What appeals to you about your beliefs, what makes "the truth" for you?

Question

Inverted commas?

Answer 1

the truth is known when seen.

Answer 2

This is a terrific question since it will be somewhat different from person to person.

What makes the truth the truth is reliable evidence and a reasonable conclusion based upon that evidence. I suspect that his is true for most atheists and I expect to read it as a common response to this question. The uniqueness of responses ought to be responding to ones attraction to his belief and here I have to say that the simplicity of understanding the there is no god is highest on the list of its appeal seconded close behind by honesty. In addition, however, I want to state that I'm also extremely pleased to see that atheism stands to gain popularity at a much more rapid rate today than ever before because it alone is being viewed as the most logical solution to the problems of a religiously divided world - the obvious solution, in fact.

[][][] r u randy? [][][]
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Answer 3

Truth, contrary to popular opinion, is not a matter of opinion even though our perspectives may change and what we learn about the truth may change our prior beliefs.

Many, but by no means all, of my beliefs are justified and true. They are justified in so far as I can give good reasons (or someone else can give good reasons) for holding them. They are true in so far as they are subject to counterfactual conditionals. That is I can posit that they might be different and then draw conclusions counter to other beliefs I take to be true.

Truth in this sense is a web of beliefs all with good reasons and all subject the counter factual reasoning. This makes it very difficult to change everything everywhere all at once; but it does make it possible to "test" and adopt (or not) new beliefs.

HTH

Charles

Answer 4

I'm a Christian.

What appeals to me is many things. First, I love the rich tradition. Yes, I am perfectly aware that it is quite marred (crusades, inquisition, witch trials, etc.) but there are parts of it that I think are beautiful. I love studying the early church, looking at the beautiful Christian artwork that has been produced throughout the past few centuries, and liturgical worship.

Second, I love the community. I know that sometimes Christians can get a bad rap, especially at places like this. But I have so many examples in my own life about how the Christian community has been loving and supporting. The one off the top of my head is years ago when my mom was in a bit of a crappy situation in the aftermath of my dad's departure (too many details to go into) and the church swooped in while she was away on business, totally renovated the entire farmhouse, did the yardwork that was left undone because we couldn't handle a farm without my father, and even bought us a new water pump because our old one had run dry.

The church community I'm a part of now is great, too. My small group volunteers at Habit for Humanity. We work at homeless shelters and we hold food drives. I know sometimes Christians can be judgmental and closed minded, but some groups are more socially minded, and I enjoy participating in that. I think it is the message of Christianity to show God's love not by condemning people to hell, but by feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and helping the needy.

Third, I'm a huge nerd and I love theology. Give me old school St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas...give me new school Frederic Beuchner or Francis Schaefer, and I'm in heaven. I love diving in to the Hebrew Torah and the Greek New Testament, just reading and learning.

EDIT: Yeah I'm sorry I'm in a long-winded mood today, but I neglected to answer the second half of your question. To me truth is a never ending search, it's something you must rethink and reevaluate on a daily basis. I never want to reach a point where I think I have things figured out. I want to be challenged by what I see, what I read, the arguments other people make.

Answer 5

There is no "The truth for you."
2+2=4 is a truth. This is not subject to interpretation.
One can say I don't believe you have the truth but truth is just what it is, truth.

Christianity has a rich history which started with the jews at the beginning of time. The bible is filled with historical facts that Archaeologists use and has been proven very reliable. We have over 5000 documented ancient findings of scripture, many in different languages, all the same. WE have the dead sea scrolls to prove this also. The Vatican just bought 2 gospels dating 90 ad, the same as we have today. There is prophesies that has come to pass from the bible that proves it's reliability. Over 300 just for the man Jesus.

We have non christian evidence of Jesus from Tacitus and Josephus both historians. And a Governor named Pliny the Younger who all wrote about "Christos" and his followers the Christan's.

Archaeologists have found the tomb of Caiaphas who was the Pharisee that brought Jesus to trial.
Jesus WAS a real person who was an historical figure. Even well read Atheists KNOW this.

We have eye witnesses who had every thing to loose by claiming to be a follower of Jesus. Why? When Jesus was killed they scattered. Afraid. BUT when they saw he was resurrected they became bold. Why?
Since the bible is reliable, and Jesus WAS here you must decide.
Was he a nut? A liar, Or who he claimed to be.

For me, I personally have had MANY supernatural experienced with God/ Jesus. So many in fact I started keeping a journal.
God is real, Jesus is The Christ and there is salvation in no other name.

†

Answer 6

Beliefs shouldn't be about what 'appeals'. It should be about what's true. Despite your inverted commas, the truth is a real absolute thing. I believe God created this world and sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins, whether that's easy to accept or not.

Answer 7

The bible says you will know the tree by the fruit it produces.
Although no one on earth is perfect and we all sin every day I have found a religion that bears exceptional fruit. My brothers and sisters are kind, loving, generous, truthful, gracious, slow to anger, meek, and love God with all their hearts. They raise wonderful children who also respect and love God.

They follow the bible as God's word for us all. They pray for the Kingdom to come on earth, as it is in heaven.....God ruled.

Jehovah's Witnesses are a group that stand as illuminators in this spiritually dark world.
They truly have the backing of the Almighty God as they continue being footstep followers of The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

Ask God through Jesus to show you the way.

Answer 8

It makes sense to me and anyone with a logical mind. Science supports it in general and with each new discovery. Beliefs to the contrary are not based on facts or reason, only old myths from countries halfway around the world and are not logical or even helpful in any way to me.

Answer 9

Being a Christian, by Christian I mean not a go on Easter and Christmas only Christian, but on the other end not a Stand up on the restaurant table to let everyone know they're going to hell Christian, a lot of it isn't really appealing. It's tough. To make yourself constantly bettering yourself, to weed out the things in your life that hold you back and "carrying your cross daily"

What makes it the "truth" is the fact that it's the truth. I've tried questioning it, I've tried turning and running from it, but to no avail. Jesus just keeps proving himself.

You also get to a point in a relationship with God (if you keep at it) you grow to love him more and more and to pull yourself away from that is nothing short of torturing yourself

Answer 10

My beliefs are flexible.

After coming here, it seems to me that Truth in the world of R+S is subjective. Everyone has a different set of "truths" as it is. Here, opinion becomes truth, because of how steadfast those opinions are.

Answer 11

Murphy is a power outside of creation. Even a creator is subject to Him.