Why do believers love God?

[Trailblazer]

What is meditation then? How does science discover unknown things if the mind does not explore different frames of references.

It is a choice to think that deeply, and that can take us far from our comfort zone.

Regards Tony

It is a choice to meditate, but what comes out of it is not a choice, Imo.

 

[CG Didymus]

I can say that one with Faith prays that all may be immersed in God's Love,

You often mention "frames" of reference. I think that is important here. Different people in different religions, and even in the same religion, believe in and see God or some sort of spiritual reality differently. So, what they are "immersing" themselves into is a perception of God they have come to believe in. I've got to believe some of those conceptions of God are wrong. Yet if believing that concept of God gets them to "immerse" themselves in love, then it's going to result in them becoming nicer, kinder, and loving person. For you, as a Baha'i, an example of this would be a Trinitarian Christian. That person believes that God is made up of a Father, a Son and a Holy Spirit. Baha'is don't believe that is true. But, for that Christian, they "immerse" themselves into that belief and, even though, to a Baha'i, that is a false belief, they can feel the love coming from that imagined Trinitarian God. They can also become more loving themselves, because they follow the religious teachings that say they should be selfless and loving. But, if the Baha'i Faith is true, they don't even believe in a God that is real.

the only reason to love God is so one can feel loved by God.

I have Trinitarian Christians in the family and they are constantly saying, "Praise you" "I love you" "I worship you" And I do believe they feel it, 'cause it shows. Their faces are all lit up, and they try to do the right thing and to be kind and loving. But I've seen it coming from a person that believes in multiple Gods. Or no God. Or, like the love and good behavior of a kid that believes in Santa. So, it's great that people become more loving, but does it really matter what they believe? As long as they believe it and it gets them to become more loving?

 

[Truthseeker]

Why do believers love God?
Below are the multiple choices. You can pick one or more, or give me another reason I hadn't thought of.

(a) Because the scriptures of their religion tell them that God is good and they should love God
(b) Because they see objective evidence in the world that indicates to them that God is good and worthy of being loved
(c) Because they believe that God is good since God has been good to them in their lives
(d) None of the above because I don’t love God

The scriptures of my religion say that God created humans out of His love for us and that we are supposed to love God, because otherwise we cut ourselves off from God’s love.

3: O SON OF MAN! Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty.

4: O SON OF MAN! I loved thy creation, hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me, that I may name thy name and fill thy soul with the spirit of life.”

5: O SON OF BEING! Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee. Know this, O servant.

The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 4

In all honesty I had to pick (d). Why can’t I love God?

First, I believe God created a world that is a storehouse of suffering where He knew people would suffer, often through no fault of their own. Not only that, the all-knowing God knew that some people would suffer much more than other people and I do not consider this fair and equitable.

Second, I believe that God determines fate for the most part, leaving very little room for any choices. Any free will that people have is circumscribed by many factors such as childhood upbringing, heredity, education, adult experiences, and present life circumstances, so many people cannot just make changes they would like to make. So many things are beyond our control, and it is God who determines much of our fate.

Third, on top of all of the above the Baha’i Writings say that God sends tests for our own perfection and we should be grateful for the tests. Because of the tests I have always endured, whether God is actually sending them or not, I keep looking over my shoulder waiting for another test.

Will the tests of this life ever end? Is God sending these tests on purpose or are they just part of life? If they are just part of life, why do some people get more tests than other people? I am supposed to believe I am favored by God because I am tested more than others so I will end up being stronger and more spiritual, but I cannot make myself believe that even if it is true, since there is no evidence that is or will be the case. All we have are scriptures that say that and I cannot believe based on scriptures when I see no objective evidence.

How can people love a God that is responsible for any or all of the above? It is my concerted opinion that the main reason people love God is because of (a) and (c) above but I cannot love God because scriptures tell me I should and I cannot love God based upon how good God has been to me, since I do not feel that has been the case, although I am willing to admit I might be wrong since my perceptions of my past and present life situation could be wrong.

I want to love God but I have to have a reason that makes sense to me, so I thought by starting this thread some people might give me some reasons that make sense to me.

Sincerely, Trailblazer.

I'm surprised you ended your post with a smiling icon.

I think it is a useless quest to ask other people why you should love God. You need to look within yourself and pray. Only you can answer this question, or God. I've answered this question many times, but it is useless.

 

[sun rise]

Love is an action, not a feeling.

I love that.

 

[Truthseeker]

I see it is because God is naught but Love.

The most sublime and perfect Love we can imagine or can experience in this life, still does not show us the immensity of that Love.

The pain and suffering we face in this world is all part of Love, Faith allows us to embrace all the good and the bad, in the knowledge that only Love results.

I guess it is what many call enlightenment, where we transcend self to be immersed in that Love.

No easy feat, it is a battle we all face in this life, Regards Tony

That makes sense, but it is useless for her, she needs to answer this herself, or God will answer her.

 

[Trailblazer]

I have Trinitarian Christians in the family and they are constantly saying, "Praise you" "I love you" "I worship you" And I do believe they feel it, 'cause it shows. Their faces are all lit up, and they try to do the right thing and to be kind and loving. But I've seen it coming from a person that believes in multiple Gods. Or no God. Or, like the love and good behavior of a kid that believes in Santa. So, it's great that people become more loving, but does it really matter what they believe? As long as they believe it and it gets them to become more loving?

I think it matters what people believe but what matters more is that they are loving towards others, but what I was referring to was their need to be loved by God. Christians always say "Jesus loves me" and of course Baha'is also believe that God loves them. I never understood why it was so important to feel loved by God, what good does it do anyone?

 

[Trailblazer]

That makes sense, but it is useless for her, she needs to answer this herself, or God will answer her.

God is not going to answer anything and I think we both know that.
I have no answer and I don't need an answer. Believers come up with answers even though there is no answer and then they get upset with me for pointing that out.

 

[Trailblazer]

I'm surprised you ended your post with a smiling icon.

I think it is a useless quest to ask other people why you should love God. You need to look within yourself and pray. Only you can answer this question, or God. I've answered this question many times, but it is useless.

Why shouldn't I end it with a smiling icon? I am not unhappy because I do not love God.
Why would I pray to a God I do not love? I do not need love from God. Why can't believers just accept that?

 

[Truthseeker]

Why do believers love God?
Below are the multiple choices. You can pick one or more, or give me another reason I hadn't thought of.

(a) Because the scriptures of their religion tell them that God is good and they should love God
(b) Because they see objective evidence in the world that indicates to them that God is good and worthy of being loved
(c) Because they believe that God is good since God has been good to them in their lives
(d) None of the above because I don’t love God

The scriptures of my religion say that God created humans out of His love for us and that we are supposed to love God, because otherwise we cut ourselves off from God’s love.

3: O SON OF MAN! Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty.

4: O SON OF MAN! I loved thy creation, hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me, that I may name thy name and fill thy soul with the spirit of life.”

5: O SON OF BEING! Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee. Know this, O servant.

The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 4

In all honesty I had to pick (d). Why can’t I love God?

First, I believe God created a world that is a storehouse of suffering where He knew people would suffer, often through no fault of their own. Not only that, the all-knowing God knew that some people would suffer much more than other people and I do not consider this fair and equitable.

Second, I believe that God determines fate for the most part, leaving very little room for any choices. Any free will that people have is circumscribed by many factors such as childhood upbringing, heredity, education, adult experiences, and present life circumstances, so many people cannot just make changes they would like to make. So many things are beyond our control, and it is God who determines much of our fate.

Third, on top of all of the above the Baha’i Writings say that God sends tests for our own perfection and we should be grateful for the tests. Because of the tests I have always endured, whether God is actually sending them or not, I keep looking over my shoulder waiting for another test.

Will the tests of this life ever end? Is God sending these tests on purpose or are they just part of life? If they are just part of life, why do some people get more tests than other people? I am supposed to believe I am favored by God because I am tested more than others so I will end up being stronger and more spiritual, but I cannot make myself believe that even if it is true, since there is no evidence that is or will be the case. All we have are scriptures that say that and I cannot believe based on scriptures when I see no objective evidence.

How can people love a God that is responsible for any or all of the above? It is my concerted opinion that the main reason people love God is because of (a) and (c) above but I cannot love God because scriptures tell me I should and I cannot love God based upon how good God has been to me, since I do not feel that has been the case, although I am willing to admit I might be wrong since my perceptions of my past and present life situation could be wrong.

I want to love God but I have to have a reason that makes sense to me, so I thought by starting this thread some people might give me some reasons that make sense to me.

Sincerely, Trailblazer.

The only answer I have is this, in a song from Enya, at the end of the Fellowship of the Ring:

 

[Trailblazer]

That makes sense, but it is useless for her, she needs to answer this herself, or God will answer her.

You and I both know that God is not going to answer me because there is no answer to why there is so much suffering in this wold.

I recall what @IndigoChild5559 a Jewish poster on this forum once said about suffering, there is no answer, but Christians and Baha'is have to come up with an answer so they use the apologetics. Of course, Baha'is can always rely upon Abdu'l-Baha to add his two cents worth about suffering and how great it is. Tell that to a mother who just lost her only child from a horrendous murder. Maybe you don't watch those true crime TV shows but I do.

 

[Truthseeker]

Why shouldn't I end it with a smiling icon? I am not unhappy because I do not love God.
Why would I pray to a God I do not love? I do not need love from God. Why can't believers just accept that?

Everybody needs love from God, in my opinion. Perhaps you have it already, but don't know it.

 

[Lain]

How is it impossible to not want to exist? I feel that way all the time so that proves it is possible.

or maybe you have never suffered endlessly.

View attachment 58257

Because every being which can choose seeks good for itself in every single choice they make, this requires existence. Not only that but if you really analyze your own will you'll see that it is directly impossible for you to directly will non-existence, even in the act of doing so you're aiming at truth.

Or rather: choice is always directed at some existent thing.

Indeed, maybe I haven't and maybe I won't. To me only some of the demons and the damned are in such a state right now perhaps.

All of the above is my opinion.

 

[Truthseeker]

You and I both know that God is not going to answer me because there is no answer to why there is so much suffering in this wold.

There is an answer. You will it out in the next world, I guess. Why are you asking this question if you think there is no answer?

 

[Trailblazer]

The only answer I have is this, in a song from Enya, at the end of the Fellowship of the Ring:

That is a beautiful song but I am logic-based not belief-based and that is why I cannot believe what makes no sense to me.

 

[Trailblazer]

There is an answer. You will it out in the next world, I guess. Why are you asking this question if you think there is no answer?

That is what Lewis always says, I will find the answer in the next world, but that is unacceptable to me.
People suffer in THIS world and there is not even any proof that there is a next world.

 

[Trailblazer]

There is an answer. You will it out in the next world, I guess. Why are you asking this question if you think there is no answer?

My question was not about suffering

I said: "I want to love God but I have to have a reason that makes sense to me, so I thought by starting this thread some people might give me some reasons that make sense to me."

So far I have not seen anything that makes sense to me but the thread is still young.

 

[Trailblazer]

Everybody needs love from God, in my opinion. Perhaps you have it already, but don't know it.

That is certainly an opinion, a biased and unevidenced opinion. It is not anything you could ever prove, it is a belief.
How would anyone ever know if they had love from God? There is no way to know that although people can certainly believe it.

I am sorry if I talk like an atheist but in many ways atheists make more sense to me than believers.

 

[rational experiences]

When you all once we're sperm in your father's human testicles and an ova in your mother's ovaries.

And now just because you are an adult human who owns just a human opinion and can voice it...

Does not in fact make any human correct by choice of a human wanting to act upon a human choice.

Is a basic spiritual union teaching human life of an equal life a hu man.

If you used your own thinking self status you look at any human and ask a basic look and saw human advice.

We are not living equally.

Physically or by status a human standing on a planet.

Then you tell observed stories why inequality is seen.

Pretty basic I advise myself when I look for myself instead of listening to coercion.

Therefore humans write a book language meaning. Named it a diction ary.

Said humans use the same basic word explanations.

In the book of words it says sophists using Sophia maths stories are using a coercive cunning contrivance.

The book of words told you so.

 

[Trailblazer]

but if you really analyze your own will you'll see that it is directly impossible for you to directly will non-existence, even in the act of doing so you're aiming at truth.

So what is the act of suicide? Maybe some people just want to get to heaven sooner but others just don't want to exist anymore.

 

[Truthseeker]

I don’t think there’s ever been a satisfactory answer to the question, “why do bad things happen to good people?” So I don’t expect to learn the answer in this life.

This is as good as answer as any.