Can people choose their belief?

Question

I grew up in a Christian neighborhood but i have agnostic parents. Religion was never a issue in my family so i wanted to join the church to find god and be with my friends. I really tried to believe in god. I couldn't do it. I am just not wired that way. Can we really choose our beliefs?

Answer 1

You say you tried and couldn't; so that means, you can't choose, in one sense. On the other hand it sounds like you might want reassurance that it's ok for you to be different than your friends - even though you already know you are.

In some communities, there's a lot of peer pressure: do what I do and do it for the reason I do it. How sad, when we are all unique and potential beautiful people, whose differences strengthen and enrich all of us.

Belief
"1. something believed; an opinion or conviction: a belief that the earth is flat.
2. confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof: a statement unworthy of belief.
3. confidence; faith; trust: a child's belief in his parents.
4. a religious tenet or tenets; religious creed or faith: the Christian belief."

Just are you can moderate your perspective or Point Of View or knowledge of something you can change or affect your beliefs... even though they are effectively a mental sumation not entirely conscious. You can make choices about your beliefs, at least. Some choices are, do you hold them despite peer pressure? do you allow other to have beliefs different from yours? are you honest with yourself and others about your beliefs? are you confident enough in your beliefs not to demand others share it?

Answer 2

Yes, you can, but believing in God and following his teachings is not easy. I would recommend reading some religious books to help you. An excellent read for someone like yourself is Thomas Merton's auto-biography "The Seven Story Mountain." Thomas Merton had agnostic parents and ended up becoming a cistercian (I think) monk. It starts a little slow, but stick with it, because it becomes extremely interesting. There's no doubt that growing up with agnostic parents will have a big affect on you, but don't let it stop you.

Answer 3

Absolutely you can choose what you believe. I would suggest a book called "Renewing the Mind" it is written by Pastor Casey Treat. It is Christian in nature, and quotes a lot of scripture, but the basic principles of it is the fact that you can choose what goes in your mind and what you believe.

This will probably get a response from Ashley, but beliefs, attitudes, even tastes are a choice.


Due to a later post, I would urge you that if you do explore Islam, talk to some who have left it. They lived in fear of death for turning away until they found peace in Jesus. I know several Christians who were once Muslims, and all of them say that the peaceful Muslims are the minority and are not practicing true Islam. All of them say that Islam is ABSOLUTELY NOT a peaceful religion. I did study not only Islam and Christianity, but every religion I could find. Islam is the only one I would describe as truly hateful and evil at its core.

Answer 4

It's not that you CAN'T belive in God, it's just that the lusts of this world and your pride does not want to let you turn towards God for help. I think the fact that you visited a church signifies your deep hunger for something meaningful. I hope you will get a chance to visit another church or pick up a Bible so that you can know the true God wants to have a relationship with YOU. [=

Answer 5

If a person has a mind to chose his way, and his goal, then he can make his decision.
You can read the Bible carefully, and read the Qur'an carefully, then take your decision freely.
If you read this tow books with open minded, sure you will know that one of them is the false, and the second is the true word of God.
The true word of God describes God as honest, powerful, no one is like him almighty, no one can fight him almighty.
The true word of God describes prophets of God as honest, non-drunk, non pagans, non sinned, have messages to their people telling them the way to worship the God and get in Paradise.
The true word of God tells people how to get the true happiness.
If you knew this truth, you'll know which religion is the true religion {Christianity or Islam?}, please read carefully and let your mind work freely, then chose.
This page may help you to know Islamic creed http://www.alazhr.com/aboutislam/Chapter2.htm , and this may answer any question about Islam http://www.sultan.org
Best regards

Answer 6

I don't think so - not really. Personally, I think it's good to maybe just, basically, do research on different faiths and go with which ever one calls you, which ever one really resonates with you.
Of course, there are many things that might influence (or even try to influence) a persons beliefs, but, on the whole, nope - I think that, for the most part, we're kind of born with our beliefs :)

Answer 7

Give your sincerity one more shot and read this article in the link below. It will take 3 minutes of your time. It could mean an eternity of bliss or not. The beauty of it is it's up to you and you will know for sure after you die. The problem is what if you were wrong?

Blessings in your decision.

http://www.thelastingmiracle.com/eng/article.aspx?id=1&cat=1

Answer 8

Of course we can. Obviously that's much harder for people who have been brainwashed from an early age to believe a particular dogma. But even then, I've known people who's strength of intellect and character allowed them to overcome that programming and decide their own ways to think and believe.
Anyway, good for you for thinking for yourself!

Answer 9

I think we can and those of us who follow our own hearts and experiences do. That is what is called a spiritual journey. It can lead you to any belief, any religion, or none of it. It all depends on what you came to this life to do.

Answer 10

I have a good book you should read. It's called "A Trip Into The Supernatural". And another book that is second to none, the Bible.