Does God Exist?

Yes, and HE evidently has a sense of humour.

If you want GOD to laugh, tell HIM,YOUR plan.

That little law given to Moses saved many many people from untimely death. Both men and women. That was while the Egyptians thought that spreading foeces on a wound was a good idea.

Can't argue with that.

"Know then thyself, presume not God to scan;
The proper study of mankind is Man.
Placed on this isthmus of a middle state,
A being darkly wise, and rudely great:
With too much knowledge for the skeptic side
With too much weakness for the Stoic's pride,
He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest.
In doubt to deem himself a god, or beast;
In doubt his mind or body to prefer,
Born but to die, and reasoning but to err;
Alike in ignorance, his reason such,
Whether he thinks too little, or too much:
Chaos of thought and passion, all confused;
Still by himself abused, or disabused;
Created half to rise, and half to fall;
Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all;
Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled:
The glory, jest, and riddle of the world!"

-- From "An Essay on Man" by Alexander Pope.

I prefer this argument:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=704_1172297813

I thought it was to identify those who crossed the Jordan River and fought at Jericho.
But I wasn't there and my bible history is tired.

there is a learning disability called DYSLEXIA

there is another learning disability and it's called religion

thusly god is the result of a disabled mind

Good for you! Now- god orders you to drink this cherry-flavoured koolaid! Bon appetit!

God is not the result of a disabled mind. Lots of non-disabled minds believe, lots don't. You are just being silly.

sounds like gym has the disabled mind.
enjoy your time in hell.

I'm not sure if God exists, but I do know that we are living through a time equivalent to some of the nastier pages of the Old Testament; He may not exist, but He is not to be mocked or slighted.

Yes, can we imagine what would have happened if Moses had told the Jews, "Don't eat pork because it harbours disease, which given our primitive understanding of microbiology we can't cure or even limit"? The response would have been, "oh yeah? Pass me another pork chop". But "God says 'don't eat pork'" worked fine.

I think it's a cutting-edge argument.

man, what is it about the poor old pig....if pork is so evil, why did God/Allah/Buddha/Jehovah make it taste so good?

The word 'God' is meaningless now, so the answer is 'no'.

Paul Wells just had his foreskin handed to him by a girl.

Newton proved the existence of God when he defined the law of inertia: Motion requires a force. Since the the sun, moon, stars and earth move, a force must have put them in motion. This Force is God, aka as the Creator.

Believe me... there is a God.

I came to realize this just recently. All the proof right in front of me. I have no doubt.

It all starts with faith... and then everything happens for a reason. Divine reason. It all adds up, all connects.

Interested? Just visit my blog and scroll down a bit...

This is the closest I've ever come to making contact with the other side... being there at the very moment my dad went there... I talked to him about going to the light and everything... and he heard me...

"Does God Exist".

As the ultimate authority on this subject, I have to say, "no, I'm afraid not".

On the other hand, I may not exist either.

Sure gad exists and he is ADMERAL of the starship USS EARTH

with that argument, I'd have to say he hit it directly on the...er...head.

with that argument, I'd have to say he hit it directly on the...er...head.

Did you ever watch an eye work?
think that pupil just happend to work that way?
How about the sun, gets up every morning ....day after day, year after year.....think that just happend?
God says in his word, it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement.
And he tells us what that judgement will be!
Depending on our choice, to either receive or reject his son Jesus.

Sad part is, most are gonna be in for a Hell of a shock!

Each and every man and woman will spend their short sojourn on this terrestrial ball coming to terms with that question. Then, after this life is over, the book will be opened and each will give an account. For some this will be a glorious graduation day, for others it will be a day of great sorrow and regret.
Does God exist? Every flower, tree, fish, bird and animal tells us the answer. The sun, moon, stars and galaxies moving in precise order give us the answer.
Take time out to witness the miracle of birth, whether human or otherwise and you will have your answer. Of course there is a God. All of creation shouts out the existence of intelligent design. Thus there must be a designer. For all of mans accomplishments, not one has been able to take a bucket of dirt and create a flower or a dog. Nor have we been able to put the bucket of dirt on the step and watch it evolve into a chicken or a fish. There is much more to life than a few ingredients. An infinitely intelligent and creative God puts the ingredients together in perfect order and proportion and adds the spark of life... then you can enjoy the warmth of a newborn puppy.
It takes far more faith to believe that everything we see evolved from chaos to order, than it does to believe that an intelligent being (God) created it all and set it in order.
"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse..." Rom 1:20
Daniel

Any human being who denies that God exist's has no sensitivity to the complexity of creation , his conscience , or in the profound revelations of scriptural prophecy. To suggest that order could stem from utter chaos is beyond reason. To say that ignoring the dictates of a convicted conscience is beyond reason.To ignore the profound volume of prophecy is beyond reason.

Isa:1:18: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Ps:19:1: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

As a child, I can remember staring in total amazement of creation when looking up in the sky.My conscience could feel the humbling shame of conviction when I fell privy to evil.

Rom:2:15: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

As I grew older , I became intrigued by the unlikely probability that a book could be crafted that would compile the details required to direct a righteous path of life , while standing in agreement within it's own council from cover to cover without a single contradiction.

What is the likelyhood that all the writers of scripture, in an approximate span of 1500 years, on 3 contenants could agree in every aspect of every detail revealed in the Bible? The answer is zero. Only a devine director of operations could manover through the maze of time to compile such a masterpiece.

Man is without excuse when we deceitfully sear our own conscience of the undeniable evidence of Gods existance.

Rom:1:20: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

In any case , man has rested confident in something during his/her lifetime. If it is in his/her own ability , well , then they are their own God. What is striking is the extent that man will cleave to a form of Godliness , only to deny the power thereof.

2Tm:3:5: Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

A common denominator of false religion is that there is always more that has to be added to the cross of Christ.Christ's blood , death , burial , and ressurection aren't apparently good enough on their own.

1Cor:1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19: For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20: Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21: For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26: For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28: And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Acts:16:31: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Jn:14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts:4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Rom:10:9: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11: For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12: For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Timothy Coderre

Compelling, yes but not an argument in favour of some sort of divine presence. The burden of proof is in the camp of the faithful. I can't believe so many are this intellectually lazy.

I'm re-reading C.S. Lewis, but this is an argument that he overlooked. 8-)

alex, i don't believe the faithful are intellectually lazy. just try to create something out of nothing. if you could, that would indeed make you a God.

“A God who let us prove his existence would be an idol”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

It is proof of the power of silly superstition.

Humans have a weakness in their brains that make them prone to it. Somewhat of a survival mechanism to bind groups of us together.

Not to start an arguement with the really faithful, but really, the link was a joke. Laugh a little. (I won't presume to tell you that God will like that as I am agnostic and don't know the will of God.)

Just a question or two for Daniel. Why did God give us an appendix? And should mankind through advanced science get the ability to create life from non-biotic material, it would neither prove nor disprove God. Agreed?

"Why did God give us an appendix?"

Would that be so we can add additional, supplementary material?

"And should mankind through advanced science get the ability to create life from non-biotic material...."

Scientist to God: "See, I too can create life from dirt".

God to Scientist: "Get your own dirt".

God is a result of incomplete understanding of eternity and infinity by humans.
But I am not here to enlighten anyone - it it's at all possible, you will get there yourself. Don't ask as I won't tell.

"and no man would ever accede to the demand of a woman that it be done."

However, a man will hold down a woman and "circumcise" her in the name of God. So, there you go. Proof positive that people are idiots, but hardly proof of God.

Considering this thread was a bit of humour (I think) I find it interesting that people are getting serious about the whole question.

All I know is there are a lot of things in this world and beyond that I don't understand. Whether there is a deity (or many) that may provide answers, I don't know. To assume we are the highest form of life in the universe would be a mistake. I certainly don't have an answer. I believe in God but I don't think he(she) is Buddist, Catholic, Jewish or Muslim. To presume God is on my side and not yours is simplistic and not exactly logical. I can accept and respect any religion up to the point that their followers start to impose their belief on others.

With the exception of true believers and true non-believers, Most of us have many more questions than answers. I guess that is why they call it faith.

I'd better stop before I write an essay. Amen and pass the ammunition, eh.

The burden of proof is in the camp of the faithful.

We owe you exactly nothing beyond a warning any good watchman would convey.

Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Ezekiel 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Ezekiel 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Ezekiel 3:20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

>However, a man will hold down a woman and "circumcise" her in the name of God.

Krydor: My research indicates that female circumcision is in fact enforced and perpetuated by women in the cultures where it is practiced. There is perhaps an argument to be made that in patriarchal societies the women who do so lack real volition in that they operate under indirect compulsion of a pervasive and systemic nature, but the fact remains that men are not directly involved in the physical (holding down) process itself. It would be grossly culturally inappropriate for them to do so.

Re dkjones question: "Why did God give us an appendix?"

How about because it serves a useful purpose?

"The mucosa and submucosa of the appendix are dominated by lymphoid nodules, and its primary function is as an organ of the lymphatic system." - Frederic H. Martini, Ph.D., Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology, p. 916

Also, in regards to a separate comment by jmorrison, being "intellectually lazy" isn't something restricted to the "faithful". First, I would suggest a majority in both camps would fall into this category. Secondly, it is simply false to lump all of those who believe in God into this single category - one might even say its intellectually lazy to simply dismiss as unworthy those with whom you disagree.

jmorrison said: "i don't believe the faithful are intellectually lazy. just try to create something out of nothing. if you could, that would indeed make you a God. "

Call him/her/it God, Allah, Yahweh,Buddha, Mother Nature, the Universe, whatever. God is about a force transcending space and time, an agent for good,where one can feel order out of chaos; a force way, way beyond the comprehension or capabilities of our linear, corporal, and temporal existences.

Understanding God, sometimes through religion, can reveal things in ourselves that can change us for the better. Some may reject this; that is their choice too.

krydor...your example proves that 'mankind' has a wicked heart ...that does not disprove the existence of God, but re-inforces our need for God.
The original link that Kate provided was about a very 'off-the-wall'comment...Hopefully there were some snickers.

Cute joke. Kinda like the sadist and masochist walking together. Hit me begs the masochist. No says the sadist.

On a more serious note I always find it funny that those who most vehomently advocate scientism over Christianity are also the most unlikely to attempt a scientific approach to Christianity. Don't knock it until you tried it.

...at least I don't stay up all night wondering if there is a Dog.

dkjones:
In but a very few years, if the question of "why we have an appendix" is still burning in your mind, you can ask God yourself.
As for "advanced science" creating(?) life from non-biotic material, proving or disproving God. The creator of all that you can see, and more importantly all that you cannot see will continue to exist whether or not man does some new thing or discovers something new. When asked what His name is, He responded "I Am". He just "is" and "always will be." It matters not what man will do or will not do... God still will "be".
The definition of faith as given by God is as follows "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen... But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:1,6
By and large, mankind today has become "faithless" Without a doubt, religion is alive and well. That is not what I am talking about. How many today diligently seek Him? How many believe that "He is"? How many believe that He will reward them if they believe and seek Him?
Without faith it is impossible to please Him or to believe in Him.
Jesus asked a very pertinent question "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8
Daniel

But "God says 'don't eat pork'" worked fine.

God could have done a lot more good by telling people to wash their hands before eating.

He did. Haven't you read?

He did. Haven't you read?