Why do some people believe in God when they have never seen him before?

Question

Craftsman · Accepted Answer

humans believe in many things they cannot see. The Greeks postulated that there was a smallest particle beyond which matter could not be divided. Atom is called that because it is A-(cannot) tome (cut). No one at that time had ever seen an atom, yet the natural philosophers believed that it must exist.
God cannot be seen either. God is a handy way of saying that the order in the universe and the exact 'sweet spot' we occupy in the solar system, could only have been made by a Creator specifically for life as we know it. Who knows, we might have evolved, and if conditions were different, our evolution might have been into life we would not recognize. God is an easy way of explaining the existence of things we do not understand. Often, things are what we don't understand yet, like the structure of molecules and atoms to the Greeks. Just because we cannot see atoms doesn't mean atoms do not exist, and just because we cannot see God does not mean God does not exist.
Maybe God is simply a living creative entity we do not yet have a means to verify. That doesn't mean God exists the way we have described, nor does the fact that 'no man has seen God' disprove God's existence.
It may even be that in a universe of infinite possibilities, or an infinity of universes, we just got lucky and evolved in this one, and God does not exist. We argued for centuries about flat earth, and the heavens rotating above us with the stars in crystal hemispheres attached to domes moving above us. Truth evolves, and as we humans increase knowledge, "truth" changes.
The discussion of religion, that human created structure in which we define God, is a completely different discussion,

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

When you push a "fact" into a childs head when they are very young, it's often very difficult to get rid of it later in life.

People believe all sorts of things just because they were told it was true by someone they trusted when they were young. They can be positive things, "you're the best" which can lead to arrogance and entitlement, negative things "no one will ever love you" which can lead to damaged adults with low self-esteem, the scientifically inaccurate "blood is actually blue until it touches the air", the historically inaccurate "In Columbus's day, everyone thought the world was flat", and the spiritually inaccurate "there's an invisible man in the sky who sees everything you do, and he's going to judge you when you die and maybe send you to hell - but he loves you"

Ez-Bri-Z · Accepted Answer

It's easier to survive in life when you have an ideal to cling to. For some, that is their creator. For others, it is science.

In the end they are basically all doing the same things, just with a different belief to hold on to while fighting furiously to explain why they are right and the other side is wrong. I don't personally understand why the hate exists. There doesn't have to be battlelines drawn. We could all just simply exist and find our own motivations to draw strength from while accepting there are others out there who have a different view.

Honestly, it's ok to be different. It's ok to have faith in what you believe in.

jennifer_bloom · Accepted Answer

I have a connection with God but I believe because I chose to believe.

Dchrls78104 · Answer

I believe that the wind exists although I have never seen its colour.
I believe that the sun emits ultraviolet light although I have never seen ultraviolet light.
I believe that the Milky Way galaxy and other galaxies exist although I have never been anywhere off the surface of the planet earth.
I believe in the existence of my ancestors from a thousand years ago although I cannot trace their lineage.
I believe in the existence of DNA although I have never seen an actual DNA strand.
I believe that snow and sleet exist although I have never left my tropical country.
So why should I not believe in the God who made all of those things possible? Because I have never seen Him?

kkirk4442 · Answer

The world, our solar system, and the universe, speak of a God. The fantastic intricacies and coordination among planets, etc, are just too fantastic to think that they just happened. The great complexity and organization speaks of God. Also, there is the personal relationship with God, that influences people to think that there is a God.

RasmusAiken · Answer

"Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon
Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned
Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind"

RedSauce · Answer

Same reason some people believe that the earth is flat without having solid proof or that fairies exists because they saw a flash of light in the distance, faith isn’t supposed to make any sense but the people that do have very strong faith (despite seeming more than a little unhinged) are never gonna change their minds

Alexandrubaschet08 · Answer

Why do i need to be like Toma? To see to belive?  "You belive because you see... Blased be thous who don't see and belive" - Jesus

Anonymous · Answer

Because they are raised that way and told repeatedly that it's true from birth and throughout their life. Moreover they're told they'll be punished if they don't believe. So, through a process called "indoctrination" they are essentially brainwashed into believing what they are told. All religions do this, as do most nations.

Iamcoming · Answer

We dont must see for believe everything. When ı look at the world and speace ı can understand a God did everything. Also ı researched the miracles Of Quran. The Quran says the universe is expanding. Science just discovered this. Quran has another science miracles. I believe Quran and Prophet Muhammad. Allah is my God and Allah is one.

_no_one_ · Answer

They just need something to hold on to cuz of many unanswerable aspects. They find peace in that as they know that there is some purpose in their life.

Ms_Vanderquack · Answer

Fear, gullibility, brain damage, stupidity… all of the above.

jshm2 · Answer

The same way we believe in date and time, despite never seeing it.

keepondreamingg4 · Answer

I think most likely because they grew up in a religious family. It is called faith

pokerbot · Answer

Here's a question for you: Why do scientists believe in dark matter, which can't be seen or detected?

jahaims · Answer

Gullible, were raised in a cult, or can't deal with reality

ceraunophile · Answer

People believe in god without evidence. That's why it's called "faith".

In_Trance · Answer

For the same reason you believe in things you've never seen

Wowie101 · Answer

But some of us have? Ask around...

Anonymous · Answer

Because they had a spiritual experience with Him

Why do some people believe in God when they have never seen him before?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said