Since all beliefs are based on evidence, are those who claim to believe without evidence lying to themselves?

Question

All beliefs must be based on evidence. This is a fact. Therefore if you try to claim you don't require evidence to believe something, you're lying to yourself. For example: If you believe in the Judeo Christian God, you *require* evidence to hold this belief. If you didn't use evidence on which to base your beliefs you wouldn't even know about the Judeo Christian God. The evidence you probably rely on is: a) ancient texts b)religious teachings, and (possibly) c) personal observations.

All very unreliable forms of evidence. Personally, I believe that religious people know this and through a twisted "sour grapes" method of thinking, claim they don't require evidence..which is knowingly impossible and therefore a lie.

Answer 1

Yeah, that or they aren't really rational thinkers. Most of the logic that theists argue about is actually relatively simple stuff.

Answer 2

St. Justin Martyr

Chapter 19. The resurrection possible.
And to any thoughtful person would anything appear more incredible, than, if we were not in the body, and some one were to say that it was possible that from a small drop of human seed bones and sinews and flesh be formed into a shape such as we see? For let this now be said hypothetically: if you yourselves were not such as you now are, and born of such parents [and causes], and one were to show you human seed and a picture of a man, and were to say with confidence that from such a substance such a being could be produced, would you believe before you saw the actual production? No one will dare to deny [that such a statement would surpass belief]. In the same way, then, you are now incredulous because you have never seen a dead man rise again. But as at first you would not have believed it possible that such persons could be produced from the small drop, and yet now you see them thus produced, so also judge that it is not impossible that the bodies of men, after they have been dissolved, and like seeds resolved into earth, should in God's appointed time rise again and put on incorruption.

You have never seen a man rise from the dead, or seen one ascend on a cloud of glory.

But the martyrs of old witnessed these things and gave their very lives in defence that God took on flesh so that all might find salvation.

Only a cursed generation requires signs or "evidence" to believe in God and do that which they already should be doing. (i.e. clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless)

We are supposed to do these things if their was no God, do you not agree?

I suggest you read St. Thomas Aquianus. He was a great philosopher and reasoned that their must be a devine being. I defy you to find a flaw in his reasoning.

You have no evidence to disprove God and that my friend is a form of faith.

Answer 3

I believe objects continue to exist when I'm not looking at them. There is, in principle, no observation I can make that can verify this - no evidence. My belief is solely based on subjective input, my mind extrapolating from seeing objects in places I think (i.e., believe, again without evidence) I have left them, etc. This belief is considered more developed psychologically than an infant who has not made these leaps, and is necessary to objective science (indeed, to higher thought at all).

The problem with religious faith is not lack of evidence, it is that many of these beliefs are held in spite of evidence to the contrary. That's not just poor reasoning, but dangerous conditioning.

Answer 4

I think you are completely wrong about beliefs needing to be based on evidence. For example, I believe in an all powerful mound of levitating spaghetti, despite there being absolutely no evidence to even insinuate His existence. Are you saying some guys made up character is "evidence"?

I know the truth, though. RAmen.

Answer 5

The statement of your question is fallacious. You say "all beliefs are based on evidence" therefore "those who claim to believe without evidence" do not exist.

Answer 6

Your good judgment is woefully incorrect. All ideals should not be consistent with info. Your declare that "all ideals could be consistent with info" is a fact is carefully faulty. somebody can carry a theory with none info in any respect. we can argue the semantics of your fact in case you like, however the basic premise is faulty. The definition of a theory is as follows: a million. something believed; an opinion or conviction: a theory that the earth is flat. 2. self assurance contained in the fact or lifestyles of something no longer today vulnerable to rigorous info: a fact unworthy of theory. 3. self assurance; faith; have confidence: a toddler's theory in his mom and father. 4. a non secular guideline or tenets; non secular creed or faith: the Christian theory. those are pulled on the instant from the dictionary. word that nowhere is the word "info" pronounced.

Answer 7

Religious beliefs are based of faith. Faith in something that you believe another has said or done such as the Paul, Peter, Moses, is true. It doesn’t require evidence.

Answer 8

Awww....isn't that sweet...the rat is moving through the maze...


Let's look at unreliable forms of evidence shall we...Darwin's Theory of Evolution is the widely held notion that all life is related and has descended from a common ancestor...I wonder if the new evidence supporting modern theories is just "sour grapes"....

Answer 9

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

There is plenty of evidence of what you refer to as ancient texts being true. Science, prophecy, archeology, and nature all testify to the facts of the bible.

You should have included evolutionist in your question. They believe things that they have and never will have proof.

Answer 10

Justified beliefs are based on evidence. People are more than capable of having unjustified beliefs that have no basis in fact whatsoever. I think you are right that they know their religious beliefs are unjustified, and that's why they have such a heavy emphasis on faith.

Answer 11

The forms of evidence you mention are all historically verifiable,your objections are just philosophical get over yourself mate,go to school or something