What do you believe that you know isn't true?

Question

If belief is a choice, we should all be able to believe in things despite the knowledge we have on the subject.

So what do you believe or have faith in that reason tells you is false or impossible?

Rachel RTR: Don't you think it depends on tangible facts? What they did wrong, are they a repeat-offender, what is the likihood that they will betray you again...

RAchel and Linz: So it's not so much that you know it isn't true, but you don't know if it's true?

Answer 1

That my father loves me.

All evidence says that he doesn't. My past 25 years experience with this man demonstrate something else - complete indifference. He's not a bad man, but I don't see the love. There is no evidence that this man loves me or my family.

With that said, I have convinced myself that he does. I have convinced myself for two main reasons - 1) I am a father, and can't understand how you could not love your child or children, and 2) my mother has been telling me this for years, and she is a completely trustworthy source (with this one area the only one that is questionable).

All evidence says there is no love, while two experiences have convinced me to just believe that there is love in this relationship.

Love is a funny thing, kind of squishy and tough to nail down. There is always wiggle room, and that's probably good, because we little creatures need to have this in our lives so badly.

Answer 2

I like Rachel's answer, and in response to your details regarding her answer, I think that while maybe it does depend on some factors such as whether the person is a repeat offender, etc, the truth is that we often make decisions to trust in someone again even when we know we shouldn't. Why? Because we want to. Because we want to have hope. As you can see, wanting to and having hope are mainly why people believe in anything that can't be proven.

Edit: Yes, I think so.

Answer 3

If you know something isn't true, obviously you don't "believe in" it. Belief isn't something that deals with empirical knowledge.

I don't know exactly where you're going with "belief is a choice," and who originally made that argument. But I'd like to equate it to trusting a person. If someone betrayed you and asked for a second chance, you can choose to believe them or not. It's not a matter of objective facts (you don't know if they're going to betray you again or not), but it's a choice you make.

Answer 4

I believe that God exists, I believe in karma, I believe that Jesus did get married and had a baby girl... I don't believe he was just an ordinary man though, I think he really was God's son.

Then, let me think...oh, I don't believe that gay people are a threat to anybody (not even the church), a men and women should be together, but things happen, I guess some people feel more attracted to their same "team"...

Oh, and one last thing, I believe God shall judge every one with the same criteria (what ever religion they belong in).

Answer 5

I believe in love, and I know that that is just near non-existent in this God-forsaken rock of a world.

Answer 6

I like to believe in God but some where deep down I know that it's not true.I mean, neither the God nor my belief in him'

Answer 7

I believe I can fly.
I believe that I can touch the sky...
I think about it every now and then.
I spread my wings and fly away...

Answer 8

I believe that Mighty Cthulhu exists he even has evidence (sort of).

Answer 9

Termador is the best product for killing termites. Have faith it maybe one day.

Answer 10

I always think I'm going to win the lottery...but I never even buy tickets!!