Do you think it is morally very wrong to pretend you believe just so you won't feel like you're alone (more)??

Question

*if so, to which degree do you think it is wrong...is it severely wrong?? why? who is going to be affected more in the long run?

i can answer these questions from my own experience, but i am more interested in what others have to say. i can, though, say that i once did pretend to believe (for many reasons) and the one who got affected and hurt the most was ME.

no, it is NOT stupid to pretend when you are very young, you are pressured and you live surrounded by believers who think the only right thing is to believe in god (this is what i went through)!!

Answer 1

why betray yourself? I prefer to sleep at night instead of shivering with self contempt.Always be true to yourself.

Answer 2

I think it is morally wrong, but difficult to make up your own mind until you're free from the pressure of family or friends who coerced you in the first place. I think it's also morally wrong for those people to put pressure on someone, whether directly or indirectly.

I never really got into the whole God thing, I got the feeling I might as well be praying to the faeries at the bottom of the garden, these days I don't lie to anyone (least not myself) on the subject, I tell it like it is and they can just deal with that in what ever way they see fit.

Answer 3

If it's just religion sure why not? As long as it doesn't affect you! I have a friend that is a real Techie and also a real fall for it Christian beliefs,
I myself pretend that I believe sure it is wrong what level of wrong probably like a white lie. I can't see how someone dieing on a cross can save lifes! Don't get me wrong I do believe in a Christ that died on the cross but to show there is an afterlife! I just don't have the traditional belief
but often pretend that I do! I avoid arguments that way!

Answer 4

This is a good question.
I personally change hats and coats to suit the company I am in and will adopt a stance to fit in wherever I am. However I will never go against my basic principles and as I am very opinionated I stand my ground when necessary. I don't pretend to believe anything, I prefer to find common ground that we share and then work from that point until the other party can see my point of view as easily a I can see theirs.
To pretend is acting and is the basis of how we have communicated ideas for millennia. It would be morally wrong to pretend to be something that would be immoral, such as agreeing with a paedophile or a bigot, in order to try and fit into their social circle for betterment or gain.
As to who will be affected long term, well you will be seen to be a liar, or inconsistent or worse be associated with those who you are trying to fit in with which may hinder you later.
In all but the extreme of circumstances then honesty is the best policy.

Answer 5

It's not wrong to be lonely, and it's not wrong to seek company among people who, if they live what they believe are likely to be loving and accepting. We have a lot of kids in our youth group who go through this phase. Some of them never get any further, or at least, not for a long time.

You're right: pretending primarily hurts the pretender. Lying to others, lying before God, is a damaging thing. But, if you're going to pretend, the best place to do it is among believers. There's always the chance in God's grace that it will start to make sense.

Answer 6

When I was about 13 my parents took me to a really intense hippy pentacostal church where everybody was falling down (slain in the spirit). I stood there among all the young people, and pretty soon was the only one standing up.
I thought "this is ridiculous, I'm not faking something just to fit in," so I stood there feeling like an idiot.
I'm still a believer but I have some misgivings about speaking in tongues, etc., but then again I never experience it myself.
My best friend who did speak in tongues later on became a cocaine addict and killed himself.

Answer 7

It's not a case of morality.It is wrong if it ain't right and if it will cause you personal angst to live within a pretence just to appease others or feel less alone.I believe that loneliness is a state of mind and not a physical thing but i can see how others feel lonely in times of difficulty.Find a cure to your loneliness with like minded people who can understand how you feel.My dear, sometimes in life there is no right or wrong but to be true to your own integrity will comfort you.I am an athiest in a family of catholics.I am happy because i am being true to myself and that's what feels right.

Answer 8

Well if you know the answer...

It is also truly disrespectful to those who believe for you to declare falsely - some of those people believe these things in the core of their hearts. Let's take prayer for instance - prayer is a practice of concentrating energy, it does not work or the effects can be offset or lessened by those who do not fully share in the energy being generated. You in this instance would be negatively affecting someone's beliefs when sharing it with them - not very nice. People respect honesty not false intentions.

Answer 9

believe in what... a religion?

Yes I suppose it is morally wrong.. you're deceiving people you know who think you belive in something (religion or anything) when you dont - another word would be a Hypocrite

The person who would get the most hurt would be you, as only you would know the truth... living a lie would f*** you up in the long run

Added: It is morally very right to stand up for your true beliefs - regardless what others say

Answer 10

Good question. Maybe they don't want to hurt their parents feelings. It is funny that atheists feel free on Y!A. A site where you can remain anonymous, yet in real life they must hide the fact that they are atheist.

Answer 11

To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.

William Shakespeare

In my view, Shakespeare got it right.