Can you believe in something, but still have doubts?

Question

Or in order to believe is it necessary to carry no doubt?

Answer 1

Hi,
It is good to doubt. Doubt is useful especially as an expression of our use of intelligence to find the truth. The inability to doubt leads to false convictions. Is it possible to believe and doubt at the same time? Doubt does not nullify belief. To believe something is not to not doubt it. Differing degrees of doubt allow for a healthy sort of belief. Socrates claimed he knew nothing but was wiser than most, since at least he knew nothing. Differing degrees of believe will lead to doubt to a lesser or stronger measure. Strong beliefs we will defend against attempts to prove them false. Deep beliefs help mould and shape our thoughts and actions. Shallow belief might be questioned and discarded if evidence fails to support the belief. Belief without doubt might stop us seeing the truth especially if our belief is unfounded.
Polly

Answer 2

If you believe in something based on reason then the chances are that you'll still have doubts because reason is not hundred percent secure from both external as well as internal opposition and attack.In order to eliminate any chances of doubts creeping in into our belief in something ,we should ,so to say,become the thing itself.In that case you will become one with the thing or the person and it is this one-ness of feeling and spirit which does not allow any doubt to arise because it is beyond questioning and analysis.
Truth is something to be realized within oneself and reason can carry a person only to a limited distance though it would seem a long way from the starting point.

Answer 3

"Can you believe in something, but still have doubts? "

Not unless you redefine the word 'belief'.

"belief - to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so

to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to. "

And the definition of doubt:

"doubt: to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe."

"Or in order to believe is it necessary to carry no doubt?"

Yes.

Answer 4

There is a big difference between believing and knowing. If we set a goal, and believe it is obtainable, we still pursue it even though there are reasonable doubts to contend with. If we believe in a future that we believe is possible (world peace, cessation of hunger, etc, whatever the goal), we believe in it and work towards that goal, even if we believe it might not be obtainable. Even in religion, the believer occasionaly has doubts (i.e..Gideon and the fleece). Even the disciples said to jesus after seeing many of his miracles,"Lord, I believe, heal thou my unbelief." The point is.....you CAN believe even if you still have doubts.

Answer 5

Yes I think that true that you need to have some doubts. But then that means that you are just trying to understand somethings. It's better to be a black sheep then just part of the heard.

Answer 6

This is a very common thing. In my own life there are many things I believe but retain a degree of doubt concerning. One of the most widespread instances of this sort of thing is religious belief. While some people appear to have an absolute certainty about the reality of their deity, many (like me, certainly) tend toward belief but are uncertain.

Answer 7

You can believe and still doubt. Another way to look at is that you are curious and need more answers.

Answer 8

the true use of the word "belief" is to have no doubts, but now the term believe is used when your not sure..kinda goes back to the confused use of the english language

Answer 9

Atheism is a loss of perception. it is not a assertion or the declare "god desn´t exist". What you're describing is asserted as agnosticism, it rather is what maximum folk of atheists and a brilliant variety of theists join.

Answer 10

If you doubt, yet still believe it is called faith.
And there is nothing wrong with that.