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Isn't The Bottom Line Of All Faith A Matter Of Belief?

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
Belief and study. Many religions emphasise faith but in Judaism study is almost if not just as important.

Religious study sounds too much like intellectual self indoctrination, ah . . . unless you are broadening your comprehension beyond your own belief without presuppositions.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
Religious study sounds too much like intellectual self indoctrination, ah . . . unless you are broadening your comprehension beyond your own belief without presuppositions.
Most religious people study their own texts...
 

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
Most religious people study their own texts...

Most religious people study only their own texts.

That is one of the flaws perpetuated by fallible human nature.where the desire of sense of belonging negates alternatives without consideration of logic nor reason, and the reality of relationships in the world beyond what they believe. This is the reason why most ancient religions have a strong cultural and tribal orientation as a basis of what they believe.
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
You either have it or you don't. I am not here to argue religion. I am trying to understand why it's so easy for many to believe and I don't.
Low standards for believability. There are a number of people who would rather not be skeptical or critical about things for one reason or another.
 

lostwanderingsoul

Well-Known Member
My friend Rival makes a superb point. The Bible says ¨ faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God".

So, have an open mind, and just begin to read the Bible. I would suggest you begin with the Gospels, read slowly and think about what you read.

You may never have faith, but this is the only way to find it.
Maybe if you actually read the Bible you would see that Ephesians 2:8 says that faith is a GIFT from God. A person can not demand a gift or go looking for a gift. You just wait for God to give it to you.
 

shmogie

Well-Known Member
Maybe if you actually read the Bible you would see that Ephesians 2:8 says that faith is a GIFT from God. A person can not demand a gift or go looking for a gift. You just wait for God to give it to you.
Yeah, you are right, I haven´t actually read the Bible, nice one. So, you need not study the Bible, just wait for God to give you faith. No wonder you are a lost soul
 

beenherebeforeagain

Rogue Animist
Premium Member
You either have it or you don't. I am not here to argue religion. I am trying to understand why it's so easy for many to believe and I don't.
Well...I believe it behooves me believe that I should treat others with respect, doing only unto others what I would have them do to/for me...this includes all the persons I encounter, both human and other-than-human persons...I believe I should try to live with humility and grace, and treat others the same way...

Whether I believe there is a deity or not seems irrelevant to me...if there is some omnimax deity out there, I certainly won't be able to fully perceive it or conceive of it, and if it wants to blot me out because I don't waste much time on believing in it, rather than basing such a decision on whether or not I've followed the golden rule is, well, frankly, beyond me...
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
***Moderator Post***

Please note the special rules that apply to Religious Q & A forums.

About the Religions Q&A Subforum

In this Religions Q&A forum, you are free to ask respectful questions and comment on them - provided the spirit of the conversation remains in the realm of discussion rather than debate. Knowledgable outsiders may also comment on your questions with resources and information.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
You either have it or you don't. I am not here to argue religion. I am trying to understand why it's so easy for many to believe and I don't.

I've asked that question a lot to myself and I don't know why I keep asking. It's a need for: Growth. Understanding. Faith. Productivity. Meaning. I need to be or a need to go. It's what supports their life, changes it, etc.

The thing is like myself not everyone has this need in relationship to following a religion. In other words, we don't need to be spiritual or religious to have these things and the awe, awakening, or the Light in order to live.

So, it's a foregone conclusion. Maybe you're more independent than other people. A common theme among religious is "something's missing." Maybe you have all you need and don't have that "need to die in order to live," type of thing. We're not the majority and it sounds humanist, but after awhile, it's like I give up.

Why it's easier for others believe? Because they trust and gave themselves up for the need and fulfillment of the above. They give themselves up. If you can trust yourself so much to have discipline to Practice or have faith to follow because there's something missing or disconnect, you'd see how and why people believe. But the thing is, some of us just can't take that leap. We trust our families, our loves, etc but there are some things we just. can't. trust.

It's one of those things to accept and keep moving.

I wish I knew why other than need and something missing. Probably it's not easier for you is maybe you don't need a purpose? You don't care how we come here?

I don't know. Just spit-balling.
 

idea

Question Everything
You either have it or you don't. I am not here to argue religion. I am trying to understand why it's so easy for many to believe and I don't.

Were you raised in a religious household? Many who have faith were just effectivly brainwashed from an early age...
 

Dan From Smithville

What's up Doc?
Staff member
Premium Member
I've come to the conclusion true belief is based on experience alone. Unless you have an experience, you really have no understanding of it, or concept of it. For example, I have 3 young friends (aged 9, 4, 5, and 3) who are so looking forward to our first snowfall. They arrived from a tropical country, and want to know snow. They will, within a few months, and it will be a joy to watch.

So I see religion and belief like that. No experience of it, and why would their be a belief in it?
I suppose it should be of some use to know that I read your posts, but your three young friends have four different ages.
 

Tom Sawyer

New Member
You either have it or you don't. I am not here to argue religion. I am trying to understand why it's so easy for many to believe and I don't.
I don't believe either. I'm 47 years old and I'm tying to, I feel like I'm supposed to. So far I've been finding that the opposite is true. It's really easy to not believe and it's incredibly hard to truly believe. I don't think it's supposed to be easy.
 

Audie

Veteran Member
You either have it or you don't. I am not here to argue religion. I am trying to understand why it's so easy for many to believe and I don't.

There is what people want to believe.

There is "me too", following mommy and daddy.

Then too, a lot of people just have no sense.

Look at the non religious things people believe!
 
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