Have you ever professed belief in some idea because of its supposed moral or ethical or other implications?

Question

That is, have you professed belief in something because you liked the idea rather than because you thought it's really how the world is?

Example--I like the idea of reincarnation. I even have watched for hawks since my boyfriend said he thinks his father was reincarnated as a hawk--it's a romantic idea I guess. But it seems much more likely to me that anything that I call 'me' will cease to exist when I die.

Another example--Some people oppose teaching evolution because they are worried what kids will do if they learn they evolved from monkeys? Nevermind it's scientifically proven or not, if kids find out they are animals they will act like animals. (Like they don't anyway? lol)

Before any fellow evolutionist out there corrects me:
I know it's not correct to say we evolved from monkeys. LOL
I just said that because it's what people say a lot in objection to teaching evolution in schools.

Answer 1

Certainly. I believe that 9 out of 10 of us profess belief in some idea simply because it is morally and ethically considered "correct". That thing is monogamy...

Think about it. Who says we are only to engage in sexual relations with only one person??? This seems a rare trait outside of homo sapiens (although there are some recorded cases of monogamous birds and other animals - but few and far between.) Yet everyone of us professes belief in this only because of the morality it involves - either that or we are labeled slut and whore and dogs...

Not that Im arguing against monogamy.....

Answer 2

Evolution has not been PROVEN... and it never will be. It is a theory. A workable theory that can aid in study by scientific means. That is all it is...

I am of the Christian Faith and I do not believe Man evolved... But that those forms that are not eternal evolve is kind of an ongoing "evolving" theory that seems, in all likly hood, to be a good bet.

for my pov on this you may read at:

http://pages.zdnet.com/mikevanauken/mikesinternetoutreach/id60.html

as to the other you mention... I think evey one at one time or another has done that... just human nature.

Answer 3

No, because that would be called being fake. If I liked an idea, I would say that I like it, not that I believe it.

I've never heard anyone say that about evolution. Usually the arguments against it are even more dumb than that.

Answer 4

I havethe spiritual gift sof prophesy, exorcism and intesessory prayer. For a long time I was Agnostic and possed these gifts. I truly believed I could control events and circumstances through concetrated meditation.

I couldn't but enough stuff came true and happened that I thought I was in control.

Answer 5

Isn't that the whole basis of religious faith in a way.

I mean, I believe in an afterlife because I think its better than the alternative.

Answer 6

Yep, I stopped saying the n word.

Answer 7

nope. that is stupid