Why do people believe what they believe?

[Trailblazer]

Why do some people believe in the religion that they believe in and not another religion?
Why do some people consider the existence of God to be self-evident while others think that belief in God has no basis?
Why do some people believe that the Bible is the word of God while others believe it is only the words of men?

I think the reason people believe in a religion or in God can be objective as well as subjective.
Even though there are objective facts associated with all religions, people are going to interpret those facts subjectively, which is why we don't all adhere to the same religion.

Regarding subjectivity, why do some people love cats and others love dogs, why do some people like rainy weather and others like sunny weather, and why do some people feel a need for a romantic relationship while others do not care about that at all?

The list goes on. We all have different desires and preferences so why would that not apply to the religion we choose to believe in?

 

[Madsaac]

Most of the time, is it because children are exposed to what their parents and the local community believe in.

Or people are brainwashed to a certain degree.

 

[ppp]

Why do some people believe in the religion that they believe in and not another religion?
Why do some people consider the existence of God to be self-evident while others think that belief in God has no basis?
Why do some people believe that the Bible is the word of God while others believe it is only the words of men?

I think the reason people believe in a religion or in God can be objective as well as subjective.
Even though there are objective facts associated with all religions, people are going to interpret those facts subjectively, which is why we don't all adhere to the same religion.

Regarding subjectivity, why do some people love cats and others love dogs, why do some people like rainy weather and others like sunny weather, and why do some people feel a need for a romantic relationship while others do not care about that at all?

The list goes on. We all have different desires and preferences so why would that not apply to the religion we choose to believe in?

Do you think that we choose our preferences in cats versus dogs?

 

[Trailblazer]

Do you think that we choose our preferences in cats versus dogs?

No, I don't think we do.

 

[Heyo]

Why do some people believe in the religion that they believe in and not another religion?
Why do some people consider the existence of God to be self-evident while others think that belief in God has no basis?
Why do some people believe that the Bible is the word of God while others believe it is only the words of men?

I think the reason people believe in a religion or in God can be objective as well as subjective.
Even though there are objective facts associated with all religions, people are going to interpret those facts subjectively, which is why we don't all adhere to the same religion.

Regarding subjectivity, why do some people love cats and others love dogs, why do some people like rainy weather and others like sunny weather, and why do some people feel a need for a romantic relationship while others do not care about that at all?

The list goes on. We all have different desires and preferences so why would that not apply to the religion we choose to believe in?

We don't choose what we believe in. As you say, we have different desires and preferences, which bias our beliefs.
Only when our desire for truth is stronger than the biases, can we objectively, rationally investigate the different religious claims.

 

[Secret Chief]

No, I don't think we do.

The preference for cats is both rational and innate.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Why do some people believe in the religion that they believe in and not another religion?

Experience.

Initially, children will adopt the beliefs in which they are raised. At some point based on critical thinking, inherent tendencies, and/or experiences beyond their immediate family, those adopted beliefs will either be accepted or rejected.

Why do some people consider the existence of God to be self-evident while others think that belief in God has no basis?

For those that believe in God, the answer provided above applies. But there are others who have a direct experience of God, so for them, God is as self evident at the hand at the end of their arm.

Why do some people believe that the Bible is the word of God while others believe it is only the words of men?

This gets a bit convoluted.

I don't think anyone thinks God sat down with a pen and paper and authored a book. I hope think that most understand that it was written by humans.

That said, it comes down to beliefs based on what I wrote above. Of the parts of the Bible that are more than just narrative, there are those who believe that these words were passed to the author directly from God, while others believe that these were more or less written ideas of what they think God would, do, be, or want.

Regarding subjectivity, why do some people love cats and others love dogs, why do some people like rainy weather and others like sunny weather, and why do some people feel a need for a romantic relationship while others do not care about that at all?

I think all of these preferences influenced by past experiences.

We all have different desires and preferences so why would that not apply to the religion we choose to believe in?

Because it's not a choice. Do you think once chooses to have a preference of cats over dogs? Or is it something that has become a part of their nature?

 

[RestlessSoul]

Most of the time, is it because children are exposed to what their parents and the local community believe in.

Or people are brainwashed to a certain degree.

You don't think people in general are capable of independent thought, as they grow older?

 

[Nakosis]

Why do some people believe in the religion that they believe in and not another religion?
Why do some people consider the existence of God to be self-evident while others think that belief in God has no basis?
Why do some people believe that the Bible is the word of God while others believe it is only the words of men?

I think the reason people believe in a religion or in God can be objective as well as subjective.
Even though there are objective facts associated with all religions, people are going to interpret those facts subjectively, which is why we don't all adhere to the same religion.

Regarding subjectivity, why do some people love cats and others love dogs, why do some people like rainy weather and others like sunny weather, and why do some people feel a need for a romantic relationship while others do not care about that at all?

The list goes on. We all have different desires and preferences so why would that not apply to the religion we choose to believe in?

I believe in the reality that presents itself to me. It works out best for me to navigate through it to my benefit.
Anything not presenting itself as part of that reality I see no reason to believe in. I don't see how in befits me to believe in the unseen or intangible.

 

[Godobeyer]

Why do some people believe in the religion that they believe in and not another religion?
Why do some people consider the existence of God to be self-evident while others think that belief in God has no basis?
Why do some people believe that the Bible is the word of God while others believe it is only the words of men?

I think the reason people believe in a religion or in God can be objective as well as subjective.
Even though there are objective facts associated with all religions, people are going to interpret those facts subjectively, which is why we don't all adhere to the same religion.

Regarding subjectivity, why do some people love cats and others love dogs, why do some people like rainy weather and others like sunny weather, and why do some people feel a need for a romantic relationship while others do not care about that at all?

The list goes on. We all have different desires and preferences so why would that not apply to the religion we choose to believe in?

It's probably because it's heritage has sense to them.Same as heritage language and science.

Me took a look on most of religions, that's convinced me Islam most close religion to human sense, not human made or edited by humans.

 

[stvdv]

Why do some people believe in the religion that they believe in and not another religion

A) There is a universal law, that if you give energy to something it will "grow"
B) When you concentrate energy you have greater chance to reap results

Hence the advice:
a) Concentrate ... choose one
b) Dive deep until pearl is found

So, the more you study, the more God will Grace you with experiences, and the stronger your Faith will grow (hence people believe in their chosen Religion)

BUT

Once you have the knack of it, then you can try other Religions also, and you will discover that any Religion leads to Truth. And then you know that "all paths lead to God", not just Christ or Krishna, but also Shiva, Rama, Allah, Sai Baba and Bahaullah +++

 

[Quintessence]

A person - human or otherwise - cannot be anything other than what they are. In that respect, it's not particularly complicated. It seems questions like this get asked because some human persons have difficulty accepting things as they are. They construct narratives in their minds about how reality is "supposed" to be or "should" be rather than observing what is and understanding that which is is that which is. They demand "reasons" for things being what they are as if the reason matters somehow. As a matter of intellectual curiosity, I suppose it does, but beyond that? Things are what they are. One is who one is. Others are who they are. It just is.

 

[Tony B]

A) There is a universal law, that if you give energy to something it will "grow"
B) When you concentrate energy you have greater chance to reap results

Hence the advice:
a) Concentrate ... choose one
b) Dive deep until pearl is found

So, the more you study, the more God will Grace you with experiences, and the stronger your Faith will grow (hence people believe in their chosen Religion)

BUT

Once you have the knack of it, then you can try other Religions also, and you will discover that any Religion leads to Truth. And then you know that "all paths lead to God", not just Christ or Krishna, but also Shiva, Rama, Allah, Sai Baba and Bahaullah +++

You will find people leaving all faiths, and some join others, so evidentially this isn't a true statement. These religions will not lead you to God, only one will, they are all in conflict with each other in some way or another, only one can be true.

 

[Mock Turtle]

You don't think people in general are capable of independent thought, as they grow older?

Have you got any evidence that the majority of people who get religion passed down to them as children do actually change religions or leave religions behind entirely? I haven't come across any such.

 

[Heyo]

You will find people leaving all faiths, and some join others, so evidentially this isn't a true statement. These religions will not lead you to God, only one will, they are all in conflict with each other in some way or another, only one can be true.

Maximally one.

 

[Tony B]

Maximally one.

I don't understand what this means?

 

[RestlessSoul]

Have you got any evidence that the majority of people who get religion passed down to them as children do actually change religions or leave religions behind entirely? I haven't come across any such.

Have you got any evidence that adult children of religious parents don’t question their parents values, every bit as much as the children of secular parents do?

To support an opinion with what one hasn’t come across, btw, would be to generalise on the basis unquestioned assumption.

 

[PureX]

There are many reasons why people believe to be true what they believe to be true. And it often depends of what they believe, and what believing it contributes to their experience of life.

In the case of God-belief, what people choose to believe about God is generally the result of their need to believe in a benevolent power greater than themselves that can and will help them through the many difficulties in life in which they feel powerless. And believing this gives them a sense of hope and positive possibility that they would otherwise not likely feel.

After that, the specifics of their God-belief will depend more on the specific needs and desires they have as individual beings. Just as it should be.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Have you got any evidence that adult children of religious parents don’t question their parents values, every bit as much as the children of secular parents do?

To support an opinion with what one hasn’t come across, btw, would be to generalise on the basis unquestioned assumption.

Why would I assume that any actually question what was handed down? Oh, they all have a good look around, research all the religious beliefs in minute detail and then conclude that the one they believe currently is the truth - or simply will do - because changing might just be too much trouble. What with the cultural and peer pressure working away at them. But just show me any evidence that the majority even do any of this, which I very much doubt. The main ones doing this tend to be atheists or agnostics.

 

[Jimmy]

The truth can’t be ignored.