I don't think it matters what we believe.

[sandandfoam]

What do you think?
I feel easier with myself because my belief satisfies my conscious mind. But I don't think it really matters what I think I believe.
Sometimes I feel at one with things, surfing or climbing were great sources of that feeling for me. Bikes too. Sometimes I feel it outside in the early morning - something inside aligns with the universe and everything is just so. But somehow I disappear from the frame. The need of my conscious mind to put a rationale around this has led me to religion and I find the Baha'i faith suits me well.
But I don't think one needs to believe to experience this. Indeed I imagine many atheists have feelings much like I describe mine but their consciousness doesn't need God. It doesn't mean that either position is correct. It just means that our consciousnesses are regarding things from different angles.
I think whoever or whatever I am exists at a level beneath my conscious mind. That what normally passes for my consciousness is just the surface of the mind ocean and is only of any importance to itself.
The important stuff is in the depths of my being. In my longings and in my dreams. What I think I believe is merely the most surface of dressings. What I do is what is important and that is rooted in the depths.

 

[Storm]

I'm a bit unclear as to your point.

Are you saying that our beliefs are irrelevant to our happiness and well being?

 

[Breathe]

Before, I would have disagreed.

Now, I think it's true, it doesn't matter what you believe. I believe God is not so childish nor insecure to care what you believe, and I certainly don't think he's going to punish people for it. The mind boggles at it. I can't understand why some believe God actually cares, or why they think God created us for nought but to fulfill His own ego by making us live a life worshipping Him or suffering in flames, especially considering some of the most wicked people one can encounter can often be religious people, and some of the nicest people can be atheists (it can, of course, be vice versa, and I've been treated bad by atheists before now )

Personally, I believe that God is much more interested in our actions than our faith. However, I personally believe that religion is an important part of society and culture and part of the very fibre and fabric of life, that it should be kept, I'd say "encouraged", but that's too strong a word and implies discouraging freethought, or the "freedom to disbelieve", which is not something I agree with.

I suppose in a way, though, I still think deep down in my mind somewhere, that it does matter, and for this reason this is why I am still a seeker, instead of just making up my own things as I go along. It's either that, or I would like to be part of a community. Honestly, I don't know if I have these thoughts at the back of my mind because I believe it, or because I've been told it so many times by various well-meaning individuals who sincerely believe this.

Well, that was rambling.

 

[sandandfoam]

I'm a bit unclear as to your point.

Are you saying that our beliefs are irrelevant to our happiness and well being?

Kind of.
I'm saying that I think our conscious minds are only really of any consequence to themselves and are not who or what we are.
I think that what we think we believe is a product of that conscious mind and as such while entertaining, is essentially trivial. I think that how we behave is what is important because that comes from the depths.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I think that what we think we believe is a product of that conscious mind and as such while entertaining, is essentially trivial. I think that how we behave is what is important because that comes from the depths.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Storm]

Kind of.
I'm saying that I think our conscious minds are only really of any consequence to themselves and are not who or what we are.
I think that what we think we believe is a product of that conscious mind and as such while entertaining, is essentially trivial. I think that how we behave is what is important because that comes from the depths.

While I agree about behavior, I'm not sure about belief. I think what we believe is as much an expression of our depths as our behavior.

 

[Caladan]

I think that what we think we believe is a product of that conscious mind and as such while entertaining, is essentially trivial. I think that how we behave is what is important because that comes from the depths.

*nods*, beliefs often collide with reality, and some people (myself included) prefer not to approach our experiences with a toolkit of beliefs, but to engage the experiences of life in a refreshing way, sometimes with a touch of intuition, sometimes well thought, but a way which is not rooted in preconceived notions.

Heraclitus once said.. 'Human opinions are toys for children'.
Sometimes we need to put our beliefs in perspective and allow ourselves to look at life as it is, and not as we think or believe they are or should be.

 

[sojourner]

"'God divided himself into a myriad parts that he might have friends.' This may not be true, but it's no sillier than any other theology."

Rob't. A. Heinlein -- "Time Enough for Love" -- from the Notebooks of Lazarus Long

 

[Willamena]

What do you think?
I feel easier with myself because my belief satisfies my conscious mind. But I don't think it really matters what I think I believe.

If that's the same as saying that thinking is highly over-rated, then I agree.

 

[Luke]

Kind of.
I'm saying that I think our conscious minds are only really of any consequence to themselves and are not who or what we are.
I think that what we think we believe is a product of that conscious mind and as such while entertaining, is essentially trivial. I think that how we behave is what is important because that comes from the depths.

inte med om. what persons belief is everything. my belief is my life. a person who has belief is principal in life and without this we are notheing.

 

[Caladan]

inte med om. what persons belief is everything. my belief is my life. a person who has belief is principal in life and without this we are notheing.

We need to make a distinction between spiritual beliefs and social beliefs (and other types). for example theological beliefs of a certain religion may be held by a group of people, and not by another group, however people from both groups may hold the same social beliefs.
people who do not hold religious beliefs do not have a philosophical or spiritual disadvantage compared to people who do hold them. however, people who may be atheist and people who may be Christian can both value dialogue as a valuable common 'social belief' and agree that it is beneficial.

 

[Luke]

We need to make a distinction between spiritual beliefs and social beliefs (and other types). for example theological beliefs of a certain religion may be held by a group of people, and not by another group, however people from both groups may hold the same social beliefs.
people who do not hold religious beliefs do not have a philosophical or spiritual disadvantage compared to people who do hold them. however, people who may be atheist and people who may be Christian can both value dialogue as a valuable common 'social belief' and agree that it is beneficial.

thank you. yes the social beliefs i know to have distinction between spiritual beliefs. the social belief this is like m y school were i develope my own goals. i am happy and m y grades there have improve when i come to thiis school. i make many new frieunds and life is good for me and my objectives are set out for me.i talk more with people then befojr becuase here at school we have people from almost 30diifferent countrys.the engram are gone and i get to see if it is good and successful o r not good and not successful. it i s important to talk good to people. this could be to handshake, the CCH1 to build the affiniity with them and allso to build there affinity. when you are good and people there are good to you,this build the positive life. this i s what i want to do because what i d o for social belief build for my attainment to spiritual goal to the universe..

 

[Heneni]

We act on what we believe not on what we know. But it does matter what we believe, because we will act on those beliefs.

 

[blackout]

I believe completely without believing at all.

belief is a catylist.

All you have to do, in order to 'believe'... is suspend disbelief.
You don't REALLY have to believe it though.

Sometimes suspension of disbelief is unwise though.
Especially when you are dealing with politicians and the like.
I will never suspend my disbelief in (for the sake of) liars.
Call me crazy.

(hope that was coherent... had a bit to drink....)

 

[DallasApple]

I believe completely without believing at all.

belief is a catylist.

All you have to do, in order to 'believe'... is suspend disbelief.
You don't REALLY have to believe it though.

Sometimes suspension of disbelief is unwise though.
Especially when you are dealing with politicians and the like.
I will never suspend my disbelief in liars.
Call me crazy.

(hope that was coherent... had a bit to drink....)

STOP DRINKING!!! LOL!!!

Or at LEAST stop admitting it !!!

You sound fine (a little bit deep) but totally insightful till you say you are drunk!!!

LOL!

Love

Dallas

 

[logician]

Our beliefs only matter in the manerand extent they affect our actions.

 

[Kay]

I think whoever or whatever I am exists at a level beneath my conscious mind. That what normally passes for my consciousness is just the surface of the mind ocean and is only of any importance to itself.

:yes:

Everything that you can point at (metaphorically anyway) is not you. The real you is the part that's aware, not anything you're aware of.

(Hope that wasn't too off topic).

 

[Jeremaih*6-16]

You know what? there is an Apostle named John and he wrote a book called revelations. No many people will inform you that this book is very scarey but I really dont believe so.
Rev 21-8 the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars whall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.
No before this verse John writes
Rev 21-7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son.
And after that
Rev 21-9 and there came an angel and he talked with me saying come hither I will show you the bride.
Rev 21-10 and the angel showed John the right way and the angel carried John to the great city of jerusalem that decended out of heaven from god.

Now I dont believe that one has to have a religion to believe in GOD, but In Romans Paul writes
One is saved by Grace through FAITH
Faith is believing am I correct?
*Edit*

 

[Riverwolf]

You know what? there is an Apostle named John and he wrote a book called revelations. No many people will inform you that this book is very scarey but I really dont believe so.
Rev 21-8 the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars whall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.
No before this verse John writes
Rev 21-7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son.
And after that
Rev 21-9 and there came an angel and he talked with me saying come hither I will show you the bride.
Rev 21-10 and the angel showed John the right way and the angel carried John to the great city of jerusalem that decended out of heaven from god.

Now I dont believe that one has to have a religion to believe in GOD, but In Romans Paul writes
One is saved by Grace through FAITH
Faith is believing am I correct?
.

Nah. Hell looks better than heaven.

Besides, the only way to erase my sins would be to change the past, which is impossible. No other method is acceptable to me.

 

[blackout]

I DO BELIEVE this post counts as (ugh.. spelling and concept)...
prostelyzing, :areyoucra
and I KNOW it's a no no here because the good book of RF says so.
(thank gOd) :help:

You know what? there is an Apostle named John and he wrote a book called revelations. No many people will inform you that this book is very scarey but I really dont believe so.
Rev 21-8 the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars whall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.
No before this verse John writes
Rev 21-7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son.
And after that
Rev 21-9 and there came an angel and he talked with me saying come hither I will show you the bride.
Rev 21-10 and the angel showed John the right way and the angel carried John to the great city of jerusalem that decended out of heaven from god.

Now I dont believe that one has to have a religion to believe in GOD, but In Romans Paul writes
One is saved by Grace through FAITH
Faith is believing am I correct?