Some people need a reason to believe. Is that faith or free will?

Question

One should believe for the sake of believing, not because god commands or asks us so. Otherwise, what is the point? Surely a great god has no need for a pledge of fealty or a fan base. God asks us to give up our human pride. Should we not demand the same from god?

Hypothetically speaking (assume here for a moment if you can fathom that concept), if Jesus said, "Follow me if you must. Be a good person if you must. Grow in spirit through me if you must. But if you believe in me and accept me into your heart I will damn you to an eternity in hell." You keep saying it is faith that is important, not the heavenly reward. Would you still have faith in god?

OK, this is the end of the hypothetical. Did you make it this far and can you answer?

Answer 1

Very few people would do good if there was no motivation to do so. For people that believe they must do good for no other reason than to go to Heaven, they would easily fall away if they were to go to Hell for the same reason.

For those that didn't believe in heaven or hell, the situation would not change for us no matter what Jesus said. We would do good because that is regarded in our society as the right thing to do. We want to have good reputations and be acknowledged as doing good to receive the acceptance from our peers. Atheists would continue to do good regardless, and I'm not sure that other sane people would dramatically change their actions either.

Answer 2

I subscribe to the "free will" idea... I think to each his own, and how each person decides to conceptualize it is part of the beauty of our uniqueness.

I needed reason to believe and so researched historical information on the Bible from Biblical Scholars and have read various work on spirituality and religion from "secular" sources as well. That was my choice and so far it's strengthened my faith. It hasn't always been easy... sometimes you fall into these pits where everything seems kind of bleak and uncertain!

So, to say that I'm totally won over (blindly) by Jesus Christ would simply be a lie... I'm skeptical about a lot of things that I have yet to reconcile with in my mind and heart.

In answer to your question, I believe in the maxim: "It's not the destination, it's the journey." For me, I'm a "searcher"; I love reading new things and being exposed to new ideas. That is what I love about my life. This idea of God is comforting to me, and to think that I have this personal relationship with Him is just as rewarding as imaging I will be going to this miraculous place called "Heaven" afterwards.

But, that's just me... I cannot speak for those who subscribe to the more "fear based" religions that see God as a punisher.

Answer 3

The fact is, motivation towards heaven and away from hell pretty much drives everything that the vast majority of Christians (and Muslims for that matter) do.

Take away the reward, and they'd actually have to find a real reason to do good. Crazy idea huh?

They use faith as the supreme virtue in order to mask this and provide rationalization for absurdity.

Answer 4

My older 3 women all took/interior the technique of taking English Humanities and have come abode with comparable discussions. It starts off to get them thinking and to get them to type their very very own evaluations approximately specific issues. i'm a faith individual and have taught my young infants faith. i'm an excellent believer in issues take place for a reason and to take the lesson at coronary heart. My women have been additionally believers in faith up till they took this type, particularly using fact it taught them a thank you to think of over specific issues they have been taught. Do i think in this using fact mom and pa do or using fact i even have self belief in it? My older 3 are believers in unfastened will, that in spite of exceeded off using fact of their movements or somebody around them's movements. My youthful 2 are nevertheless faith believers using fact they have yet to be challenged otherwise.

Answer 5

Belief for the sake of belief sounds a lot like choosing to believe which is not possible. You can not believe something if you process the information given. If you choose to do so then you obviously do not believe because belief is a reaction and not a choice.

Answer 6

You are making a statement ("One should believe for the sake of believing") without justifying it. I think one should NOT believe for the sake of believing. I think one should critically examine any statement before accepting it. Even if a statement comes from a guy called Jesus, Mohammed, or Dalai Lama, for that matter.

Answer 7

of course it must have a reason to believe, how can you believe for something without a reason to believe.


God is perfect. He knows everything and He is humble.I know that for sure, because I have faith in Him , I have trust in Him.

Answer 8

The point is there are none who are good except God, who tells us that He will lead us to where He is - but the only thing He will not do is violate our freewill. Therefore, we have the choice to believe in Him and allow Him to transform us or go our own way to destruction.

Answer 9

Well this may not be much of an answer, but sometimes I think hey, if that's what it takes to keep you from murder/rape etc, then have your religion. Don't expect others who don't need such stories to buy it, though.

Answer 10

I call it whatever they need to cultivate wisdom, altruism, patience etc., however there are a few who use religion as an excuse to execute non-virtuous deeds as well.

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