

As to thy husband, rest assured. He will be immersed in the ocean of pardon and forgiveness and will become the recipient of bounty and favour. Strive thine utmost to give his child a Bahá’í training so that when he attaineth maturity he may be merciful, illumined and heavenly.” Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 200

 

[Gandalf]

God is not detached from THIS world, nor does God have to be.
It is believers who have been enjoined to be detached from this world and for good reason. This world is not FOREVER. It is only temporary.

I asked "Why don’t they live for God instead of the world?" I was not suggesting that they do not live for this world at all. I was only suggesting they not get too attached to this world because it is only temporary. We will all die someday. WHAT about THAT do people NOT understand?

Life is not good for everyone. Why are people so self-centered in thinking that life is good just because it is good for them? That demonstrates a lack of compassion.

I am not referring to all people in all walks of life. Life is not good for me and I am going to court as a result of it and I do not want somebody else's compassion for my sob story of a life.

 

[osgart]

Anyways, God is big enough not to be personally offended by a sincere person's lack of belief, or conviction that God exists. I am one of those people.

Until we are officially introduced I won't sweat the relationship and neither will the infinite goodness of God deny me nor any other sincere folks.

Considering God is the proprietor of infinite real estate i am sure God will find a place for sincere atheist folks.

Assuming God exists of course!

 

[Trailblazer]

I am not referring to all people in all walks of life. Life is not good for me and I am going to court as a result of it and I do not want somebody else's compassion for my sob story of a life.

Well then I won't show you compassion because I don't want to force my compassion upon anyone.
I could tell you some stories about my sob story of a life but I do not want anyone's pity...
Compassion is good though, because it is good for the one who bestows it upon another and it is good for the recipient if the compassion is sincere....
Legal stuff is the pits.... I am going through some of that right now.

 

[Ancient Soul]

I fully agree with that and I feel very sad for people who never solve the mystery.

Most never even try to solve the great mystery because they've been led astray by one of the many man made religions. And then get stuck there.

There might be some truth to the laziness because they become lazy when they have beliefs that say you do not have to do anything but believe Jesus died FOR YOU. They even brag about it.

The bragging part comes entirely from their ego because the Christians are led to falsely believe they are "special", "chosen", and so their mythology automatically makes them superior to everyone else and all the "others" are evil.

But I think there is more to it than that. I have posted to so many Christians now that I think I have a handle on the psychology. I think most that adhere to the Christian doctrines even though they are nonsensical because they have been brainwashed by the Church. It’s that simple. You can try to reason with them, but it usually does not work. They LIKE what they believe because it is emotionally appealing that Jesus loves them and Jesus died for them. They don’t want to be told that original sin never existed, that it is a sham, because then they don’t think they would need Jesus anymore. But we still needed Jesus, just not to save us from original sin.

Exactly. I've been dealing with Christians on other forums for many years now and there is no other way they would believe in such nonsense, but by being brainwashed, usually when just a little child.

I was just asking the questions to make people think. I already know the answers to the questions. Once in a while I think that maybe I am too serious, but deep down I know I am not, and that I am just being unduly influenced by the materialistic people all around me.

You sounded serious, like you were wavering on your beliefs, at least that's the way it struck me. So I replied with my caution on that.

I do not believe anyone ever comes back to this world after they die physically.

You should not be too sure about that.

Will nonbelievers realize there is a God after they die? There are so many mysteries.

Oh, they will realize there's a God when their soul is judged.