(A theological reflection in 5 parts)
It must be true that God exists
Part 1: I was told I could meet God and I did, so God must exist
When I was a boy I was told that God exists. I had no reason to reject this: they were adults and I was only a child and they belonged to a respected institution – the Church. To be sure, this God person was very peculiar in that he cannot be seen or touched, but there was not a shadow of a doubt that he was real, and, most importantly, it was possible to meet this person, and when you did you would discover that he was a most wonderful person who loved you utterly.
Some years went by, and, as a teenager, I believed that I had indeed met God, and – just as I had been told – this person was most wonderful, and meeting him did fill me with the most wonderful love. Conclusion: “God exists, QED”. This seems an entirely reasonable conclusion. What I had been told was true – despite its immense implausibility according to the ways of the world – and it had been proven true in my own experience.
Of course, if we explore a little further, we must consider the possibility of alternative explanations. I was told I could meet God, and, when I did it would be a wonderful experience; I had a wonderful experience so this must mean that I have met God. But what do I know for sure? What I know is that I had a wonderful experience. When this happened I then made an assumption that the cause must be meeting God, because this is what I had been told when I was a boy.
This is, of course, a perfectly legitimate explanation. It may well be true; I hope it is true; and I am inclined, on balance, to believe that it is true. However, let’s stick with what we know and see where it leads us – especially as many people today find it too difficult to believe in God. Where does this leave us?
Spiritual Devotion 