Is it a conscious choice to believe in something that can’t be proved or a conscious choice not to?

Question

What I mean is; does one go from a state of not believing in anything then being influenced by incoming data and then making a choice to believe in something. Or does one start out with a belief in something then make a choice to no longer believe in it?

This is because someone just told me that I apparently choose to be an atheist. I beg to differ, because I don’t remember making a choice at all whereas a Christian or any believer is the one who has clearly made a choice.

And yes, it’s another take on my favorite question; are Christians just non-practicing atheists?

Answer 1

I don't think anyone can "choose" to believe in, say:
- Santa
- gnomes
- Mother Goose.
- Any or all of the 'Gods'. ... (The idea is simply untenable.)
( What it takes is... I N D O C T R I N A T I O N ! )

Answer 2

I don't think I made a "choice" to believe in God...I just do, always have. I wasn't brought up in a religious house...at all. But I always known God exists, even as a small child. My dad always explained it as "my Jiminy Cricket on my shoulder" (ie, my conscience) but I always knew it was my belief in God.

I teach Ancient Cultures, and there's a phenomenon that's been researched and studied in depth; the phenomenon that every single established culture that's ever developed throughout history has in some way developed their own definite spiritual aspect to their culture. A belief in a "higher being" that creates and/or has some control over their greater environment, their 'afterlife' and so on. From the oldest, most primitive of cultures to cultural groups that are isolated and have not come into contact or interacted with any other group of people all still continue this same phenomenon of developing some sort of spiritual aspect and belief system of their culture.
It's quite interesting really.

Answer 3

You know, I really sense that you are being truthful and would like to know. I was an agnostic until the age of 36 so I know pretty well where you are coming from. I don't remember making a conscious choice to become a Christian..the mind really wasn't involved with the decision. It was a spiritual journey. Something inside me, just told me that the words, I was reading were real. I felt a peace that I had never known in my life. The more I read the bible, the more I wanted to know. I was enthralled with the book of Acts.
I read about the baptism in the Holy Spirit and more than anything, I wanted what they had. I wanted to know what it felt like to speak in tongues...to know that you knew beyond any doubt.
I went to a little altar in a country church, no kidding, and gave my heart to him. I got myself baptized in water and three months later, I received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues...a supernatural happening....It was wonderful and still is to this day. Now, when I hear someone like me, say there is no God,,I just feel sad and hope they find their way home to God.

Answer 4

Both. We have a choice to ultimately believe and have faith in whatever. Some believers experience is not just wanting to go to heaven or hell. Some made a choice to receive the Lord and their experience is a lot more than merely obligation or fear of eternal perdition. I think some unbelievers think that being a believer is just in the confines of wanting to live a good life and then going to heaven, that is not the ultimate enjoyment of Christ, far from it actually. It is unfortunate that some don't believe based on something that is not even the reality of believing. It is so much more than what is commonly seen amongst believers now.

Answer 5

Only you can make that determination. Faith in the unknown/unseen is the basis for all religions. I would dare to say that most good Christian people that I have known over the years are mortal as are we. Either you believe 24/7 or you do not. Hypocrisy is all around us. I personally believe in the person as an individual with the right to make their own choices. As to what they may be is for that person to decide.

Answer 6

You Atheists are just all over the map!

This is what and Atheist is, unless you want to ignore everything that you didn't cook up yourself:

a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.

You believe that you are right about that? You have faith that you are right about that?

You have faith in what you believe. I don't care if you deny it or not. You are not a person who doesn't believe in anything. I will tell you that there is no such thing. Not unless you are brain dead.

You believe, Atheist. You cannot maintain an intelligent argument saying that you don't believe in anything.

Answer 7

i'm chuffed which you have have been given desperate to be a Christian. at first, faith may be very undesirable. What you ought to concentration on is a relationship w/Jesus Christ. i won't enable you comprehend techniques important it is. Get your self a Bible in case you have no longer have been given one already. NIV is a solid version. initiate with the e book of John in the recent testomony to comprehend who Christ is and what he's complete for you. detect a Bible believing church. i'm prepared on Baptist or non denominational. merely make particular the church does not concentration on legalism.....or rules. discover one that makes a speciality of being like Christ. If we persist with Christ's occasion of love, forgiveness and actuality, we can't lose. initiate with the aid of conversing to the management of the church so that they are able to assist get you on the suitable course. they are able to hook you up w/acquaintances your age so as which you would be able to start to have solid fellowship. needless to say via all of this, pray that God famous His actuality, proceed to study His be conscious and ask Him for rationalization in case you have questions. solid success on your adventure and e mail me in case you have any questions:)

Answer 8

Prove that 1+1=2 with a logial proof as is used in highrer mathematics and quantative analysis. There is a cash prize avaiable if you can do it.
Prove evolution. I do not mean support it, I mean prove it scientifically. Or do you just believe it.
Prove the universe is billions of years old. Prove it isn't.
Prove there are other life forms in the universe. Prove there are not.
Belief is always a choice.
Proof while rare, is the end of choice.

Answer 9

As on who called himself Atheist.... We make a choice to seek the truth...to have value in the truth...To those comes a gift from God called faith and through faith comes revelation and a personal relationship with God

Answer 10

You make that choice every time you say that God doesn't exist. It is a conscious choice, you may not be able to define any one moment when you decided, but by not acknowledging His existence, you make that choice every day.