This chapter is for the purpose of explaining why I believe in God. To truly understand what I'm thinking, it's necessary to explain why I think the way I do. Let me begin by saying this is NOT intended to bash anyone's belief system that differs from mine, merely to point out the reasons I choose to believe what I do. If there are those who read this to the end and still disagree, please submit your own chapters and present your case. I deeply enjoy polite discussions of faith. Having a civilized debate allows the issues to be turned over and inspected from a new angle, and it also lets all parties involved either consider a different point of view, or sharpen their own faith.
In any consideration about belief, the most obvious first question is simply: Is there a god? The theory of evolution would say no, but the theory of evolution has never been able to address the key aspects of universal existence. First of all, how did the universe come into being? Evolution has tried to explain this with the theory of the Big Bang; particles came together in a monumental explosion. The energy and mass expelled provided the starting point for a chain reaction that formed everything. This is their idea, but it doesn't explain where those starting particles came from, or what caused them to drift together in the first place.
String theory has presented another possibility. According to this line of science, below the subatomic, on the quantum level, are incredibly small vibrating strings. Some of them are closed into complete loops, while others are open, like loose thread. Scientists claim it is the vibrations of these strings responsible for all actions in the universe. The speculation goes on to say the strings can be flattened out and very large, encompassing the whole universe and becoming what are known as membranes. A belief among some string theorists is the collision of two membranes provided the catalyst for the Big Bang. But, if the Big Bang created everything in the universe, how did the membranes exist beforehand to cause the explosion?
Neither of these two ideas are sufficient as they don't truly explain the beginning. They have a chain of events falling one after another resembling a string of dominos, but no explanation is given for how the dominos got made, set in line, or how the first one was pushed. Cause and effect dictates that every effect must have a triggering first cause, but evolution says it all happened by itself without any outside influence. No matter how far back you go, sooner or later, there needs to be a cause which can exist in and of itself. A god would fit this perfectly because a god could exist without needing to be created, born, or have a beginning. Only the existence of a supreme being can explain an actual starting point for the universe.
The second primary question of belief is: If there is a god, which one? There are a multitude of religions and faiths present in the world. For starters, some believe in many gods, polytheism, while others believe in only one, monotheism. The way I found best for sorting between them was through a comparison of greatness. In order for a god, or gods, to have created the universe and everything in it, he, she, or they would need to be incredibly smart. Knowledge of everything would be required in order to create it. Mathematics, physics, gravity, planetary orbits, astronomy, biology, chemistry, ecology, etc., etc., etc. A being or beings who possessed such knowledge, and the ability to use it in making all the stuff that goes along with it, would be of colossal power and intelligence. A false god, created by the limited mind of man, would be inferior to a real god. By comparing the deities, it's possible to deduce which one, in all probability, is the real one.
In my own personal belief, I think one god is better than many. In a polytheistic religion, you have a different deity for every single thing, and you go to a separate god depending on what problem or need you may have. In a monotheistic religion, you have one god who can do it all. A singular being of supreme power, who doesn't need anyone or anything to create and manage the universe, seems superior to me.
Among the monotheistic religions, Christianity stands apart from the others because of Jesus Christ. God, being perfect, can't associate with that which is imperfect. Jesus, having come to Earth in human form, had both the perfect nature of God and the human nature of mankind. By being both, Jesus' human side could reach out to us while maintaining a link to the purity of God. In this way, Jesus is the perfect bridge between mortals and the divine. I haven't found anything like this in other the religions I've studied.
I don't claim to be an expert or hold a degree in comparative religions. I'm just someone who has spent time looking into things. I still have many questions, but I think God left some things unanswered to leave room for faith. If anyone reading this has a different opinion or belief, I welcome the opportunity to read your chapters and learn about your chosen faith. Considering the god you serve will determine your ultimate destination for eternity, I don't think there is such a thing as too much information.
Best regards and my sincere respect to all people of faith.
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My Musings
Non-FictionThoughts, ideas, philosophy, and points of view, this book is where you'll find mine. If you're wondering what I think about and why I write books the way I do, this is the book for you. Have fun and happy reading.
