How to answer the question "do you believe in God?"

[Sinny]

That's a question I soon got sick of answering, as I actually get asked quite often, whether it be my Roman Catholic family questioning, the Local Cristian radicals, or the Islamic preachers in my town center..

My response has always been, "There's some higher power, but to label it is foolish". Then they'd each go on to convince me their label is correct..

I got really tired of that, so last week, I went and got the sign of infinity tattooed on my wrist, now when people ask, I show them that, and I proceed to show them how the loop has no beginning and no end.. I tell them that's what "God" is.

 

[RflctnOfU]

A lot of people have asked me this question, and I find it kind of tricky to answer. In the past, when I've answered yes, people seem to think that I think there is an old man in the clouds directing our lives. Part of me wants to point out that that isn't what I think, but I don't really want to get into some kind of theological/spiritual discussion. I also don't want to open a can of worms. I also find the word belief almost wrong, like it isn't really a matter of belief for me any more.
These days I just say "yeah, something like that."

How do you guys answer this question if its raised?

I answer this question thus: "That depends on what you mean by 'god'".

Kris

edit..punctuation

 

[Sarrestia]

Because of an old tattoo on my left inset arm, I tend to get a lot of questions about my beliefs. However, this one occurrence really through me for a loop, and kind of creeped me out.

A friend and I were visiting one of her friends in Indiana and had to stop by the local Walmart for some food and supplies for the hotel. We were trying to find the coffee mug section when we were approached by a man with a young girl trailing after him. It was maybe 20 minutes to closing and the place already had a weird vibe to it (as most Walmart's do). I had noticed that he had cash in his right hand by his side. He walked right up to us and asked us if we believed in God. I said no, while my friend tried to take a middle road and said sort of, yes. He looked right at me and asked why not and I said, "by choice". Before I turned and made a beeline towards the mugs, I caught the look in his eyes: raw and highly confrontational.

I could have taken the non-committal way and mumbled something, but through various experiences, I am far more open to just saying the truth about how I feel and see about things (may not always be the best route, but at least people know where I stand on things). As we headed to the check out lanes, we saw the same guy with the little girl behind him ask the same question to other Walmart patrons. I also noted the narrowed eyes he gave me as we left.

Very creepy, especially at a closing, near-midnight Walmart in a town I had never been to before. I think the best thing to do is read the emotions and thoughts of the people asking you that question - as best as one can - to get an idea as to how to answer, and whether or not that answer will spark something in them to either continue in a discussion (a genuine attempt to understand other people) or react in an aggressive manner.

 

[Breton]

How about this response to evade the question, if it seems the right circumstances for it:

"I believe it does not matter if one believes in God or not."

Then can add this if asked to clarify:

"Why would the ultimate, prime Creator of absolutely everything, care if some human believes in its existence or not?"

Of course depending on the circumstances, and if like Sarrestia related, it is a confrontational STRANGER - one could just say "none of your business sir", or "that is a private matter friend, good day" and so on. Many have wisely said it depends on the circumstances, but sometimes it is nice to have some prepared statements, just in case! :)

 

[Mountain Crown]

It depends on who asks:

Comic – “Joe Pesci”

Hungarian – “Prince Palinka”

Tenor – “Caruso”

Jehovah Witness – “J. Hoover”

Christian- “Walk on water? Chuck Norris can swim through land!”

Atheist- “There is no theory of evolution, just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live.”

Physicist-“Chuck Norris can light a fire by rubbing ice cubes together.”

Israeli – “Chuck Norris can eat chicken soup with a knife.”

Kidding aside, it seems to me that the best answer would be the externally considerate one, regardless of what I believe or not believe.

 

[Voyageur]

I respond to that question by saying I am agnostic. I tell them I believe that their is a higher power but that it is not any kind of physical entity like Jesus. Most people understand what agnostic means, and that's usually that.

Pretty much my response too. Depends on who asks and why.

 

[Deleted member 8431]

I respond to that question by saying I am agnostic. I tell them I believe that their is a higher power but that it is not any kind of physical entity like Jesus. Most people understand what agnostic means, and that's usually that.

Pretty much my response too. Depends on who asks and why.

I also like to say that I'm more like a pantheist-agnostic. So it means on top on agnostism, I think that All is ultimately One.

Also agnostism, as far as I understand, defines that the 'higher power(s)' cannot be truly gasped by us at our current level of awarness.

Kind of like what Max Planck used to say;

"Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. And that is because, in the last analysis, we ourselves are a part of the mystery that we are trying to solve."

 

[TheSpoon]

I also like to say that I'm more like a pantheist-agnostic. So it means on top on agnostism, I think that All is ultimately One.

I sort of align myself with Panentheism, which is similar to Pantheism (All is One, God in All Things) but allows that God exists beyond "All That Is" as well.

_http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism

Panentheism (from Greek πᾶν (pân) "all"; ἐν (en) "in"; and θεός (theós) "God"; "all-in-God") is a belief system which posits that the divine (be it a monotheistic God, polytheistic gods, or an eternal cosmic animating force), interpenetrates every part of nature and timelessly extends beyond it. Panentheism differentiates itself from pantheism, which holds that the divine is synonymous with the universe.

So I say "Panentheist", and then I take a deep breath like I'm about to explain what that is in some detail and usually the conversation moves on to other things fairly quickly after that ;)

 

[Deleted member 8431]

I also like to say that I'm more like a pantheist-agnostic. So it means on top on agnostism, I think that All is ultimately One.

I sort of align myself with Panentheism, which is similar to Pantheism (All is One, God in All Things) but allows that God exists beyond "All That Is" as well.

_http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism

Panentheism (from Greek πᾶν (pân) "all"; ἐν (en) "in"; and θεός (theós) "God"; "all-in-God") is a belief system which posits that the divine (be it a monotheistic God, polytheistic gods, or an eternal cosmic animating force), interpenetrates every part of nature and timelessly extends beyond it. Panentheism differentiates itself from pantheism, which holds that the divine is synonymous with the universe.

So I say "Panentheist", and then I take a deep breath like I'm about to explain what that is in some detail and usually the conversation moves on to other things fairly quickly after that ;)

Oh! Then I guess 'panentheism' would suit better my view(s).

I think God is Infinite and the sum of All that Is and that Is Not. So it's really beyond anything we can even immagine...

 

[Avala]

I usually say just short "yes" or "no", depending what the person who asks want to hear. And then go on the other subject or move away from that person. There is a little chance that someone will understand what I have to tell him/her.

Of course there are exceptions, but I must know that person little longer. But even then the chances are very small.

 

[TheSpoon]

I think God is Infinite and the sum of All that Is and that Is Not. So it's really beyond anything we can even immagine...

The sum of all that is, isn't, was, will-be, won't be, has been and might be and then some extra suff beyond that too!

:D

Actually what came to mind there was a video I saw which tries to explain how 10 dimensions would work. I got as far as 7 before hitting "beyond what I can imagine". But he (Rob Bryanton) did explain it very clearly:

_http://www.tenthdimension.com/medialinks.php

 

[cherokeemist]

Some very interesting answers from a very enlightened group!
The fact is, no one who knows me would ever ask that question. A stranger on the other hand will probably take one look at me and think, oh boy, here comes trouble and walk the other way! I get misjudged often and am used to it.

 

[Deleted member 8431]

The sum of all that is, isn't, was, will-be, won't be, has been and might be and then some extra suff beyond that too!

Yes! Was, is and will be!

Actually what came to mind there was a video I saw which tries to explain how 10 dimensions would work. I got as far as 7 before hitting "beyond what I can imagine". But he (Rob Bryanton) did explain it very clearly:

_

Is it about the string theory and/or other "spatial" dimension(s)?

 

[TheSpoon]

Is it about the string theory and/or other "spatial" dimension(s)?

Sorry, yes I should have given more details instead of expecting anyone to find out for themselves.

String theory is mentioned, but I wouldn't say it's "about" string theory and in fact there is a disclaimer about this explanation not being consistent with string theory. There's no maths involved - it's more a visualisation and the "Flatlander" story comes up a lot. It is very much about other spatial dimensions - specifically it sticks with calling the 4th dimension Time, and then movement in the 5th dimension exploring all possibilities of this universe, and then 6th exploring all possible universes and that's why I got lost at 7 - which I think was all possible variations of all possible universes.

 

[Esote]

Actually what came to mind there was a video I saw which tries to explain how 10 dimensions would work. I got as far as 7 before hitting "beyond what I can imagine". But he (Rob Bryanton) did explain it very clearly:

_http://www.tenthdimension.com/medialinks.php

Thanks for the link, from which you can have a glimpse of the "Zeroth" Dimension http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emlcwyvnsg0, where 0 is... the biggest number ever!

Hence, to the question "do you believe in God?" an answer may be "do you know Zero"?

To be or not to be...