Why do people so heavily believe in a god or after life?

That's why they use faith. To shut out all reason and to blindly accept it.

Besides, most of these people were raised from birth and force fed this crap and told its complete fact.

It's just what they've 'known' their entire life.

Religions of all flavors stem from our fear of the unknown and the unexplained.

Of course no one really wants to die, but only a childish mind would really want to live for ever.

Especially when science shows us that the 'heat death' of our universe is probably around 100 TRILLION (100,000,000,000,000,000) years into the future - what the hell would you do for that length of time? You can fit an awful lot of praise into that.

Happily, the 'unexplained' is now several orders of magnitude smaller than it was when our major religions were born. This is why there will be no new major world religions.

Sorry, I'm rambling. People believe and want to live forever because they are scared of dying.

That's the same as being scared of being unborn.

What did you do before you were born? If anyone can answer that (with proof - and I mean scientific proof) I'll be more inclined to listen to what they think will happen after they die.

Anyone who claims to KNOW what happens after death is lying to themselves, and to you, and deep inside, they know it too.

There actually IS a lot of proof, you just have to actually look at it. Most atheists aren't interested in any proof thereof, however.

As far as heaven and hell - many have been to both places. Stories abound on these topics.

As far as contradictions - most are only APPARENT contradictions - or someone taking things out of context and screwing the actual meaning. The Bible also declares all liars, etc. will go to hell - who hasn't told a lie? The full meaning is that all of us have sinned and without Christ we don't stand a chance. It is not simply saying a homosexual will go to hell - quite a few other sins are mentioned (lying for example) as well. The Bible also says that for those who are in Christ there is no condemnation - and these sorts of behaviors should not be continuing for those in Christ. If we do commit a sin, repentance should follow.

From one questioner to another - don't take the Bible in pieces. It needs to be understood in its entirety. If you look for answers you will find them - Trust me. I've asked them ALL.

*****

some references for you: The Case for Christ by Lee Stroebel (an atheist reporter investigates the claims of Christ)

23 Minutes in Hell - one of many accounts of people who have been there

Contradictions are usually due to taking something out of context or minor scribal errors - these can also be researched via internet

The Bible says we can be forgiven if we stop doing bad. Gays keep on with the lifestyle and can't

be forgiven only if they stop. God's spirit is similiar to a magnetic field and has Force and Creation is

the result just as iron is moved by un-seen force. Don't wait on Science for all the answers:

http://www.watchtower.org/e/19980622/article_01.ht...

I think people naturally fear the unknown and feel the need to fill in the void with their own explanations. Nobody knows what's on the other side of death or if there even is an afterlife, so in the past they made up stories about how good little boys and girls who go to bed on time and contribute to society will go to a really nice place when they die, and how bad people who steal and lie will go to a bad place after death. It's like believing in Santa or the Easter Bunny, only those can be explained away and so most kids stop believing in them after a while, whereas nobody can disprove God or the afterlife, and so people still have religion going into adulthood.

When you know God you feel him as much as if he is standing in front of you. He answers questions, he sends visions, he gives what is asked of him. One can't simply not belive in him once they know him. You want proof? Ask God not to prove himself to you, but to help you. If you have faith in him it will happen, so long as God sees it as good, because God is love and I'm sure you've felt him. I will also be asking him. I will do my best to make up for whatever faith you lack. Faith is hard, and wonderful. Faith is the opposit of fear and doubt. God only "proved" his existence to me when I allready belived he was 100% real. Also, read the Gospel, it will help you gain faith. God loves you so much and he wan'ts you to come to him and live with him in heaven, where there is no evil or suffering.Jesus is in me and because he loves you I love you too. Everyone who has love has God working through them.Earth is not Gods kingdom, it is a place ruled by the devil, but when you ask God to be your "Abba" (Daddy in Hebrew) he has power over the devil, so he wont let him hurt you. Heaben will be wonderful and I hope I see you there someday. Also, the Bible says only God knows when the end is comming, so Ddon't listen to the end of the world rubish going around all too often. And as far as Churches go, they are run by humans, so they are not all good. So remember for those who may try to fool you, would a Father who can only love do this?

Mathiew 10:16

"Pay atention! I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. be then as prudent as snakes and as harmless as doves"

They have faith and do not need proof or evidence of gods nor are they distressed by contradictions in their sacred texts. They, with their faith, do not "get" why you don't believe.

You do not have faith and thus do require proofs or evidence. You, lacking faith, do not "get" their belief.

Theists and atheists have very different world views. Neither is right, neither is wrong. You forcing non belief on theists would be wrong just as theists forcing belief on you would be wrong. Simply accept the right of the other person to their beliefs and your own right to your belief or non belief.

You should not trouble yourself about other people's beliefs, they are really none of your business.

Not to be mean, really. If you are atheist, then that is fine for you and I wouldnt try to convince you otherwise. But the thing is, if you are atheist, you will not understand why people believe in God. It wont make any sense to you so there really is no point in your asking. As for hell, I'm a Christian but I know there is no hell. It is one of the myths in many religions

Im not too sure of specifically " Christian" arguments cuz im Muslim but if u dont believe in God read God Stories.Its filled with REAL proof for the people who experidnced miracles and isn't just coincidences.Personally the book is my main argment

I believe God gave us all an innate belief that there is a God. Some of us had supernatural experience and belief in God as he manifest in us and changed our lives. Perhaps, God will reveal himself to you in the near future. All you need to do is ask.