Religious people...?

Question

A lot of times I see people claiming that you have to believe in whatever god/goddess etc. that they do or you don't get to go to Heaven (or their version of it). Do you (people that do this) realize that no human being can change a belief just because they want to? You can't force yourself to think differently, usually until you see a reason or proof (and usually reading the Bible or other book is not seen as proof).

Here's an example: "There are really unicorns, they live in the desert around my house. You have to believe in them or my Creator will string you up from the ceiling with floss. So change your ideas right now because it's the right thing."

Let me guess, you still don't believe in unicorns? That is because you can't force yourself to change a belief-- if it happens, it does, and if not it's no fault of your own. So please don't say that we need to change our beliefs, because we just can't. It's not human nature, the brain just wasn't built like that.

Thoughts?

Saying that changing a belief is easy is just like saying changing your skin color is.

Sorry, I didn't mean to attack or anything, I just find it odd and annoying that people think it's so easy to do.

Answer 1

I think you are right. I think it takes a movement of God in your life. I don't know what else to say about it. I recognized that moment when it came for me. I responded to God.

I cannot honestly speak about anyone else. I'm not them, I don't know what they've been through, I don't know what experience has led them to believe or disbelieve whatever they do. And I don't know what God is doing in their life or has done. For example I know life seems really unfair for a lot of people who have a hard luck story so how can I expect to persuade them that there is a loving God if I haven't experienced what they have?

So I just sort of leave it alone unless a person is genuinely interested or it just naturally becomes my turn in a conversation to give my two cents (kinda like answering a question in Y!A)

So I basically believe that God is the one who actually does the converting and I just try to help when I can and mostly concentrate on not pushing it on anyone because I know that just pisses people off.

Answer 2

I understand what u r saying. To use ur example of the unicorns... I would not just say "i don't believe" without first checking it out and trying to experience seeing a unicorn. and if I never knew what one looked like, how would I know if I did see one? I have to learn about them, and learn why is it that u so strongly believe that they do infact live in the desert around ur house.

I would do some research on my own and ask for a little guidence on where to find this information out.

Answer 3

I don't know. I'm going through a journey right now really questioning what my beliefs are based on, and why. I don't believe in Unicorns but then I find the giant fosslie bones found in Samos giving credence to the giants of Greek Mythology folklore... I mean there are references in the Bible to giants and leviathans I guess. But... I'm also investigating the Mayan calendar - pretty wild stuff and hard to argue with. I am ever changing and evolving every day. A closed mind is a dead mind. It just needs to be a sound mind. Our brain was built to protect us from danger that we can not protect ourselves from. The body is an amazing and wonderful thing and most of us don't know it. How it will work to protect the body. How it will try to save itself in the worst of circumstances. If you are not in control of your mind - it will be in control of you.

Answer 4

So if the unicorns live in the desert around your house then you've probably seen them, that's why you would believe. Belief is a choice, afraid to say, and it is based on experience and acquired knowledge. When presented with various hypothesis, you make a choice whether to believe it or not. I have changed my beliefs many times because I have sought to enlighten myself. If people's beliefs can't be swayed, then what's the point of jurors and judges and trials?

Answer 5

Changing belief is very possible.
According to your arguement, you're saying no belief can be unchanged.
What about people who hated and had fear of those of different races, and had no interaction with those different types of people. Didn't even want children to attend school together because of different races. Yet when they did meet someone 'different' they realized they were wrong. Happens everyday.
I'm not saying there's not racism, because there is. VERY much in this world. But with education, and compassion racist thoughts and manners change. Sure, not over night, but definitely over time.
People convert religions.
People stop hating someone else for what that person "represents"
remember when people believed you could get HIV from a handshake?
I find your arguement very wrong.

Answer 6

I agree with you, but these religious people also need to really understand that there is no such thing as only one correct path that is right for everyone. Spirituality is not one size fits all, and the assumption that your way is the only right way, and everyone else is going to suffer some form of eternal damnation, is just wrong on every level. Find your own path, by looking within, and let everyone else find their own the same way. It is wrong to ever tell another person that your answers are the right ones and everyone else's are wrong. It is okay to discuss and share what you believe, with others, but it is never okay to tell them that they believe the wrong thing. I don't know why the basic concept of each person finding the path that is right for them, is so hard for some people to understand. *sm*

Answer 7

If I say you need to change your belief and you do not and it turns out you should have, what would be you response to someone who could have warned you but didn't want to get involved?
For example, I am driving and make a turn onto a road where the bridge is out. Luckily I stop in time, turn around and head back to find another route. On the way back I see you coming. Do I:
a) stop you to warn you of the danger ahead of you?
b) Ignore you and leave you to your own fortune and possible injury
or
c) Turn around, follow you to watch you run into the river in a sadistic manner.

Thoughts?

Answer 8

Many of these religious people have a religious addiction. It is serious business and they in turn destroy other people's mortal lives forcing them to worry about trivialities that are not proven truths. They trample on those who do not profess the same things they do because they were taught that that was the righ thing to do. You ask if they can't see your logic.

You would need to personally confront each person you needed to sway on this about 12 times before they would come around if you do it by yourself. But a total of 12 times is the amount of times a child needs to be placed in front of a food before that child will sample it.

Eternal Damnation Worshippers have a deep brainwashed devotion to their mythology! They will trample you like a stampede if you interfere. They will make life a living hell for you, even while they fully deny that they are doing any physical harm and tell you that things will be better for you in heaven, all the while grinding and gnashing their teeth over their misunderstanding of your logical analysis of real circumstances.

Thoughts

but you keep trying...thankyou

Answer 9

You're right. You CAN'T change your mind. Only God can do that. I'm just so sorry that so many people have closed their minds to Him. I can't imagine my life without Him. I have peace that surpasses all understanding. I'm not scared of dying. Even if I die in my sleep tonight, it's still a win-win situation for me because I will be in Heaven with my Father. I just hope that some of my answers on here make someone stop and think maybe there IS something to God everyone is talking about.

Answer 10

Actually proof is being able to locate the region where it took place and being able to trace it. By that, I mean to see if it fits anywhere in history. Now the thing about the Bible is you can actually do this. It intermingles with world history. (An example is the Roman era. If Christ did not exist, how to you explain the "era" that followed after his death? There was a boom in writing. Especially about Jesus.)