What are your beliefs regarding the existence of a deity?

I'm a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM)

I believe that his noodlyness created the world in 7 days, then took 7 days off because he was tired. His Noodlyness created a mountaind, some trees and a midget on the first day... Then I can't remember the rest.

I personally don't believe in there being a higher power (At least not one according to Christianitys beliefs). I just don't see how a higher power could have had anything to do with how the universe itself was created, nor performing any miracles. There isn't any hard evidence either, unlike Science. Maybe there was someone called Mohammed or Jesus going around performing things people couldn't explain at the time, that seems likely since they had no way to try and explain the unexplained other than "God must have played a part in it". I just see religion as something that was used to control the masses back when there was no other explanation for things, and as a consequence, it should be abandoned. Alas, it's doubtful that will ever happen.

I believe, despite the scientific proof, that there's something out there. I'm not saying that it's one specific god, or that one religion is right, but I think something is controlling us in a sense. My friend and I got into an argument about this--he says there's nothing and I say there is. I think mainly because I need to believe in something after death, as well.

But you have a good point, Ricky. A lot of what happened in the past were blamed on god(s). I think that people have always needed something to believe in and something to work for for when they die. I think that's carried on to our lives, as well. I know it has for mine.

Ricky you said it was created to control people as if that was just the past and our religions today aren't designed for controlling people lol.

I do belive in God, but I don't know how to defend my belief. I'm still in the 'learning' process. I fear of going against Him, and it's like I'm stuck with this. I already have bad luck and don't want things to get worse. I'm happy where I am now, and I'll leave it there or try to get better and defend on what I believe. I have to defend myself from my brother...

For those who are interested in the Big Bang Theory:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_bounce

What I don't particularly understand regarding the belief in the God Theory (as I here and shall henceforth call it) is the inbuilt mechanism of the idea that deliberately discourages investigation. Namely, that god is a being so beyond the scope of what we mere flawed (as indeed we are, if you take most conventional senses of the word) humans can comprehend, that we can't dare to try to question how this being works.

If this were any other theory ever presented, no matter it be gravity or quantum physics, to claim that the idea cannot be questioned because we cannot understand it would lead to the claimant being laughed, if not thrown, out of court. Why is belief in a deity any different?

I question god because if a theory is true, it will withstand the criticism, and my belief in the truth of the theory will be affirmed by the process of its validation through my questioning.

I am an atheist because I have not yet been convinced by the arguments or evidence that theists have presented to me (both of which are few and far between) that their theory is correct. It is quite simple.

If god indeed exists, then why does it not defend itself against my doubt? Should evidence or argument irrevocably convince me that god must exist, I will believe that it exists. Until it is proven, however, the God Theory is just like any other theory without sufficient proof; false.