When I was younger (in HS) I was so strong in my faith and so sure of what I believed in. Through the years, especially college, I've noticed that my religious beliefs have changed and I'm no longer on the same wave length as I once was. Is this a normal thing for people to go through? Sometimes I don't understand how people can be so strong with what they believe (especially when it comes to religion) and some people are so confident in bevieng nothing at all. I'm sick of believing in something just because society says I should or that it's what I was raised with...
So my question is, What do you believe in? Why do you believe it?
2007-06-09 11:54:04 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The word belief is defined as accepting a positive assertion as true without requiring substantiating evidence. This is an enormous logical fallacy which often leads directly to error because one cannot discover actual truth if one proceeds from an erroneous assumption. For this reason I very seldom even use the word "belief" because it implies such seriously flawed reasoning. I much prefer to either "know" or to "not know" a particular fact.
1) I know that it is impossible to prove a negative assertion, such as God does not exist.
2) I know that it is the responsibility of those making a positive assertion, such as God exists, to prove that it is true.
3) I know that roughly 10 billion human beings, over a period of roughly 6000 years, have failed utterly to prove the existence of even one of humanity's countless gods. Thus, the likelihood of Christians proving the existence of their God is infinitesimally close to zero.
4) I now accept that God does exist in the subjective experience of those who do believe in Him and I also accept that such a "relationship" with God can have a beneficial effect on the believer's subjective life.
5) I now appreciate that believers are invariably solipsistic thinkers, who erroneously assume that their subjective experience actually is reality.
6) I know that philosophical idealism, as an explanation of the origin of human conscious awareness has been utterly discredited. St. Augustine's invention of the immortal soul as a bit of God's immortal essence loaned to each human for the duration of their life has no basis in fact.
7) I know that the philosophical materialists were correct all along. It is a fact that perception, thought, memory, and emotions all originate as an emergent property arising from the flow of information through the complex logical structures within a living human brain.
2007-06-09 12:48:35 · answer #1 · answered by Diogenes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ooh...good question. I started with my upbringing, but there was a period (say about 12-13 maybe 14) when I wasn't sure about God. I was on my way to giving up, however, personal experiences, getting to know Him for myself have kept me going. No longer, though, do I live by my parents', church members', or anyone else's faith. Meaning, I don't just say I believe in God because that's what everyone else around me is doing. I go by what I know of God for myself. I listen to others for strength, but I focus on what I read and my personal experiences with God.
Just graduated from HS and quite sure college could provide some turning points. All I hope is that I can keep my foundation and will be able to get through anything.
It's not "unnormal" for you to reflect on your own beliefs and see what it is you're actually claiming you believe and why you believe it. That's what many people need to do. They just go on childhood faith. Take the time to examine yourself. It's always the best thing to do. If you no longer believe, then don't. Please don't go with society, family, or tradition. That's not what the god of your faith wants, I'm sure. As for me, I will continue in my faith and go on the journey my God wants for me.
2007-06-09 19:06:16 · answer #2 · answered by insidious_22 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe that humans are just another animal, who created notions of deities and spirit worlds with nothing more than their own carnal brains, for the purpose of self-satisfaction (feeling safe, giving meaning to lives that for many otherwise have no meaning or direction, wanting to see enemies smoked, etc.). I base this off of years of living on this planet and observing people.
2007-06-09 19:00:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe in Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. I believe in the Holy Bible bc it is inspired by God.
1Tim3:16
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Here is a Love letter from Almighty God to you with Bible verses. Very encouraging.
http://www.fathersloveletter.com/flltextenglish.html
2007-06-09 19:09:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
i believe that God(Jesus Christ) is the only way to salvation, that He is the creator of Heaven and Earth, and that he died for our sins, He is the way the truth and the light, and that he has risen and is will soon return to rapture His church. I believe this because I know it's true and I've seen God move mightly in my life and in others life!
2007-06-09 19:00:26 · answer #5 · answered by Jesus is Wuts up^ 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe that God is...
As to why. Because I have a personal relationship with Him that is outside the restrictions or requirements of any religion. He walks with me daily and He has proven Himself to me...over and over. I live to serve Him...and to seek His will for my life.
And yes, if you were brought up on a "religion" instead of to have a personal relationship with God, then it is normal for you to change and to have doubts.
2007-06-09 19:00:46 · answer #6 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
May I recommend the book of Daniel in the bible. It has two stories in there that express the seriousness of their faith. They took their faith VERY seriously, to the point of preferring death over compromising their beliefs.
GOD bless
2007-06-09 19:04:00 · answer #7 · answered by Exodus 20:1-17 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
My faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from God, given to me by his grace. The reason that I can profess that Christ is my LORD and Savior, is because of the Holy Spirit. God bless!
"Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit." I Cor. 12:3
2007-06-09 18:57:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I believe in the love of God. He shows me his love every day of my life!
2007-06-09 20:39:04 · answer #9 · answered by jasmin2236 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's time for a beer.
There's NO EVIDENCE for ANY Supernatural at all - but I saw a beer in the fridge at lunch and God Damn I'm thirsty.
2007-06-09 18:56:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋