Who Believes in G‑d?

By Aron Moss

Answer:

Everyone has a god. There is not a sane person on earth who doesn't believe in one. The question is only which one...

Your "god" is the thing that you believe to be infallible: you trust in its power despite any evidence to the contrary; you believe it will always be there, cannot be defeated, is all-powerful and omnipresent. It's the thing you can fall back on no matter what. The bedrock of your life - whatever that may be - that is your god.

Everyone has a god. The question is only which one. If you think science has all the answers, and that something is only true if it is scientifically proven, then science is your god. And belief in science can be as irrational as any religious conviction. Its adherents blindly accept the most outlandish theory, as long as it was presented by an expert in the field.

Science is only one common god. Another one is love. Believers in love make lofty statements about its divine qualities: "Love conquers all", "Love is forever", "All you need is love", "Love is the only thing worth dying for." Even though experience has shown that love is not all you need, and it certainly doesn't conquer all, their faith is not shaken.

Others worship money. "Everything has a price" is their creed. And no matter how many miserable millionaires they meet, their god remains infallible, and they continue to have faith in money as the source of all goodness and happiness.

A very popular modern god is self. "Believe in yourself. You are capable of anything. If you put your mind to it, there's nothing you can't do." Nothing you can't do? Sounds pretty divine. A pity it's not true. We have limitations. There are things that are simply beyond our capability. But to the believer, no evidence will move his faith in himself.

It is such a relief to just let G‑d be G‑d. If G‑d is G‑d, I can be human. I am not G‑d. Nothing about me is infallible -- not my feelings, not my intelligence and certainly not my bank balance. I don't have to be perfect. G‑d does a good job of that.

Science, love, money and self are all very important. But they are also fickle, ever-changing, and unpredictable. The G‑d of Israel hasn't changed. If anyone or anything should be god, it's G‑d.

30 Comments Posted

By Aron Moss More articles... |

Rabbi Aron Moss teaches Kabbalah, Talmud and practical Judaism in Sydney, Australia.

About the artist: Sarah Kranz has been illustrating magazines, webzines and books (including five children's books) since graduating from the Istituto Europeo di Design, Milan, in 1996. Her clients have included The New York Times and Money Marketing Magazine of London

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Latest Comments:

Posted: Nov 5, 2007

An answer to Jerry Kestenbaum

I don't know why you keep referring to quizzes because I never mentioned them and they don't seem relevant. Where is that leading?

Its not really a matter of destroying faith, its more figuring out what is true and sharing that with others. I think its important to point out to people that they are wrong and that a better world view exists. As it happens I do think faith is a bad thing. It obviously leads people to believing and doing bad and incorrect things. So in that way I suppose I do want to destroy faith,

I think I've already given you a definition of love. One which originates from evolution, not god. What is your point?

Posted By OJB, Dunedin, New Zealand

Posted: Nov 4, 2007

A reply to OJB from PV

I will keep you in my prayers on your journey to faith. I can tell by your thoughtful comments you are searching for the truth, the reason we all are here.

There are many resources where scholars have debated the fine points of both of our beliefs.

Be well OBJ. May G*d bless you.

Posted By Patrick Vega, Lomita, United States

Posted: Nov 4, 2007

An answer to Patrick Vega

OK, first atheists don't have to believe in Darwinism. Atheists don't believe in god but that doesn't automatically mean they accept Darwinism. Also, most people believe evolution, not Darwinism, they aren't the same!

I don't know any atheists who think science is the answer to all man's problems. But it is the best way to establish the truth, and it is the best way to solve general problems.

Just because there is no god doesn't mean we have no purpose. We just have a purpose based on reality instead of fantasy.

You're wrong about all of this. Maybe you're wrong about god as well? Think about it.

Posted By OJB, Dunedin, New Zealand