Belief...a choice?

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I think that for most people choosing a religious belief is more complex and takes longer than choosing say which item on a menu to get, or even what car to purchase.

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If we are talking about the majority of religious people as a whole, then I disagree that they choose at all.The vast majority of religious people simply practice the religion, or something close to it, that they were raised to believe.That's why you see communities which have always been Christian, or Jewish, or Muslim pretty much stay Christian, Jewish, and Muslim if there aren't a lot of people coming and going.

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And if what you believe does not make you happy, what's the point?

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I would rather my beliefs (or lack thereof) make me uncomfortable than content myself with a lie.

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A lie by any other name smells just as sweet. You see a lie from your perch, I do not from mine. So, what do you say. Shall you refrain from judgment and let me engage in the pursuit of happiness according to my want?

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It is not my intent to keep you from your happiness.Remember, though, that you said:And if what you believe does not make you happy, what's the point?I explained to you that, for me, I would rather know an uncomfortable truth than deceive myself with a comforting lie.I would much, much rather spend my mental efforts in thinking well rather than feeling good.That is "the point", for me.This message has been edited by schrafinator, 11-29-2004 07:14 AM

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You will find a lot of 2+2=5 in the matters of faith in God (which is another topic in itself) as well as evolution.

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What does this mean?I don't find any "2+2=5" in matters of science at all.

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Your incredulity is the cross you were given? Carry it well and carry it to conclusion.

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Actually, the ability to rationally examine evidence and make conclusions based upon that examination is what brought us out of the superstitious and ignorant Dark Ages and into what is commonly referred to the Age of Enlightenment.It is not a burden; it is a pair of wings.

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Your senses and logic..it seems you would know better than to consult with things so easily influenced by a sinful world and sinful self.

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But what if the world and the self are not sinful at all?

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As for those who choose not to believe, because they connot help it because of their own rationale and logic and it is easier to believe everything is by happenstance?

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Everything is not "by happenstance".

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I will say that if they have chosen so, they have chosen well. How people can believe that something may be had from nothing is my wonder question.

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I do not believe that something comes from nothing.This message has been edited by schrafinator, 12-01-2004 08:09 AM

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I think we all approach & recognise the existance of God at sometime in our lives and I suspect it is usually when we are at our lowest.

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...which is a dead giveaway that our concept of God/gods is used as a comfort in times of stress.This is not in any way evidence that God exists, only that our culture makes this sort of thinking acceptable if not expected.Oh, BTW, we don't "all" recognize the existence of god at our lowest points.

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that is sweet, thank you.

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uhh, you're welcome, I think.Since your response was so short and contentless, I don't know if you are being serious or sarcastic.Don't you want to actually respond to what I said. I thought I made some interesting points.

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Dennis Miller IS funny, however.

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He used to be, anyway.Now that he's gotten old he's turned into a conservative asshole. Back when he skewered everybody he was great.

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Is Belief formed out of experience? If so, I maintain that much of my personal belief arose out of experience(s) which I regarded as an impartation of the Spirit but which SOME people may label an overactive imagination!

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I'd say that is a perfectly fair statement.