(yes, I'm new) what is belief? (moral, punishment, beliefs, evolution)

[NothingIsNot]

So yup, I'm new here, thought I'd try out some religious forum to share my thoughts on the whole "WHY anything?" issue and to hear from others. I'll get right into it. I don't see how someone can believe in anything. What makes religion such a valid answer for billions of people? I was raised catholic but I don't think I actually truly believed any of it. That's the extremely short and undetailed version of my thoughts on religion. I just want to start by saying Hi!! Any suggestions as to what to do from here? (I don't post on forums alot... so I'm a forum newbie...)

[jimbob]

umm, just post on what interests you. Whatever subject comes up that you'd like to join, go ahead and make some comments.

I do have a question though. If you never truly believed in Catholicism, why does that lead you to believe that their is nothing to believe in? Maybe you never got the true meaning of the Catholic faith, or perhaps you should dabble in religion in general, just to see what drives everyone else.

[Scott1]

I don't believe that you actually asked a question..... I don't believe that you are even a new member here.

Hehe... welcome to RF.

Scott

[Scott1]

I get ya.... but I'll answer in a new thread I split from this one....What is belief?

This forum is for introductions only.

[Ormiston]

Originally Posted by NothingIsNot

So yup, I'm new here, thought I'd try out some religious forum to share my thoughts on the whole "WHY anything?" issue and to hear from others. I'll get right into it. I don't see how someone can believe in anything. What makes religion such a valid answer for billions of people? I was raised catholic but I don't think I actually truly believed any of it. That's the extremely short and undetailed version of my thoughts on religion. I just want to start by saying Hi!! Any suggestions as to what to do from here? (I don't post on forums alot... so I'm a forum newbie...)

Hello, I'm new as well and have been welcomed gratiously and as an equal by everyone I've had contact with. My view on why religion exists is simple: we are all born and have always been born with a void in our minds - call it a blank slate if you will. We are naturally wired to take pleasure in learning and understanding (like when the lightbulb turns on). And we have strong emotional ties to our parents. Combine all of these factors and you have the perfect environment (opportunity) for a hoax (perhaps slightly too strong of a word?).

Religion steps in and fills this void with authority. It's funny to me (not really) that God cannot be disproven. How convenient. It's equally funny that God is portrayed as a parental figure. Equally convenient since most of us were first exposed to religion while we were children. And finally, most convenient and the funniest of all (not), religion attacks our worst fears. Damnation,punishment, death; seak our shelter or else. Isn't the world scary enough? How come we can't have a happy ending?

A final note on why I am angered by Christianity: I became a born-again Christian at 10 years old (I'm 29). I was a very inquisitive child and they took my void and filled it with fears. It's taken most of the past 19 years to feel comfortable with what I truly believe: I don't know any of the answers and they know even less.

[ahunting]

Hello! Nice to meet ya! If you don't ask questions, you'll never learn. I can't imagine not believing in anything at all. I'm sure you do believe in many things, but frustration causes you to make that blanket statement.

Hugs to you!

Amy

[NothingIsNot]

Hi John, I like what you had to say. But I have studied human nature (evolutionary psychology), and there is too much evidence in favor of it that rules out the "blank slate" theory. I would suggest reading "The Moral Animal" by Robert Wright. I understand that from your point of view, what I am suggesting is simply an opinion (a belief?), but I assure you it is part of my knowledge, not my beliefs (as stated in another post on this thread, I don't "believe" in beliefs, as far as what good they can do for me anyways).

The book, and the science, explains the true nature of "love" and other emotions. Basically, we are what we are because of the survival of our ancestors' genes. Our genes make us love our parents, because genes that in the past would have created a child to not care for his parents, would wander off into the jungle and most likely die. The science works like that, but in a more detailed fashion...

[Ormiston]

Originally Posted by NothingIsNot

Hi John, I like what you had to say. But I have studied human nature (evolutionary psychology), and there is too much evidence in favor of it that rules out the "blank slate" theory. I would suggest reading "The Moral Animal" by Robert Wright. I understand that from your point of view, what I am suggesting is simply an opinion (a belief?), but I assure you it is part of my knowledge, not my beliefs (as stated in another post on this thread, I don't "believe" in beliefs, as far as what good they can do for me anyways).

The book, and the science, explains the true nature of "love" and other emotions. Basically, we are what we are because of the survival of our ancestors' genes. Our genes make us love our parents, because genes that in the past would have created a child to not care for his parents, would wander off into the jungle and most likely die. The science works like that, but in a more detailed fashion...

As far as the blank-slate goes, I only mean this to apply to knowledge. I agree that we do seem to be born with "moral potential". And evolution makes sense as an answer for this. But potential only. Like our feet, our minds only evolve far enough (on it's own - of course our will to advance has taken our minds beyond simple necessity) to get us by. And I also appreciate your mention of our ancestors. What would we be without them?

[Scott1]

** MOD POST **

Just a reminder... this is not a debate or discussion thread.

Please start a new thread if you would like to continue this discussion.

[Green Gaia]

Hello and welcome to RF!