[brooklyn dave]

Without getting into any metaphysical rants, of course God exists. Why has humankind always had some kind of belief in a power greater than themselves---even if it were animistic or shamanistic. I was reading some thing about other animal (dolphins, I believe) having some sense of individuality and being able to recognize other dolphins as individuals. But I don't think any scientist has come up with any kind of proof about the Great Dolphin in the Heavenly Ocean that Flipper and his friends worship. Man is unique in this respect. As must as atheistic Marxism wants to expound on "religion being the opiate of the people"---and unfortunately religion can turn into an opium if your not psychologically sound--the facts is that mankind cannot live in such a spiritual void. Therefore, the state became God (along with its cult worship of folks like Stalin, Mao Castro etc.)

[AmericaUnited]

Therefore, the state became God (along with its cult worship of folks like Stalin, Mao Castro etc.)

It's interesting to note that regimes/ideologies that had Atheism as their official religion, were the premier mass murderers of all time. All other ideologies were complete pikers.

[brooklyn dave]

Just one more thing. When you're talking about specific beliefs such as a belief in Jesus, Allah, Krishna, Buddha or any other religion then I believe one can definitely debate. I was speaking more about the existence of some kind os Supreme Being in the most general sense.

[Ichneumon]

Oops, sorry, my previous post was accidentally posted in reply to AmericaUnited's reply (post#8) to brooklyn dave, making it appear that the quoted text was AU's writing. It wasn't, it was BD's, since I was trying to reply to his post #5.

[BritExPatInFla]

Without getting into any metaphysical rants, of course God exists. Why has humankind always had some kind of belief in a power greater than themselves---even if it were animistic or shamanistic.

Mainly because, as animals themselves when it comes down to it, humans feel better if they can think there is some 'higher power' in control, looking out for them. Tests of faith, such as disasters, deaths of loved ones, senselss death of children, etc, are usually explained away with "It must have been (Insert Deity Here)'s Will". For many that's a good enough answer, for many, it's not.