Have you tried to convince yourself to believe?

Question

Have you tried to convince yourself that something is true, that you know (or strongly suspect) is not?

Maybe you thought it would be beneficial to yourself or others, or you would fit in better if you did. Maybe you just wanted to see what it is like to believe as someone else does.

Do you think you could do it? Have you ever done it? Would you be afraid that if you did convince yourself that there would be no going back? Is it easy to "decide" to believe something, then change your mind?

Agellius, that makes me sad. It's good to debate and think for yourself, but what you believe should be of your own choosing... if it is forced upon you by someone else, is that really belief?

Deazone, having to give up your curiosity is quite a price to pay. If you have to work so hard at believing something, do you truly believe it or do you have to continue to convince yourself?

Answer 1

Yes, I have. I prayed nightly, went to church services, read the Bible, tried to follow the commandments. I did everything that a good Christian should, and I had slight belief but I found that I had to completely push aside many of the things I know are true. I could not maintain such a mind set for long, my curiosity got the best of me and my need for knowledge pushed me on.

The benefits of religion are having hope, it is sort of like a relief. The cost for me was denial of my curiosity and seeking out answers in a non discriminate manner.

This was a little less than a year ago, I wanted to see why everyone believes in God.

Edit:
No, it was not true belief. I had tried to reach such a level of belief but could not, that would require me to abandon everything I know and I am not capable, nor willing to do so. It was a slight belief, more agnostic and open minded to the possibility than anything. Even then it did take a lot of work to maintain that mindset. It would require some life altering event for me to truly believe.

Answer 2

Clearly you're referring to convincing yourself to believe in religious matters, since this is the religion forum.

I did not try to convince myself to believe in my religion. On the contrary, it took a long time for me to come to belief, with my mom and other relatives and friends doing a lot of arguing with me to try to persuade me. When I did finally believe, it was a reluctant surrender, not an eager embracing of something that I wanted to believe.

Answer 3

I tried to convince myself there was a god. I thought it would lift some burdens and bring comfort, but I couldn't do it. I sat in the pews with the best of them knowing in my heart that I was a fraud. That is no way to live. (I was a kid then trying to figure out who I was.)

The older I got the more I realized how much of a burden it is to believe in god. To deal with a god who shows nothing but apathy when you need him most. I can't do it.

Answer 4

No i haven't tried to convince myself of anything that I believe to be untrue.
Kind of like I never chose to be heterosexual...
when did all the fundies decide to be hetero? Since it is a choice afterall...

Answer 5

I did convince myself that God exists and that religion is good. I used to be an atheist until I woke up and forcibly pulled myself out of that sespool of indifference.