Why do "beliefs" matter at all compared to "values?"?

Question

I've seen that there's a lot of unnecessary bickering about "what really happened." It just seems pointless to argue about "what really happened" when you believe in the same values with the person you're arguing with.

Answer 1

Beliefs are certain things that people say they, well, believe. However, your values are what guide your life. People can say they believe something, and then act in complete disagreement with what they profess. We call these people "hypocrites" because they don't observe their own beliefs. Their values are not consistent with their beliefs.

Arguing with someone's observation of events is usually not fruitful. This sounds like a bf/gf issue. Is it jealousy? Either way, as law enforcement officers have observed, when an accident or event happens, you can ask 20 different observers what happened and get 20 different stories. This is because everybody sees things through their own shades of perceptions/beliefs/experience, etc.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

All men seem to agree that murder is a very bad thing. While what we identify as murder may be different from culture to culture, or even with a culture, there is a line that we all draw and say, "This far. No further." Why? We all seem to agree that stealing is bad. Some cultures, again, a bit more than others, but we generally agree that it's bad. Why? Is it just that we evolved to have similar values, or is there a being who instilled those values in us and will hold us accountable for how we adhered to them? If such a being does exist, and will hold us accountable, what happens if we're found wanting? If we are found wanting, is there anything we can do to settle the account? If there's not, is there any hope of redemption at all? This is where beliefs come in. We have values, but the reason why we seem to have the same basic values is at the very heart of theology and philosophy. Philosophy is the what, and theology is the why.

I've always wondered why atheists obey laws. It's just a curious thing. It could very well be that they just don't want to go to jail, but why do they have a value at all of good and bad? To what do they ascribe their ability to know good from bad? Maybe I should ask this question on here, but I didn't have a good result from the only question I have asked here, so I probably won't. But if there's no life after this one, and if there's no entity to Whom one will have to answer outside of this world, why obey laws at all? You've got nothing to lose if you don't, after all...well, except your freedom, and that only for a while, so why not just go do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it? But one and all, they obey the laws just like most other folks. Interesting, don't you think?

This is why there is belief, and that's why belief is far more important than values. Without a reason for the value to exist, there's not much value in values.

Answer 3

Values are formed and shaped by your beliefs. All values are not the same. Just as all beliefs are not the same.

Those based purely on the Bible are more discerning than mixed beliefs of pagan and Bible. It is the difference between "whatever" and "what is the best value"

Answer 4

Values are based on belief in God or Satan or Nothing at all.
If your so-called values exist, they exist because, they were placed there by either parents step-parents, foster-parents or aunts or uncles or teachers, or even the television. Values and morals that are not of God are not real, except for the fact that theses values without God, are damaging to society and to family. And can you please ask a question that deals with what you may or may not be asking? That would be wonderful.

Answer 5

Edward Bumpus was a child sentenced to death for striking his parents by the Puritans of Plymoth Colony. This was because of their religious beliefs and their strict interpretation of bible law. His family and their relatives managed to get the punishment reduced to a severe whipping on the grounds that young Edward was insane.
This isd an effect of values.
Edward Bumpus was a young child at the time.

These type of laws are what the new bible believers want as the laws of your country.

Answer 6

I'm not sure what you mean by "what really happened"., but the source of our morality does matter. You might believe in the value of honesty because you fear the punishment you would get if you are dishonest. You might believe in the value of honesty because you like the praise you give yourself by thinking such good things about you.

But fear of punishment and love of self praise are not acceptable foundations for character. That is because those foundations shift with circumstance. We want people of character because their "values" don't change with circumstance and we can trust those people.

Answer 7

You don't hold the same values as everyone. My beliefs dictate some of my values. The Bible outlines what our values ought to be. I can't judge that on my own. It is re-enforced with my heart, because God's word is written in the hearts of men.

Answer 8

Bless You!!! I had many years of arguments with my mother on this issue until I finally got her to see that it didn't matter what our different beliefs systems were (she is born again Christian, I am Pagan) .. when she finally realized that our ultimately goals (values) were the same in principal ... she understood and took me off her "prayer board to be saved from hell) LOL Now she calls me and says "Please pray for, or meditate, or burn a candle or do whatever it is you do ... " to help someone in need:)

Its about values .. your belief in how you get there isnt important as long as the goal is for good.

Answer 9

your beliefs are what makes your value,i agree arguing is pointless if it is possible to -compromise-if not let it alone and go forward no two people agree on everything

Answer 10

Beliefs lead to values, values lead to beliefs.