I'm not sure how to ask this or where it shoud be categorized (maybe psychology?).
We've all seen how people of different religous faiths seem VERY convinced that their belief is true. But they must know (at least on some level) that they COULD be wrong.
I see this also in believers of astrology, alien abduction, psychics and so on. They all must be aware that most people do not believe in the things that they do, and they must be aware that science does not confirm what they believe.
So how do they go on saying with so much certianty that their version of reality is the correct one?
I mean, as a scientist, I don't think I would ever go aroud asserting anything as the absolute truth, and I always add qualifications such as "this is my current understanding."
I don't have a background in psychology so I'm wondering what people think.
Thanks
2007-01-20 06:36:39 · 13 answers · asked by skeptic 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because it is easy to be simplistic. For some people, it is comforting to live in a world of black and white, rather than to have unknown and confusing gray. For others, to have a strong conviction in their beliefs is sign of of a strong and true person - it sounds much more convincing to know the absolute truth, then to have a current understanding. Personally, I agree with you, I have strong beliefs, but I'll be the first to admit that I can be wrong, when that belief is not supported by scientific or direct empirical proof.
2007-01-20 07:05:45 · answer #1 · answered by Smokin' Dragon 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because science only accepts knowledge on the basis of relative truth, and defines reality in relative terms, there is no certainty in science, nor can science be authoritative. However, there are those who do not accept that truth is relative. Truth is absolute, independent, and immutable, and is not subject to opinion, speculation, understanding, perception, perspective, belief, circumstance, time, place, observation, quantification, qualification, or confirmation. What science can or cannot confirm is not the authority by which to base what is or is not true. Science is a simple tool by which we can observe relative truth, which is subordinate to, and exists within the absolute truth. Relative truth is not and can never be independent of the absolute truth.
2007-01-20 14:56:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a good question. Atheists/agnostics make up 14% of the world population, and reject beliefs that have been held by all human beings since before the dawn of history, and easily admit that they are more intelligent than many of the most brilliant minds known to man. Surely they are aware that most people disagree...
2007-01-20 14:43:36 · answer #3 · answered by NONAME 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
unless you have taken the step as a person that has lived a life of drugs, alcohol, witch craft, sexual sins, and then ask to have all that forgiven , and to do a complete change , and can feel and know without a doubt that you are in the presents of a higher being that loves you and has a place for you when you die, that is more beautiful than you can possibly imagine...yes..I do know there is a God, I've had things happen that could not be explained.....I know he's real
2007-01-20 14:45:15 · answer #4 · answered by purpleaura1 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Childhood conditioning. Ever watch these people with kids. I have a 4 year old niece who just informed me that only SATAN would want to buy Halloween Town, a stupid rated G movie. Now, I admit it was extra funny to me because I thought the trailer was stupid. And because this is coming from a 4 year old. But she is CERTAIN that only Satan would want that movie. Someone (most likely my crazy dad or sister) had to have made her think that and the other things she believes. It only gets worse.
2007-01-20 14:41:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The final Authority is the Bible,I read it daily,It is the only thing that hasn"t changed.
The best man, leader,clergy,academia,philospher,whoever,can
be off base, There are those that have rejected the Bible,so
truth is what ever their mind resons truth to be.
The things of God are foolish to a non believer,
2007-01-20 14:57:03 · answer #6 · answered by section hand 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the only thing i can tell you is when i asked Jesus to come into my heart i experienced peace and love.If you walk from a 100 degree temperature to a 50 degree room could you feel it.That is what happened to me a real experience and no one can tell me it did not.happen
2007-01-20 14:53:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
religion isnt about proving anything, it's about believing in something. What I beleieve may be true or not true, but I choose to believe it.
2007-01-20 14:43:52 · answer #8 · answered by Dovahkiin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
most people have a hard time in accepting discoveries made by science. It makes their god seem smaller and smaller.
2007-01-20 14:40:13 · answer #9 · answered by skunkgrease 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think Carl Sagan said it best. "People don't believe based on evidence. They believe based on their deep-down NEED to believe."
2007-01-20 14:42:04 · answer #10 · answered by Haiku Hanna 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋