motorhead

Is it reasonable for a person to hold beliefs which make them happy and helps them to live effectively even though these beliefs cannot be proven to be true? Of course, I'm thinking of religious beliefs (faith) here. Not sure what the distinction is between religious belief and religious faith is. Seem like the same thing. People have faith that their beliefs are true. But what if people are happy and live well with these beliefs? Is it reasonable for a person to hold beliefs like this?

For example, if a person is a Christian and this belief system makes them happy and helps them to live a fulfilling life, what's wrong with that? Let's say that many Christians practice their faith without imposing it on others or the government.

Jamie_L

It is understandable for someone to hold beliefs that aren't true because it makes them happy. Being reasonable/rational is another issue. Note, however, people think their beliefs are true, by definition, so it's not like these people think God is a load of hogwash, but believe in him anyway because it makes them happy.

The thing about blind faith is that it can be dangerous, in small ways and in big ways. When you trust an authority without question, then that authority has great power over you. When you give your trust easily without needing verification, you open yourself up to all kinds of opportunistic people - from con artists to advertisers to politicians. I think religion generally encourages uncritical thinking and gulibility. If people let that spill over into other aspects of their lives, they may be asking for trouble.

Jamie

Oxymoron

What if the belief was (say) "Black people are inferior to white"?

IMHO people need to learn that the validation of their beliefs is the real route to personal happiness and one that makes a better world for everyone. Faith blocks the validation of personal belief for the benefit of the individual. Ergo the whole faith and religion thing stands in the way of a better world.

MollyMac

I define faith as 'belief without evidence'. Somehow the word 'reasonable' doesn't quite fit here. But if someone's religious faith helps them to (1) live a happy, fulfilling life and doesn't prevent anyone else from doing the same and (2) they don't try and impose their faith on anyone else, I see no problem with it. I don't think I've ever come across anyone who fulfils both criteria. Even the most liberal of theists brainwash their own kids - I mean they don't say "We believe there is a god and we worship him but you must make up your own mind etc."

On the whole I think it far better if everyone had the courage to reject the sky daddy and try and live happy and fulfilling lives without him.

stormy313

I think there is a difference between belief and faith.

When a person believes something they are told, (ie JC was immaculatly concieved and crucified and rose from the dead, therefore you must believe he is god or face the penalty of everlasting torment) it is using fear to coerce a person into belief and is not really faith.

As soon as someone starts going around telling other people that their feeling of enlightenment is the only true way, it becomes a cult.

All religion, in my opinion, is a cult. It is believing someone else and following a certain dogma to obtain some sort of after death reward or enlightenment. Belief is a powerful, manipulative tool that is used to control peoples minds.

I have a theory that faith is something completely different. I have a certain amount of faith. It does not tell me there is a god somewhere "up there"; or to join some cult. I can't explain it to anyone else except that faith is believing in yourself. Don't take my word for it however. Please, do not believe what I say!

Ensign Steve

The only thing wrong with that is that their christian buddies aren't taking their example. I if it was the case that "all Christians practice their faith without imposing it on others or the government," or even better "all people practice their faith without imposing it on others or the government," then I promise I would quit my bitching.

Jen

lpetrich

This reminds me of Plato's "Royal Lie" theory of religion, which is presented in his description of his idea of the ideal society, the Republic.

Plato's society's sacred books were to be banned from his Republic, on the ground that they present bad examples -- bad examples like heroes lamenting and gods laughing.

In their place was to be an official religion/ideology that he called a "royal lie", one designed to "demonstrate" the legitimacy of that Republic's philosopher-rulers. According to it, those philosopher-rulers are really made of gold, the soldiers made of silver, and the common people made of bronze. Or more precisely, the rulers have the gold nature, the soldiers the silver nature, and the common people the bronze nature.

And since these metals' hierarchy of value is gold > silver > bronze, guess who winds up on top.

VivaHedone

Any philosophy that is without any logical basis is inherently dangerous. Once you accept the priciple of living a way of life based not on logic, then any perverse or immoral beliefs have to be accepted. Hitler's 'faith' that Jews were inferior people was based on just as much logic as Christianity - they are both moral systems with no logical justification, and anyone who respects 'faith' must surely give them equal respect.

Old Man

Belief is believing in your heart that something is true.

Faith is acting out that belief in your life.

Jesus stresses that belief in God must be acted out in faith, otherwise it cannot be construed as genuine belief, but only opinion.

"Try" being the operative word. "Failure" being the inevitable result.

I think you have a valid point. Early Christianity was certainly not about mind control, cultic leaders, enforced surrender of wealth (eg by way of tithing), worship of leaders, enforced political viewpoints (such an pro-immigration), communes, etc.

It was simply about living an ordinary life by faith - a faith which was based exclusively on evidence.

Bree

If I may respectfully disagree:

Quote:

FAITH (noun):[list=1][*]Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.[*]Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. [*]Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters. [*]The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will. [*]The body of dogma of a religion. A set of principles or beliefs. [/list=1]

Apparently Jesus has a different dictionary .