How would you define what is real and what isn't real?
2007-12-01 04:16:35 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Kate - that is pretty much where I am. I bet we've read some similar things.
Pirate - I'm asking this in a little bit different context than the way you took it. Your context is in the literal world, but I'm questioning even that tangible world. This is more of an existential type Q and I didn't state that at first because I just wanted to get unbiased input.
2007-12-01 04:37:57 · update #1
It is my belief that 'believing' something makes it real - to some extent. It makes it real to the person who believes it. I understand that some would call this "delusion', and i agree that there is a fine line. But my faith is as real to me as a fundie's is to him. Sure, there are things on this earthly plane that are "real' - they exist, and eveyone can see them. But when it comes to matters of spirituality, the afterlife (or whatever you want to call it), and most things in that realm, then I truly believe that your belief is what is real.
And now begins the ridicule of Kate... have a blessed day!
2007-12-01 04:21:38 · answer #1 · answered by Katie Short, Atheati Princess 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Objective absolutes? How about direction of time (disregarding some virtual particles)? Laws of thermodynamics seem rather absolute... and independent of the observer... speed of light as the universal speed limit?
As to the real/unreal... I'd say anything that does not have an effect isn't real.
2007-12-01 04:30:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Belief motivates free will action on the part of individuals - thus belief/faith are linked to what occurs in the world and what impacts all of us in a microcosm way and in a macrocosm way.
A fireperson who might believe in heaven, in God, in something bigger, a larger purpose based on a faith grounded mission in life rushes into a burning building to save a trapped small child and in doing so risks his/her life.. That child who might be a total stranger to the fireperson then grows up and develops a cure for a type of cancer which benefits society..
Just one fictional example/scenario off the top of my head..
Deus caritas est. God is love.
A Catholic
2007-12-01 04:24:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, if you "believe" in something, that doesn't necessarily make it real.
For instance, many children, at some point, become overwhelmed with the notion that there is a monster skulking underneath their bed. Is there? No. But they believe there is, and to them, it is in fact real.
On the other hand, in terms of "God," many Christians feel that there is in fact a God; hence, they believe in him. But *I* don't believe in him. How could we both be right? Exactly: We can't.
That's where *my* own definition of "real" comes into play: That which can be seen, heard, or experienced, while in a correct state of mind, uninfluenced by outside sources aside those which emphasize what is already known to be real, or known to have potential to be real. For instance, a microscope emphasizes size of germs so that we may view them for what they are. We know there are germs, but we simply need something to help us experience them a bit better.
I guess that what is real to me; evolution, is not real to some; Christians. And what is real to them; God, is not real to some; me.
2007-12-01 04:22:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Belief obviously does not define reality, however it may effect how you precieve reality, i.e. if you believe that everyone is out to get you, you will see "evidence" of that, or more appropiately take any action as evidence as that.
Reality is determined by shared objective observation.
I doubt that "absolutes" exist.
2007-12-01 04:21:38 · answer #5 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you believe something, there has to be a basis for your beliefs.
Christians base their beliefs on the Bible.
Atheists base their beliefs on science.
And so on.
It comes down to theology really. Thats the basis of science- "guessing" or "assuming" (technical term would be hypothesizing) and later proving/disproving it.
2007-12-01 04:23:35 · answer #6 · answered by Juicy Fruit 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is only one absolute- nobody really knows a damn thing. Faith- no matter what religion it stems from is very powerful. There is so little that we know about the human brain and its abilities, but I have seen personally what faith can do. It is true what they say- "Faith can move mountains."
2007-12-01 04:21:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say, it's real if it exists from God's point of view. And no, I don't know what does exist from God's point of view. But I do believe that objectives absolutes exist, because I believe God exists.
2007-12-01 04:20:17 · answer #8 · answered by bonitakale 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Reasonable doubt.
2007-12-01 04:20:09 · answer #9 · answered by Alex H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no,what your senses tell you exist,but there is still the invisible realm.senses can be wrong and often are
2007-12-01 04:26:32 · answer #10 · answered by woodsonhannon53 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋