Christians: If you can't choose NOT to believe in God, why do you think I can choose TO believe in God?

Question

T.W.: That's my freakin point, dude! You can't choose what you believe. Did you even read the question?

Answer 1

I understand what you're saying. In people who believe, their faith runs so strong that they can't not believe.

For we atheists, it's the same thing. We can't just decide to believe in God all of a sudden, our thought processes simply won't allow this.

Answer 2

suppose (this didn't happen to me): I am walking across the train tracks. There is a crowd on either side. I don't see the crossing gates coming down or the train speeding toward me. Someone grabs me and pulls me off of the tracks just as the train is about to hit and kill me. I thank him, as some others look on, and pat him on the back. The man leaves, heading home for a cup of coffee.

The crowd draws a crowd, as folks who didn't witness the near fatal accident ask what happened. The story is retold over and over by myself and the witnesses. Some people who hear the story believe, and others don't. Various reasons include not hearing the train or crossing gates and bells, to thinking the story is just too far fetched.

You may never believe my story. It doesn't mean that it didn't happen. You may not at this point have any proof that you consider adequate. It may be that the story needs to be told again, by another person, etc. Maybe you will be the one walking across the tracks, to be saved by the man who saved me.

Answer 3

Greetings, Meatbot. I love your "Paradise by the Dashboard Light." It always gets me singing. Oh, that was Meat Loaf -- sorry, never mind.

I read your question several times. Then I took a cue from williamzo, who said most of your questions are thought provoking, and went back to look at them, because I was scratching my head over this one, trying to figure out what you were asking. Don't be offended; it's just the limitations of language and/or me being slow at the moment. For one thing, it's the different ways people use the word "you" in hypothetical or general statements. Sometimes they mean the person they're addressing, and other times they mean "all of us" (as in "you can't put a square peg in a round hole"). Then there's the phrase, "Why do you think I can...," which at first I took to mean you *can* and were just asking for explanation of why that's the case. (Ha... see what I mean about language. It's no wonder people have arguments over nothing.) Finally there seemed to be a conflict between the phrase in your question, "I can choose to believe" and the one in your extra notes, "you can't choose..."

NOW, flash forward to the present and ALL IS CLEAR! {haha} Your question finally makes perfect sense to me, as it apparently did to a few people right away, though I agreed with the guy who said many people *don't* understand it.

Now TO the question... I am agnostic, so you weren't really addressing me. But I tend to agree, and have said similar things before... you either believe or you don't. I've argued that God, if he exists, would surely see right through any pretend belief (whose purpose is just to get the "believer" into Heaven or give him/her everlasting life). If I don't believe, I think I need to be honest with myself (and with whatever Supreme Being might exist). I've argued, also, that if he/she/it made me, he made me a skeptical and scientifically-minded thinker, as well, and would surely expect me to have my doubts about him!

OK, sorry for the side note on the limitations of language. But I thought you might like some insight into why you got some puzzled and puzzling answers (maybe). Your question may hold a record for the number of times I've re-read one on the site. And I agree with williamzo that you've asked some thought-provoking ones. Indeed, mining those questions led me to realizing what your beliefs are, and what your question meant.

Now I've got to get outside and enjoy this astonishingly-beautiful day! Maybe the perfect weather and spring flowers were part of my distraction, too.

Answer 4

You already believe in God. I have seen you on here bashing religion and Mormons quite a bit.

The most rebelious usually are the ones who know but dont want to change there lives and try to bring everyone around them down and to believe there own opinions.

You have read alot and know alot but you are lacking the faith to put your knowledge forth.

I know that if you would pray and try to believe in the one doctrine that you strive so hard to dissprove or lead others away from and read that you would get a answer and have peace.

Sitting on here bashing people and wasting time asking almost dumb ?'s is pointless. Live up to your divine calling man. God loves us all and wants us back but we have to be obediant and stop this backbitting.

Answer 5

But I can choose not to believe. I did choose not to believe for years. God doesn't force anyone. There are just eternal consequences. Not because God is evil, or hurtful, but because there is no place for sin in God's eyes. And once you believe, and experience the love of God and the grace of God, you would never want to go back.

Answer 6

I don’t know that you CAN CHOOSE. As in, Today I choose to believe in God. I don’t think it works that way.

I think it starts from the soul outward. Something, God’s Spirit, is stirred inside. Then if you are willing to respond with even the slightest bit if faith, the Spirit responds and understanding begins.

Yes, you can choose to put yourself in situations where you are more likely to feel the stirrings of the Spirit, but that is your choice.

Answer 7

I am not aware of anything that prevents a Christian from choosing NOT to believe in God anymore. In fact, I have seen people choose to leave their faith. There are several who post regularly on this site. Just as I am not aware of anything that prevents you from choosing TO believe in God - other then your will. And you alone have control over that.

Answer 8

You choose what to believe in because it gets you thro the hard times..Believing in something is what we put or hopes and faith into to grab onto when we feel we need them the most..People who choose a diffrent path do so because it fits thier life and way they think. I am glad you have something to believe in. You make the choice..if you choose to believe in God and it works for you then so be it. If you question your belief then maybe it is time for you to do some soul searching to restable yourself.

Answer 9

Believing is a choice you make every day. Just like fidelity and commitment. So is not believing. Christianity is all about free will. It was one of God's greatest gifts.

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 10

We were not "born" Christians. At birth, everyone is on the same playing field....we're all sinners and non-believers.

The difference between us and you is that we have decided to believe in Jesus Christ and become Christians. And you have decided to stay as a non-believer because you have no revelation knowledge of Christ nor do you wish to seek Him.