Truth without God?

There are few ways of life that are non-theistic (not the same as atheistic). Logically, it is impossible to have absolute moral standards when we do not have a superior being. Buddhism is a primary example. According to Buddhism, each person has the ability to become Buddha (enlightened). This is claimed to be possible without the help of any superior being. Unfortunately (rather fortunately), we cannot do away a superior being when we accept the reality of morality (right and wrong, good and bad). Unless, we have an absolute truth given to us by a superior being, we cannot have a truly absolute moral standard. Here is the reason - if everyone finds enlightenment on his own, we could (and would) have contradictory moral standards. We might find murder unacceptable, but Hilter might find it a virtue. Stalin's enlightenment and Gandhi's enlightenment do not agree. So, who is truly enlightened? Who decides? We need a superior being to set the standard. Otherwise, there is no standard. If there is no standard, we can never know what is truth.
Someone told me that "Man is lost, looking for something and he doesn't even know what he is looking for". We need God to show us what we are looking for (life). We need God to set the standard (truth) and we need God to show us the way. Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life.

Why am I here?

Science can answer all the how questions but can never answer the whys.

According to an existential point of view, we are nothing but a localized disturbance (the words of Deepak Chopra) in a cosmic chaos. However, it is hard to believe that two or more localized disturbances can interact in wonderful and complex ways similar to what humans act with each other. How likely is it that wiggles (another word by Deepak Chopra for humans), love one another, sacrifice for one another, be cruel to one another, be jealous of one another?

On the other hand, a Christian viewpoint, gives meaning to life and a purpose. We are created unique and wonderful, for a unique and specific goal. Our physical body, our intellect and everything else was made by design to achieve a greater goal.

King Solomon said that 'Everything is meaningless, utterly meaningless, under the sun (meaning if we lock God out of our world), it is like a chasing after the wind' (Ecclesiastes 1 & 2). Without God, it is impossible to find meaning. Jesus claimed that we will find the meaning to life in no one else but him.
We are created to love and to be loved. This love has meaning only when we know the love of Him who laid down His life to save us, and love Him in return. All of life teems with meaning through His love.

Why I am a Christian

I am not defending any political view, being liberal or conservative, or pro/anti-war. I am defending why I believe and try to follow Jesus.

I work with world-class physicists (that doesn't make me one) many of whom are not theistic. Sometimes, I am asked why I still believe after all the scientific advancements. More often I am ridiculed (usually not to my face) or thought to be crazy but I do have my reasons to believe in God.

Faith & Reason

Faith (believing in something that is not evident) is crucial in Christianity. This does not mean that faith goes against reason, but that, faith goes beyond reason.This means that I do not believe in something illogical but I believe in something that cannot be proven or disproven by logic or reason. For example, the existence of God cannot be logically deduced, leaving us with two choices - "to go beyond reason and believe" or "to go beyond reason and disbelieve". Note that both choices are beliefs both going beyond reason.

Most scientists have no trouble believing that aliens exist somewhere in the universe, without any substantial evidence. For them, the problem with believing in God is that it would warrant a change in lifestyle that they are not willingto accept. Most of the time, it is not lack of evidence that prevents belief, it is unwillingness to change their lifestyle.

What if?

Unmisinterpreted Christianity teaches a way of life that is pleasant and rewarding to both the individual and the community. So as a Christian, at the end of my life, I would have lived a happy life and will have no regrets, even if I was told that I believed in a lie.

On the other hand, if someone rejected Christianity and found out at the end of their life that Christianity was true, there will be a lot to regret about.

Meaning

My doctoral advisor told me once - "How is an easy question to answer but why is very difficult to tackle. Science could answer all the questions with how but it can never answer the question why. If God does not exist and I am here just by chance, I am a mere collection of chemicals, a localized disturbance (which is hard to believe if you ever fell in love or looked at a child's eyes) but Christianity gives meaning to my life and answers why I am here!

Thank you for reading this far. If you agree or disagree to any of the above, I would love to talk!

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have - 1 Peter 3:15