Where's God?

Billzfan23

I was baptised in a Freewill Baptist church about 15 years ago, and then I became a witness and was baptised about 11 years ago. What my experience has taught me having delved deeply in both (served as a servant and later an elder in WTS) is that I don't really believe that there is a God. Why won't he answer me? I have had VERY sincere prayers, called him by Jesus, God, Jehovah - I have even looked helplessly up at the stars and begged "whoever created all that I see" to let me get to know him, etc. I have asked for a sign, asked for peace of mind that he exists, and begged sincerely that he reveal his existence to me in some way, shape, or form... Nada... No response, no reply, nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing but dead air. Isn't the very definition of insanity to do the same thing over and over again (pray) and yet expect different results? How about this quote from another thread:

Like I said, I know Jesus. Not in some far off wish you were there kinda way, or believe it and it might happen. I talk to Him, and He answers. I'm not the only one either. So I guess you have it this way, either there are a whole bunch of liars out there who preach against lying, or there may actually be a person who we all claim to know personally.

What am I to make of all of my efforts to communicate with God, to talk to him as a friend, a heavenly father? Am I a total loser who God just doesn't have time for? Am I going about it all wrong - I have knelt down, bowed my head, begged and pleaded for faith that he exists - all to no avail. I have read the Living Bible, King James Version, and NWT all extensively. What is different about me and the guy in the above quote? What gives? How do I get the same conviction that this person has? Why is the only logical conlusion that I can reach is that religion is the opium of the human mind, and merely a way to explain our existence and give ourselves comfort and peace of mind about the things we cannot explain as well as comfort at death?

Abandoned

Hey buddy, don't worry about it. There doesn't need to be a God. Don't be upset that some people say God talks to them and yet he doesn't talk to you. For one thing, you don't really know if these people are telling the truth. Maybe they are lying or maybe they just think there's a god talking to them. Some people are so convinced they need daily validation from a god to function properly, that they convince themselves that god is right there. Maybe he is. Maybe they do hear voices. I don't know -- I'm not them. But since you don't hear these voices either, base your reality on that. If there is a god that has a personal message for you, he must still be working on how to word it or what method be plans to use to send it to you. In the meantime, enjoy your self and take the time to discover all the wondrous things around you. Maybe he sent his letter to you in the form of your family. Maybe he sent it in the form of the magnificent sights of nature. Maybe he just isn't that talkative right now.

Carmel

Anthropromorphism is alive and well! Why do so many people limit themselves to an ancient text as their only source? If you want a God that talks to humans, keep reading what you're reading and keep vainly hoping! Otherwise, I'd suggest broadening your data base.

carmel

onacruse

So I guess you have it this way, either there are a whole bunch of liars out there who preach against lying, or there may actually be a person who we all claim to know personally.

An arbitrarily limited choice of options.

As just one alternative, and equally viable option:

We are simply talking to ourselves.

Demonstrably, and logically, there is no way to differentiate between what we perceive to be the "reality" of supernatural interactions and the "reality" of natural perceptions of such experiences.

looseend

Why is the only logical conlusion that I can reach is that religion is the opium of the human mind, and merely a way to explain our existence and give ourselves comfort and peace of mind about the things we cannot explain as well as comfort at death?

you answered your own question

Morocco

I agree with what Abandoned said. I can identify with your situation as I’ve been through the same emotions and movements. One thing I’ve learned from coming away from the Witnesses is never question yourself, always trust that you can see what is real and what is not. There is nothing wrong with you. Enjoy life based on what you know. You know God isn’t answering you, so why does he have to? Maybe that means there isn’t a God that makes replies and that the people who say he does are delusional. Enjoy life for what it is. You don’t need God to be happy. If you aren’t happy in THIS life, you won’t be happy in the next, if there is an afterlife and you happen to pass judgment. Since you can’t prove God is real, act as though this is your only shot a life and don’t waste it on constantly worrying about approval. If he is real, and it is important, he will contact you. It is something difficult to do, I know. I have personally come to face the fact that religions are a waste of time and religious thinking produces more negative things than positive. This has allowed me to enjoy life for what it is and take my own path to understanding our life here, which has been more fulfilling than I ever thought.

5go

Why is the only logical conlusion that I can reach is that religion is the opium of the human mind, and merely a way to explain our existence and give ourselves comfort and peace of mind about the things we cannot explain as well as comfort at death?

Read up on marx and lenin. We'll have you into socialism and communism in know time.

By the way communism got it's start in america a great example is the amish. It's originaly a christian idea but us secular types hijacked it.

Think Star Trek.

Not to be confused with soviet communist state. That was totalitarian fascist socialism pretending to be communism.

Kaput

Am I a total loser who God just doesn't have time for?

As long as you're a Billzfan.

Blueblades

God does not exist. Oh yes he does! Can't prove it either way, personal experiences not withstanding. I been there , know how you feel. I stopped praying and am in a waiting mode.

Blueblades

confusedjw

I can tell you where HE wasn't - HE wasn't with the Bills from 1990-1993

Can you say "Norwood - Wide Right!"

<grin>

Where's God?

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