Is it possible for mankind to separate belief from truth?

Question

For example, an atheist might believe that there is no God, and that everything is a product of evolution. A Christian might believe that God created the earth, and that He has a plan for humanity. Obviously, each person believes that his/her point of view is the truth, but neither can be proven to the same extent that 2+2=4 can be proven. This is where my question lies: Can mankind progress to a common understanding that there is a difference between what is concretely factual, and what is personal belief? Is this understanding necessary for societal relations in the future? Is it worth working toward? What effect would this understanding have on how we address disagreements? Please discuss...

I am not trying to settle anything here, or prove one belief system to be more true than the other. I am not looking for evidence for either belief. I want to know if people have ANY concern for future global relationships, or if we are willing to let our desire to feel more correct than everybody else destroy us. Intolerance breeds hatred, which breeds war. That is a concrete fact. Is this okay with everyone? That is my question.

Answer 1

Truth is something that can be proved by known and tested facts. Faith is the belief in something without the facts to prove it. You cannot convince a person that has faith that they are wrong, and you cannot convince a person who only believes in facts that a faith is true. The two concepts just don't work well together. Except, some people do have both. They have faith and they have a need to know the truth, and have theories proven by facts. Man is a complex individual and people may hold to two belief systems that seem contrary.

I am the doubting Thomas (like many people), I need proof before I believe. I would need to put my fingers in the holes of Jesus’ wounds myself to know that he has truly risen from the dead, and that God exists. I was raised a Christian, I attended church and went through the rites, but I didn’t develop the faith.

However, I can honor another person’s faith and accept that they have a belief system. I can come to an understanding with most people. The people I can’t come to an understanding with are those that think because I don’t follow their beliefs that I am wrong. These people are not open-minded enough to deal with me. They don’t accept my point of view and I don’t accept theirs so understanding is impossible.

As for evolution: the fossil record, and Darwin’s observations, shows a lot of evidence for evolution. Man has proven that evolution works by his breeding programs. Remember that every species of dog are all descend from one species, the wolf. The same can be said of horses. The only proof we have that God created man is based upon a book almost two thousand years old, and incidentally a book that was proven wrong, at least in one part, by Galileo. When he observed the moons of Jupiter he proved that everything does not turn around the Earth. For that the Catholic Church imprisoned him for life. With this kind of record on religion it is hard to accept that religion will come to an understanding with me.

An atheist also has faith. They have the belief that God does not exist, a theory that cannot be proven, the absence of proof is not a proof itself. So a true atheist will not be able to come to an understanding with a religious person.

I am an agnostic, I am open to both beliefs, but I do not believe in God. If you can give me concrete proof, and I don’t mean bible verses—which prove nothing, then I will re-evaluate my beliefs. However, buy the nature of the system you cannot do that.

Answer 2

hmm..
great question!
Here's my opinion: Yes there is a difference between what is concretely factual and personal belief. Even though there are hundreds of different religions or beliefs..i believe there is a truth. There could be a god there might not, but because the number of beliefs have become so complex it is difficult to just pick one and be right, ya know? Also, i do remember reading a passage in the bible about how every religon will come together as one, and im not sure that is possible -just saying that..totally random-
Im not really sure what the other questions are asking b/c im only 14, but im sure if u dumb them down a bit i will know what you mean.
hope that helps..which it probably didn't lol

Answer 3

You are never going to be able to settle that because there in itself lays the difference not between God and No God.

But the difference between Belief and Science.

The two will only come together when the belief (Theory) is proven by science, (physical evidence).


But then All Science started with belief !!!

Answer 4

When handling an issue like this, I consider the reply is truthfully, no. First, you are going to continually have folks on each side of the argument who're passionate, however cluless and uninformed, who recollect it blasphemy or ridiculous to even recollect that the opposite part possibly proper. So you are going to continually have Christians spouting off unrelated scripture as an alternative of paying attention to Atheists' arguments, and you are going to continually have Atheists who're sour and irritated and consider Christians are dull for his or her ideals. Second, I consider that by means of their very nature, those 2 companies of folks are not able to peer each and every different's factor of view. Even essentially the most open-minded Atheist will on no account realize the internal pleasure and peace that a Christian feels, and essentially the most loving, wise Christian is not going to realize how an Atheist can miss out on God's hand on this planet.

Answer 5

Well I believe that the whole world is one big illusion created for human beings to have diverse experiences which result in our spiritual development. I also believe that we create our own realities by the law of attraction. For me, my experience depends on what I believe. For example whenever I strongly believed that God is there for me, he always was there for me in my experience. And when my belief in God wasn't so strong, things were tough and I felt alone. I have seen my reality change as my beliefs change. Man this whole stuff is really exciting. Find out your own truth for yourself!

Answer 6

Sounds like you are trying to "normalize" the perception of reality. You try to differentiate between truth and hope and I do not think that is possible. Truth builds hope and hope finds truth. They are a continuum.

Great question.

Answer 7

What a beautiful dream. Not until the Messiah returns.

Answer 8

Because why wouldn't you believe the truth?

I think it's a problem with skeptics and blind faith.

Answer 9

so much has happenend i do think it is possible but not without years and years and years of de brainwashing