Does believing in God make one "weak"?

[StarryNightshade]

There are many beliefs in God (Monotheism Pan(en)theism, Monism, Polytheism, etc.), but the one thing they have in common is that they can't be proven 100%. Conversely, they can't be disproven 100%, either.

However, in recent years, so much as saying "I believe" is met with ridicule. Especially by those who adhere to New Atheism. On one hand, I sort of get it; because religion has caused many atrocities in the past. However, the very same people who are against the dogma of religion become dogmatic themselves.

My question to all of you is: does believing in God actually make one weak? This can also go for other beliefs such as reincarnation, magic, the afterlife, etc.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

My question to all of you is: does believing in God actually make one weak? This can also go for other beliefs such as reincarnation, magic, the afterlife, etc.

Believing in irrational things doesn't make you weak, it simply makes you irrational.

 

[WyattDerp]

I'm not sure if believing makes people weak, but being weak sure seems to help with believing.

 

[StarryNightshade]

Believing in irrational things doesn't make you weak, it simply makes you irrational.

A belief in God need not necessarily be "irrational". Depends on the type you believe in.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

But a belief in God need not necessarily be "irrational". Depends on the type you believe in.

Yeah, I suppose one could identify anything as god if they are so inclined. To clarify, I was specifically referring to the ones who have no empirical evidence which would form a rational basis for belief in their existence.

 

[Orias]

Believing in God does not make one weak, and it does not make one strong.

What determines strength and weakness is how one defends their position, if you want evidence just look at the generations. As ignorant as they have been, there has always been a "God" standing by to give people their daily dose of medicine.

On matters pertaining to rationality, well its all just psychodramatic. You can't rationally explain anything without digging deep into our imagination. Because comprehension is simply that, what we can imagine without having a million loopholes tied behind it.

The universe is a net, and we've simply been caught in it.

 

[ChristineES]

No. In this day and age, you can't be weak believing in God. Some people believe that not believing in God makes one weak.

 

[Sir Doom]

A lack of food makes me weak. Belief in god makes me a theist. Nothing else.

 

[Daemon Sophic]

To a certain degree, Yes. Believing in a God figure is similar to believing in Intelligent Design. You see a little of the world; you say "whoa! that is just crazy complex!"; and then you throw up your hands and say "Beats me how it works! It must be divine."

The strong take the hard path, forge ahead into the unknown, and look for answers.
Choosing God is the easy path. Does choosing the easy path make one weak?...or even lazy?
Atheists or Theists.....if a million years from now the answer is discovered, one way or the other; will they be considered Weak? Inspired? Lucky Guessers? Fools?

That said: there is some emotional solace and stability that can be acquired by those of strong faith (regardless of their religion), and this unto itself can get some individuals to go where others might fear (though often to their own and other's doom). This could be interpretted as "Strength" or "Courage".

 

[Blackdog22]

I think it depends on the reasons for belief. I have met many Christians who felt very weak and needed God to strengthen them. That was their only need for God.He was their crutch. Some people are scared to say "they don't know" or "they don't believe" because they are afraid of neglect or losing their friends. That is weak.

Some people just enjoy the rituals of it all and some people just enjoy a community with people. Some people truly hold out hope for an exciting afterlife. I don't see these people as weak, although the latter maybe wishful in their thinking.

 

[ChristineES]

I get a little tired of people who think we theists are theists to explain science and the natural world. Most theists do not, and I don't. I also get a little tired of explaining that I don't worship God so I can be emotionally stable. I know there are some who worship for that reason, but the majority do not.

 

[Quintessence]

"Weak" is a rather vague descriptor. Could you be a bit more specific? Without getting very specific, it would be very difficult to even do a correlational study, much less establish causation. I mean, there are studies that have been done demonstrating that belief in a god-concept and religiosity are corresponded to better stress management (this is one article that discusses some of it), which hardly constitutes a weakness. But I really don't know what you mean by "weak."

 

[Me Myself]

Anything can make you be percieved as wek by someone depending on who is percieving.

 

[Quintessence]

Anything can make you be percieved as wek by someone depending on who is percieving.

Yeah, this is why I'd like some more objective criteria laid out by the OP as to what "weak" means. It'll help structure the discussion.

 

[bobhikes]

There are many beliefs in God (Monotheism Pan(en)theism, Monism, Polytheism, etc.), but the one thing they have in common is that they can't be proven 100%. Conversely, they can't be disproven 100%, either.

However, in recent years, so much as saying "I believe" is met with ridicule. Especially by those who adhere to New Atheism. On one hand, I sort of get it; because religion has caused many atrocities in the past. However, the very same people who are against the dogma of religion become dogmatic themselves.

My question to all of you is: does believing in God actually make one weak? This can also go for other beliefs such as reincarnation, magic, the afterlife, etc.

No belief makes you weak at all. Its all about how you live based on that belief. There are many deist's that have earned my respect and the respect of a large part of the world because of their beliefs.

How your beliefs guide your actions is what makes you strong or weak.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Weaker in what?

 

[George-ananda]

My question to all of you is: does believing in God actually make one weak? This can also go for other beliefs such as reincarnation, magic, the afterlife, etc.

No it doesn't make one weak. My reasons for believing are based on my analysis of the best evidence and reasoning. IMO, belief is the most rational position.

 

[Sir Doom]

Just for clarity...

Believing in god certainly does not make me physically weaker.

As my belief in god is, was, and always will be a choice that I am making in every moment going into the future, I am surrendering no will whatsoever by this and it is in fact a representation of will. Thus, it does not make me weak-willed.

Additionally, I believe in god in the most rational manner that I can. I purposefully pursue the most rational god. That is my journey as I see it. I understand that I am first choosing to believe in god, and then attempting to rationalize it into existence. But I think this is the way it must be done, if it is to be done. Therefore, I am not rendered weak-minded by my belief, either.

If there is any other sort of weakness I haven't covered, I'll gladly address it.

 

[Madhuri]

I think that belief can make a person exceptionally strong. Belief represents purpose for many. When a person has a purpose, they have motivation, energy, etc.

I would more readily agree that irrational belief simple makes one irrational. But I would argue that all humans are irrational to some extent.

 

[StarryNightshade]

"Weak" is a rather vague descriptor. Could you be a bit more specific? Without getting very specific, it would be very difficult to even do a correlational study, much less establish causation. I mean, there are studies that have been done demonstrating that belief in a god-concept and religiosity are corresponded to better stress management (this is one article that discusses some of it), which hardly constitutes a weakness. But I really don't know what you mean by "weak."

Here is what I mean by "weak".

You need a crutch to get through in life. You can't handle that the world, and by extension the universe, is incredibly cold and doesn't care about your suffering; so you cling to the idea of a God that is the creator of the universe and will end your suffering once you die.

It's the type of weakness that people like Christopher Hitchens hold in regard to Theists.