If a person believes everything they are told by someone without question, can they be considered rational?

Question

Pierce
Interesting answer.
Where in The New Testament does it tells us that we are not to believe everything we are told, on the contrary we are to "prove all things".

Pierce

In the Authorised King James Version, the text you list says:-
"I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observest these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality."
The context is in a chapter which instucts you how to treat old people and widows amongst others.
It is not a blanket instruction to "prove all things".
Your response is therefore not accepted as valid as much as I would like it to be.

Answer 1

In a word, no. I know where you are going with this. lol. It's not nice, but I still stand by my no.

You only believe what you choose to believe, and everybody has different beliefs. Religions, faiths and the like are meant to be ways of showing others what your own beliefs are, but many seem to see it the other way round, that beliefs are determined by religion.

In my own religion (or philosophy, as I have been advised), nobody asks that you simply accept teachings. In fact, you're more likely to be invited to challenge it.

This might be why I always challenge other religions. lol

I've noticed that you are the same as me in that respect. However, I fail to see what you will gain from poking at Christianity, other than the anger of some Christians, and the pity of others. Plus a few laughs from our fellow Atheists.

I now concentrate on trying to bridge the gaps between religions, faiths, non-religions and so on, so that we can all enjoy peaceful lives. Sometimes I mess it up, but I'm only human. lol.

Answer 2

The New Testament tells us that we are not to believe everything we are told, on the contrary we are to "prove all things".

Thanks for giving me a chance to respond. The answer is in 1Thessalonians Chapter 5 verse 21

Answer 3

He's a clever guy our Pierce...i agree with him.

Personally i have sat in many churches on many occasions and thought to myself 'that is a load of rubbish' and didn't go back to hear that person speak..if that's what ur asking...i always check things out for myself..always have done always will.

Answer 4

Every thing I'm told, I Have an opened mind to it, they are a lot of bad people out there who are like preditors and want to brain wash people.

Answer 5

It is not irrational to be naive...but it is foolish.

There is a caveat however...the choice of belief or otherwise can lead us to accepting one point of view and being forced into a dogmatic belief as a result...that is not rational.

Answer 6

If what they are told is supported by sound and well researched evidence, probably.

If not, they may be too trusting, too gullible or stupid.

Answer 7

Not only that, but they also wouldn't be considered following the biblical meaning of faith.

Answer 8

depends on who's doing the telling and the circumstances in which their being told,so i would say yes

Answer 9

Of course not. Rational means you use your brain.

Answer 10

I don't know about rational, the word I would use would be gullible