Do you think it's possible?

Question

that some people live their entire lives THINKING that they believe in God, but they really don't?

And that they honestly don't even know that they don't believe?

I think I know some people like this.

They tell themselves (and others) that they believe, but they never think about what they do and don't believe. They say it because they were taught to.

Could there be some disbelief that runs so deeply and quietly in our sub/un-conscience that we don't know it's there? Could there be some doubt that would take super-human powers of introspection to be in touch with?

How many everyday church goers make deep introspection and self analysis a daily habit? How many of them are taught that questioning anything about God is a sin?

Do you believe that the Roman soldier's remark to Jesus is the most basic human prayer? "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief."

Answer 1

Yes, I know people like this in my own family. Remember Jesus said that many will say to Him in that day, 'Lord did we not prophecy in your name and did we not do many wonderful miracles in your name?' and He will say to them, 'Depart from Me you who do iniquity for I never knew you.'
Your question also brings to my mind where Paul said that people who don't love and accept the truth go from bad to worse deceiving and BEING DECEIVED. So what you're saying is definitely scriptural.

Answer 2

No, I think people know whether they believe in God or not or are not sure. Beyond that, I think there are all different degrees of belief and disbelief--differing degrees of faith. I may just say, "I believe," and do nothing else with it. Or I may believe so strongly that it brings me to tears and probe that belief deeply and question all aspects of it and research and study my questions and the paths they lead me down. Between those two opposites lie most people.

I think even those with very deep faith have moments of doubt or questions (look at Mother Teresa.) With that in mind, "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.", would be the most basic human prayer.

Answer 3

Yes. It is possible. I personally think that is what everyone believes. We all yearn for something greater. God is too great, too big, too amazing to even begin to comprehend. Sometimes with God, it's hard to feel Him at work in our lives, and therefore it's hard to know what or even if we truly believe. Disbelief and doubt is a Christian's biggest enemy. But questioning God is never a sin. It's human nature. Acting upon your disbelief is the sin. But I know with myself, I find myself praying the Roman soldier's prayer everyday.

Answer 4

I think it is rare that believers make a habit of self analysis or deep introspection.
It seems that most use Christianity and the idea of God's unconditional love and a crutch and as a replacement for the lack of unconditional love they feel in real life. When you are trying to comfort yourself, you try to avoid thinking of negative things(no matter how true they may be and no matter how helpful it would be to confront them).

Answer 5

Unfortunately the majority of people dont think for themseles and dont question anything, this is why there are so many believers in God. I bet if these people were raised in isolation and had no teachings of God, they would not believe either, people beleive what they are conditioned to believe by society. This is why I will never force my children to go to church, they have enough of the workd instilling its beliefs on them, let them think on their own

Answer 6

"It seems sometimes as if beneath all conscious doubt there lay some deepest certainty." - Aleister Crowley.

Conversely, "The more necessary anything appears to my mind, the more certain it is that I only assert a limitation."

But to get to the point...lol...I think many "religious" people lead totally unexamined lives. It wouldn't even occur to them to question what they suppose to be their "beliefs." They react violently against any insinuation that those beliefs are meaningless or delusional or just plain false; yet they certainly could never articulate why, at least to the satisfaction of anybody who doesn't already share the sentiment. They just believe what they were taught to believe and consider the case closed.

Answer 7

Well I think that there are a lot of people that say they believe but do not really know what or why they believe and there are people who claim to believe yet do not follow. The scriptures say that the gate is narrow and difficult and few find it. I pray that I am included in the few.

Answer 8

It is a sin to look within yourself.

Although Jesus taught it, to look within yourself means to find answers for yourself not relaying on the Father in the Sky.

If more people looked within the world would be a much better place, after all God did give you a mind to think with!

Answer 9

The marketing agencies, who study us more than anyone else in history, calls the majority of the people "Atheist". Even though the majority claims to be a member of some religion. The unconscious atheists simply pay "Lip Service" in order to be members of the god club.

Answer 10

that some people live their entire lives THINKING that they believe in God, but they really don't?......quote from original poster


Many will cry Lord Lord, but their hearts are far from him.

Today, many claim to be christian, but they have not had a change of heart. And the only way a change of heart will come is by believing in Jesus Christ will all of your heart, mind and soul.

Most today believe with their lips, but not with their hearts. It is written:

Romans 10: 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.