Is there really a God?

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Religions start out one of two ways:

1. As a means to explain what we lack the knowledge to explain.
2. As a means to dupe people in order to gain power (see the Mormons or Scientology as contemporary examples).

Usually, they will address issues of natural phenomena, injustice in the world (promising supernatural justice, but always later), rewards for unquestioning obedience, and death (eternal life, reincarnation, merging into a singularity, joining with the "ancestors" etc). If things are promised as a future supernatural gift or reward, the devout will be far more tolerant of injustices perpetrated against them in the present.
Soon afterward, it becomes the rationale for the continuation of the established power structure. People are far less likely to rebel if their condition is mandated by a supernatural power.

It's a load of BS, but when you have aligned yourself with a religion, it's damn hard to break out of their circular logic patterns.

I'm generally not religious, but sometimes I like to entertain the idea of reincarnation. It'd be cool to come back as a 'normal' person.

I'd much rather see everyone else become more autistic.

erm, no.

Why not?

I wouldn't wish it on anyone, just make things easier for us.

It's not like it's a bad thing. It's only painful because 99% of the world expects us to behave differently than we do, and punish us for it when we don't.

We'd certainly get a lot more done with more logical thinkers about and less reactionaries.

Doesn't mean everyone with autism is a logical thinker and everyone without it isn't. You'll learn that, the longer you stay on this site.

^ Amen

I do not believe god punishes, rather I believe he puts things in our path to teach us things. If we learn from them he rewards us with a better life.

without challenge there is nothing to enjoy.

I know there is a god but that is something you need to decide for yourself.

See the bad things as something to overcome and grow from. I know life can be very hard. My life has been full of challenges. but try and see the purpose in it all.

hope that helps.

just-me

I think that would count as a deity. I know other religions have and I think they saw it as a god / deity.

Honestly I think the definition of who/what is god, is up the the person believing.

Agreed.

Which answer would make you feel better? That's really what matters.

So umm, all of the preceding 7 pages of answers - they're all personal truths. Sounds like you're not in a good mood with your god, though - that's a shame.

There will be a god aslong as there are humans.

Untill we evolve into a Vulcan-like society and have no more need for "divine guidance".

Absolutely nailed it.

Personally I subscribe to #1, but if I'm wrong about that, then #2 and #3 are the only other choices as far as I'm concerned. These three options are the only ones that can possibly explain what we witness of the universe...meaning that polytheism makes more sense then monotheism, and/or giving any/all of the gods the bird is absolutely the way to go, capricious ignorant bastard(s) that they would have to be.

The Buddhist view that being human is a better evolutionary state than being a god on the spiritual evolution continuum seems much more tenable to me than any kind of omnipotent/omniscient "being."

If there is a god (or panoply of gods), then s/he/they have a helluva lot of bull*hit to answer for, much moreso than us mere mortals.

I'm perfectly willing to take my chances, though.

God Finally Answers Prayers of Paralyzed Boy In Wheelchair: "No," says God.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28812