What do you believe?

[flobadob]

I don't believe in God and I don't accept the theory of the big bang. Yet I find it extremely difficult to believe in nothing. What do you believe in? Do you pray to something other than a God? Are you a believer? Our is there nothing but this?

[vetuste_ennemi]

He's not quoting the bible, Chakka.

[sandyRoe]

It was Agnus Dei, from the Mass that I quoted in Latin

[vetuste_ennemi]

Mea culpa, Sandy

[whiskeryron]

I do not know the answer,all I do know is that the teaching about God & his son Jesus Christ that I received as a child has carried me through to being an 87 year old who has always tried to help & understand my fellow human beings whatever their race or colour,I am as one with all peoples so whatever your beliefs God Bless you all.

W Ron.

[naomi24]

//He's not quoting the bible, Chakka. //

I'll stick my neck out and speak for Chakka here. I'm sure he knows that - as do I. Maybe Goodlife has got to us all and so we generalise. ;o)

[flobadob]

Let me put it like this as regards the big bang. Apparently everything that you can see with your own eyes and everything that you can't see was once contained inside something less than the size of a pebble and that is what I find hard to accept.

[sandyRoe]

The Second Vatican Council has much to answer for. Once we, the faithful, had a common language to worship with. The Tridentine Mass united us all. Now what have we but a Tower of Babel.

[mibn2cweus]

I believe it is better not to believe than to believe something that is as likely as not a lie. What little I do believe, I cherish, not because I wish or hope that it's true, but because it has passed the test of scrutiny and avails itself to understanding through a process of reason, a process that should never be subject to nor denied on behalf of a cherished belief.

The value of knowledge can only be measured with respect to our understanding by which we take possession of and become its stewards and rightful heirs with the capacity to pass it on to others for whom understanding is likewise the gold standard by which the value of believing should be measured.

Knowing where we came from and how we got here is only important to the point that it informs us of who and what we are and of what possibilities are available to us and which choices will maximise the value of the all too brief and no less precious moment the universe has bestowed upon us to appreciate and enjoy our time under the Sun.

Whether or not what I believe strikes a chord with you, it is in no wise as important to me as your understanding of why I believe it. But based on previous experience, a detailed mutual discussion of that is in all likelihood by now, out of the question.

[beso]

The incredible densities of the early moments of the universe do flummox some. However it is really a matter of the notions of normal that are familiar to us that lead to the confusion.

We see matter as stuff that needs space to exist. Most of us can even accept that much of this stuff is actually empty space between the lumps and can obviously be crushed down but it gets too much when the whole universe is put into the compactor.

Trouble is that the lumps don't really exist either. What we see as lumps are actually the product of interactions of quantum wave functions. There isn't actually anything at all, just the interactions between waves.

When those waves are confined they change their interactions so they don't need so much room, certainly no room for lumps.

The understanding of physicists only falls down when we reach dimensions of 10^-35 metres. Essentially this is the pixel size of Space so we don't have a way to cope with any structure smaller than that. But everything can be squashed into the one pixel.

[flobadob]

Hmmm? Interesting.

[Poppetchops]

I believe in my wife. I believe that she's always right. I don't always believe what she says though.

[beso]

I believe I will have another drink.

[Scylax]

' Do not believe because the testimony of some ancient wise-man is shown to you. Do not believe anything on the authority of teachers or priests.
Whatever accords with your own experience, and after thorough investigation agrees with your reason; is conducive to your own welfare, and to that of all other living creatures ~ that accept as truth and live accordingly'.

[dave50]

People look too deeply for a reason for our existence. There isn't one. Life evolved due to lucky circumstances. We are born, we live, then we die then there is oblivion. I am quite happy about it and these facts dont bother me one little bit. I have no desire to try and search for something that doesnt exist. Eventually this planet will come to an end then there will be nothing, it will be as though we never existed. So why people strive to make their mark in the world before they die, I have no idea. It's pointless, it will disappear in the end anyway. Finally, just enjoy yourself while you are here, that's all you can do.

[craft1948]

I believe in God, but not necessarily through organised religion. I also respect others' points of view who do not believe in God. I just wish they gave my point of view the same respect.