Can you believe in a fact, or can a fact only be known? If you do not fully understand a fact, do you have to believe it to be true until you know it to be true?
2007-12-19 04:24:36 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Edit:
Okay I am asking this because two people ( I think) asked if an atheist can believe in something.
2007-12-19 04:34:24 · update #1
Addition:
So can you know a fact to be a fact, and still not believe that fact?
2007-12-19 04:37:48 · update #2
Addition:
So what must come first, the belief or the knowledge?
2007-12-19 04:40:03 · update #3
Knowledge comes first then understanding and applying this knowledge is wisdom.
In centuries past hundreds of thousands have died in the name of religion, yet without honor to God. They have died with his Word on their lips, at the same time breaking his commandments and without accurate knowledge of his purposes.
2007-12-19 04:33:39 · answer #1 · answered by papa G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that's a great question.
I look at it this way... you are right, for the most part, it is PRACTICAL to believe something with out knowing it (if by "knowing" we mean understanding it in depth). But I would say, that when it comes to very important (and controversial) issues, it is better not to form strong opinions unless you've come to KNOW your subject.
For example, we can not KNOW if the Christian God is 'THE' God (nor can we know if God exists) so though one may believe it, it would be better not to pass laws based on that belief.
On the other hand, I do not KNOW how my acid-reflux medicine works, but I believe it does and there does not seem to be anything that suggests I should think otherwise.
I think that 'belief' is OK.
2007-12-19 06:26:43 · answer #2 · answered by skeptic 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wouldn't you have to know what you're believing? My thought is that knowledge precedes belief. How could anyone believe, for example, that a fire is hot before someone says ouch or "this will hurt" or something similar?
For the Bible, this is true too. Paul said in Romans 10, "How shall they hear, without a preacher", meaning, among other things, people have to hear and know what Jesus did before anyone can truly believe. See also John's gospel, where belief always followed knowledge.
2007-12-19 04:32:55 · answer #3 · answered by Brother Jonathan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First we begin by being taught something by our parents, teachers and when we hear the same things being repeated, they become facts which we start to believe. Just like mathematical, scientific or geographical facts. When things or calculations work out by using facts, we believe that what we know are true. An accumulation of such facts or knowledge provides us wisdom which we can then dispense to those who are ignorant or are young learners.
2007-12-22 01:52:10 · answer #4 · answered by Dolphin-Bird Lover8-88 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most knowlege that we have is actually belief. For example unless you are actually an atomic physics professor, you can know the fact that solid objects are actually made up of molecules and atoms only by believing what you have been told.
So, the two are really not that different.
2007-12-19 04:30:55 · answer #5 · answered by Fire_God_69 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you don't believe something...it can't be a fact since a fact is only a fact if you believe it to be true...
Like a dream...just because you experience it...doesn't mean the events in that dream are a fact...especially when you wake up and realize it was just a dream...
Philosophical question...
2007-12-19 04:29:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
i think it is a long process, to believe in a fact like you say does not necessarily mean you know the fact, so one starts by trying to understand whatever it means before you can even call it fact. once you know that is what it is then it becomes a fact one that you know.
2007-12-19 04:32:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
More practical to know something. Problems arise when you believe you know a fact, when that fact is not a fact at all.
2007-12-19 04:27:55 · answer #8 · answered by Take it from Toby 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You defeat them by diminishing their numbers, making it so that the majority of the middle east is informed about america and doesn't have an irrational hatred for us. Of course there will always be a few, but in small numbers they aren't nearly as much of a problem.
2016-05-25 01:12:13 · answer #9 · answered by lavera 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those who believe without first seeing are blessed. God tell us this because you have a gift from GOD to know and believe in him without seeing him first. if you don't believe in him you are not blessed with this gift. but GOD still loves you so much that the ones he gave the gift to believing can give you the good news of Jesus so that you may turn from your sinful ways and accept Jesus as your personal savior.
2007-12-19 04:34:43 · answer #10 · answered by country boy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋