When you say "I choose to believe" Aren't you saying "I am not really convinced, but it sounds like a nice idea so I'll go along with it"
2006-06-27 19:09:40 · 9 answers · asked by martin h 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I find belief to be a waste of time. There are two true states of awareness, knowing and not knowing. I could believe the sky is green, but that doesn't change the color of the sky. I know something or I don't.
2006-06-27 19:16:22 · answer #1 · answered by calmliest 2 · 3⤊ 3⤋
No. Most religions are based on faith and the person is absolutely convinced without the need of proof. They see their proof in life itself. Call it a feeling, an awareness, a revelation, or what ever you wish, but the true believer no longer doubts. Almost all religions require the ability to open ones self up to experience that which skeptics cannot see or feel.
How often have you bought something and instantly felt it was the right or wrong decision. Believers experience a certain rightness in what they feel. They know they can't prove it to you because it's something each individual must experience for themselves. It's really not choosing to believe. It's choosing to open one self up to the possibility and have faith in what they feel.
2006-06-28 02:38:42 · answer #2 · answered by Dale P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to choose to believe something. Sometimes that choice is facilitated by proof but on the other hand sometimes people refuse to believe when proof is staring them in the face. An example would be when a husband/wife is caught cheating, the proof is right there but the other chooses not to believe. When I say that I choose to believe it's not because I am not convinced (I am) it's simply because I have made that decision for myself. Everyone has the freedom of choice in what they believe. Everyone also has the obligation to accept the consequences for their choices.
2006-06-29 10:14:05 · answer #3 · answered by miblackpearl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Belief is always a matter of choice. And we choose to believe bad things too, not only good. Nor is belief locked up and the key thrown away - we can choose to no longer believe something we have believed. Evidence can urge belief and disbelief, often very strongly, but it cannot cause it. Belief is always wilful to some degree - the only question is whether the degree to which a belief is willed is reasonable or not.
2006-06-28 07:28:50 · answer #4 · answered by brucebirdfield 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Belief is a choice. Even when presented evidence, we still have to choose to believe or not.
It is relative to what we consider acceptible proof in our own mind.
2006-06-28 12:59:24 · answer #5 · answered by jeffrey_meyer2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both can be true. Soemtimes we desire proof and at other times we can use deductive reasoning in order to make a decision about whether or not to believe something
2006-06-28 02:13:38 · answer #6 · answered by bambi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For those who won't believe, no proof is possible. For those who will, no proof is necessary.
If you say "I believe..." you mean you either have proof (empirical or personal) or you need none.
2006-06-28 03:55:59 · answer #7 · answered by d_f_cornish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We're simple computers and run the programmes that are forced into us.
2006-06-28 02:48:29 · answer #8 · answered by smile4763 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It’s a matter of faith. You can’t prove a religion’s tenets as well as you can’t disapprove it.
2006-06-28 02:21:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋