I had a great hike with some great men today. The reflection I gave on the hike follows:
When Eric, Evan, Ken and I agreed that
today’s theme would be “Why We Believe in God,” I didn't expect that it would
take me so long to prepare this talk. I didn't doubt or a lack reasons for why I believe in God. My problem was that I had too many reasons; I
had trouble choosing which ones best expressed why I believe.
These arguments all make sense to me; they appeal to
my sense of reason; and they've been put forth over the centuries by minds
greater than mine whom I respect very much.
But intellectual arguments like these didn't convince me of the
existence of God or lead me to some dramatic conversion. They simply serve as rational support for what I've come to believe from my own experiences during the 49 years of my life.
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When I see a beautiful painting of a waterfall, I know that it was created by a
talented artist with an eye for beauty.
So why wouldn't I believe that the waterfall itself was created by a
talented artist with an eye for beauty?
+ When
I marvel at the human feats performed by a robot, I know that it was created by
an intelligent engineer with a mind for complex design. So why wouldn't I believe that the human body
was created by an intelligent engineer with a mind for complex design?
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When I read the laws of civilized nations, I know that they were conceived by
thoughtful legislators with a sense for justice. So why wouldn't I believe that the laws of
nature that speak to us in our hearts were conceived by a thoughtful legislator
with a sense for justice?
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When my parents taught me not to run with scissors and to eat my vegetables, I
learned that they were right and that I could trust that they had my best
interests at heart. So why wouldn't I think
that they were right and trust that they had my best interests at heart when
they taught me to believe in God?
+ When
I study new things, I learn that there’s always a teacher who knows more than I
do. So why wouldn't I believe that
there’s teacher who knows more than we all do?
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When I feel called to serve others, I’m filled with a sense of purpose. So why wouldn't I believe that when I’m
called to serve others, I’m called by one who gave me that purpose?
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When I’m given a special gift, I know that I’m loved by the one who gave it to
me. So why wouldn't I believe that the
gifts I cherish most – my life, my family and my friends – were given to me by
one who loves me most?
As you know, I could go on for hours. Suffice it to say that I've gathered the
facts, I've reviewed the testimony, I've balanced the evidence, and I've found
the Truth. That’s why I believe.
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