Is There A God?

Is There A God? Sep 14, 1999 - © Lloyd Madansky This one question has been the source of debate for thousands of years. I do not believe that I will be able to answer it to the satisfaction of everyone. I may not even be able to answer it to the satisfaction of anyone, but, I can at least explain why I believe there is. Before that, though, I will point out that some of the links in this article will also explore this question from various perspectives. The various Scriptures of the Revealed Religions present similar arguments for the existence of God. One is that the inner self during contemplation and/or meditation senses God. Another contends that the universality of the moral law and its mirroring of natural law demonstrate God's existence. A third position is that God has left evidence of His handiwork to be found in the manifest glories of creation. A forth relies on the testimony of the founders of the various religions to prove God's existence. Of all these, I gravitate towards the position that God has left evidence of the reality of His existence in His creation, if we would only look. An example that comes to mind is the KOSHER symbol (either a circle with a U or K inside). Most people do not even know it is there ... but, once they become aware it it's existence, they see it everywhere. It is the same with God, at least, in my opinion. Baha'u'llah wrote in Gleanings: "Behold, how immeasurably exalted is the Lord your God above all created things! Witness the majesty of His sovereignty, His ascendancy, and supreme power. If the things which have been created by Him--magnified be His glory--and ordained to be the manifestations of His names and attributes, stand, by virtue of the grace with which they have been endowed, exalted beyond all proximity and remoteness, how much loftier must be that Divine Essence that hath called them into being?..." This perspective is echoed in many other religions. In the Bible, a Scripture shared by Jews and Christians there are many references to this. Here is one, from Psalms 19: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof."

The Islamic Scripture, The Qur'an, states in Surah 57: "All that is in the heavens and the earth magnifies God; He is the All-mighty, the All-wise. To Him belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He gives life, and He makes to die, and He is powerful over everything." I do understand that all this is only proof to one who already believes. I also know of those that did not, at first, believe, but, came to believe when they became aware of the signs of the existance of God. In the end, I believe that God opens the eyes of the seeker. All this has brought to mind a song from my youth. I remember the hit of Frankie Lane. He recorded it in 1953. I would like to close with it's lyrics: I Believe I believe for every drop of rain that falls A flower grows, I believe that somewhere in the darkest night A candle glows. I believe for everyone who goes astray Someone will come to show the way. I believe, Oh, I believe. I believe above the storm The smallest prayer, will still be heard. I believe that someone in that great somewhere Hears every word Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, Or touch a leaf Or see the sky, Then I know why I believe.