I mean as long as atheists have positive thinking and self belief, will it achieve the same ends as having a religious belief?
2007-06-24 07:29:32 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Positive thought isn't telling yourself that you're not worthy of the love of an overly judgemental invisible man. And in fact pride's a sin--so that takes care of "beefing yourself up." My opinion is that these two really don't even get along together, let alone be related. Thanks for the thumbs-downs, but I've said nothing inaccurate.
2007-06-24 07:35:25 · answer #1 · answered by writersblock73 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, they are NOT at all the same.
And both achieve VERY different ends.
Positive thinking and self belief is belief in what you do and/or do not do YOU by yourself can and will attain a positive end=worm food?.
Faith believes nothing we do or say or don't do or say, much less positive thinking and belief in anything but that Jesus Christ is the only way to attain the only positive end=Heaven.
2007-06-24 07:42:39 · answer #2 · answered by faith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can see where you're thinking. And, it's a very good question. Positive thinking is you being responsible for your outcome. You don't believe in yourself. You KNOW. Faith on the other hand is putting the responsibility for you on to someone else. It is a relatively sourceless belief. This is so because I told you it is so is how the bible reads. I can see where you might see the two as inherently one. I've lived my life both ways and can tell you that positive thinking compared to faith is what changed my life for the better. Peace and love>
2007-06-24 07:40:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religious belief put the onus on a supernatural being to be responsible for the outcome. Positive thinking means that the person is aware that they are responsible for the outcome. Not the same at all.
2007-06-24 07:32:49 · answer #4 · answered by TriciaG28 (Bean na h-Éireann) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An atheist with positive thoughts will still stand judgment before a Holy and Righteous God as a sinner with positive thoughts.
And counter as a Christian not all of my thoughts are necessarily positive but my sins have been forgiven through the blood of His Son my Lord which was the greatest positive in all history.
2007-06-24 07:37:29 · answer #5 · answered by Michael B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ultimately? no. A person with a PMA gets blindsided, he (she) just gets up and tries harder. A "believer" gets blindsided they have to spend a little bit of time making sure the sacred relicry didn't get damaged...that all the beliefs are still safe and in tact. Then and only then can they get about getting up and trying harder. It's like having a drug habit.
In your scenario the person who is not burdened with a belief system to maintain will achieve more because they don't have to spend time maintaining that system of beliefs.
2007-06-24 07:36:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What "ends" would you be referring to? Religious faith means that one believes in a higher, creative power that can be interacted with. In same cases this relationship may lead to things happening that wouldn't ordinarily. Positive thinking merely allows one to have an open mind to be able to attempt things. The former engages the miraculous, the latter merely allows one to try his or her best.
2007-06-24 07:43:55 · answer #7 · answered by Khalid Rocks Scoop 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually they are not mutually inclusive:
You can be a Christian and have positive thinking!
Or!
You can be a Christian and have pessimistic thinking:
Or!
You can be an atheist and have positive thinking
Or!
You can be an atheist and have pessimistic thinking.
But the main difference is:
If you are a Christian and life kicks you in the butt. All your friends abandon you. All your relatives abandon you. All your co-workers abandon you. It is nice to know you have Christ who will never abandon you and will always be watching your back for you.
2007-06-24 08:07:46 · answer #8 · answered by JUAN FRAN$$$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
faith has an object. it's the object of the faith that's important. ie trusting God will do what he said he'd do. not quite the same thing as positive thinking.
self belief has an object too. if you believe you can do something and you in actuality can do that then yes it is essentially the same thing.
I can't save myself though.
2007-06-24 07:37:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anotherme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they are not.
Lots of Christians are very critical of preachers like Joel Osteen and the guy in the Crystal Cathedral about that kind of preaching.
The message in the Bible is:
1. You are a sinner and you are in big trouble.
2. God loved you so much, Jesus died for your sins.
3. Will you admit you are sinner and accept what Jesus did on your behalf? Or not?
Pastor Art
2007-06-24 07:36:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋