Does modern man need faith? Does a person need faith in God?

Is believing in something good or bad? Some believe that every person needs faith, because without it it is simply impossible to survive in this far from ideal world. Others believe that it is because of faith that people begin to be lazy and let everything take its course, because they are confident that higher powers will help them, and if they don’t help, then they themselves will not be able to cope with anything. This is especially true for faith in God. Nowadays there are many atheists, especially among young people, because they believe that faith hinders human development and gives him unnecessary and stupid hopes. But still, do we need to believe in God and what does faith give to a person?

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Faith can be both creative and destructive. It all depends on how exactly a person believes. For example, there is certainly nothing good in fanatical faith. A fanatical believer is divorced from reality. He lives in a completely different world, which bears little resemblance to the real one. In his world, faith is the most basic, the most important. Everyone who disagrees with him automatically becomes enemies. It is these people who incite religious wars, commit violence and murder in the name of their faith. If we talk about such faith, then yes, indeed, it is better to be an unbeliever than to do terrible things under the guise of God’s name. Fortunately, people who are far from being all believers are exactly like that.

There is another faith when a person simply sincerely believes in a higher power and tries to live in such a way as not to disappoint these powers. Although such faith also has its pitfalls, but there are fewer of them. For example, a person may try to comply with all biblical laws and therefore deny himself many of the joys of life: from food to sex. True believers take these issues very seriously. They have their own principles and morals that society cannot break. No matter how much you tell a believer that he is wrong and such behavior does not bring any benefit to anyone, and deprives him of many of the joys of life, he will still find reasons to continue to hold on to his faith and will consider this form of behavior to be the most correct. Such faith in God does not harm anyone, but still, from time to time, it can negatively affect the believer’s loved ones, since he begins to prohibit something for them or because of his prohibitions for himself, those around him indirectly suffer. For example, a believer may prohibit eating meat during Lent and his family members will have to come to terms with this, or a believer will refuse sex before marriage, even if they have been dating a girl for several years. Accordingly, such a belief is also not absolutely positive. Although believing people consider it the only true one and do not understand those who simply believe it.

Those who really just believe in God have their own view of religion. They do not consider it necessary to fast, go to church, and so on. Such people are confident that God, if he exists, is such an omnipotent and wise being that he can hear you wherever you want and regardless of how exactly you express your thoughts. That is, it is not necessary to turn to him in prayer. You can simply ask for something, the main thing is that the desire is really good. Such people also believe that God will not punish for smoking, sex, and so on, as long as we do not harm anyone by doing so. Such believers, one might say, live in accordance with the saying: “Trust in God and don’t make a mistake yourself.” Naturally, they can ask God for help, but at the same time they themselves try to create the conditions that will be the most favorable and convenient for fulfilling the request. Such people are aware of the Ten Commandments and actually try to act in accordance with them. That is, a person is confident that if he really does something bad towards other people, then God will punish him. But as long as he tries to be kind and fair, there will be no complaints against him. We can say that such faith is the most adequate. It is impossible for even atheists to cling to it, since it cannot slow down human development. Rather, on the contrary, it gives faith in their strengths and people try to reveal their capabilities, believing that someone from above is helping them. Such faith is creative, since a person who believes in God always tries to remain good and help loved ones so that they also do not do stupid things. Such people never impose their opinion on religion and faith, they generally try to touch less on any confessions and sects, and they will catch a cold so that they are not ashamed of aimlessly and incorrectly spent years.

So, is faith necessary?

No one can answer this question unequivocally, except those who are one hundred percent sure that God exists, that is, true believers. But whether their faith is necessary is still worth arguing about. But if we talk about ordinary faith, without any special prohibitions and excesses, then, probably, a person still needs it. Each of us needs hope that everything will be fine, that the black streak will end and the white streak will begin. And also, since childhood, we believed in miracles. And if this faith is completely taken away, then disappointment comes to the soul, and it is disappointment that becomes the reason for people’s anger, their deep resentment towards life. A person who suddenly stops believing in miracles may become withdrawn and depressed. Looking at this world, he understands that there is nothing special, nothing miraculous in it, and because of this, interest in life disappears, and faith gives us the opportunity to believe that there is still something special, albeit invisible to our eyes, that when life ends , another, magical world awaits us, but not emptiness and darkness. In addition, the realization that you have an invisible helper, your guardian angel, who will not leave you in difficult times, will guide you on the right path and at some point will create a small miracle to help you. But people who believe in higher powers really notice such miracles and this makes their souls feel better.

In fact, belief in something special, bright and beautiful has never harmed anyone. On the contrary, it always gave strength and confidence in the future. Therefore, if a person believes this way, and does not try to enslave, destroy, incite a war, and so on, with the help of faith, then people need such faith. It is thanks to such faith that we are not completely disappointed in our world and in the people who surround us. When something bad starts happening around us, those who believe ask their guardian angel for help, and often, things really start to work out better for them. But those who don’t believe more often give up, are more often disappointed and feel unhappy. They can be very smart, confirming that atheism helped them develop their mental capabilities. But none of them can be called truly happy, because they are disappointed in the world around them and do not believe in anything good. Therefore, if we talk about whether people need faith in God, the answer will be more positive than negative, because, no matter what we say, each of us really needs faith in a miracle.

Once upon a time I lived - a prisoner in the world of atheism. For as long as I have been living in this world, I have been told that there is no God. I studied at the best university, found a good job, made a solid career, got married - in general, like everyone else, I enjoy life. Material life. After all, this is what I achieved with my atheism.

One day, returning from work, I accidentally saw on a familiar bench two people I didn’t know, who were passionately talking about faith in God. I became interested and asked to listen to their conversation for a few minutes. One of them claimed that he was a believer and tried in every possible way to prove that he was right, while his interlocutor condemned everything that was said about faith in God. In general, he was my like-minded person. Before, somehow I didn’t have to argue about faith, since all the time my thoughts were occupied with work and home, and this dialogue became interesting to me primarily because I wanted to assert myself in my views on life.

I decided to join the dialogue. My first question was: “Why does a person need faith in God? Is faith a dream with which a person tries to fill the void? Our opponent was not at a loss, adequately parrying my statement. He replied: “Faith is a feeling that is embedded in a person’s consciousness. No matter how much he opposes it, he still believes in something.” I was a little surprised by this answer, and according to my views, I said: “I am a modern person! Why do I need faith? I have everything, I'm happy with life. Why should I waste time on something that does not benefit me?

I already thought that I would throw my interlocutor into a stupor, but he had no intention of backing down. His answer shocked me to the core. He said: “Do you, being a modern man, deny any signs of faith? This can't be! You, for example, believe in the laws of physics, chemistry or biology. There are many phenomena and things that you do not see, but you believe in their existence. Air, wind, sound waves, electric current - all this you recognize and believe in their existence. You believe it! You also believe in the existence of good and evil, justice and injustice. You deny faith because you do not want to improve your unique feelings that are in your consciousness. By denying faith in God, goodness and justice become a formality for you that you want to pass on to your children, but faith allows you to feel with all your soul how precious all these qualities are.”

His words made me flinch. There was a moment when I wanted to strangle him for his stubbornness, but inside myself I began to realize that I was stubborn, not he. And somehow spontaneously it burst out from me: “I don’t need life after death, neither in heaven nor in hell - I just live and don’t bother anyone.” Again, I had some kind of imaginary confidence that I would prevail over him. “Why is faith needed?” was spinning in my head. After all, I have always walked through life, rejoicing in my successes, and then some stranger makes me doubt my established views. It’s really annoying that I can’t adequately refute his answer.

To my statement, the believer also had an answer that was unexpected for me: “Do you deny heaven and hell (He smiled)? Heaven and hell you see and feel every day. You want to relax comfortably - this is heaven, someone oppresses or insults you - this is hell, no one wants this for themselves. A person’s faith allows him to see heaven and hell everywhere, considering this a great test in life. Just because you live and don't bother anyone doesn't mean you don't pass the test. The entire worldly life of a person is a test: today he may experience mental torment, tomorrow he will remain in grace, while thanking his Creator for the mercy shown. Death is just a transition from this world to the eternal world, where the best benefits that the human soul accepts will be rewarded.”

I somehow didn’t have to think about trials, although I related everything that happened in my life to fate. But still I decided not to retreat. My parents taught me to solve my problems myself without the help of God. Why am I worse than a believer? My like-minded person sat in silence: apparently he did not want to interfere with our conversation, since he was desperate to convince a believer. Having collected all my thoughts, I asked my interlocutor, perhaps, the main question: “Why does a person need faith? Why believe in God?

Before answering, my interlocutor ran his hand over his face. Then he directed his gaze somewhere to the side. What’s remarkable is that I didn’t notice any fatigue during the entire time of our conversation; I even, one might say, enjoyed it. But my head was racing with thoughts, looking for worthy arguments to refute. The answer to the last question amazed me. He said: “You know, if a person did not have faith in God, he would constantly fight with his own kind. I know that my arguments make you boil, and this boil is a short-term awakening of your faith, which God has placed in you. If there were no faith, then a person would not show such emotions and would treat everything with indifference. But your questions and interest in this issue and, as a result, the manifestation of emotions in search of a refutation is the same spiritual awakening that is inherent in every person, no matter how he views such a concept as faith. If a person does not seek the truth and meaning of life, then he sees himself as lost. But he may not feel this, because he considers this loss to be correct, showing an inclination towards material wealth.”

Am I really a lost man? Emotions overwhelmed me because I could not think in a way that could logically refute everything he said. I wanted to run away from here, but where? Even after this conversation, his words never left me. I may never meet him again, but he gave me the opportunity to rethink some of my principles. I’ll have to think about it, since GOD gave me such an ability as a person.

The modern world is changing rapidly. Changes affect all spheres of human life, including the spiritual. But, unfortunately, people spend more and more time and energy on satisfying their material needs, and have practically stopped thinking about the needs of the soul. The ancient Christian philosopher Tertullian said that the human soul is Christian by nature, which means that its only salvation is life with Christ and in Christ. However, today in the world it is not customary to talk about God as a source of moral values. In a society dominated by the ideology of consumption, Christianity becomes an outcast.

We conducted a survey on the topic: does modern man need God?

Needed. People must at least believe in something; the majority believe in God. Faith helps in life.

Victor Dmitrievich, 62 years old

It is needed not only by modern man. God is always needed. He sets a person up for good, gives mental discipline, calls to conscience.

Natalya Alekseevna, 57 years old

Needed. How can we live without God? How to live without faith? This is impossible.

Salavat, 37 years old

God is something so bright, kind, good that you want to believe in, because there is a lot of dirt in the world, but you want good.

Sergey, 36 years old

I don't know, I can't say anything.

Irina Petrovna, 45 years old

Of course, God is needed, especially in difficult situations. He helped me when I turned to Him, especially on tests.

Alina, 13 years old

A modern person may need it, but I’m not modern, I was born in 1941. What I need now is peace, a good pension and health. If you have health, then everything else will happen. I think so.

Petr Pavlovich, 69 years old

Definitely needed. My little granddaughter began to be interested in this from the age of four and ask different questions. When she was 5 years old, we read the adult Bible in the evenings. I ask: “Anya, do you understand everything?” She says: “Grandma, I understand everything.” Now, a small child understood everything, but I myself began to learn this at more than 60 years old. We went with her to Sunday school at the Sorrow Church with Father Eugene. I think that if a person does not have a spiritual life, then he does not live, but exists. And if my granddaughter finds a point of support in life - faith, I will be happy and calm for her.

Inna Dmitrievna, 76 years old

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Many people have recently been asking the question: “Why do we need faith in God at all?” This question is heard on TV screens, discussed in blogs and articles, and directly or indirectly asked by acquaintances and friends. The reason for this most often lies in a misunderstanding of what it is. There are many myths and misconceptions regarding belief in God.

Myth one: only weaklings need faith in God.

I always achieve everything in life on my own; I don’t need some kind of “mythical” God who will do something for me. There are disabled people, there are weak people who are not capable of anything, but they need God.

People who simply do not know how to see God’s daily help often think this way. People take for granted that the sun rises in the morning, that spring is followed by summer, that there is a certain order in the universe. We do not see God’s help in the fact that the weather outside is beautiful and the rain is not pouring in buckets, changing all our plans. We do not see God's help when we encounter in the corridor the person we need, who suddenly at that very time wanted to leave the office. We so often receive God's help and at the same time take everything personally. God is already helping us not because we are weak, but simply because He knows all our strength, which we do not even suspect. And we need faith in God in order to achieve even greater heights in our lives.

Myth two: belief in God necessarily means adherence to a particular religion and observance of its rituals.

If I believe in God, then I must definitely go to church and pray. I must light candles “for health” and “for repose,” I must receive communion and confession, I must be baptized, etc.

If you tell people that I believe in God, the question will certainly follow: “What God do you believe in? What church do you belong to?” And immediately fragmentation will begin among different religions and denominations: “Do you believe in the Trinity?”, “Do you believe in the resurrection of people after death?” etc. Sometimes a person has so many problems and questions with this that it is easier to completely abandon any faith and God.

But who said that a person should just blindly believe? Didn't God give man intelligence so that he could think, understand, find out? A person needs faith in God, first of all, in order to figure out what he should live for. God is the creator of man, therefore He is the one who knows best what a person’s soul is about, what he needs in order to become happy. God knows better than all religious leaders what a particular person needs in order to develop spiritually. For one person, strict norms and laws are needed, within the framework of which it will be easier for him to control himself. Another person needs more freedom of expression, Christian rock bands music. The third requires an environment of support and family care. If a person believes in God and listens to his own, it will definitely lead him to the “right wave” and he will meet the Church to which his soul will be drawn.

Myth three: faith in God means loss of freedom.

Faith is used to manipulate human consciousness. Religious leaders use our faith to turn us into obedient, weak-willed cogs.

In fact, true faith in God leads a person to true freedom. First of all, faith in God gives a person direction, understanding. And this inevitably leads to a revision of relationships with loved ones and a revision of priorities. Often young people quit drinking and smoking and give up. From the outside it may seem that someone or something is controlling a person, that he is not free. However, in the longer term, such a person lives a much happier life than those who remain attached to evil habits.

A person who sincerely believes in God, first of all, focuses on his conscience and his own. Such a person will not blindly follow the leader and believe empty slogans. On the contrary, if his freedom is suppressed, he will find the strength to declare it. A person who believes in God cannot in any way be a “weak-willed cog.”

We have looked at only some of the most common myths about faith in God. Of course, the choice “to believe or not to believe” always remains with the person himself.

A philosopher once said: “God died a long time ago, people just don’t know about it.”
Religion has always walked alongside man. No matter what ancient civilizations archaeologists find, there is always evidence that people believed in deities. Why? Why can't people live without God?

What is “God”?

God is a supernatural supreme being, a mythological entity who is an object of veneration. Of course, hundreds of years ago everything inexplicable seemed fantastic and aroused awe. But why would modern man worship a mythical creature?

Modern science is making giant strides forward every day, explaining what were once considered miracles. We interpreted the origin of the Universe, the Earth, water, air - life. And they did not arise in seven days. Once upon a time, people explained all disasters as the wrath of God. Now we understand that an earthquake is a consequence of the movement of the earth's crust, and a hurricane is a consequence of air flows. Today, scientists are finding clues in biblical cataclysms that are not so difficult to interpret. Why didn't people look for an explanation for this many years ago?

Religion - salvation or opium for the people?

Religion played a huge role here. As you know, the Bible was written by people, and it was also edited by people. I think that in the original writings and in the modern book that everyone has in their home, we would find many differences. You need to understand that religion and faith are slightly different things.

The Church has always brought fear to people. And the church is not only Christian. In every faith there is a semblance of heaven and hell. People have always been afraid of punishment. It is known that the church had enormous power over society. Just doubting the existence of the Almighty could lead to being burned at the stake. Religion was used as a means of intimidation and control of the masses. Over the years, the church has lost trust among people. Consider the Inquisition, which killed thousands of people throughout Europe. In Rus', for example, those who missed services on Sunday were publicly caned on Monday. During the Stalinist repressions, priests violated the sacrament of confession by passing on information to the KGB. The Church struggled with “heretics” - dissident people who could ask uncomfortable questions.

Even now there are many religious movements that simply zombify people using trust and various psychological techniques. For example, “White Brotherhood”, very popular in the early 90s. How many people were left without apartments, savings and families. It seems, well, how can a sane person believe in salvation from a dubious subject. It turned out - maybe. But, unfortunately, people are not taught these stories. As before, various religious movements “brainwash” gullible citizens. And the people believe them, even if tomorrow they tell you to drink poison in the name of God. What kind of God needs these meaningless sacrifices?
In our modern times, we can safely discuss any topic. Many theologians have made arguments for the existence of God, just as many atheists have refuted them. But there is no clear evidence of the existence of God, just as there is no evidence that he does not exist. Everyone makes their own choice of what to believe and who to pray to.

What does prayer give us and why should we believe?

Prayer is petition. Ask and it will be given to you. But don’t we shift responsibility onto God for our laziness when we ask for what we can achieve ourselves: a house, a car, a job. If it doesn’t work out, you can answer simply - God doesn’t give. If we cannot arrange our personal life, the easiest way is to answer that God decided so, rather than look at ourselves from the outside and start doing something about our shortcomings.

It has been proven that human thought is material. What we think, wish, dream and ask for can come true. Our word is magic. We ourselves sometimes don’t know how we can hurt or inspire a person. Perhaps words together with thoughts have great power. What is this: the influence of God or the unexplored capabilities of the human brain?

During true prayer, a person seems to be transported to another dimension, where time slows down. Maybe in this way we become a little closer to God?

I remember one episode from House, when the patient’s husband, an atheist, prays for his wife. When House asked why pray if you don’t believe in God, he replied: “I promised my wife that I would do everything for her recovery. If I don’t pray, it won’t be all.”

What does faith give us? Faith inspires a person and makes him confident in his abilities. But we believe in God helping us, and not in our own strength. There are many stories about how faith saved people from cancer, drugs, alcohol... But maybe this power was already in these people? Maybe faith in God simply provoked some special hormone in a person?

There is a lot of information to think about... But for some reason we pray and believe when nothing else can be done.

Anatomy of the soul

Well, what about the irrefutable evidence of the existence of an afterlife? Let's think about the soul. Back in the 19th century, there were attempts to weigh the human soul. And the American doctor succeeded. As a result of many experiments, he established that the change in the weight of a living and dead person becomes slightly more than 20 grams, regardless of the initial body weight.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, research continued, but the theory of the existence of the soul was only confirmed. It was even possible to film her exiting her body. It is worth taking into account the experience of people who have experienced clinical death. Absolute strangers cannot tell the same stories.

Why can't I give up my belief in God?

I am a modern thinking person who is used to doubting everything and looking for evidence. But I cannot give up faith in God. Faith gives me peace of mind, confidence that in difficult times help will come. I remember the film “What Dreams May Come”, where after death a man and his children go to their own paradise. The husband - in the pictures of his wife, and the son and daughter - in the country in which they believed in childhood. And it was faith that helped pull my wife out of hell, who ended up there after committing suicide. And I want to have my own paradise. After all, according to our faith it will be given to us.

Well, there are more questions left than answers... Modern man is accustomed to relying on medicine, science, technical progress, but cannot give up faith, hope, love and, in fact, God.