Is Belief a Choice?

[ChristineES]

I don't believe that belief is a choice at all- at least not my own belief- it wasn't a choice when I started believing in a God.

I do, however, believe that we might choose our God concept whether it be monotheist, polytheist, pantheist, panentheist, etc.

 

[Union jack]

At the point of a gun I don't think its possible to believe something. You can claim you do but not really. Just as Vinayaka said.

Our beliefs then are unsupported by testimony.

When forced we choose to believe that our beliefs are unsupported by our testamony.

When free to choose we choose what we want to believe.

 

[Monk Of Reason]

Our beliefs then are unsupported by testimony.

When forced we choose to believe that our beliefs are unsupported by our testamony.

When free to choose we choose what we want to believe.

I'm saying you can "say", "act" and "do" whatever you want to preserve your life when forced. But can you under ANY circumstances being to believe in Santa?

 

[Union jack]

I believe Santa could have an allegorical context.

 

[Monk Of Reason]

Thats not what I"m asking. Can you forceably BELIEVE in santa. Not a twisted convoluted "well maybe this is possible" but in reality believe that a fat jolly man who lives in the North poll rides in a magical sleigh pulled by 12 flying reindeer that slips down your chimney and leaves you presents made by magical elves also living in the North Poll?

 

[Union jack]

I wont believe that untill I encounter some kind of proof, no.

 

[Monk Of Reason]

Then you cannot "choose" your beliefs.

 

[Union jack]

Many people choose to believe based on faith alone.

 

[Monk Of Reason]

They choose other things that lead to belief but it is not "choosing" their belief. I argue that cases in which someone clings to faith reguardless of evidence or arguments its for alternative reasons. Being raised in such a way, denial, ect. Without a specific example its hard to say.

 

[Union jack]

I agree that we are raised to be racist or Republican and that choices, in the face of conditioning, can be stressful.

 

[Monk Of Reason]

Well there we agree. I think we can make the "choice" to do things in our lives that will change our belief's over time. But the core of "belief" is not a choice.

 

[Union jack]

So it's more mechanical, like you have no choice but to be atheist and when the mechanism occurs to change your mind then you believe.

 

[Monk Of Reason]

Exactly. And likewise someone who is a Religious person can choose to do certain things or evaluate certain things that will ultimatly shape their future "belief"

 

[Union jack]

After being raised Catholic I chose not to believe until a switch was thrown somewhere in my head and I became a believer (but not Catholic, yet) So I could see my beliefs being a result of both choice and some unforeseen mechanism.

 

[Monk Of Reason]

That is an example of selective information processing.
I can "choose" not to evaluate data that may disrupt my faith. Or I may choose not to accept an axiom for the sake of argument.

There is concious and unconcious SIP.

 

[Falvlun]

I believe that we can influence what we believe, just like we can influence any other course of action we take. But then again, I'm not a determinist.

 

[paarsurrey]

Some feel that Belief is a choice. Some don't. I personally don't to a degree. For example can any of your choose to believe in Santa? Truly really believe? Can you choose to believe in any god in particular?

You can lie to yourself and to a degree believe something by Choice. However this is denial.

So if you truly believe in a Religion or god is it really a choice? And if your an Atheist is it really a choice? I know we can always re-evaluate the evidence but can we really chance how we look the world as easily as switching sides? I know opinions can change over time but is it possible to simply change ones view on the basis of "choice"?

It is a choice with consequences.

 

[idav]

Some feel that Belief is a choice. Some don't. I personally don't to a degree. For example can any of your choose to believe in Santa? Truly really believe? Can you choose to believe in any god in particular?

You can lie to yourself and to a degree believe something by Choice. However this is denial.

So if you truly believe in a Religion or god is it really a choice? And if your an Atheist is it really a choice? I know we can always re-evaluate the evidence but can we really chance how we look the world as easily as switching sides? I know opinions can change over time but is it possible to simply change ones view on the basis of "choice"?

You evaluate the evidence and then choose. Belief in deities is unique in that evaluating the evidence isn't normally enough to make a clear cut choice. When something is 50/50 then it is more of a choice than when the evidence is overwhelmingly in favor for or against.

 

[Draka]

It is a choice with consequences.

How so? How can one choose their beliefs?

 

[Falvlun]

How so? How can one choose their beliefs?

How can one not? I've never experienced belief as something that just happened to me, a passive acquisition. Beliefs are things I cultivate.