How do we get from holding a belief to certainty?

Question

I am not kicking religion, which is based on Faith and Belief, because we all have beliefs, even Science oriented people like myself. I am intrigued though, by the process that seems to occur in our minds, where our beliefs become certainties; also, we dislike any attempt to undermine what we believe.

Can you describe, by recollection of personal experience, any events that changed your beliefs, either promoting it to certainty or eroding it, causing you to rethink your beliefs.

regards
MM

Thanks to all who took time to reply. I am so pleased with the quality of your answers and I have lots more to think about.

Turnhog suggests that my premise is wrong, suggesting that beleif leads to faith which is very sensible. Thanks Turnhog.

The reason I used certainty as a destination is in response to the attitiudes of two friends who are practicing Christians, one is a lay preacher. They use the word certainty often.

Also, in my research into this subject I visited the following site and here is the very first sentence - I admit I inferred from this that they held their belief as certain compared to that I call scientific belief.

"The authority for Answers in Genesis is the infallible Word of God, the Bible (see Q&A: Bible). All theories of science are fallible, and new data often overturn previously held theories."

http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/dont_use.asp

regards
MM
8/1/07.

Answer 1

The process from holding a belief to certainty (religious faith) is called conviction. Conviction comes through God's Holy Spirit working within a person. After Jesus died and was resurrected, he promised to send a 'helper' - the Holy Spirit. That is what works the miracle in the lives of persons who ask questions of God and seek answers.

I personally experienced the Holy Spirit in my life when I asked Jesus into my life - even though I had been resisting God and religion for some 25 years. I was convicted of God's grace and was overwhelmed by his love, and, six month's later, was baptised as an outward demonstration that I had given up my old life and was now "born again" as a Christian. Having done that, I asked my minister to pray that I would be convicted by the Holy Spirit.

That same night, as I lay in bed, the Holy Spirit entered me and, not once, not twice, but three times, filled me with a power that was as comforting as it was scary. And no, I hadn't been drinking or taking substances. Also, I am not prone to fanciful flights of the imagination. Neither do I have the wit nor the imagination to make this up.

Careful what you ask for in case you get it! Interesting question - now I will check out the answers you've got so far. Science is probably unable to explain this process - it's an experiential thing, I suspect.

Answer 2

Ooh! How to make the answer reasonably short........ By accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour, I have learnt so much. He has changed me, and I have witnessed His power working in other people too. I am 'certain' of Him. He has given me a whole new way of life, and will do the same for anyone who trusts Him. I have no doubts whatsoever now, whereas before, I was like so many others, always questioning.

Answer 3

at one time, I went to a Catholic school, but as soon as I really understood the faith/belief/stuff, I quit believing in the religion.
I guess it's because it's sort of close-minded. not that many females, males dominate. "God" is supposed to be a male too (father). I have to say, I'm pretty resistant. I like the idea to be freer... I respect all beings that believe in God and have a strong trust with God. I do respect. but I am not a person that cares to go to church, I did before though...

I respect you, and I hope you respect me to for letting a few of my ideas out that may be somewhat disturbing to some.

Answer 4

Easy question!

Faith is believing without seeing
Believing is by revelation - usually by using available senses, but also as a consequence of the Holy Ghost manifesting the truthfulness of a situation to a faithful enquirer.

What's this Holy Ghost then?

If you're a Christian, it needs no explanation; otherwise it's the still, small voice which instructs our inner being when it is needful to do so.

Answer 5

That depends on what you mean by 'certanty'
In many areas of life, including spiritual belief, it may not be possible to say "IT IS CERTAIN" but one can come to say "I AM CERTAIN"
There are some things that can only be prove by putting them to the test of time and experience.
I recommend Studdert-Kennedy's poem, 'Faith' In his book, "The unutterable beauty"
It says it better than I can....but one small quote:-
"How can you prove a victory before it's won
How can you prove a Man who leads to be a leader worth the following Unkless you follow to the death...and out beyond mere death..."

Answer 6

Beliefs are meaningless - they change according to the circumstance and life experience. People think that by adopting a belief that somehow it changes reality. 100 of us can belief 100 different things about god and what happens after death and live our lives that way. But it doesn't change Reality. An islamic terrorist is convinced that he'll go to heaven if he blows up people on a bus. And he's so convinced that he lives his life that way and does the act. He's also helped along the way by things that his perception tells him are evidence that support his belief (a chance encounter here, a dream there -- all attributed to divine support for his beliefs). It doesn't change reality.
The ONLY way to really get to certainty is to use positive beliefs to get an enlightenment experience-- Enlightenment is the ONLY way.

Answer 7

Experience and life are what cause us to change or reaffirm our beliefs. I was raised in a cult, but getting away from the "group" when I went to university caused me to question and waver in what I had been taught. Then I became a Christian, and even though life has had its share of adversity, experience and living has taught me to be ever more certain of my beliefs until, in certain ways, I don't have to "believe" many aspects because I *know* they are so.

Answer 8

Hi. I was raised a Catholc but I studied in a Protestant grade school. There, we were given basic bible stories and as I grew up I held the bible as really God's word. I was always praying to him then, a nameless God.

When I went here to Europe, I encountered a lot of family problems (my husband's side) and have to move out of the house and rent with a friend. Those were difficult times and I somehow lost my faith in God I stopped praying. One time there came 2 JWs at my friend's house and they read the bible to me. After too many long years I was reintroduced to the bible again.

It struck me once when I asked them about the trinity, and they explained to me the real meaning of the doctrine.

2 bible verses that will always hold true for me.

“This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3)

"...and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

I progressed in studying the bible and gained that knowledge about God (although not yet full, still acquiring). Now I pray to Jehovah and the truth that the bible says comes directly connected to that knowledge of his name and his son, Jesus.

Answer 9

Since faith is based on just that, faith, I don't see how one could reach certainty. Belief in God is purposely called faith.

Answer 10

All I can tell you is my belief in God is very real. His promises in the Bible are sure. The peace and comfort he gives me is evident to others. The wisdom he gives is imperative when I make decisions.