Is believing in God a choice?

Answer 1

I actually don't think it is as much of a choice as most people think it is. I think beliefs are based on life experiences and how different people percieve reality. Everybody percieves reality differently and therefore everyone's sense of logic will be different. Therefore to some people the existance of god is the most logical. Different people on the other hand will think the lack of a god is the most logical.

We all are certain that we are right.

Sometimes as certain as we are that 2+2=4.

Is it a choice to believe that 2+2=4? Maybe, but it would be pretty hard to truly not believe it.

Answer 2

The Bible teaches us several things about this topic.
1. We as humans do not believe in God on our own choice.
(John 15:16, Eph 1:4, Acts 22:14, Rom 11:2, 1 Thess1:4, 2 Thess 2:13, Matt 22:14, Matt 24:31, 1 Peter 1:2.)
"It is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and not of your own doing, its Gods gift. It is not the result of anything you have done; so that no one may boast." Eph 2:8-9
Matt 22:14 - "many are called but few are chosen"

2. Its our fault if we reject Gods invitation. (Matt 25:41, John 12:48)
The problem with the "decision theology" group is that it becomes too easily a "work righteousness". When you focus on self and your effort, then its no longer grace.
But when God is the author and sustainer of your faith, then your faith is on solid ground, not subject to your feelings of lack of sincerity

Answer 3

Short answer yes it is.What did G-D do or say when Adam and Eve ate the fruit? G-D did not destroy them,even though he could have.But instead pronounced judgment on them. Same with Noah.The people had a choice of going on the boat. And most importantly is to believe that Jesus died for sins. Romans 10:9-10.That is also a choice.2Corinthians 6:2.The choice is yours.

Answer 4

You've asked a thoughtful and interesting question! As an agnostic, I can tell you that choice was not truly involved. I originally began to consider the possibility that god was nonexistent as a child while sitting in Sunday School. Currently, following a lifetime of exploring many alternative philosophies and disciplines (including the occult and those labeled as evil by theists), I have concluded that I am simply incapable of adopting a belief system, that faith holds no meaning for me. What is unknowable is just that, and no amount of persuasion to the contrary could be convincing to me. I tend to think that my deductions are functions of my brain and its method of operation to a great extent, although they are also very likely the result of my not having been exposed to fundamental religiosity or the control of my mind by others through their implementation of fear tactics, and I am grateful for having been able to use my brain for my own enjoyment and intellectual pursuits!

Answer 5

Believing in what has no evidence is a default of the intellect. Faith is what happens when Reason is abandoned. The choice is not in believing or not believing. The choice is between reasoning or not reasoning. The first requires effort; the second doesn't.

Answer 6

You are given free will to make the choice to believe or not. You have to do more than believe though, if you make the choice to follow God. Satan and the demons BELIEVE in God and Jesus, however, they do not obey and love God.

Answer 7

I can and would only dare to speak for myself.

For me there is no choice about believing in God. Trying to walk away from that belief was more painful than watching my mother-in-law die, more painful than tying to "fit" into fundamental Christianity.

I can choose my religion (or in my case, choose not to have one) I can choose my beliefs about an afterlife, my purpose here, how we are to treat one another, and how any of this even came to be. Heck I can choose which god to believe in and the qualities he or she possesses if I want ...but for me to live a life without constant misery, I have no choice to believe in a "God" of some kind.

Each of us needs to believe what is authentic to our own head and heart.

Answer 8

Researchers in genetics say they have found a gene which they believe stirs in some folks a propensity to connect with cults, such things as Tarot cards and astrology, and radical religions. So far, search as I might, I haven't found a single mention of it on the Internet. In short, I do not know if it's true, but it may very well be similar to gambling, or boozing, etc. I intend to keep looking.

Answer 9

Of course it is a choice. So is which "god" to believe in. There are thousands and thousands of them and hundreds of "religions".

It is also a choice one makes NOT to believe.

Answer 10

this question is SO simple that it's causing me to think a lot before i answer it. lol. yes, it is a choice. definitely. no one is born believing in God, and just as we choose to believe, so too, we can at any point in time choose to not believe. this, of course, may be influenced to some degree by external factors.

~PhoeniX~