I saw that many people had different reasons for believing in Gods, including (somewhat over-simplified):

* They had simply been indoctrinated at an early age, and the beliefs became so much a part of their life that the idea of questioning or doubting simply never occurred to them. They believe it because they have just always known it to be true. (As mentioned above, people usually end up with whatever the religion of their family happens to be.)

* They feel that we must be here for a purpose. The universe and this beautiful Earth cannot all be a pointless accident, and God is the best explanation. We are all here for a reason, but only God knows exactly what that reason is and we'll just have to trust him.

* A sense of justice. It's not fair for evil people to commit all sorts of terrible acts and simply escape punishment by dying. The idea of heaven/hell ensures that good people are rewarded and bad people are suitable punished.

* A deep objection to being merely "animals". Many creationists, for instance, are offended at the idea that humans simply evolved along with all other animals. God made us separate and special, and we have a "soul" but the animals do not (biological snobbery?).

* Comfort. Many people find it very comforting to believe that a loving God is always watching over them and caring for them, and when anything good or bad happens to them, this is all part of his Plan for their life. Also, religion is obviously very comforting when faced with the death of a loved one. It's much easier and more reassuring to believe that Grandma is free from pain now, up in Heaven with Jesus where she's waiting for us to join her for eternity, than to think that she has simply ceased to exist and the universe will have forgotten her in a couple of generations.

* Afterlife. It seems almost incomprehensible to believe that when your body dies, your existence ends. Sensation and awareness are so much a part of our existence that it is extremely difficult to imagine no longer being able to experience anything. Try to imagine that, for example, a big meteor crashes into your house and instantly kills you at the end of this paragraph. We just cannot imagine not existing or abruptly ceasing to be aware and conscious, and so it is quite natural to think that something will continue to exist after the death of our brain. It's a short step from there to accepting the idea of an immortal soul, and heaven or reincarnation or some other form of afterlife.

I'm an atheist because the existence of God (or Gods) can't be proved.
I do believe that other powerfull (or different) entities exist, however since I can't be sure if they fall in the God status I just can't consider them being Gods.

......

You don't believe in God because it can't be proved, but you believe in other powerful entities wich can't be proved, lol.

gods are like training wheels on a bicycle.
eventually some no longer need that extra support and security,
for they can now ride on their own.

That's a little mean towards those with faith isn't it? Some similar things can be said about Atheists. They don't have the ability to live by too many rules, they can't accept the idea of being "smaller" than something "beyond" them, or it's too much to understand/accept, etc...
But note I'm not saying any of those things.

If there is something beyond what we are, I have absolutley no problem with admitting they are "above us" at all. I don't see why anyone would, unless they have a huge ego.

Why not have no problem admitting you aren't less then, that would serve you nicely Zero......Try it...

IMO, Atheism is the denial of possibility.

zero,

anything could exist.

but only YOU can make it a god!

I don't know why you feel the need to be equal to everything. Either way, it doesn't change who I am. I don't care if I'm above or below something else, I'm still me. I don't have a need to be equal to all things.
Somewhat true. If one denies that any God can exist, then you're in denial of possability. You should not think in absolutes. Such as "Gods DO NOT exist" or "Gods CAN'T exist". I just consider myself open to possabilities.

This is one for the books hyper along with my personal favorite "gods only exist in the minds of those that believe in them".

Zero being equal isn't a need its nature, men deems things have hieriarchial order, You are in essence saying its kool if I'm a victim, there are no victims in nature either, anyways Zero you are equal to all things and you are certainly free to beleive you aren't wht might change though is the way you experince life though... you are only telling me your uncomfortable with thinking yourself as equal to all things, I think the Athiest is saying I choose not to beleive in man made 'gods' I see atheism as the door way to possibilitys not the closing off of them, but then again its all about our comfort zine i suppose, Life often begins at the end of ones comfort zone......i

I used to be an atheist...but now it makes no sence to me. Science is in strong favor of God, accuracy of the Bible and its prophecys, and the consciousness has always been a plus.

But what of these higher powers?
the greatest powers are equal to you,
the fundamental powers fuel you,
and the higher powers only hold such rank because YOU judged them superior to yourself.
.....
anything could exist.

but only YOU can make it a god!

I guess it's true sheri that in this world there are leaders and there are followers.
I too see the opening of doors and windows to possibilities with the removal of manmade entities. Remove the obstruction and you're free to explore.

gods are like training wheels on a bicycle.
eventually some no longer need that extra support and security,
for they can now ride on their own.

According to modern Physics more than 3 dimensions exist.
Hawking has made some guesses whether creatures exist in these dimensions.

Since a creature could be made to exist in more dimensions that we understand it is certainly superior to us, however it can't be considered to have reached God status. Since we're in an unexplained mysteries forum, many people here call these creatures angels. ghosts, spirits, demons etc.

I used to be an atheist...but now it makes no sence to me..

Science is in strong favor of God, accuracy of the Bible and its prophecys, and the consciousness has always been a plus.

Steven Hawking made guesses about creatures and these creatures are superior to us?
Your own words say they are just guesses.....

It's just hipothetical. What he means is that if they existed they would be superior to us since they would be aware of more dimensions than we do.

What he means is that if they existed they would be superior to us since they would be aware of more dimensions than we do.

I don't think that makes them superior, It makes them more enlightened. Nothing should be held more superior than yourself. You should be the most supreme being in your life. If people would get that we wouldn't have so much hate and fear in our world.

I don't think that makes them superior, It makes them more enlightened. Nothing should be held more superior than yourself. You should be the most supreme being in your life. If people would get that we wouldn't have so much hate and fear in our world.

Nothing should be held more superior than yourself. You should be the most supreme being in your life.

I have no opinion on if we're all equal [I believe all humans are equal though] to all other things. I just think it seems likley that there's possibly something above us humans. Call them angels, call them demons, hell call them pancakes if you like!

How about older, wiser, and more evolved?