In a world full of diverse beliefs, opinions, and worldviews, the question of whether one believes in God often arises. For many, belief in God is an essential part of their life and spiritual identity. However, there are others who, while not rejecting the idea of a higher power, may not believe in God in the traditional sense. This reflection stems from a conversation that began with someone asking, “Why don’t you believe in God?” The response I gave was simple yet profound, “I believe in something else.”
Curiosity followed from the person who asked the question, “What’s that?” I replied, “It’s GOOD and BAD that a human does.” At this point, the conversation became deeper and more introspective. I then asked, “Have you seen God?” To which the person responded, “No.” That’s when I shared my perspective with them: “Yeah...that’s the point. You know what I have seen? GOOD and BAD.” I believe this exchange represents an important perspective that is often overlooked in discussions about belief: the role of human actions in shaping our experiences of good and evil.
The essence of this reflection is not about dismissing or belittling those who believe in God. I have no intention of challenging anyone’s deeply held beliefs. It is essential to respect everyone's views and opinions because beliefs are subjective and personal. No one has the right to judge the way someone else thinks or the convictions they hold dear. Everyone has their own path, and that path can be guided by different principles, philosophies, and faiths.
In discussing the concept of God, I wanted to raise a question that might prompt reflection: Who do we call a God? We often think of God as someone who is all-powerful, benevolent, and capable of doing good for us. In many traditions, God is seen as a protector, a helper during difficult times, and the source of moral guidance. The concept of God is one that provides hope, inspiration, and a sense of purpose for those who believe. But if we look closely at these attributes, we might see something more familiar.
What if we started to view the people around us, the humans we encounter every day, as embodying these same qualities? After all, when we speak of God, aren't we often talking about someone who does good for us, who protects us, and who helps us through challenging moments? In essence, don’t we sometimes experience a sense of divinity through the good actions of others? If a person consistently helps, supports, and nurtures those around them, can’t we see a spark of the divine in them?
This realization brings me to the belief that perhaps the concept of God, as understood in many spiritual traditions, is not limited to an external being but can also be found within the actions and choices of humans. If we understand God as someone who embodies the good in the world, then we can certainly see glimpses of divinity in the kindness, compassion, and love that people show one another. Perhaps the greatest divine quality lies in the ability to choose good over evil, to help others, and to act with compassion and integrity.
Humanity, in this sense, becomes a vehicle for divine expression. We, as humans, have the capacity to embody both good and bad. The choice between the two is within us. And this choice is perhaps the most significant expression of divinity that we can witness on Earth. By choosing to act with kindness, empathy, and integrity, we create a world that is more in line with the qualities many associate with God. This is not to say that we are gods, but rather that we can, through our actions, bring about a divine presence in our world.
In this light, I believe that what we often call "good" and "bad" can be viewed as manifestations of our moral choices, which align with the concepts of God and evil. When we choose to do good, to uplift others, and to work toward a more just and compassionate world, we are, in a sense, embodying the divine. On the other hand, when we choose actions that harm, hurt, or oppress others, we are moving further away from this divine potential.
Thus, the question isn’t necessarily about whether we believe in a higher power, but about how we choose to live our lives. The ultimate challenge is not in finding a deity to worship, but in recognizing the power we hold within ourselves to create a better world. By making better choices—choosing good over bad—we can collectively build a society that is based on the principles of love, kindness, and respect. In doing so, we can create a world that reflects the qualities we attribute to God, not because of any external being, but because we have chosen to manifest those qualities in our actions.
The idea of humanity as the embodiment of divine qualities also challenges us to see the sacred in the everyday. We don’t have to look beyond ourselves for divinity; we only need to look around us and within us. The goodness in the world is not always grand or miraculous; often, it is present in the simple, everyday acts of kindness and decency that we extend to one another. The ability to choose to be a better person and to spread that goodness is, in itself, an expression of what many consider divine.
At the end of the day, belief in God or any higher power is a deeply personal matter. What is important, however, is the way we choose to live and the impact we have on those around us. By making the conscious choice to do good, to act with integrity, and to help others, we fulfill the essence of what it means to be human. We have the power to choose goodness, and in doing so, we can create a world that is full of the divine qualities we all hope to see. So, let's make the choice to be good, to be humane, and to live with the integrity and compassion that reflects the best of humanity. And in doing so, we will find that we can see God in every act of kindness and goodness that we choose to perform.
