Why and what do theists believe?

Discussion in 'Religion Archives' started by Medicine*Woman, Aug 24, 2008.

  1. Medicine*Woman Jesus: Mythstory--Not History! Valued Senior Member

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    M*W: This question is age-old. I am directing this question to all theists... not just specific ones. What makes you believe your god exists? What makes you believe you have attained salvation? What makes you better off than non-theists and atheists?
     
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  3. Hapsburg Hellenistic polytheist Valued Senior Member

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    I guess it varies from person to person.
    For me, as a polytheist, it is a mix of integral animism that I have always felt, and UPG, or unverifiable personal gnosis. I recognise, unlike some theists, that UPG is not scientific, and is not an empirical argument for my belief. But, this is belief we are talking about, not empiricism.

    My integral pull towards a somewhat animist/panentheist theological view has motivated me to think of the world itself as evidence for the divine. Not the "Argument from Design" kind of idea, which I've always felt was something that smacked of Creationism; rather, to me, the gods are as real as the trees and air in front of me, because to my view, they are the trees and the air, and the universe around me.

    As to "what" I believe- I believe that there are multiple gods, though they do not directly control the world. I believe that they influence it indirectly through other agents and entities, but nevertheless are felt and should be respected by those who claim to follow them. But, I don't think that everyone should believe the same thing; all people have different views and beliefs, and no one system can satisfy everybody.
    But those that do claim to be theistic should respect the god/s they worship and believe in. Not everyone should belong to the same religion, but if you do belong to a religion, you should follow its tenets and be respectful of them, or else find a different one that suits you.
     
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  5. Mr. Hamtastic whackawhackado! Registered Senior Member

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    Hmmm What makes me believe my God exists? I do. What makes me believe I have attained salvation? Um. Simply put I believe that Jesus Christ was put to death as a sacrifice for all of man's sins, that he was resurrected and that believing in him is all he asked. What makes me better off than non-theists and atheists? If my beliefs turn out right, I get "Eternal Life" in some higher form. If my beliefs turn out wrong, nothing.
     
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  7. greenberg until the end of the world Registered Senior Member

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    You wish. Imagine you get reincarnated over and over again. Live one miserable life, and then another one, and another one. And so on, ever so on.
     

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