For anyone, religious, nonreligious or in between: Why do you believe what you believe?

Question

Regardless of what you believe, why do you believe it? I'm curious about both the personal reasons that brought you to your present belief and the philosophical reasons that convince you that what you believe is the truth. (And please let us know what your belief is as well!)

Answer 1

I am a Spiritualist/Pagan also studying Gnosis. I grew up in a Christian home but as a got older I saw all the negative actions Christians perform even in their rituals (Church) by badmouthing every other faith or belief system that is not the same as them. I had to find the truth and the Church could not offer it. I started reading up on Eastern Religions and philosophies and have to say I have learned a lot from Taoism (and is still learning from it), but on the end of the day I feel that I am a western person so I understand western philosophies better and that is what brought me to Gnostic wisdom. I believe that truth can be found everywhere not only in a religious organisation or books, even in a graveyard or at the beach. God is omnipresent, so once you acquire truth you will not see anything as right and wrong or good and bad anymore. You will see the universe as a complete creation of God. Even the negative actions people do to you (like what the Church do) can show you or point you in a better direction. You can start seeing the world as a mirror of what you project into it...What you do, you intensions, will mirror back onto you instantly.

I believe what I do, because life has brought it before me, I would be a fool not to learn from mistakes I have made (and I have made many mistakes). I believe what I do, because when I stop believing in it, I become dead inside, and want to die.

It is like the life force that runs through me only becomes stronger when I open my heart for the source of creation the source of life, for God.

Answer 2

I believe what I believe because of the proof that is put in front of me every day. The Bible says nature itself in the intricate workings of the universe cries out of the existence and glory of the Creator. The countless prophecies that have been fulfilled plus the the guiding sound of my own conscience erase any doubts that I or anything thing or anyone else just happened to luck up and appear. If you believe you will see, not see and believe.

Answer 3

I believe in the Christian God, but I don't belong to any religion. I was raised believing that He existed. As I grew old, I noticed that my religion was wrong because there is not such thing as, "You ask him and he is going to answer you." I just believe in him to feel that there is somebody above me that I need to respect. I think that in part our beliefs come from what our parents teach us. Our personal experiences also change our mind. Some people are just blind and think that whatever happens good or bad comes from God. Their perceptions is wrong and they may think that they are having a special relationship with a superior being which is not true. According to psychology, "Our expectations affect our perceptions." Think constantly about something and suddenly you are going to see signs that are not there.

Answer 4

I am LDS, and I believe What I believe, because I have felt the Holy Spirit and Ive seen miracles, My parents always took me to church when I was little, sometimes they still do, Im only 13 and all. about a year or two ago my parents started swearing alot and it hurt. I even lost a few friends Because I would ALMOST swear at them. But with parents swearing at u in every direction, its hard to get them out of your head. I became further and further away from the church, But I never stop praying to God. That was my only link to my faith. one day I prayed and asked him why I had grown so rebellious, I just felt something, it was so peacful, I just felt like I should maybe talk to my parents, I now have a great relationship with them, and theyve stopped swearing so much, I hooked up with two really great old friends, -one Ive known since nursury in my church and the other since 4th grade, Ill always be there for them, and they know it, just like theyll be there for me, I now go to church regularly and the church is a huge part of my life, I know that god helped me with that

Answer 5

I'm a Christian of the Roman Catholic variety.

I'm a Christian because I believe in God, and that God is the Three Persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I believe that the Son, Jesus, died for our sins on the Cross at Calvary.

I believe that Jesus established the Catholic Church as His Church on earth, and bestowed on it His full authority to carry out His mission on earth.

I believe that Christ granted His Church full protection from error and from destruction, telling us in Matthew 16 that not even the powers of hell would prevail against it.

I believe that the Church has withstood the powers of hell in all sorts of forms -- wars, schisms, bad popes, corrupt bishops, priests who molest, apathetic laity, vocations crises, and so on.

I also know that the Catholic Church is the largest and most effective charitable organization in the world -- it feeds, houses, clothes, educates, heals, counsels, and protects more people than anyone.

Answer 6

I'm a christian, and the reason why i believe in God is because of the mircles that happen when you pray. When you pray, it is amazing the answers that will come about. When I pray for help, it comes (sometimes not what i expected but exactly what i needed) when i read the bible, I can feel myself in God's arms. I feel so safe, so loved, i want to cry. God is everywhere, helping you through bad times, laughing with you in good times.

Answer 7

I'm an Ignosticist (not an "A"gnosticist). That means I don't care whether there is a god or not. My reasons are simple. I don't think my life would change at all if I could know for a fact that there is a god, or that there isn't any. So, I don't care what the answer to that question is.

Answer 8

I was raised christian but left after a *series of unfortunate events*after prayer and research i decided what was right for me.
i do martial arts and that is mostly my religion.
Tai chi makes sense when you need it for so many reasons. I also practice magic because i beleive that it is a gift from God despite the negative slant that most of soceity has on magic users.

Im Taoist btw

Answer 9

Out of serious study of many beliefs, I made the ultimate decision. I was raised much different than my present beliefs.

Answer 10

It has been proved through prophesies, science, history, and the living miracle, the Holy Qur'an. One God that is greater than can be described or imagined. To picture Him is to limit Him. To limit Him is to say that He depends. If He depends then there exists other than Him which does not depend on Him. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is His final messenger after prophet Jesus and prophet Yahya (John the Baptist).