Freethought & Rationalism Archive

ThorsHammer · 10-19-2005, 09:00 AM

This is addressed to believers and nonbelievers:
As a nonbeliever in the supernatural (which includes all dieties), I am curious as to why over 95% of humans hold onto one or more supernatural beliefs - even though they may agree that their beliefs are irrational. Specifically, how do you rationalize your beliefs ?

Zeichman · 10-19-2005, 11:14 AM

I'm a Deist more or less, but a Lutheran one. I certainly don't believe in miracles, ghosts, or anything like that. I believe it contradicts God's wisdom to allow miracles. However, things like the existence of God, the incarnation of Jesus, etc. I do not believe can be rationally proven or disproven, and thus I can accept them on faith alone.

I'm not sure this belongs in Biblical Criticism, though.

Toto · 10-19-2005, 11:24 AM

This would do better in GRD

Splarnst · 10-19-2005, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeichman

I'm a Deist more or less, but a Lutheran one.

Huh? How is that possible?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeichman

I certainly don't believe in miracles, ghosts, or anything like that. I believe it contradicts God's wisdom to allow miracles. However, things like the existence of God, the incarnation of Jesus, etc. I do not believe can be rationally proven or disproven, and thus I can accept them on faith alone.

But isn't the incarnation a miracle?

Mageth · 10-19-2005, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revolutionary

But isn't the incarnation a miracle?

Yeah; I'm curious as to what was meant by the "etc.", as well.

DBT · 10-19-2005, 07:35 PM

I try to avoid belief and disbelief - as I see both as being irrelevent. :huh:

Jobar · 10-19-2005, 08:25 PM

I believe things on evidence and never on faith.

Because I realize my own limits and fallibility, there's always an explicit degree of tentativity in my beliefs. I'm always open to the possibility that I'm wrong, and (for instance) despite the vast experimental evidence indicating that gravity obeys exactly an inverse square law, if you measure to a sufficient degree of precision the relation isn't precisely inverse square.

My beliefs are relative and not absolute.

FatherMithras · 10-19-2005, 09:07 PM

You CANNOT be a deist and believe in Christ. Deism states God created the earth and never intervenes and that totaly contradicts Deism. You are a VERY liberal Lutheran.

babelfish · 10-19-2005, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThorsHammer

This is addressed to believers and nonbelievers:
As a nonbeliever in the supernatural (which includes all dieties), I am curious as to why over 95% of humans hold onto one or more supernatural beliefs - even though they may agree that their beliefs are irrational. Specifically, how do you rationalize your beliefs ?

Here are some reasons people may believe:

1. Their parents taught them about their beliefs, and their parents wouldn't lie to them, would they? It must be true, if mom and dad and all their friends believe it's true. It's easier to stay with the status quo.

2. It's comforting to think that some unimaginable, yet loving, supernatural being has a plan that will eventually explain all the currently inexplicable suffering and seemingly random mishaps that are occuring in your life.

3. The universe is too marvelous not to have been created by some supernatural omni-everything being.

Those are some of the reasons I used to believe.

Rational BAC · 10-19-2005, 09:54 PM

Why Christians believe? Why not?

What does it hurt? Who does it hurt?

If believing in personal immortality makes people a little happier-------why should I give a shit?

Why should you?

10-19-2005, 09:00 AM	#1
ThorsHammer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: USA - New Jersey Posts: 866	Why Do You Believe ? This is addressed to believers and nonbelievers: As a nonbeliever in the supernatural (which includes all dieties), I am curious as to why over 95% of humans hold onto one or more supernatural beliefs - even though they may agree that their beliefs are irrational. Specifically, how do you rationalize your beliefs ?

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10-19-2005, 11:14 AM	#2
Zeichman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Posts: 562	I'm a Deist more or less, but a Lutheran one. I certainly don't believe in miracles, ghosts, or anything like that. I believe it contradicts God's wisdom to allow miracles. However, things like the existence of God, the incarnation of Jesus, etc. I do not believe can be rationally proven or disproven, and thus I can accept them on faith alone. I'm not sure this belongs in Biblical Criticism, though.

10-19-2005, 11:24 AM	#3
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	This would do better in GRD

10-19-2005, 07:35 PM	#6
DBT Contributor Join Date: May 2003 Location: ɹǝpunuʍop puɐן ǝɥʇ Posts: 17,906	I try to avoid belief and disbelief - as I see both as being irrelevent. :huh:

10-19-2005, 08:25 PM	#7
Jobar Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: secularcafe.org Posts: 9,525	I believe things on evidence and never on faith. Because I realize my own limits and fallibility, there's always an explicit degree of tentativity in my beliefs. I'm always open to the possibility that I'm wrong, and (for instance) despite the vast experimental evidence indicating that gravity obeys exactly an inverse square law, if you measure to a sufficient degree of precision the relation isn't precisely inverse square. My beliefs are relative and not absolute.

10-19-2005, 09:07 PM	#8
FatherMithras Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 3,890	You CANNOT be a deist and believe in Christ. Deism states God created the earth and never intervenes and that totaly contradicts Deism. You are a VERY liberal Lutheran.

10-19-2005, 09:54 PM	#10
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	Why Christians believe? Why not? What does it hurt? Who does it hurt? If believing in personal immortality makes people a little happier-------why should I give a shit? Why should you?

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