Why are so many people content to believe in this?

Question

I'm not being disrespectful. I believe everyone has the right to believe what they want to. But with all the doubt we have in society today-I even asked a question about it-why do people believe in the bible?
We have a hard time believe magic exists, immediately assume someone is crazy if he says God spoke to him (even if "God" didn't tell him to do anything crazy, maybe just helped with a personal problem), and for the most part, people can't even get their stories straight half the time, so I doubt the bible is correct word for word anyway, but even so, everytime something is questioned in the bible someone will always answer with "Because it's in the bible, and God made it happen." Well that was back then, but what about now? Our doubt is so thick, even though we believe in burning bushes, a magic staff that separated the ocean, and 12 plagues that came from nowhere, if anyone spoke of these things happening today, people would think it was a hoax.

And yet they blindly believe in the bible. Out of curiosity, why?

Here is the question I asked a while back:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqHx.iirQ8DjRsGz_s.sq0Psy6IX?qid=20060805220454AA5BVsx

TJMiler I question your beliefs because I'm curious to know, nothing wrong with curiosity. In no way was I mocking them, and if you feel that I was, I do apologize.

Answer 1

I am a Christian and believe in the bible. I believe it is "God breathed, inspired." At first I was a sceptic, but through studying, and spending time in the scriptures, my life has been changed. If you would like to examine the historical accuracies of the bible, please check out Lee Strobel, he backs everything with facts. Hope this will help clear some things up for everyone. :)

Answer 2

There are books in the Bible that are over 6000 years old. It is true that some of the stories are very difficult to accept. Like when Moses used a stick to part the water of the Red Sea for example. Geologists and archaeologists have discovered that it actually could have happened the way the Bible says only it wasn't called the Red Sea. It was called the Sea of Reeds. But they did show how that what we now call the Red Sea is not what the Bible was talking about. You have to do a lot of research but the stories in the Bible can be proven to have actually happened. Try watching Decoding the Past on the History Channel. They are actually doing a lot to uncover the real meanings of what is written in the Bible.

On another note, there are a lot of people, including myself, who have believed that scientists are uncovering the secrets of the Universe and that the Big Bang Theory is largely correct. But now they are back tracking and they don't know why the Universe is accelerating in its expansion. They also can't account for 96% of what the Universe is made of with current theories. So they have made up these things like Dark Energy and Dark Matter to compensate for their lack of knowledge. They are saying that the Universe is made up of 4% normal matter and the rest of it is Dark Matter and Dark Energy. Conveniently these Dark things cannot be observed. So they are leaning towards a theory which absolutely CANNOT be proven. So now looking at the Bible which has been accepted for such a long period of time. I have to give more credit to the Bible. And as far as Creation goes I have to wonder how people thousands of years ago would even have a concept of a Beginning and an End for the Universe. But not only did they have that concept, they had a complete explanation for it!!! That simple fact gives a lot of credibility to the Bible and that it was inspired by God. But there are many many more things in the Bible that will cause you to believe but you have to actually study it and not take everything for face value.

Answer 3

I am a believer. I don't blindly believe- I ask a lot of questions, I have to know why people believe what they do- there has to be a foundation for that belief- It is a false assumption and generalization to say that everyone that believes the Bible is following blindly. Just because you doubt something does not make it not true. The problems don't lie within the Bible, they lie within the fallible people who try to interpret the Bible to fit into their own mold or trying to interpret it from their own understanding rather than taking the time to study it from the Hebrew persepctive it was written in, understanding the idioms and vocabulary of the time.
Many people, Christians included, take and teach scriptues out of context, thus much misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the Bible exist.
I know why I believe what I believe- I will ocntinue to question and pray about every teaching and research and learn and grow. This is something each individual has to do on their own- I can't give oyu that understanding- that has to come from God.

Answer 4

The Bible was twisted and corrupted by mankind in an effort to make it sound the way they wanted it too. I am not saying that there isn't wisdom within the bible, don't get me wrong, but when reading it you have too use your head. Lucifer uses men/woman too try and corrupt everything good. Most people read the bible and find major discrepancy within it. I am sure that in the beginning it was perfect but like all things mankind tampers with everything each individual opinion changes things just a little until the true meaning is lost. Read between the lines. It is still a good book but god doesn't want you too take anything for granted. He wants you to think. Doubt is one of the tools Lucifer uses to break your faith. Believe me it is a powerful tool. Stay around here long enough and you will see just how many people he has used it on too get them to turn away.

Answer 5

For some it is a matter of upbringing. Many people seem to be more affected by their environment than others. For others it is a matter of reason. They have considered many factors deeply, considered what is known, unknown, what is knowable and unknowable and have made a considered choice. For yet others, it is a matter of revelation. Either they, in some sense, have felt God's presence and are convinced that the Bible is His word, or they have found a peace that surpasses all understanding despite worldly problems. It is hard, if not impossible for these people to forsake their faith in God and the Bible.

No doubt, Christians who have "felt or heard calls" are considered hoaxes or crazies. Almost certainly some who claim such an experience are. But there are real ones also. How do you pick them out? Jesus tells us in the Bible.

Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them

Answer 6

Mostly because it fits in with the rest of their belief system. We all have tendency to discount bits of information which don't fit with the way we see the world. It takes a lot of effort and will to learn to really do otherwise. The questions you're asking suggest that you're on your way. :-)

Our communities also reinforce these beliefs. Fundamentalist churches are especially strong with this. Think of it like a language, if you want to communicate with the people around you, you need to speak in ways that they can understand. But that influences the kind of questions you can ask and how you phrase them.

Some people are inclined to question everything, others to want to feel like they know the Truth. We're speaking different languages and until we learn how to *listen* to each other, we'll never get along.

Answer 7

Those who truly believe in the Lord (whole heartily) usually do so because they have felt His presence - an experience that cannot be described to someone who has not witnessed it. It is a very powerful presence and it feels us with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us to the truth. It helps me to understand the Word of the Lord. That may sound insane to a non-believer, but it is reality to me and other believers.

You said everyone has the right to believe in what they choose, yet you questioned our beliefs and almost mocked scripture from the Bible. Allow us to accept and believe in the Lord without being insulted or questioned. If you choose not too, that's your right.

Answer 8

The word believe has caused more problems than any other. St Roccos blood boils , Mohams horse left a print on a stone , you have to wear some ugly hat.

Answer 9

One major event in the Bible that sold me to the Bible was the record of Cyrus the Great.
In scrolls science aged up to 200 years before his time, the prophecy concerning him was recorded.

I'm not a blind believer, but you need to understand how faith works in trusting the Bible. Then and only then will you see the prophecies being full filled today.

Answer 10

My dear young lady, if you can find an answer to that question, I beg you to publish it in a book -- it is most sorely needed.