christians say that the only way to salvation is by accepting god...but how can a person who doesnt believe in god control his beliefs and just believe?
if i believe just by repeating to myself that i believe isnt that self inducement?
2007-03-29 15:58:11 · 14 answers · asked by alberto k 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No.
You believe something when you are convinced it is true. You can read about stuff, study it, and listen to arguments. However, believing it is a rather internal process.
There are ways of getting someone to believe something. You can use emotional manipulation, brainwashing techniques, and childhood indoctrination. That uses human nature to change belief. It is something that all religions employ to get and keep converts.
2007-03-29 16:01:00 · answer #1 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. There are many many theists who claim to be true believers but in fact they are just pretenders and mindless followers. Pascal was one. His wager implies that he didn't sincerely believe in god. There are millions who openly say they are religious precisely because of Pascal's illogical advice. It's sad.
True beliefs are not easily formed in rational brains. Most normal people have to review the evidence pro and con and then make a decision - sometimes over years. Contrast this with children who are raised in a particular religion. Many grow up and never really bother to question the doctrine. That's not belief - it's just behavior.
2007-03-29 23:11:26 · answer #2 · answered by HarryTikos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you do not believe no amount of repititions will help you. you have to learn to see God;s work in your life. maybe ask him some questions and see if and how he sneds you answers. take a look in the bible and maybe you see some things that interest you and maybe ou start desiring more. seek christ and you will find him. he will make himself knows to you. but if you just sit there saying that u don't believe in any god and all the world just 'happened' to come together, then nothing wlll happen. sometimes maybe u cna go to church with a friend who goes regularly. sometimes in some churches the spirit of the lord is so strong that u just begin weeping and feeling this strange but good sensation in your body. soemtimes experiencing this for some people leads them to begin their journey to Christ. just make an effort to find out about god and the right answers will turn up eventually. God will reveal himself to you.
2007-03-30 02:33:51 · answer #3 · answered by shopsummor 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, stop trying so hard to disbelieve, stop trying to rationalize portions of the Bible. Stop trying to figure out how certain thing could be. Like, where did God come from. Read the Bible with an open heart. It is the true Word of God, and has proved itself to be. Our pea brain minds cannot comprehend many thing. Ask God to remove the Vail that Satan has placed on your eyes, and ask Him to help you, but do this with honest mind and heart, that is, really wanting to. You cannot fool God, He knows your thoughts.
2007-03-29 23:45:02 · answer #4 · answered by Auburn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ever since we came to our consciousness of being alive, We know there is something, meaning and purpose of why we came to be. There is something inside in ourselves that tells us, that we came from somewhere and we are going there after we die. We know, yet don't know why where this feeling or idea came to be.
Why their are conscience inside of us, that tells us, which are right from wrong.
Seems to me these are embedded in our system, in our DNA, that we know yet we don't understand.
You see belief and faith are the same with those two.
We know there is God and He wiill guide us and help us in our everyday struggle on this world,
Unless we remove Him in our life, then purpose of our existance now will be filll our selves with fleshly desires that seems to be more meaningless and boring in the end.
2007-03-29 23:27:20 · answer #5 · answered by Esteban 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says that a man cannot come to the Lord unless he is drawn by the Holy Spirit.
2007-03-29 23:07:22 · answer #6 · answered by wisdom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says that Faith comes by hearing the word of God, so go hear some word it will change your mind by hear the truth, here it is read this and ask for his Holy spirit and you will get it and then you will know;
http://www.freedomcame. /glory/ put com after freedomcame. and before /glory the sytem wont let me post the link normally
2007-03-29 23:02:43 · answer #7 · answered by bungyow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not at all. Jesus said to not pray in vain repetitions like the heathen are prone to do. But rather, ask Jesus to forgive all of your sins, then ask God to reveal Himself to you in such a way as to not be a) drummed up and b) not imagined.
Start reading the book of John and ask God to talk to you. That is how it happened to me 37 years ago. My belief only gets stronger every day.
2007-03-29 23:00:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You can say you believe as many times as you can but if you dont then it will never happen.Make an atheist say 100 times they wont believe it.You try.
2007-03-29 23:02:38 · answer #9 · answered by lightangellion 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only through act of faith that one believes in god.
Noone can force us to believe in something if we do not the personal conviction to do so...
2007-03-29 23:04:27 · answer #10 · answered by glitzynicole 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋