I have pretty much concluded that as much as I search for answers (studying, researching, and talking with others) that at the end of the day its still a decision that I alone have to make, and no one can help me with it. Agreed?
2007-08-27 05:15:15 · 51 answers · asked by Linz ♥ VT 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes I agree, although with the interactions of others you can sometimes with an open mind get advice that may help with your decision. But ultimately in the end it is still your decision.
2007-08-27 05:19:37 · answer #1 · answered by skip1960 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good Question.
I think that the decision to believe or not believe is personal. We should never go against our conscience.
This being said, there are many complex questions today and there are those who study the moral implications of those quesions. It would be difficult for the average person to be able to study them sufficiently.
Classically, there are three phases to forming an opinion.
The first step is the Grammar phase. This is where we gather the facts.
The second step is the Logic phase. This is where we take a look at the factual relationships. We ask How do the facts fit together? What inferences can we draw from them?
The third phase is the Rhetoric phase. We begin to discuss the implications of the facts and their relationships on the human person.
And finally we draw a conclusion.
The temptation in our world is to get the facts from the media. The Grammar phase and jump immediately to drawing a conclusion.
We are exposed to some weighty issues and do not always have the time or expertise to properly study them and draw a conclusion.
We sometimes have to rely on the work of others who have properly studied the issue and use their work to form an opinion.
This is not letting someone else think for us, it is in all humility admitting that we don't have the interest or resources to study the issues and relying on the work of someone who has sufficiently studied them.
The choice is always ours, but we often rely on others when forming a belief.
Thanks for giving me an opportunity to sort out my thoughts on the matter.
2007-08-27 05:39:40 · answer #2 · answered by MusicMan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Belief is immensely personal. It is always your decision to have faith.
Actually, I find most objections to religious issues on here particularly shallow in thought and not well reasoned. Even worse seem to be those which inadequately defend reasoned views of religion, in particular, christianity.
However, nearly every objection you have raised I have at some point in my life asked. And alas, here I am a christian, though I don't make claims to be a great one. Well reasoned, authentic answers to these questions are out there. It just takes some searching to find the truth.
But perhaps more importanty, or of equal importance is to be open to having communication with God. In the silence of your soul God speaks.
Intellectualism as necessary as it is, cannot really get one to God alone. If this were the case, only the wise or enlightened would be saved or know God. But the path to God is open to all, what it takes is a genuine willigness and prayer an openness.
2007-08-27 06:03:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well... It's true that your beliefs and decisions are yours, but that's not saying much for the things, people or events in your life that effect those decisions. Call me crazy, but I always view my life as a story in the making... What events made me the way I am today? Have to go back a few chapters for the answers. Yeah... But at the end of the day, it's your choice.
2007-08-27 05:22:08 · answer #4 · answered by lonmanmv05 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. Your belief is personal and a decision you have to make, but others can be a resource for what to belief.
On the other hand, all the belief and faith in the world will not change what is true.
The problem is not in what you believe, but in how you let that belief affect how you live. For example if you believe in unicorns and that they need virgins to survive, and then work to pass and enforce laws to abolish or limit sex, then your belief becomes a concern for society as a whole. (Yes, it's a nonsense example....)
2007-08-27 05:26:22 · answer #5 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with "The Reverend Soleil". I want to believe there is a loving god who will take care of me and give me everlasting life in paradise. But I can't believe that because it just doesn't make sense given the information I have and the 15 pounds of gray matter I depend on to sort through it.
2007-08-27 05:39:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you! My own beliefs are eclectic, gathered on my own from reading and talking to people. I don't believe in obligatory doctrines.
But if there were not obligatory doctrines, if we all had completely personal beliefs, organized religion would cease to exist! The whole idea of a church is that it's a place to go to be surrounded by people who believe just as you do. Consequently churches exist to provide people with beliefs and doctrines.
Also some religions believe their job is to proselytize, to persuade and convince people. Obviously those beliefs are not going to be -personal- so much as . . . well, you might say 'institutional'.
2007-08-27 05:22:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agreed.
2007-08-27 05:26:51 · answer #8 · answered by S K 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are the one that ultimately has to live with the decision you make. It's great to bounce ideas and theories off of others, but it all comes down to you and what you TRULY believe. If you remember that, everything will work out for the best!
2007-08-27 05:21:15 · answer #9 · answered by Elphaba 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agreed.
2007-08-27 05:18:48 · answer #10 · answered by Lynnemarie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋