To some, the expression "believe in..." has a special meaning... as in "BELIEVE IN Jesus". The special meanings of "believe in" include: trust in, have faith in, love, faithfully follow, act in accordance with, etc.
But to others, the phrase "believe in..." is used in expressions such as "I don't BELIEVE IN the existence of God" - the definition of an atheist.
2007-11-17 01:46:42 · 15 answers · asked by I'm an Atheist 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Believers use it to say "have faith in"
All the other people use it as "find this to be correct"
2007-11-17 01:49:36 · answer #1 · answered by Michelle 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm good question. Well for theist when they say I believe in Jesus, they believe in all the things that he can do, all the things that are associated with him, or they believe that all things are possible through Jesus. This last sentence I think means that a belief in Jesus will give you the strength to do many things. Some people may take this to a whole new level, but they are not looking for strength they are looking for an excuse to do something. After all, you only need an excuse to do something, when you are doing something bad.
As for the atheist, I don't know. I am not one. Could it be that their "believe" is that they are not open to the concept of religion, but are only open to the concept of other things. To not believe in something closes everything about that one thing. It is a void subject in ones conscious. No matter how much they try, they will never open their self up to the one thing that they do not believe in. It is not on purpose, it just happens.
Perhaps this is why so many theist are insulted by perceived attacks on their faith? Since they are more open to things concerning their religion, they also may let in opinions of those who don't believe.
2007-11-17 09:59:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well honey you can make phrases have different meanings all the time by adding or subtracting positive or negative articles and verbs. Just because you believe in someone does not mean that you are following them, or that you believe everything about a person, you can believe in a person in that they can do the job right, therefore there is trust there that the person assigned can do the job or get the job done.
Your second use you changed the verb to "don't" giving the opposite of the above. You see, its still about believing only that you don't. its up to you to believe or not don't let people pressure you into accepting things you can't, but have a good argument if you bring it up, because people just love to prove each other wrong, ever notice that.
2007-11-17 09:55:17 · answer #3 · answered by Neptune2bsure 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO - believe means believe no matter how you slice it. Either you do it or you don't. Believing is a choice - if something looks or sounds right, you believe it is based on your knowledge or how you feel about it. If something does NOT look or sound right, then you DON'T believe it. EVERYTHING around you is yours to believe is real or reject as false.
It's called "free will" - use it wisely my friend - none of us really know what the future holds for us. How we got here and where we go when we leave is pure speculation - making decisions based without proof either way could be a big mistake either way.
2007-11-17 10:02:34 · answer #4 · answered by BikerChick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In both cases, the meaning is the same.
I "have faith in" you but I don't "have faith in" the other one.
Good question!
"Believe" is more like confidence, which also include holding an opinion.
Actually, part of the root word is "love" which makes sense because we are very fond of our beliefs (such as God or country) and don't give thought or credibility to things we dislike (don't believe in).
2007-11-17 09:54:38 · answer #5 · answered by Amazonian 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let me use an illustration that might help. Suppose you were driving down an unfamiliar highway and came to a bridge across a deep gorge. Before you crossed it, you'd want to ask yourself two questions. First, do I really need to get to the other side? And second, can I trust the bridge to hold me?
Now that's something like what your friend is trying to tell you about Jesus. You see, we are separated from God, and the reason is because we have sinned. In other words, there is a deep gorge between us and God—one too big for us to cross. And yet we need to get to the other side, because we need God. We need His help right now, and we need His eternal salvation.
What we need is a bridge—and God has provided one, because He loves us! That "bridge" is Christ, who gave Himself to save us. Therefore, the Bible says, "he is able to save completely those who come to God through him" (Hebrews 7:25). I pray you will cross that bridge today by trusting Christ and committing your life to Him.
2007-11-17 10:07:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me the words "BELIEVE IN" is one in meaning, let forget about attaching a word with it, and it can be explained in many ways such as "have faith on/in something, agree on/in and act on it etc.
2007-11-17 10:00:30 · answer #7 · answered by ooo my God 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is one of the subtleties of the English language. But I would suggest checking 'belief' and 'believe' in a reliable dictionary.
2007-11-17 09:51:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct, and it would be good if we all clarified how we are using the word. For example, in class one day a student pompously asked our professor, "Do you say you believe in infant baptism?" The prof replied, "Believe in it? I've seen it happen!"
2007-11-17 10:01:14 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I find it hard for me to say 'I believe in God'.
'Believe' is so definitive and I know there is no proof. I think there is a God.
Does that make sense?
2007-11-17 10:17:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋