Gumby,
You ask how we know there is a God? Would we "ever" know there is a God if we were never told there was one? What factual evidence that proves there is a God?
This is really old stuff and books have been written on each question in one form or another. Rehashing is somewhat boring. However, briefly, to add more confusion and bewilderment to the subject.........Keeping everything as simplistic as possible invoking thought and ???
The RAW Stuff or is it truth? ------Mankind is very smart and clever and should be proud of the many accomplishments. However, what is the business plan? Interesting question, huh?
I answer you by stating --- We are what we know in proportion to what we reveal and live to be according to our gifts and by our contribution to the society in which we live. Not very simple start is it? Now this could change based on several mitigating factors. Which will not be discussed here at this time.
You ask how we know there is a God? I ask, can you prove there is not one? Look around you. Pick any object you see. Chances are (within your own capabilities) you can probably make the same thing given the same materials. That object did not "evolve" by itself or fly together from some explosion. Some intelligent force independent of everything else made it into a functional, useful--whatever. Take the living organism. Take plane old dirt and make a living organism. Can't, can you? A little bit out of your abilities? Of course it is. It is way too complex to form without "something else," besides millions and millions of years sliding by on the scale of time. To say otherwise is scientific BS! Just try and make dirt! Can't, can you?
Would we "ever" know there is a God if we were never told there was one? Good question. If we were taught to think and ask questions, yes we would. The obvious question: Is this life all there is? Looking at the "facts" involving Science, which in most meaningful cases are extremely complex and beyond the scope of most lay people,......Oh yes! Stumbling blocks and the "unexplainable" is often white washed over to cover-up the inability to prove something in the laboratory. So, if it can't be repeated, used, controlled, reformed, made money from it,......get rid of it! Don't want to look "unwise," foolish or one of those supernatural "believers." It is done all the time at the top levels of research and when it comes to funding the programs, controllable facts only please. If Mankind does not control it, throw it out. Don't upset the status quo.
What factual evidence that proves there is a God? Covered some of that above. Look at the creations all around you. From people, mountains, planets, stars, etc.. You really think this stuff just appeared without being directed or designed by some complex action or force? Look around you. Look at dirt.(a fixation on dirt?) Can you make dirt? Why not? Put your hands into a vacuum chamber and form dirt from "nothing." Can't, can you? Why not? If a hundred billion years went by, could you then make dirt? Of course not- (you won't live that long). There must be something else of greater power beyond our understanding acting for a purpose to achieve an end.
What about the interesting quotes from these people:
"Either you think-or else others have to think for you and take power from you, pervert and discipline your natural tastes, civilize and sterilize you.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Or what about this one?
"Words should not be withheld from the worthy, but the unworthy will be annoyed by the words of real men. The hearts of the unworthy and those who are alienated from reality are like wicks that have been drenched in water instead of oil. No matter how much fire you put to such a wick it will not burn."
Shihab al-Din al-Suhrawardi
The Mystical and Visionary Treatises
Did any quote above form by itself or by chance? Or was it organized to put forth a statement and thought which was conceived by a human being? A higher force perhaps?
Having fun: Or, did dirt do it? Maybe dirt is pretty smart after all and we just don't know it yet. What have we been missing? Should we talk to dirt? If dirt talks back, should we stop the use of drugs or alcohol or both? What if we like what dirt says?
Spiritually speaking of course:"Facts are what we believe by observing reality combined with our personal experience which are inculcated into our very fiber and is not limited to the simple physical laws that in trap the common everyday person. Facts are burned into our deepest personality which only the "Sovereign One" can read and judge us by our secret conscience, and our burning desire to know and to be part of a glory beyond comprehension." --- Mr. Kim
Didn't the Bible say something like: "Only the foolish one says there is no Jehovah."You can substitute GOD for Jehovah if you wish. The meaning is the same........
Laters, (Tired of having fun)
MR. KIM