OK i think i have it now ( do you choose your beliefs? )?

Question

this entire debate is a matter of 'do you believe in cause and effect'?

there is a reason you believe what you believe. that reason caused you to believe that way. YOU do not control and choose those causes, nor do you choose those effects. therefor, you do not choose your beliefs.

example, i do not believe in pixies; the reason being is because evidence has never been pesented to me and no one has any known documentation on them. so i came to the conclusion that they do not exist. i did not decide to not encounter evidence of them. i did not choose to never witness any documentation. i did not choose to not believe in pixies, because i did not choose or control the reason i do not believe in them. that simple.

does that make sense?

Answer 1

That's true.

You can't choose to be convinced of something. You can choose to study and read about something. You can choose to ask questions and talk to people.

But you can't choose to believe.

Answer 2

Yes totally.
That is a brilliant point. I saw it in your last questions and people didn't respond to its true worth. For some reason I thought why bother.
But you're right. Dead on. You don't choose your beleifs apparently. Cause and effect. Just like Matrix Reloaded.
Down the same alley is the "Why?". He who has why, has the power.
How could you choose something your instincts or reason tells you not to with all the force in the universe. And our experience and environment determine those instincts and that reason. I've made a great leap forward. Thank you for that. :-)

Answer 3

funny i found this question,seeing as a friend and myslf were talking on the subject just recently.
i feel that you (and myself) have the answer to this question. But maybe its just to simplistic,so therefor doesnt seem right. Im guilty of not trusting in my own instincts,and believe thats what its about. god granted good judgement is a blessing not to be taken lightly,its a blessing not meant to confuse,for if it was our"higher power" wouldnt be all to loving,huh?
so,i maintain that if it reeps good for you and /or others, be it religion,pixies,or whatever,than it should be a testament to your faith in whatever you so choose to believe. you feel it.

Answer 4

Your beliefs are conditioned by the culture you live in, but you still can choose another thing.

Even in the worst times were the Inquisition chased those that didn't believe in the Christian God, a lot of people, in secrecy, still practiced their beliefs.

So, conditioned yes, forced no (no cause and effect in a mechanical sence).

Answer 5

Something doesn't have to be possible to be believed.--Voltaire. Logically, nothing has to happen in order for a person to believe. "Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe. And it is not enough that a thing be possible for it to be believed" (Voltaire). Does that make sense?

Answer 6

Are you saying that a person can never make a willful change>?

A person may believe drinking is fun in their 20's but may view it a horrible vice in their 30's, same person different beliefs.

Answer 7

Nah, I disagree with you. We are the product of our environment to a certain point but not completely. There are close minded people but it`s a minority. I am a believer and I do not limit myself to my religion, I read about many things that are not supported by my Church and I do not judge others and their believes.

Answer 8

and how many times are you going to ask this question. and Yes I choose to believe in God and the Bible

Answer 9

one can choose to believe anything, wouldn't it be better to find out for ourselves?

Answer 10

To you last question: does that make sense?

No.