Why we believe or don't believe....

[Hope]

I posted an earlier thread, in which I posed the question to atheists about how they find meaning in their existence, and their sense of self-worth, if God does not exist. Well, their answers, which were all good, got me to thinking, for I noticed some common threads through all of their replies. I'll see if I can get out right what's muddled up in my brain at the moment!

What I'm wondering is this--is there any correlation between certain factors pertaining to every individual and whether they believe or disbelieve in the existence of God, or even the supernatural (if one wants to be more vague)? These factors may be one or more of the following: personality, life experiences, upbringing, education, and social/economic status. There are probably more, only I cannot think of any more off the top of my head. I personally think that all these factors do come into play when examining why we each believe what we do. But I thought I would throw the question out there anyway (even if it might be obvious), just to get others' thoughts.

Just as an instance of what I'm getting at---I am by nature a pessimistic person, and have also been through some pretty difficult stuff in my life. If I didn't believe there was a God, that He cared about me, and that this life here on earth isn't all there is, I would not see the point of living. But I wonder, if I was by nature a happier, more positive person, and hadn't gone through all that difficult stuff, would I still believe in God? Would I feel any need or desire to?

Just wondering what others think about this......

 

[Ceridwen018]

I think you're onto something here, Hope. Our personalities decide, basically, how we think and what we require to help us think that way. Our personalities also decide what types of things we prefer, etc. I don't think personality, etc. is the sole factor, but I suppose it's a big one.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Congratulations Hope!! You have just taken the first step to becoming an atheist: "Why do I beleive?" The answers may surprise you!

 

[Ceridwen018]

That is a very interesting question...Why do you believe, Hope? Is it to get you through the hard times?

 

[Lightkeeper]

I think it has to do with what you have found within yourself. I believe the more you let go of and stay open, the more connection you will find. I don't think personality has anything to do with it.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

I think I agree with Lightkeeper on this one. After all, there are people of all different personality types who beleive in God. There is a correlation with scientists though. Scientists tend to be atheist/agnostic or have 'no religion' at higher rates than the general population: see http://www.gnxp.com/MT2/archives/001446.html

I think Runt posted in another thread that there seems to be a correlation between atheism and IQ...though I don't think that is a very good measure of whether or not something is true (intellectuals also tend to be more liberal).

 

[Hope]

Congratulations Hope!! You have just taken the first step to becoming an atheist: "Why do I beleive?" The answers may surprise you!

Ha-Ha-Ha, Mr.Spinkles!

Sorry to disappoint you, but I still have no intentions of becoming an athiest! I still firmly believe what I believe. But, that said, I do recognize that certain factors helped lead me to my initial belief.

As far as what you said, Lightkeeper, I have to agree with Ceridwen. I think personality CAN play a role. That doesn't mean it always does, or even that if it does, it is not the only thing influencing what we believe. As I said, i think it can be one or more of certain factors--it is not necessarily due to just one thing. That's why I wouldn't make the silly and totally ignorant statement that everyone who believes in God is a pessimist by nature. I know many that are not! All I'm saying is that, due to my own limited observations, it seems that many different factors influence what we believe and why.

 

[Hope]

That is a very interesting question...Why do you believe, Hope? Is it to get you through the hard times?

Ceridwen, i would love to answer this question, but have to run! I will answer it later.....

 

[Pah]

I consider myself a thinking person and combined with what I have seen of life and what I have been shown of other people's life and emotions, I find very common elements of humanism in every faith. Logic tells me that the common component is the better answer for my life.

-pah-

 

[Green Gaia]

I believe what makes sense to me and makes me secure. To believe in something that doesn't make sense and doesn't offer security is insanity to me.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Ha-Ha-Ha, Mr.Spinkles!

Sorry to disappoint you, but I still have no intentions of becoming an athiest! I still firmly believe what I believe.

I never intended to become atheist...in fact, I often considered being a minister/theologian. Just goes to show, you never know!

But, that said, I do recognize that certain factors helped lead me to my initial belief.

As far as what you said, Lightkeeper, I have to agree with Ceridwen. I think personality CAN play a role. That doesn't mean it always does, or even that if it does, it is not the only thing influencing what we believe. As I said, i think it can be one or more of certain factors--it is not necessarily due to just one thing. That's why I wouldn't make the silly and totally ignorant statement that everyone who believes in God is a pessimist by nature. I know many that are not! All I'm saying is that, due to my own limited observations, it seems that many different factors influence what we believe and why.

Hmmm...good points. Although normally, I thought the stereotype was that atheists were pessimists and theists were optimists.

 

[Pah]

I never intended to become atheist...in fact, I often considered being a minister/theologian. Just goes to show, you never know!

I have to say I had the same goal when I was Mr. Spinkles age.

-pah-

 

[Ceridwen018]

Hmmm...good points. Although normally, I thought the stereotype was that atheists were pessimists and theists were optimists.

"I'm sad that I'm flying." ~Strong Sad

While we're talking about patterns between believers and disbelievers, I'll add that I used to want to become a college theology professor. I figured it'd be as close as I could get to becoming a preist, without having to be a nun.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

"I'm sad that I'm flying." ~Strong Sad

LMAO
Perhaps the people who end up not believing are those who have put much thought into what they do believe....quite an interesting trend I'm noticing. I guess that only makes sense...I mean, how many people will abandon the beliefs they were raised with without spending lots of time thinking about their beliefs first?

 

[Mr Spinkles]

I have to say I had the same goal when I was Mr. Spinkles age.

I didn't even know they had religion back then...

 

[Pah]

I didn't even know they had religion back then...

You never heard the song "Gimme' that ole time religion"? hehehe

-pah-

 

[Hope]

Hmmm...good points. Although normally, I thought the stereotype was that atheists were pessimists and theists were optimists.

Yeah, good point. But, here's how I see it. Because I am a pessimist, I need an optimistic belief to balance me out. Being a Christian helps me be more of an optimist. And maybe some atheists ('some' being the key word, as I would never presume to lump all atheists together, and besides many of you atheists have already shown me you are quite optimistic) become pessimists because of what they believe???

 

[Scott1]

Hope,

Great thread!

Contrary to the "gang" of athiests that are on this thread, I believe that you are on a path towards a deeper relationship with the Lord.

To ask the tough questions and to always question what and why you believe is what guides the true Saints.

Don't give up searching, and don't be fooled into thinking that God is so weak that your personality or IQ if the defining factor in what or how you have faith (or don't)..........

........to have a relationship with God is to say YES to the call. To say YES to God's grace as He love us as His children.

Keep on keeping on Hope, you are in my prayers!

Scott

 

[Hope]

That is a very interesting question...Why do you believe, Hope? Is it to get you through the hard times?

It certainly helps! Initially, it was because I was desperate for something to hold on to, something to give me a reason to live. I was so screwed up, and I wanted to be different. So, I thought, Well, if God really exists, and He really does care about me, with my faults and all, I'll give Him a shot. So I did, and once I did He proved His reality to me. And ever since then, though I have doubted many, many times, questioned Him many, many times, been angry at Him countless times, He has still come through for me, blowing my mind apart. And because of Him, I am a totally different person than I used to be. And it's nothing I can take credit for!

 

[Hope]

LMAO
Perhaps the people who end up not believing are those who have put much thought into what they do believe....quite an interesting trend I'm noticing. I guess that only makes sense...I mean, how many people will abandon the beliefs they were raised with without spending lots of time thinking about their beliefs first?

Oh, wow do I ever think about what I believe, if it isn't obvious from this thread I started! But I agree with Scott, actually. God wants us to search, to question, to ask. If we simply accept everything we're told, then that makes us pretty gullible, huh? I think growing up in a Christian home was both a blessing and a 'curse' to me. Because I grew up with so much Christian knowledge already ingrained in me, I took it for granted for the longest time that everything every Christian told me was true. Now I see that isn't so!! Within recent years I have begun to really examine what I believe and why. I have had broader experiences among people of different denominations, among people of different countries, and among people of different faiths. It was like I was in this bubble growing up, but now that bubble has burst, and I am exploring my faith in a new and exciting way. The core of what I believe has not changed, nor will it ever--not unless someone finds the bones of Jesus and can prove they're His, thus invalidating His resurrection, which is the 'hinge' belief of all Christendom.

But until that day (which I believe will never happen), I will continue to believe. And though I don't understand everything in the Bible, I will at least continue to seek for answers, and pray God reveals things to me. I think the key is simply being honest before God. There's no need to beat around the bush with God! If I'm frustrated or angry, I let Him know! If you read the Psalms, you will see evidence of plenty of human frustration and flat-out honesty before God. David, who wrote many of those Psalms, was known as the 'man after God's own heart.' I think this is interesting, because David was definitely not anywhere near perfect. He committed adultery--he murdered, for heaven's sake. It was his honesty, his sincere desire to know God, his willingness to repent after doing wrong, that made him a man after God's own heart.

But, anyway, sorry I'm rambling. Basically I think that it's ok to question and really think about what one believes, but that in itself does not necessarily lead to unbelief. I'm curious now, Mr. Spinkles--what specifically led you to abandon your former beliefs for athiesm?