Why Believe in God?

The Christian honors God by holding fast his integrity, and keeping his allegiance firm when he seems neglected and forsaken. William Gurnall

About a year ago I commented on one of your videos saying I wanted to believe in God but couldn't find scientific evidence for his existence. Today, I believe in God because of the searching in my own soul. Through self reflection I discovered there is something in me that requires fulfillment that nothing can seem to fulfill. Basically I discovered the God shaped hole inside of me, and that's why I believe.

In the beginning, man created god. Storytellers made up the answers our ancient ancestors asked about lightning, fire, seasons, disease, and a host of other natural elements. They crafted deities, typically in familial organizations, to fill in the gaps our fears and ignorance requited. The fear of death demanded an afterlife, whether good or ill, the soul endured because the thought of oblivion scared them beyond reason. We must endure or why are we here at all? We are animals and no different than the rest of nature despite our intellect, curiosity, and hopes. We might as well ask if squirrels have a heaven or hell.

How do you have a First Mover, outside of time and space, when the word "first" implies the existence of time? How can anything "exist" outside space anyway? For this to make any sense at all, you need to come up with a definition of the word "exist" that involves neither time nor space. I do get asked if I believe in God. My usual response is: give me a definition of God that is not self-contradictory and then I'll tell you what I think. I'm yet to get a coherent response.

Science answers the question HOW ? (all things measurable). Faith, belief answers the question WHY ? Too any times those of science don't respect these two simple truths and try to answer WHY based on HOW. This can mislead many if we don't pick up the difference. Yes, I have had experiences of Christ's burning Love in my heart, but what keeps it all going is to listen to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit Who comes to remind me (and us all) of all what Jesus taught and what His Truth has shown us through many Christian lives lived before mine / ours. His Love pierces time and space for our salvation and God's Glory. Thank you Father Casey, yours in Christ, JC (OFS).

The one thing I can't help but think when I hear this explanation for the "reason for your faith" is that, if you're right, I am damned because of my nature. I don't have faith in anything. In everyday life, faith proves itself to be a terrible way to come to knowledge. Years of education and an entire Philosophy degree have pretty much sealed that I'm just not compatible with faith; and it is on this grounds that I am to burn? I've read the Bible, I was in church every week for 5 years, I've listened to a myriad different people, trying to understand and I've gotten nowhere; I just don't get it. I feel like there's just an uncrossable gulf between us and our mental states that I certainly didn't create with an act of the will; and yet I will be judged as though this is my fault? My failing? I want it known that I tried, and it was not hubris or evil that kept me from your apparently offered salvation. My girlfriend is Catholic, I love her very much and I want to marry her someday, and these days I hope you are right, despite that meaning my damnation, because she'll get tolive in peace and happiness forever after death, and that trade is a bargain.

In my experience: god believers always imagine a god that coincidentally aligns to the personal value system of that independent believer. Including ethnic identity, personal values, political affiliation, and sometimes national affiliation. Since you think experience = true knowledge, well there you go.

A lot of these arguments seem to revolve around "there must be a God because there must be something" , without ever explaining why a sentient supernatural God is the only thing that can fulfill that role

I'm sorry, Father Casey. I love almost all of your videos, but as a former agnostic the way you've presented the idea that God exists would have instantly turned me off. The first impression seemed to be an example of bad faith, faith that surrenders the faculties of reason. Later on in the video, it got much better than that first impression of just "faith." I understood you didn't mean it that way, but as this video is meant to explain the essentials I think it is a poor easily misunderstood way to put it. Existence would be the reason I believe, but it's not something where I have uncertainty. I am certain God exists because of the philosophical arguments for Him, specifically the Argument from Contingency. That is not where faith comes in. Faith is not that God is; faith is in God. Faith is loving God and understanding that despite how it may subjectively appear to you, God is always working for the objective good of the world and every specific individual. I am more certain God exists, then I am of the people around me. God exists by logically necessity. Now, here's where it gets confusing and I sympathize with you: I am certain God exists because of the true premises and sound logic of the arguments for Him, but I am also not "certain" He exists. This is another sense of certain, which is what I hope you were using. The idea that I could be wrong because my faculty of logic could be inherently flawed in some way and ergo I cannot be certain about anything, even that I exist. I usually just disregard that though, because that sense of certainty is ridiculous and impossible for man to achieve on anything. As one Pope put it, (I believe Pope Benedict XVI) no man is exempt from being man. That to me is where faith also comes in. Because we can never understand anything fully off our own merit, we have a special relationship with God other creatures do not have. Not only are we completely reliant on Him in existence, but we are completely reliant on Him in our reasoning faculty to understand we are completely reliant on Him. Personal experience, although I never use it as the end all be all of my certainty, is also an area where I can sympathize. I do not think arriving to God and His Church emotionally is wrong. I understand it; I have experienced it after coming to God intellectually. (not without His aid of course.) I once had an expereibce after praying spiritual communion. As I lay on my back and as soon as I said "Amen." and the yearning forJesus was spiking, I felt an immense sense of something indescribable over my chest, unlike anything I've felt before. It was pleasurable in the most wholesome sense. It was fulfilling. It was like a Divine tickle. It was undoubtedly love. I also understand what you say of those simple comforts. After surrendering to God, a simple peace fills me. This happens often. That Divine tickle happened to me a few more times, but recently it has stopped. I first felt it beginning this year and now I haven't felt it in a few months. But regardless, my point is I understand how there can be a reality that gives assurance that is not able to be articulated. I just wish this video was clearer because I don't want to give atheists and agnostics the impression that belief that God is, is equal to belief in God. I always try to look at things from their position because I used to be an agnostic and I want them to come to the fullness of the truth. If you read this Father, thank you. I love and appreciate you so much. Not to mention almost all your videos are great for theology, catechesis, and evangelization. God Bless you, Father. I'm sorry if I came off as rude; it is hard to express love over text.

In the end "Faith is enough for me." Hmm. OK. Cool. I can't really do anything with that. I guess I don't have that gift.

I pray everyone feels the love of God on a personal level 🙏

If God does not reveal himself to us in an obvious way so that we can choose to love him freely, then why did he reveal himself in an obvious way to some in the Bible? They believed because they saw miracles with their own eyes, so why can't everyone have that kind of certainty? I'm not being contrary, I truly want to know, as a Christian forever struggling with doubts. You describe feeling God's presence and I've heard others say the same, but I've never felt anything so distinct. If I did, I would probably think I was fooling myself, because how would I know if the feeling was divine or selfish? How can I ever resolve this paradox? Over a decade of wrestling with these things and more, I still keep searching. Sometimes I think the fact that I haven't totally reverted to atheism is proof that God has called me, and other times I think the fact that I don't totally believe is proof that I am either a lost cause or that it's all just a fantasy that I can't abandon because a world without God and heaven is too frightening to face. Alternatively, maybe I seek because I'm too cautious to risk damnation. I'm just putting this out there, I don't know, Youtube is probably not the place to look for spiritual guidance.

I keep loving God because he loves me first

Thanks for explaining why faith is dishonest and no rational person should accept your claim.

In my case, its the same as yours. I felt his pressence. I also dreamt a lot; where I knelt before a cross, which eventual lead to be giving wine and bread by a priest (this all happend in a dream). This is one of the callings I experienced, which all lead to yesterday evening, going to church for the first time. For the first time in my life, I felt my soul was at home.

Thank you for all what you have shared with us throughout the years. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord's Face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lifteth His Countenance upon you and give you His peace.

Never forget 9/11...may those that took that faithful step into the next world be comforted and remembered. Thanks Fr. Casey! God Bless you!

Who want God & who won't God , to me this my answer when I found weakness to prove it . Blessings from 🇦🇪( UAE) Blessings 🌷 🌷 🌷

Kerygma is a GREAT series. I'm glad you're taking it on to equip believers to proclaim boldly as we should. Pax

I have the same feelings. Whenever I am broken and weak, God show me his prenence in a way or another. I really love those moments.