I really wish I believed (reincarnation, God)

[PureX]

Sometimes we have to let go of our religion to find our God, again. The religious dogma deadens the experience of living to the point where there's no more "magic" and mystery and wonder in it.

When the bible has become dead to our eyes, it's time to put it away, and go swimming, or walking in the woods, or something else physical, so that God can become real and good, again.

Remember that God IS that sunshine on your face, and that cool fresh air entering your lungs, and the water pushing against your skin, and the touch of your lover's hand.

We don't need to "believe" to find God. And in fact sometimes we need to STOP believing to find God.

[PureX]

Originally Posted by lombas

That sounds a bit strange. So if you don't ask too much questions but do things by the book, you can be at ease? Or what do you mean saying that?

Faith is hope in action. Faith is not a belief. When we need healing, we need faith, we need action, we need change, not "belief".

Faith changes us because faith is action. Beliefs stop us from changing because the first thing we believe is that we're right. And if we already believe we're right, we won't see any need for changing ourselves ... only others.

Hope for the best, and then live accordingly. That's faith in action. What we believe isn't very relevant. It's what we do that matters.

[lombas]

I still don't understand. I believe in God, but I'll be the last to claim I'm "right" in doing so. And why should it stop me from changing? In what way? I never wanted to 'change' other people or to evangelize my faith.

And I don't see the difference between faith and belief. In my language there are no different words for what is intended by the English words.

You could translate faith as "geloof (faith), vertrouwen (trust)", which has the same meaning in Latin (credere) and belief "overtuiging" which translates back into English as "convince'ment'". So there are no real differences.

[Willamena]

Everyone believes in themselves, no? That solidifies them, so to speak, as a walking, talking set of beliefs. You carry all the things you know are right around with you wherever you go. It's what you are; and if it's right, why should it change?

[PureX]

Originally Posted by lombas

I believe in God, but I'll be the last to claim I'm "right" in doing so.

But what exactly do you mean when you say that you "believe in" God? Isn't your "belief" in this case simply a hope you hold on to, and live by? If it were not a hope, but something more concrete like presumed knowledge, then you could claim to be "right" in what you believe, as so many folks do.

Originally Posted by lombas

And why should it stop me from changing? In what way? I never wanted to 'change' other people or to evangelize my faith.

That's because you are talking about real faith. Real faith does not presume to be knowledge, and therefor does not presume to be "right". Thus, you are able to change and grow as experiences dictate. But for those who "believe" (presume to know) that their idea of God right, they have no reason to change or grow. In fact, they have reason to resist change and growth, because in resisting these they will protect their righteousness.

Originally Posted by lombas

And I don't see the difference between faith and belief. In my language there are no different words for what is intended by the English words.

Faith is what we must rely in when we do not presume to know what is or will happen. Belief is the presumption of knowing what is or will happen. This is the difference.

Originally Posted by lombas

You could translate faith as "geloof (faith), vertrouwen (trust)", which has the same meaning in Latin (credere) and belief "overtuiging" which translates back into English as "convince'ment'". So there are no real differences.

But trust and conviction are two very different states of mind, that result in two very different courses of action.

[PureX]

Originally Posted by Willamena

Everyone believes in themselves, no? That solidifies them, so to speak, as a walking, talking set of beliefs. You carry all the things you know are right around with you wherever you go. It's what you are; and if it's right, why should it change?

We can believe that we are right, while still knowing that we may be wrong. The human mind is capable of more than one idea at a time. This is why we humans perceive paradox. And in fact, the truth of reality is that many different things are true simaltaneously, even things that contradict each other.

[lombas]

Originally Posted by PureX

But what exactly do you mean when you say that you "believe in" God? Isn't your "belief" in this case simply a hope you hold on to, and live by? If it were not a hope, but something more concrete like presumed knowledge, then you could claim to be "right" in what you believe, as so many folks do.

That's because you are talking about real faith. Real faith does not presume to be knowledge, and therefor does not presume to be "right". Thus, you are able to change and grow as experiences dictate. But for those who "believe" (presume to know) that their idea of God right, they have no reason to change or grow. In fact, they have reason to resist change and growth, because in resisting these they will protect their righteousness.

Faith is what we must rely in when we do not presume to know what is or will happen. Belief is the presumption of knowing what is or will happen. This is the difference.
But trust and conviction are two very different states of mind, that result in two very different courses of action.

Right, I think I understand the difference now between faith and belief, and I understand why you pay much attention to it. I never saw it that way, just used the two words as synonyms like in Dutch.

So what I should say is "I have faith in God"?

[PureX]

Originally Posted by lombas

Right, I think I understand the difference now between faith and belief, and I understand why you pay much attention to it. I never saw it that way, just used the two words as synonyms like in Dutch.

So what I should say is "I have faith in God"?

Yes, if you have faith in God, then why not say so? I think it's far more honest and accurate than saying "I believe in God". What does that even mean?

"I believe in houses." What does that mean? "I believe in love." What does that mean? I don't know what it means to "believe in" something. However, I understand what it means to trust in something, or to put my faith in something, or to hope for something. And that's what I think we're really doing with the idea of "God".