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

[Timey]

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?

 

[The rabbit]

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?

On a simple level I would ask if they would agree that they are conscious , and then just say well the universe is conscious on a humongous scale and that all is a part of that consciousness. I also have now and again said we dont have the brain or the knowledge to even ask the right question to such things. It is the lessons we learn , the experience and the truth and knowledge we gain along the way which accumulates that brings us closer to understanding and sensing what "is"

I also think of a small water wave besides a larger wave in the ocean wishing it was as big as the larger wave without it understanding that itself and the larger wave are just a part of the larger ocean.

 

[seek10]

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?

Question is who or what is meant by God ?. whether to Believe or not question comes later. Every body has their definition of God based on their understanding from our limited mind/brain, upbringing, media etc. It is much easier to ask what is meant by god and point the errors in thought process makes others think gradually in different way. Dead dude on Cross or much intelligent being that can do lot of super natural feats Or some characters we were told to be great so god or some body or some thing solves your problems when asked or some body /some thing every body agrees to be god or some thing gives unimaginable bliss or what ever . I know you dont want to talk, so just laugh and let it go, it saves lot of energy.

 

[mkrnhr]

I guess the answer depends on who is asking and why. The context is important.

 

[loreta]

I guess the answer depends on who is asking and why. The context is important.

I agree. Depends of the context and also of the people. The majority of the time my answer is: No, I don't believe in God. But if I can discuss with the person and can explain my answer is different, less strict. Not because I change my mind, but because the God they are asking if I believe, in the most cases, is for me an entity that I really don't believe.

 

[Joe]

You could say you adhere to the theory of 'rational design' which posits that everything in the universe is imbued with an intelligence of its own and the sum of all those parts are what you would describe as "god", although that's just a word for it, any many others could be used and would perhaps be more appropriate.

Of course, that doesn't answer the question of "who created it", but if the answer to that is "no one, it always was and always will be", then it's kind of a moot point, or, that is one of the great mysteries of life, but we don't need to know who (if anyone) created the living system to study it and understand that it operates under its own steam, so to speak. The main point here is that the evidence does not suggest that any force or power is directing life etc, but rather that it is an inherently intelligence and self-sustaining system.

 

[Guardian]

Living in the South, I get "Have you found Jesus?" quite often, to which I respond "Yeah, he was in the couch cushions the whole time" then walk away while they're trying to process my answer. :P

 

[Gimpy]

Living in the South, I get "Have you found Jesus?" quite often, to which I respond "Yeah, he was in the couch cushions the whole time" then walk away while they're trying to process my answer. :P

Good addition to my personal favorite: "What? Don't tell me you lost him AGAIN!?!"

 

[Timey]

Living in the South, I get "Have you found Jesus?" quite often, to which I respond "Yeah, he was in the couch cushions the whole time" then walk away while they're trying to process my answer. :P

Good addition to my personal favorite: "What? Don't tell me you lost him AGAIN!?!"

Some sound and interesting advice/insight guys. Thanks.

I guess the answer depends on who is asking and why. The context is important.

It is usually friends and sometimes family, although the question has been raised in education before. Maybe asking them why they want to know is the best starting option. It is a pretty personal question after all, and the questioner might have an agenda.

 

[Buddy]

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?

Depends on my mood at the time, and you're right...it is a personal question and people who ask that do have an agenda--at least a motivation to ask and a purpose for the answer--even if it's just to peg you in some way, I reckon.

If I'm not in the mood to give a funny answer, and Strategic Enclosure is heap big value at the time I might simply re-translate the question mentally, to something like: "Are you a spiritual person?", to which I might answer "yes, of course!"

I figure since there's nothing but fictional definitions for "God" anyway, my translation is as good as theirs. If I'm called on it, I can play the 'religion is a personal thing' card and say something like "...that's what it means to me". And maybe follow up with "...why you all up in my bidness?" :)

 

[mabar]

My usual answer is: Yes, but is not the same as the one you believe.
Most of the people which happened to make that question believe in the “old man in the clouds directing our lives”. Their response is similar as in Guardian's, end of further conversation regarding God, their God.

 

[Gonzo]

It's a good question and certainly worth figuring out as part of external considering and strategic enclosure, since the answer could cause you grief with the person asking, or it could cause them distress, depending on their beliefs. However, if they are genuinely curious and have an open mind, it might be a great opportunity to share ideas. So, as seems to be the consensus, it really depends (especially if they're holding a rope with a noose at one end).

Depending on who's asking, I might reply with the question, "why do you ask?", which helps me figure out what they're fishing for. Sometimes that response leads to some very interesting conversations.

Or, I might reply yes, but I don't believe in religion. If they are curious about that reply, I point out the amount of wars being started by religion and fought in God's name, and the irony where each side believes God is with them and they are therefore fighting on the side of righteousness. Then, I might point out that Christinaity, for example, has several factions (Baptist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, United, etc.) ranging from ultra orthodox to quite liberal. They all believe in the same God but rarely agree on anything else. If the same God presents himself differently to each Christian faction, then maybe it's the same God that presents himself differently to all people, regardless of their religion. Of course, that's blasphemy n some circles.

Sometimes I've stayed out of trouble by merely saying, yes, I believe in a higher power and leaving it at that without and further description.

If the person is being really bold, then I might act offended and say that it's a deeply personal matter. However, it might be fun to put on a Forrest Gump voice and say, I was taught it was rude to ask about a person's age, their income, how they vote, their sexual preference or their religion, thank you very much.

Gonzo

 

[Azur]

Only a few people have ever asked me that question. (A lot of others who were going to feed me that line lost interest in a hurry, for some reason).

I simply say nothing, and just listen to them.

 

[loreta]

With some people it is impossible to argue. Like with the Jehovah. So when they come, not very often here but sometimes, I cut drastically: I say to them that I am very busy, I wish them a very nice day. I try to be gentle, because they are very gentle. But impossible to have a conversation with them they are so brainwash.

 

[Beau]

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.