do we really need a belief system to live a fulfilling life?

Answer 1

No. A fulfilling life starts when all beliefs are examined and ultimately dropped. As much as believing in something seems helpful, no amount of belief will make that something be true. You can throw logic in, and with religions, you throw emotions in but, only a direct face to face encounter with life and with an understanding of our own mind leads to fulfillment.

Keeping a sense of compassion, wonder, peace, etc. leads to a fulfilling life.

These qualities above are tangible; real....

and these things don't need to be believed in...

....and also when these qualities are nurtured, they grow. There is no limit to the growth of ourselves because there is no limit to who we really are. The mind has can be a great tool, and a beautiful instrument, but it has limitations, luckily we're not just a mind.

When we know, or at least get a glimpse of our true nature, the belief in any belief system naturally fades away, and becomes irrelevant. Maybe they will lurk there on some subconscious level, but they won't live in the forefront of our lives.

You ask great questions, sims.

lants

Answer 2

Good question.

The answer is "Yes" and "No" !

Yes : because for most of the people in the world the belief system is necessary. Otherwise how will they inclucate "etics", moral values and virtues in their lives ? These are necessary not only to make a person live happy and fulfilling life but the whole purpose of the world will not be fulfilled if people do not get inclined towards ethics etc.

Since as a person moves towards "God" or "reality" his ethical and moral quotient goes up. If people do not move towards "God" then why does the world exist ?

Without ethics the civilized societies can't exist on earth.
So "Yes"

And "No" because :

There are very rare ones who can move towards God like brave lions of the world. They do not conform to any belief system but are genuine enough to search for "what is right". Needless to say that journey of such "true searchers" will be laden with many more obstacles than the journey of someone who believes in one of the noble belief systems. But, these rare ones are sort of people who just don't get daunted by anything in the world !

And yes even these "non conforming" ones do reach the destination.
For such a person believing in a "belief system" is an impediment to his or her progress.

In Bhagvad Geeta Lord Krishna has said :

"Truth is one but scholars express it differently"

In other words :

"There can be many paths that lead to the same destination."

Answer 3

In fact we do! Basically, because every action is preceded by a thought/feeling. So without any belief; which in fact is the process of preparing or activating thoughts/feelings, we wouldn't do a damn thing. Let alone reaching any sort of fulfillment.

For instance if a 100 meter sprinter does not believe to be able to break the current record his attempts will not be aimed to achieving such a goal with the result that it is less likely for that particular athlete to break the record.
Closer to home you could think of a job-interview and figure how likely it is for you to get a job you don't believe could be cut out for you.

So every time when we reach for things we do so because we believe we can. The many organized religions have merely externalized this patterns and ask of their believers to believe in a being outside of themselves. Where it is obvious that we all somehow have to believe in ourselves to achieve and fulfill the belief that precedes our actions. Organized religion sort of claims to have authority over a process that we all experience as true and valid, which could be the root to the problem that so many think that the organized religions could be or are rightful. The crux though is recognizing that believing is a normal action that humans and animals alike use and utilize. Think of the single lion who will think twice or very long before attacking an elephant, but he will strike a mouse in a mere reflex!

Answer 4

No need to impose or spread a particular belief across population. In any case, every individual leads life through a personalised belief system.

The reason why it doesn't help is because there is no consistency. If we can learn to believe hard ( not easily but once start believing, would stick to it through thick and thin), we would then be leading the life in a meaningful manner consistently without being troubled by doubts every now and then.

Answer 5

No, you need a consistent world view to make sense out of life; then when you have accomplished that, a fulfilling life could follow. I have found in 20+ years of studying and teaching Philosophy, that Christianity has the most consistent system of thought.

Answer 6

Yes, but your belief system can be "I will try to do the right thing." It doesn't have to be religion.

Answer 7

absolutely not. I'm very happy with my life. I don't blame everything on god. I believe in me. When things are good, i did it. when things go bad, i'm always there to pick myself up again. I'll never leave myself stranded or put myself in a position to "test my faith" that I don't wanna be in. I don't believe in god and my life is very fulfilling

Answer 8

yes.

your action depends on it.

For instance, I think believing in determinism, while most plausible, can kill a person's will. Which makes knowing the truth terribly ambiguous.

Answer 9

Yes.

Answer 10

A full-house beats 3-of-a-kind.

It is just that simple.