Do too many people believe in something false because it makes them feel good? Should you only believe in something if you somehow know beyond any doubt that it is true?
2007-10-16 07:51:16 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I have faith in my instinct and gut feeling. I do tend to look into things first though and wiegh up the information. There are somethings though that just make sense. I am wrong about somethings and I am always willing to challenge my beliefs when the occassion arises.
2007-10-16 23:23:24 · answer #1 · answered by finn mchuil 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Columbus believed that the world was round but it could not have been without a doubt. To believe means to "hold as true". We hold things as true when we need to do so in order to find something or to go to the next step. Obviously Columbus (unless he was irrational) must have held as true that the world was round or he would not have gone on his journey. But to hold something as true in the face of firm evidence to the contrary is an irrational belief.
If we want to find God, then to be rational in seeking Him, all we need do is assure ourselves that God may exist. If we want to find God, then we have to believe (hold as true) that He exists.
2007-10-16 08:25:44 · answer #2 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people believe untrue things because they are indoctrinated by their parents in childhood.
Christopher Hitchens says that passing religion onto your children is a form of child abuse. I think that's overstating things, but it makes you think about the ethical responsibility we have to ensure our children grow up free of superstition.
2007-10-16 08:05:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
"The essence of all that We have revealed for thee is Justice, is for man to free himself from idle fancy and imitation, discern with the eye of oneness His glorious handiwork, and look into all things with a searching eye..."
(Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 153)
God bless.
2007-10-16 08:47:11 · answer #4 · answered by Gravitar or not... 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
belief is a way to reassure us sometimes.. i mean let's take hope.. we sometimes secretly believe in things just because we hope they'll happen.. it's just, human. we're not just going to stop hoping, just because we're not sure 100% that it'll happen..
2007-10-16 08:10:21 · answer #5 · answered by Onega 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I go by my own personal thoughts and experiences.
2007-10-16 07:56:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
trusting in something or someone
2007-10-16 07:58:47 · answer #7 · answered by nyjae 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋