> > Hello, I see many people are touching bases with this interesting
> > topic, and I would like to do the same. I am a young girl, which is
> > rather hard to tell, because of my writing, but I am only a young
> > teen. In fact, people judge me for questioning, and trying to learn
> > about the way things work. But I want to learn. I am again interested
> > in this topic, because I don't know what to believe. I want to believe
> > in God, but not to the extent of having a religion, for those matters
> > have are to mixed up for me. But I want to believe in God, but it's
> > hard. All this suffering. and unfairnes. Isn't a god supposed to help
> > prevent those things, and help make peace in the world for all people.
> > I'm stuck should I be of some faith, just believe, or be a complete
> > atheist. Atheist is my closest option.

> You should take solace in that you are not alone. I remember going
> through several years and periods in my life when I wanted to believe
> in god. In fact, to this day, I admit that there is a part of me that
> looks out at the universe, this world, the life here, and wants to
> insert some *purpose*, some *reason* for it all to be. Why is anything
> here at all, rather than nothing?

> This is all natural and good. Our desire to make sense of the world
> stems from an innate survival factor and is necessary for us to live.
> It is also the driving force for all human advancement.

> The issue here should not be abandoment of your desire to make sense
> of things, but, rather, whether or not to let compulsion rule you.
> Throughout your life you may have the impulse to jump to a conclusion
> because of emotional concerns. This can be a trap not unlike a pitcher
> plant. The goal is emotionally appealing and going there may *feel*
> good, but once inside you may find it hard to get out. You are content
> in your answer and would rather stay there instead of reevaluating it.
> Unfortunately the answer may corrode and dissolve rational and logical
> thinking until there is nothing left.

> It is important to keep yourself honest. Regardless of how you have
> arrived at a conclusion, be humble and honest enough to constantly
> scrutinze it. You will be surprised at how many things you are
> absolutely certain are true right now, turn out to be not-so-true
> later in life. If you become attached to these answers, ego and pride
> may prevent you from letting them go. There is nothing wrong with not
> having all the right answers. We are *all* ignorant in some fashion,
> that is simply the human condition. If someone asks you a question it
> is alright to answer "I don't know".

> If you feel bad for not having an answer, or not being sure about an
> answer, that is just your natural desire to keep finding one. But it
> is a balancing act. You must keep your desire for a truthful answer in
> balance with a desire for any answer.

> I would have you ask yourselve why you want to believe in a god. What
> is the source for that desire? Think of this independently of familial
> or social influences. Think only about yourself and your desires. Why
> must there be a god?