Is it possible to will yourself into believing ?

Question

And if not ... would it not render most of the discussion here pointless?

Answer 1

hmm ...
Well in opinion i think it is possbile to will your self into believing and also will your self into not believing.

Still believes is a pesonall matter. A friend of mine once told me you dont disscuse your believes because you will only dissrespect them ....

To a certain point may be he was right :)

Answer 2

Not without certain brainwashing techniques.

You believe something because you are convinced it is true. You do tend to believe what you want to be true, but you can't generally will yourself to want something. You can will yourself to study the material, but you can't really force yourself to believe it.

It does render much of the religious discussion pointless. Much of Christianity's and Islam's claims, for example, ride on the assumption that any non-belief is a willful act that should be punished. However, non-belief is really just not being convinced. If more credible evidence came around, I might be convinced. Again, it's not really something I can force myself to do.

As an excercise, you could try this experiment. Try to believe that the moon really is made of green cheese. Try to force yourself to believe, deep down in your heart, that the moon is a milk product. I'll bet you can't do it. No matter how hard you try, you're just not convinced this is true. You can force yourself to consider the possibility of the moon being made of green cheese, and you can even force yourself to promote the idea to others. However, with all the knowledge we have of the moon, I doubt you'll really convince yourself.

Answer 3

I would say that it is, particularly if surrounded by propoganda and like minded individuals.

Think 1984 and Winston Smith's love of Big Brother, I don't think you have to go that far, sometimes when facing pressure to conform your mind just lets go, you realise you love BB!

Answer 4

' will yourself into believing ?' sounds like a contradiction in terms.Anybody who attempts it , will end up hopelessly confused. It will result in a loss of self esteem because you are basically trying to cheat yourself.

Answer 5

Nope. I tried for about 10 years as a child. My ultimate failure, as a 12-year-old, to deny logic and embrace faith caused me to leave the church.

Answer 6

i think it is as most peopel do it everyday. like " i do love my wife" and "the bus will arive soon" etc. but i dont think its willing yourself, i think its persuasion as you cannot really will yourself to believe anything, you can only persuade or naturally believe it.

Answer 7

well the people on here like to feel some anger and lots of frustration

Answer 8

No. You cannot psyche yourself out into accepting Jesus Christ. Acceptance of Christ is not an intellectual exercise. It is an exercise of faith, which must come through the heart, which is by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 9

For me, it's not only possible, but desirable.
It is the way I create.

Answer 10

I think most believers "will" themselves into believing.