Do you believe in God? Why/Why not?

[sales2099]

SpokenTruth said:

sales2099 said:

I am hesitant to bring organized religion in this so I’ll explain further. A belief in a higher power and life after death is preferable to a rather depressing notion that everything is just there just because and when you die it’s the end. 

I gain nothing if I’m an atheist but I have everything to gain by being open minded to the concept. And I can’t stress enough this has no bearing on how I live my life. It literally only applies after I die so I really have nothing to loose. 

But how do you force yourself to believe something you don't?  And it's my understanding that simply being open minded isn't enough to get into Heaven.  You have to fully believe and accept Christ as your savior - depending on your religion of choice.

Which is the next question.....how do you know what is the correct choice?  Thousands of religions.  All claim they are the right one.  Do you just select the most common one in your area or the religion of your parents out of convenience?  Sounds hardly like the spiritual journey one must take to "find" religion.

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Being open minded is preferable to the depressing alternative. Nobody knows what it takes to get into heaven. We can debate all day but nobody knows...just live the best life you can and make positive impact to people around you. And when you die, guess we’ll see. I just know if it is possible, being an atheist isn’t the way to go. But hey, you do you. I don’t care what or what you don’t believe in. 

The religion choice is interesting. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all have the same God. Just different interpretations of any teachings. I’m inclined to believe that’s an overlap that can’t be ignored.