I so often hear Christians say that they believe things by faith. This, to me, sounds like they believe things because people told them it was true and they either lack the ability or the desire to think critically about the things they are told to believe. How is this different from gullibility?
2007-10-25 05:26:36 · 20 answers · asked by ChooseRealityPLEASE 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I can't believe some of these answers. You don't think there is any way you might be getting fooled by believing in things that there is no evidence for? Some of you are admitting your gullibility without knowing it.
2007-10-25 05:41:02 · update #1
Nothing. The first needs the second.
2007-10-25 05:30:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 4⤋
Your statement that we either lack the ability or the desire to think critically about what we've been "told to believe" shows your prejudice.
Many of us have, indeed, thought long and hard about these things, analyzing down to the last detail.
If it makes sense to you to believe that the universe and all it contains either "always existed" or came out of the nothing and is going into the nowhere, that is fine, but it doesn't work for me.
If you honestly believe that intelligence evolved, and that only in this one species out of all the diverse life on this planet, that is fine, but it also doesn't work for me.
Gullibility would be believing those e-mails that promise a share of a multi-million dollar estate, if you will only pose as a lost relative...or trying to cash that $100,000 check that you got in the mail, and sending back $95,000 as a "fee" so you can get the million bucks...or spending thousands of dollars on internet "get rich quick" schemes...
Sure, some Christians are gullible, and too lazy or stupid to think their faith through for themselves. But it is not fair to say that we are all like that.
You know what faith is. It is like knowing that your Mom cares about you, even when she is telling you why you can't do something you want to do, or why you need to do something you really don't want to do, and you take her word for it, because you know she loves you...
Everyone has some faith in something.
Even you, my friend.
P.S. I'm still praying for you. You're just too gullible (who, YOU?) to realize that not everything you learned in school is necessarily true. I know you don't lack the ability to think critically about the things you were told to believe...but do you hate Christianity so much that you don't have the desire??
I don't think so. You don't seem like a hateful person to me. I think you are just disgusted with the hypocrisy you see in the church, and I do not blame you.
There is a good deal more than that, though, my doubtful friend. I promise. You have only to open your incredible mind...there is so much waiting for you, if only you will take the first steps.
2007-10-25 05:42:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
If you blindly believed in something that you were told without learning and understanding it, of course you would feel gullible. We know God is real because we have the Holy Spirit in us. Call it whatever you want. You call it gullible only because you can't grasp the concept of faith, but that's what it is to us.
2007-10-25 06:42:32 · answer #3 · answered by kaz716 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheists are VERY gullible for believing they have figured
out for sure there is no God, gullible for believing we came
from nothing and there will be nothing after we die, also
gullible for believing we can figure it all out on our own - morals, wisdom, everything.
Atheists have faith in what they believe b/c they think
"evidence" or lack thereof is enough for them to base
their decision on. It is a lousy way to "disprove" or deny
the spiritual life. It's really rooted in pride.
Faith = confidence b/c of something one has seen/found - it is to expect more of the same - expect more on a bigger scale - it really is trust, but not blind trust.
Gullibility = having faith/confidence in something that is untrue,
unsure, unstable - having faith in a lie.
What is more unstable than humanity?
2007-10-25 05:47:13 · answer #4 · answered by Nickel-for-your-thoughts 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hello ChooseReason.. :)
The same could be said about everyone..
How many believe in hope (it cannot be seen, but yet we all know that it exists)
That would mean that we all have "faith"..which is the substance of things hoped for (there is that word hope again..LOL)..the evidence of things not yet seen..
To be gullible would completely not make any sense because someone who is gullible is "someone who will swallow anything thrown at him."
The word "anything" says it all..
But Christians do not believe in anything thrown their way..if we did, then we would believe in every thought (Atheism) or belief, just because someone told us it was real and true..
That is how it is different than gullibility.. :)
In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With ~Love~ In Christ.. :)
2007-10-25 05:44:41 · answer #5 · answered by EyeLovesJesus 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
For me, it's like going to an atheist convention and saying,"that man brought up some good points. I could be convinced if I didn't already have this conviction that there is a God no matter what anyone says." Gullible people don't do their homework and don't feel right questioning anything. Faithful people are open to other's ideas but still they cling to what they genuinely believe.
2007-10-25 05:38:34 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Gullibility is in simple terms believing some thing you listen or see. faith is gazing what you will see, and concluding out of your remark that there continues to be more suitable that can not be considered. you're certain there is a few thing more suitable to the tale, while a gullible man or woman believes that what they see is what they get; there is not any longer some thing more suitable. faith is likewise the energetic wish that this "some thing more suitable" will ultimately be chanced on. technological knowledge is the act of gaining knowledge of the afore-suggested certain wish, inspite of it might nicely be.
2016-10-22 23:38:00 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only faith, but actually seeing prophecies being fulfilled before our eyes. Just look at what was prophecied about these last days we're living in, right? Critical times hard to deal with and everyone, EVERYONE can attest to that this world is crazier, more violent, more criminal, more out of control than it ever has been.
That's just one prima facia example.
There are many more, including through much prayer for wisdom and God's holy spirit as a helper to guide us, it helps us to have more peace in our lives even in spite of the wickeness we witness around us daily.
It is also known as a heart condition. It is also sad that most of the world's population at Armageddon will result in destruction because most don't have faith and they ridicule and mock God, and those who love Him and His, Son, Jesus Christ.
People just don't want to do right in this world.
We do not lack ability to think on our own, but it appears you must lack accurate knowledge. That is something while there is still time, that you can work on ASAP. There is a difference between being gullible, and deciding what one believes in thru prayer and acquiring accurate knowledge.
There is also a difference between the sheep and the WOLVES. BEWARE!
Bless You
2007-10-25 05:37:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
As a Christian my faith is tested every day. I don't know too many Christians, personally, that blindly follow, and have not questioned their own beliefs. There is nothing gullible about me or my belief.
2007-10-25 05:39:04 · answer #9 · answered by keoh6 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Faith: is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.
Gullible: easily duped or cheated
I would be Gullible is I let someone tell me what to believe and didn't find and search for myself.
Since I have looked and dug and believe because I have found certain things to be true, I now believe because of Faith.
2007-10-25 05:35:06 · answer #10 · answered by bongobeat25 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Hebrews 11:1...Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.
2007-10-25 05:36:47 · answer #11 · answered by papa G 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋