Belief is Irrelevant

[LuisDantas]

so here we are in a religious forum.....

and belief is not relevant?

I don't know who you are directing that question to.

I, for one, don't think belief is very significant for religion, nor do I think belief is not relevant in life, so...

 

[Thief]

No, in fact, you did NOT get the point. You are quite mistaken to think that I believe beliefs cannot be true, which is what --- if you will think about it --- would be the consequence of thinking "the destination isn't there", or thinking beliefs "cannot be on target". Do you understand now?

sounds like you have no beliefs.....

 

[Thief]

I don't know who you are directing that question to.

I, for one, don't think belief is very significant for religion, nor do I think belief is not relevant in life, so...

and what if you end up standing before God and heaven....
in spite of a life of disbelief

and they want to know......what do you believe?

you do believe?.....you could be mistaken

 

[LuisDantas]

and what if you end up standing before God and heaven....
in spite of a life of disbelief

and they want to know......what do you believe?

you do believe?.....you could be mistaken

Why would I even bother with that?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

reason is then sufficient?

Sufficient for what?

 

[WhyNotPluto]

Belief is based on faith. There is no hard evidence that a deity exsist.

 

[Thief]

Why would I even bother with that?

for now it's not a bother
and you believe that

but you could be mistaken

 

[Thief]

Belief is based on faith. There is no hard evidence that a deity exsist.

about a greater likelihood?

7billion copies of a device that learns
and it all ends in dust?
I think not

I believe the design of the body indicates what it will yield
a unique soul

the form we call Man was intended to form spirit of unique belief
on each occasion

I think (believe) it very likely....there is Someone Greater

 

[LuisDantas]

for now it's not a bother
and you believe that

but you could be mistaken

Even if I am, why would I have any reason to worry?

You are in essence saying that I can't be quite certain that there is not a horrible, unfair afterlife that could be prevented, apparently, by a pretense of belief in something around the general lines of the Christian God.

I guess that is technically true. And about as insignificant a fact as they come, too; I might at least as reasonably say that maybe there is an afterlife where people are punished for being superstitious beliefs when they had their whole lives to care about real things instead.

Why would I even consider pretending belief in an unworthy God?

 

[Thief]

Even if I am, why would I have any reason to worry?

You are in essence saying that I can't be quite certain that there is not a horrible, unfair afterlife that could be prevented, apparently, by a pretense of belief in something around the general lines of the Christian God.

I guess that is technically true. And about as insignificant a fact as they come, too; I might at least as reasonably say that maybe there is an afterlife where people are punished for being superstitious beliefs when they had their whole lives to care about real things instead.

Why would I even consider pretending belief in an unworthy God?

you have an assumption in your denial

you assume God is unworthy

why not start an op.....with that title

 

[McBell]

about a greater likelihood?

7billion copies of a device that learns
and it all ends in dust?
I think not

I believe the design of the body indicates what it will yield
a unique soul

the form we call Man was intended to form spirit of unique belief
on each occasion

I think (believe) it very likely....there is Someone Greater

Your argument from incrudelity is not the least bit convincing.
But then, I have been telling you that for almost a decade now

 

[LuisDantas]

If you want to call it an "assumption" the simple statement that there is no point in attempting to appease a god that is presumed to be unfair or insane, then so be it.

I like HP Lovecraft as much as anyone, but really...

 

[Sunstone]

sounds like you have no beliefs.....

Where do you get that? I have thousands of beliefs. One of those beliefs is that you are not comprehending a thing I say.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Someone posted as if this title is literally true

I suppose your pending post should define what belief is
and then declare it be important
or not

Belief appears to be the consequence of thought, indoctrination or education. It does not appear to be something we directly decide, although I allow for 'faking it until you make it'.

 

[Sunstone]

Belief appears to be the consequence of thought, indoctrination or education. It does not appear to be something we directly decide, although I allow for 'faking it until you make it'.

That's quite interesting, Dave. C.S. Peirce was of the opinion that doubt is such a psychologically uncomfortable position, we actually run from it into whatever belief (belief being the opposite of doubt, to Peirce) will eliminate doubt. In other words, we do not seek a true belief, but rather a firm belief. And if, in our running away from doubt, we happen to land on a true belief, then so much the better. But any firm belief will do.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

That's quite interesting, Dave. C.S. Peirce was of the opinion that doubt is such a psychologically uncomfortable position, we actually run from it into whatever belief (belief being the opposite of doubt, to Peirce) will eliminate doubt. In other words, we do not seek a true belief, but rather a firm belief. And if, in our running away from doubt, we happen to land on a true belief, then so much the better. But any firm belief will do.

Partly due to my educational background, I tend to often think in terms of cognitive dissonance. This appears to be along similar lines, although I would suggest doubt is most uncomfortable where a dichotomy exists.
Eg. Should I follow the religion of my parents?
If we can avoid closed questions and embrace the more Socratic principle of ignorance, then to some extent (and in some contexts only) that is mitigated, imho.

 

[Thief]

Belief appears to be the consequence of thought, indoctrination or education. It does not appear to be something we directly decide, although I allow for 'faking it until you make it'.

I like to think of myself as a rogue theologian

I'm not much of a follower

 

[Muffled]

Believing in something is the state of being convinced it is the case. It is not a choice, because one cannot choose to be convinced of something.

In order to say whether it is important or not, context must be provided. Sometimes belief is important, sometimes it is not. It depends what the subject of belief is.

But, I do think it is important to have a high standard of belief. In order to avoid gullibility, one must demand a certain level of evidence to be convinced of something. Hope, comfort, happiness, etc. don't meet that standard and should not influence belief. For example, I think it is dangerous for anyone to believe something simply because they hope it is true.

I believe I am constantly amazed at how high a standard a person sets for proof when they don't wish to believe something.

 

[Polymath257]

I believe I am constantly amazed at how high a standard a person sets for proof when they don't wish to believe something.

And how low a standard a person sets who *does* want to believe something.

 

[leibowde84]

I believe I am constantly amazed at how high a standard a person sets for proof when they don't wish to believe something.

This makes no sense. We aren't talking about any specific belief. We are talking about belief in general, and how, imho, people should always set a high standard for evidence no matter what the subject of the belief is.