Ethics and Religion Talk: Is Proof of God Important?

"Why do most religions conclude that there is an a priori need to identify and prove God before considering the strong evidence coming to us through psychical research and consciousness studies that consciousness survives death? We'll never have any objective evidence that God exists, but we do have solid scientific evidence strongly suggesting that consciousness survives death. Why not focus on that evidence and let God, whatever He, She, or It happens to be, take shape in one's consciousness from that?"

Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds:

"While trying to 'prove God' can be a beneficial intellectual exercise for some, it is not a core practice in Hinduism. I agree with the writer here that there is plenty of evidence indicating the survival of consciousness after physical death, and this could easily lead to the assumption of a single higher power. However, Hinduism doesn’t ‘need God’ to be Hinduism. We encourage seekers to come to their own conclusions on the matter. And of course, when we use the word ‘God’ we know that it can be defined multiple ways. Anything from ‘Cosmic Ground of Being’ to ‘Heavenly Father or Mother.’ Personal or impersonal. No one perception is demanded. Of the various main schools of thought within the Dharma, the Mimamsa believes in the reality of the individual soul and the external world, but postulates that there is no reason to believe that God exists or ever did exist. Everything in the universe came, and continues to come, into existence via natural processes. Note that this is a minority viewpoint. The vast majority of Hindus do acknowledge a divine source. But having this freedom of thought in our tradition is greatly ​valued."

Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds:

"Presbyterianism posits no ‘a priori need’ to prove God’s existence. It is one of the self-evident truths of creation. ‘The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is good, and doeth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in and served, with all the heart, and with all the might’ (Westminster Confession, Ch. XXI.I). God’s works of creation and providence provide all the ‘objective evidence’ that we need. ‘The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork’ (Psalm 19:1).

"But there are none so blind as those who will not see. Fallen man is perfectly capable of convincing himself that God does not exist, or if He does, He is neither just, nor holy, nor almighty. ‘When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened’ (Romans 1:21).

"Those who look to science for ‘objective evidence’ look in vain, for science limits itself to that which can be observed or seen. Science can by its own methods know nothing of things invisible, eternal, and unchangeable. Many scientists are Christians, but not because they are scientists. All that we know about God’s grace in Christ, the promise of everlasting life, and the judgment to come, is found in God’s revelation as recorded in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments."

Father Michael Nasser, who writes from an Eastern Christian perspective and is Pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian Church, responds:

"While I am not yet aware of any evidence of life and consciousness after this life, faith is, by definition, a placing of trust in something that cannot be proven with evidence. The beginning point of reference for Orthodox Christians is that ‘God is the Lord and has revealed himself to us.’ We see many revelations from God, but none more clearly than the life, acts and teachings of Jesus Christ. But none of these were offered as evidence. Even in his own day and by his closest adherents, we know there was doubt. Orthodox Christianity sees doubt not as the need for proof, but as the opportunity to place one's trust in God, the very definition of faith."

Linda Knieriemen, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, responds:

"Trying to prove God’s existence is a futile exercise to which I lend little energy. God is mystery not to be solved. My ministry is to point toward where I see that transcendent mystery peeking through into this earthly realm and naming: Love without Bias. Grace without Limit. Mercy without Merit. Beauty without Work.

"A parishioner recently gave me a book about Shared-Death experiences, a collection of stories told by those who are with the dying whom seem to leave their bodies and accompany their love one partway to a heavenly realm.(‘Glimpses of Eternity,’ Raymond Moody). For him, these narratives proved the existence of heaven, the existence of God."