Ishvara or God: Existence of God

Q. Part 2: I got a feeling that God is a concept which people use to find comfort during their difficult times. I would really appreciate if you could answer some of these questions.

Q. 1. How do we know if God is real?

One way we can come to understand or verify the existence of God is simply by studying the meticulous organization of this universe and all the things happening around us. There is such precise design, order and control in the way everything in nature functions, from the gigantic planetary movements down to the intricate workings of a cell. Is it not illogical to propose that this vast universe is conducted so meticulously just by chance and for no purpose?

Q. Is there a way to answer atheists who rely on the rules of argument when they refute the existence of God? Atheists say that theists resort to:
Ad hominem, Straw Man, Red Herring etc
when trying to prove God's existence.
(Editor's note: The dictionary defines these terms as follows:
ad hominem --- appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect; being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made.

Q. A friend of mine told me that he does not believe in God. His explanation was "I don't believe in anything. I have no need. If I come across something that I cannot explain, I accept the fact that I cannot explain it. I feel that it is a very hard thing to do and I feel those who believe in God cannot do that. They need some way to explain things and God is just an excuse. I believe the ones who believe in God are so weak within that they need someone to blame their mishaps or their wrongs upon."

Q. Is there a 'person' or 'entity' called God? If yes, why is God not visible to us like other entities?

Yes, there is a Person, who is described by Vedas and learned persons as the summum bonum and cause of all causes. The Vedas describe this Summum bonum, or Absolute Truth, as not just an energy or entity, but categorically as a Person, with definitive non-material form, name, characteristics, activities, personal associates and abode.

Q. Are we mis-interpreting our books by giving a physical form to the concept of Brahman, the supreme source of energy? Krishna and Rama are characters in a story written by ancient philosophers who wanted to bring some standards for living, stories written to explain the concept of good living. Are Hindus losing their scientific acumen by worshiping their texts instead of really understanding the concepts? Isn't it enough that I lead a good life, helping others, being honest?

Q. Srimad Bhagavatam starts by introducing Krishna as the creator of the universe and introduces him as 'Bhagavan', the Supreme Godhead. Is this a pre-supposition that there is an actor who created the material world? I am not sure we will get an answer following the 'Bhakti' philosophy, since this philosophy is built on assumptions which I am questioning! We should ask why would Vedavyas composed something like Bhagavatam after consolidating all of the vedas and the Upanishads. Why is he introducing Krishna, whose reference is not found in the Rig and the other vedas and upanishads? What was the real need?

Q. I have a question which is very basic, but very important too. This question was put to me by a B. Tech student, a humble one with a pious and ISKCON devotee family background. She accepts the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna and his message, the Vedas and the scientific views of our scriptures about the Creation, basic Hindu principles and all.

Q. Why is there God and why are we created? I mean why it is wrong to conclude that there is no God and no life, but only zero?