Why I'd Still Believe In God Even if the Bible Was a Fairytale

Question

The Bible ― though often used by believers as a a proof text on facts about God ― doesn't prove God exists, scientifically or otherwise. I don't think I could, nor can anyone, use it as a tool to convince people on the facts about God's existence. While one can believe what they read in the Bible is divinely inspired, to do so ― that is, to accept that the Bible is divinely inspired ― is a complete act of faith. So, while I don't think the Bible can be used in any concrete way to actually prove God exists or explain how the world was literally created, I do think that the universe we abide in is hard, physical evidence, something real and tangible, that we cannot ignore. To believe the universe is a matter of random chance ― meaning that there is no intelligent design behind it ― seems to me to be a far greater leap of faith.

The whole cosmos in their perfectly functioning glory. Where did it all come from? From nowhere? Are we to believe it is all the result of one mind-boggling chance? To believe this is to accept the odds given to it. One scientific estimate puts the chance of random creation at one in 10 to the power of 40,000. That's 1 in 10 + 40,000 zeros on the end. Is it realistic to accept these odds as the most rational explanation we have regarding the creation of the universe?

The observable universe is estimated to be more than 93 billion light years in length (to put this in perspective, the moon, for example, is less than two light seconds away from earth). It is perfectly balanced. Everything within it works in perfect union with each other. Within this universe we have our planet, unique in all the universe. On our planet, we have the most fascinating variety of animal, foods, smells, tastes, and visual spectacles, from the tiniest insect to the great whales and every living thing in-between.

I can and do respect those who are believers in the random creation of the universe, but to that effect, I am an unbeliever. If the day comes when the universe is proved to be a fairytale, a Hollywood creation of sorts made by trickery, then I will change my mind. Until then, the universe is my proof an intelligent Creator has designed and implemented this cosmic-sized reality we abide in.

Even if I came to believe, or if it was somehow proven, that the Bible was just made up by crazy ancient people on a power trip, even if I came to believe it was nothing more than a fairytale, this conclusion would not in any way prove that God does not exist. It's not until someone convinces me that the universe is not real, that the universe is a fantasy, that it is not as big as it is, and as complex, and as awe-inspiring. When the universe is revealed as another Santa Claus, just another fairy tale made up to trick us, then I would come to question the existence of God. But while I can still stare out at the stars and galaxies all those millions of light years away, whose light is powerful enough to still reach my eyes regardless of the gulf between us, I can do nothing else but believe there is a Creator behind it all.

Sure, it's irrational to believe in ancient religious narratives -- that is a matter of faith -- but to believe there is a Higher Power that designed and implemented the universe is not irrational, not when the only other option we have is that the universe just happened by fluke, right?
~Mooney

Answer

As humans we crave a reason to exist... We need to believe in something. So that we can't just be here for no reason.  I'm an atheist. I don't need a reason to be here. I'm just here and that's that. I can accept that. I don't need to read a book or look outside my window and believe that someone or something made outside. Like it's just there.

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I find the universe a huge basis for my faith. 
Looking at anything you can see how complicated the designs of creatures are.

I believe in the bible.

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Do you have any sources for that "scientific estimate" because as far as I'm aware the scientific community is of the opinion there is essentially zero chance that we're the only life in the universe

Answer

I think the assumption here is that humans,  and the environment that we live in,  are objectively amazing. And that's just not true. 
To us,  to fathom the idea of humanity,  all we create,  and the world around us,  seems completely amazing,  special,  and therefore could not be a matter of chance. But objectively,  to someone who isn't part of this existence,  it might not seem all that special at all. And therefore that all this is happenstance seems completely reasonable. 
For example,  it could be statistically far less likely that two molecules, A and B,  should exist together on a planet. It could be astoundingly rare,  almost impossible. But if this discovery was made,  humans would shrug their shoulders. Who cares. Not relevant to us. Because our understanding of what is important is subjective. And the value of our planet, so magical and special to humans as it is,  is therefore subjective as well. 
That's all some heavy philosophy,  but it might give a bit of context to the argument that our planet can't simply be a matter of perfect circumstances. Because of course it is. All planets are. But we happen to think this one is special.

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I actually agreee with you. I mean I don't believe in what you do but I still think that there could be a higher power . We just don't know if it.

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I'm not sure I fully understand the question. I believe in God, but I also understand science. I don't pretend to understand the beginnings of the universe, but evolution is certainly very real. Whether God was involved or not is really a secondary question to me. It's entirely possible there was a force (God) that sparked life, but that doesn't mean I exactly agree with intelligent design, and I don't want it taught in schools. It's far too often nothing more than dressed up creationism.

As for the bible, I don't believe in a literal interpretation. It's an odd collection of stories, histories, genealogy, allegory, poetry, and teachings. It's very very old, and has faced many translations and rewrites. Even if I believed it's was once perfect (I don't), humanity has surely corrupted it.

That's not to say it's worthless. The teachings of Jesus in particular have application today. Faith doesn't need facts to validate it. That's what separates it from science. Which again I feel is equally important to study, and accept.

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Ur questions,  n in-depth thinking about the creations that exists,  are wonderful. I would like to invite u to read Quran once with translation. M sure u will get very good answers to ur questions. And i dont know whether u know or not,  v just have 1 single version of Quran throughout the world and since 1400 years. Not a single word has been changed n so u will never find any contradiction in it :) xoxo

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Have you ever read The Case for Christ? Lee Strobel is a lawyer who was set on disproving Christianity. He interviewed some of the most brilliant minds on earth and ended up realizing that there is scientific, historical and logical proof in the existence of God and Jesus.

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I feel the same way. The universe, our planet, animals, storms, etc, are all so complex and amazing that I can't help but believe that there must be a higher power that set this in motion. I refer to this higher power as the Christian god because that's the faith I was brought up in, but whether you call it god, mother nature, or whatever, something is out there. At this point in my life I'm not 100% sure if I believe in the Bible, only because it's been translated so many times and so many different books have been added and taken out and because it was written by man and man isn't perfect, but without a doubt I believe in god. I don't understand why we are here, why he put us here, but I live my life everyday admiring the beauty here on this planet. I love how we are all humans and yet we come in all different shapes sizes and colors. I love watching my dogs interact with each other in their own special dog language and how they know how to communicate with me.

Why I'd Still Believe In God Even if the Bible Was a Fairytale

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