why do we belive in things that we dont know are real?

Question

IM 12 and why do people belive in things we dont know are real or have proof of like take god for instance do we have any proof no do we even know he is real no so why do we belive in him why

Answer 1

Because people are genetically wired (via evolution) to be gullible... it helps to promote a group unity... us vs. them. It provides a reason for people to strive for something beyond themselves.... for the group... the family... the clan... the tribe... the country... the flag... god.

This particular evolutionary baggage can be overcome through rationality and critical thought... unfortunately, it seems that only about 10% of the population has been able to achieve that.

It works like this:

Faith (wishful, magical thinking) is a substitute for evidence... and serves as the basis for 'belief'... the internalized certainty that your own ideations map to reality.

'Belief' is a substitute for knowledge... i.e., false knowledge, sustained by wishful, magical thinking.

faith + belief = willful ignorance and self-delusion

"When one person suffers from a delusion, it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called Religion." ~ Robert M. Pirsig

'Belief' is an insidious mind-killer... it cuts one off from the open-minded consideration of alternative possibilities. They are very difficlut to overcome, and change. Eliminate beliefs... instead, formulate your work-view through the use of 'paradigms'.

paradigm:

• a typical example or pattern of something; a model : there is a new paradigm for public art in this country.

• a worldview underlying the theories and methodology of a particular scientific subject : the discovery of universal gravitation became the paradigm of successful science.

So... a paradigm is a useful way of thinking about something, or looking at something. The great thing about paradigms is that you can switch them at will, because they aren't hard-wired into your brain, like beliefs are. 'Beliefs' are hardware... paradigms are software.

I often find myself discouraged when I realize just how stupid and closed-minded people are, in general. A question like yours, from one so young, gives me hope for humanity. Please do yourself (and humanity) a big favor... learn everything you can about 'critical thinking'. Knowing HOW to think is MUCH more important than what people TELL you to think.

Good luck.

Answer 2

People believe in God and other things that have not been proven real because we need hope. People need to believe that there is an order to the world because without a sense that everything has a purpose, the world seems like a very depressing place. It also helps explain things for which there are no other explanations.

Answer 3

Because it is comforting. People are naturally afraid of things they don't understand, like death. So people create things to make them feel better about these things, like God, for some people. Everyone does this about something, and its not always and big and majestic as "the meaning of life." What's important is that you figure out what you believe. And that it's always going to be the same, just keep an open mind, and question everything, and you'll create your own understanding.

Answer 4

At 12 is pretty young to be doubting the existence of God, just look around at all the wonders of the world, down in the depths of the oceans, up in the sky at night at the stars, who do you think created all of these things? GOD did, Christianity is a faith based religion, we need no proof other than our hearts and our minds and our Bible to tell us HE is real. Have you even read a Bible? Been to church? Been told of how God sent his only son Jesus to die for us, for our sin to be forgiven? You sound like you are wanting answers, answers you need to ask your preacher, or an adult you trust. This site is full of both atheist and Christians, you will get views on both sides. But, what you truly need is one on one talk with someone you trust and know. I'm not saying don't read any of the answers you get on here, but, also talk to someone. You will get good Christian advice on this sight, listen to it, by the way, I'm a christian. You will also get advice from non-believers. listen to both, and find someone you trust to talk to, and you decide.

Answer 5

in the time of historic past, some human beings have claimed to be attentive to precisely whilst the international replaced into coming to an end -- and in each and every case they have been incorrect. there is not any reason to believe it's going to be diverse with this prediction (if in fact it even is one -- which many scholars doubt). purely God is conscious the destiny, and the main comforting certainty i will inform you is that the destiny is in His palms -- and His palms on my own. specific, some day the international as all of us be attentive to it is going to come to an end -- yet no longer one 2d earlier God reasons it to happen. In that day, Christ will return to earth to overcome all evil and set up His kingdom of appropriate peace and justice. whilst will that be? Jesus warned us to no longer make guesses or company predictions, simply by fact "no person is conscious approximately that day or hour, no longer even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, yet purely the father" (Matthew 24:36). on a similar time, the Bible does let us know that categorical issues could desire to ensue earlier Christ returns -- and a selection of of of those are occurring today. the main serious question, although, is this: Are you waiting for the day once you are able to desire to stand earlier God -- the two simply by fact of dying or simply by fact of Christ's return? do no longer stay clean of that necessary difficulty, yet be sure of your salvation by trusting Christ and giving your existence to Him today.

Answer 6

Everyone has the right to believe in what they choose. I may not see God, but I have felt His presence. I now know He is real. I don't need any other proof.

Answer 7

Dear 12 year old Katrina....

There is no answer. I beleive that people continue to beleive in Gods because it has been passed down and taught to them through generations.
But you sound as if you are intelligent and atttempting to come to a conclusion. I implore you to continue using your intellect in order to make decisions about what to beleive and what not to beleive, rather than succumbing to blind rhetoric and "faith".....

Keep it up girl!! You are on the right path. Try not to feel anger towards those that beleive...just kindly refuse to convert to their ways...

Answer 8

Strangely enough people believe in lots of things that are not real. The real mystery is when they don't believe in things that are proven , like Dinosaurs existed.

Answer 9

GREAT question. People do that all their lives too. It comforts us to imagine certain things to be true and so we do imagine them, and then before we know it, we come to believe them and forget that they started out as wishes. Getting in the habit of separating those things we know from those we don't know is the best mental preparation you could do now for your whole life, in my opinion.

Best,

Henry

Answer 10

Faith is a tool used to wipe out the individual in favor of the collective.