Do you believe?

I believe—



Just yesterday a friend posted a poll that asked “Do you believe in God?” My friend didn’t want to start an argument, and so she asked that people be respectful and simply let her know why they didn’t believe, if they answered no.

I told her yes, I believe. I then asked her if she wanted me to tell her why, even though I answered yes.

She told me to go for it, so here I am.

I believe in God because I’m afraid. To not believe would turn the world into a randomized maelstrom of coincidence. There would be no true purpose, no big picture to see, no abiding hope that even evil and deepest heartache can be used for good. I can’t face that kind of world.

I believe because I’m logical. There is no random group of cells, no happenstance of geology, no accident of space and time that could explain the perfection of a baby’s newborn sleep. Or the Grand Canyon. Or the moon in perfect orbit around our planet.

I believe because I am hopeful. There is a chance for good, and a time for us to see the truth. Each and every person can choose anew to do better – today!

I believe because I am a person who loves my family, and the idea of family. My faith joins me with generations of family and with new generations to come. My faith makes me feel like I’m a part of things that are more important and more lasting than myself. It reaffirms my priorities from a self-centered view to an outward-looking attitude.

I believe because I have a good memory. There have been too many times in my life when I have felt the hands of God carrying me through grief, fear, loneliness and despair. At other times, friends and loved ones have prayed for me or for my family and I have felt those prayers carrying and supporting me as well. To not believe would be to turn my back on those times and call them false.

So there are many reasons I believe. Some may mesh with yours, some may be the very reasons you (or others) give for disbelief.

So what are your reasons? I always welcome comments.