Do we need 'God' as a concept, even if we are unsure of his existence?

Question

Does theology stand or fall with conclusive 'proof' of Gods existence (or lack thereof)?

Answer 1

Two philosophers were discussing the need for god..one said to the other ...do we need a god...yes replied the other...because it keeps people in their rightful places....obedient and fearful.

Answer 2

We need a beginning and end to make sense of life. It is impossible for us to conceive of the eternal. The concept of the I AM is a philosophic concession which is made to our time-bound, space-fettered, finite mind, to the impossibility of our comprehension of eternity existences--nonbeginning, nonending realities and relationships. As time-space beings, all things must have a beginning save only the ONE UNCAUSED--the primeval cause of causes. Therefore it is conceptualize this philosophic value-level as the I AM, at the same time instructing all of us that the Eternal Son and the Infinite Spirit are coeternal with the I AM; in other words, that there never was a time when the I AM was not the Father of the Son and, with him, of the Spirit.

With this being said we cannot be if the I Am is not.  Even our olden prophets understood the eternal, never-beginning, never-ending, circular nature of the Universal Father. God is literally and eternally present in his universe of universes. He inhabits the present moment with all his absolute majesty and eternal greatness. "The Father has life in himself, and this life is eternal life." Throughout the eternal ages it has been the Father who "gives to all life." There is infinite perfection in the divine integrity. "I am the Lord; I change not." Our knowledge of the universe of universes discloses not only that he is the Father of lights, but also that in his conduct of interplanetary affairs there "is no variableness neither shadow of changing." He "declares the end from the beginning." He says: "My counsel shall stand; I will do all my pleasures" "according to the eternal purpose which I purposed in my Son." Thus are the plans and purposes of the First Source and Center like himself: eternal, perfect, and forever changeless.

Any scientific interpretation of the material universe is valueless unless it provides due recognition for the scientist. No appreciation of art is genuine unless it accords recognition to the artist. No evaluation of morals is worth while unless it includes the moralist. No recognition of philosophy is edifying if it ignores the philosopher, and religion cannot exist without the real experience of the religionist who, in and through this very experience, is seeking to find God and to know him. Likewise is the universe of universes without significance apart from the I AM, the infinite God who made it and unceasingly manages it.

Our purpose must be to reach the eternal goal by faith and ascend by perfection.

Answer 3

i think we choose to believe (or not believe) in this 'god' fellow because we need someone or something to blame things on, or because we are so frustrated with trying to figure out what this (so far) pointless life is about, that we choose to blame our existance on something we have made up, that may not even exsist in itself.

Answer 4

yes we do  

Answer 5

Some people do, some people don't. Even if conclusive proof of god's existence is never found, there are those who need the fairy tale. Life is hard. When the bad stuff happens, a lot of people are helped by the thought that a supernatural being who loves them is running the show.

Theology will not be destroyed by a lack of proof. It has thrived on manufactured myth for centuries.

Answer 6

Hmm...interesting question.  In my opinion, yes, society does need a god concept.  Some people need a reason to behave in a morally acceptable way, and this reason is god.  Also, some people need the belief to help them get through the day.  They need to believe all of the evil in the world is happening for the good of some greater plan, or that they go somewhere when they die.  And even if you conclusively prove that god exists or doesn't, it doesn't matter.  The faithful will still keep their faith, and atheists will still deny his existence.  It's not a matter of what is true, but of what one needs to believe for one's personal well being.

Answer 7

because there are traces of him and things that lead back to that 'theory'

i find god comforting... there has been many insidents where god has shown.

Answer 8

I think some people need "God" as a concept and some do not seem to need it.  There are theological beliefs that do not necessarily even include a god, such as Buddhism.

I do not think theology would fall if there were proof of the existence of a god or gods.  Roman emperors were often considered gods after they died, and there was certainly proof that they existed.

On the other hand, religion as we think of it today would definitely be less interesting to talk about if we had proof of a monotheistic god's existence or non-existence, and if we stop talking about it is it really still theology?

Answer 9

i personally believe that we shouldnt have to follow a certain religion or belief, i do believe in god but dont think that i believe everything in the bible i have pretty much made up my own concept of what i believe and have faith in, even though some may not agree and try to stick the bible in my face and tell me that IS what happened...i just dont believe it all.

you have the right to believe what ever you honestly think is what it is.

Answer 10

We need to have something greater than ourselves to believe in.  In times of great stress, I'd bet everyone prays.  Our need.  Not objective fact or not fact.

Answer 11

...NO...i believe in myself...

...theology promotes each theory of religions...and their gods...

Answer 12

millions need it..

Answer 13

I don't have any need for a concept of God.

Perhaps others feel they do.  But the fact that even one person doesn't need the concept of God verifies that the concept is not needed by anyone except on a psychological or behavioral basis.