Am I not the only one who sees something dishonest about 'choosing' to believe in something you don't?

Question

So when Christians tell us we can choose to believe like they do, are they not in fact lying? My assertion is that they have got to be pathologically dishonest or in very deep denial about what they REALLY believe.

Rev. Albert, you're obviously a pathological liar, but I'm sure you didn't purposely prove my point.

Yummy, ut down the muffin and think this through to it's logical conclusion. Really, the muffin can wait.

Diane, you obviously get it. Some poor lass in another question stated she didn't want her beliefs proven, because then it wouldn't be faith. Incredible.

Answer 1

And is God really going to want people who only believe in him so that they can avoid Hell? I think He would rather have true believers and I think He would be secure enough in Himself to see the value of other belief systems. I just don't see a perfect entity as being spiteful and jealous.

Answer 2

God said if they will not believe me then why would they believe you? Can one make a blind man see? Is a faith in a God that knows everything so dishonest; like a person in love wants to tell the world about it? If one believes anything like a walk in the park is that lying? Does it make the world views we see on the news true or false? Just because one does not understand what is said ,does that make him a lier?
When you listen to anyone or a person you never met...in the world and they tell you something until you investigate and research it. What does that make them a [pathological dishonest person]. If you find out the word is true than does that make you in deep denial about what is real? What do you think a Christian really believes since you are and authority on the subject of man and his fascination with Christ? Have you ever been dishonest and among all things confused about anything in your life? If not than it is you also that is the lier! My insertion is that a man of the world is constantly in denial and would rather believe a lie than the truth. This is the world,they would believe a lie about anyone than the truth and put a label on it....and even if they learn differently would they apologize? Hell No!....they would condemn them because they feel it is deserved anyway. Just because. Jealousy and envy also condemns is that you....the world says there is no way a person could have that much joy!
We are controversal and we are persecuted so this type of behavior does not surprise God or Christians. Have a Great day!!!!!

Answer 3

Some are dishonest; some are in denial; but I suspect that most don't actually give it much thought. I mean genuine thought, in their own words rather than in prayer formulas and scripture verses.

For a good -- if extreme -- example of this, do a search for R&S regular GodShew and read some of his answers. He's not lying when he fills the screen with scripture; he just doesn't have a thought in his head that didn't originate in his bible study, which apparently emphasizes the "lawgiver" aspect of god. And he thinks he freely chose to stuff this twaddle into his gray matter, even as all those around him were doing exactly the same. So he's not likely to notice that there was little real choice involved.

Answer 4

I can not choose to believe that which I do not believe that would be a lie..

Using deities as an example.. I do not believe deities exist ever existed or will ever exist.. If I were to profess a belief in god by saying "God is my holy savior and king." I would be telling a lie.

Every religion I have researched has a clause about truthfulness and honesty.. How a follower of any of those religions can encourage me to lie as a way to be "saved" is beyond me and makes them appear hypocritical and not an honest follower of their own religious dogma..

Answer 5

There's no dishonesty in it. Ultimately you choose whether or not to believe. Most people who want to believe, do believe, and those who don't, don't. The real choice, and the one that really matters is: if you believe, you need to choose whether you will accept that belief and act upon it, or if you will reject it and act impartially or against it.

Stating that one chooses to believe is true to an extent; however, it misses the fact that belief, or a true conviction, is the fruit of exercising that belief, not just something that comes to someone without any effort. That is why people who have no desire to believe, or even find out, don't believe. They aren't willing to make the effort to find out for themselves.

In John 7:17 Christ says, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

Basically he said if someone has a desire to find out, there's a way they can do it, and that is by actually trying it out. Those who don't even try and then say, "how can it be a choice to believe, if I don't" are merely trying to dodge responsibility for their choices which leads me to a question:

-If you don't believe in God, why make excuses or sidestep your responsibility for it when you don't believe you are accountable to anyone for that belief anyway?

Answer 6

Most probably have a pretty heavy long term faith investment and, as a result, stunted mental development. They truly do believe what they are espousing.

Answer 7

2 Peter 1:5 (King James Version)

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%201:5

Main Entry: vir·tue

Pronunciation: 'v&r-(")chü

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English vertu, virtu, from Anglo-French, from Latin virtut-, virtus strength, manliness, virtue, from vir man -- more at VIRILE

1 a : conformity to a standard of right : MORALITY b : a particular moral excellence

2 plural : an order of angels -- see CELESTIAL HIERARCHY

3 : a beneficial quality or power of a thing

4 : manly strength or courage : VALOR

5 : a commendable quality or trait : MERIT

6 : a capacity to act : POTENCY

7 : chastity especially in a woman

- vir·tue·less /-(")chü-l&s/ adjective
- by virtue of or in virtue of : through the force of : by authority of
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Personally, I'd rather have a true disbelief than a false belief.

Answer 8

You can not choose to believe in lies. You have to believe that the lies are true, before you can believe in them, so only Christians can do that, and only for as long as they continue to believe.

Answer 9

Yes...why should we force ourselves to believe in something? While I was questioning my faith, Christians told me that sometimes you just have to force yourself to believe and that it would become a habit. But why would I want to devote my life to something that I knew deep-down was just a habitual lie?

Answer 10

I agree, I can not force my self to believe. And I refuse to lie and "fake" it. To thy own self be true.