f(belief)=∑ (+/-socialization +/-∑life experiences +/-education) ?

Question

Did I miss anything?

Is this why it seems so silly when people tell me I should "just believe/have faith"? Like I can go back and change the experiences which have defined my life because they tell me to...

Thanks for all the imput guys! You're awesome!

*hugs*

Answer 1

There may be a physiological component too. Remember the experiment where they stimulate the brain and the subject has a 'religious experience'? Some of us may be more susceptible to that kind of illusion than others.

Answer 2

Wow! You speak my language. I think you've summed it up nicely. I would like to see a "+/- Parental indoctrination" term. Note that such a term can be negative, as when a child rejects his/her parent's faith.

Like you, I'm put off by those simpletons who imagine faith is simply a question of choice. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Edit: "dbytz" (above) makes a valid point about how some terms may actually represent other functions. I'd love to see the R&S regulars work this up into a practical "Theory of Belief."

Answer 3

Not bad. There's another aspect, though. Whether or not it would fit into you summation equation, I'll leave to you to decide.

Personal drive. Not all religious people have it. In fact, I would say few do anymore. But there are some who really will themselves to go on in their faith, to whom faith is integral and deeper than just the fuzzy feeling you get during Amazing Grace.

Once people hit a certain age (which differs from case to case) their faith/beliefs are no longer dependent on socialization, life experience, and education. It becomes something more than just the end result of an equation.

(Not to be too wishy washy about it : )

Answer 4

While it could be considered part of socialization or life experiences, I think family or parents or upbringing is important enough to be singled out as part of the function. I think there is also an element of nature in that some people are wired to perceive things in one way that would exclude them from believing certain things - in a way, predisposed to religion or to lacking a religion, though it would depend greatly on other factors how that affected their beliefs.

Answer 5

I'm not certain that life experiences are separate from education. I think you might want to include an element of intellectual capacity, as well. There are many people who go through the same experiences but come out differently. Twin studies suggest that DNA also dictates a lot.

But nonetheless, I like the way that you have thought this through and the use of symbols. This seems to work whether you're in Mongolia, Minneapolis or Mogadishu.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 6

No, You haven't missed anything, g/f (nice equation!)
It is silly that religious believers think that just by having faith or believing their religious beliefs you can change your past experiences, which have defined your life, up to now.
but, who listens to religious believers?

Find out for Yourself...

Create Your Relationship with Our Creator
and go beyond beliefs.

Take Care

Answer 7

Some of the terms may be taken to represent other functions i.e.
education = (intelligence + knowledge) * thinking skills; although the term education in this case would seem to be a misnomer.

Socialization would need to be a function of parents, organizations etc, with a variable weight on parents.

But over all I like it.

Answer 8

I like the equation

Although were would parental beliefs belong? Or is it a component of all three. Or maybe it is

f(belief)=Parental belief +(∑ (+/-socialization +/-∑life experiences +/-education))

The way I see it, you start from a certain point that was given to you by your family.

Answer 9

Religion is a disease of the mind, born of fear, which has done nothing but bring untold misery down upon the human race.

Answer 10

load religion selector {

religion1,religion2,religion3,...etc == promt [ decision( option1,option2,option3,etc ) ]

check database [ close_friend1 (religion1) = influence+1, mom (religion1) = influence+1, dad (religion2) = influence+1, friend4 (religion3) = influence+1,enemy1 (religion3) = influence-1, agreement.with.rules.of.religion1 = +8, agreement.with.rules.of.religion3 = -2, etc]

sum database based on known persons of religion, sum database based on agreement with rules of the religion, sum database based on person inclincation etc ( religion1==10, religion2==1, religion3==-2)

return value ( selection == religion1 )
} end religion selector

Answer 11

Call some friends over and urinate over your clothes and make it some sort of event/accomplishment in your life.