What makes some people so sure their beliefs are true and real?

[SharinganisOP]

Hell is eternal - unmatched pain. A gun is quick and easy.

Saying the idea of hell is not to be scared of is arrogant and ignorant.

It's pretty easy to not be scared of hell if you don't think you're going to go there. Additionally, it's easy to think of hell's eternal pain as worth it and not be scared that way. There are many possible ways for people not to be scared of hell.

A gun however is something we know exists, and being afraid of it and of dying is logical. Even if it causes no pain, we are still afraid of death. But, even then there are some people who do not fear guns or death.

Fears don't have to be rational. Often they are influenced by what is rational, but they don't have to be, and neither does the absence of fear.

 

[ItachiSan03]

The majority of people think that everything they believe is true and correct. Most people aren't aware enough that they can step back and take a look a the big picture. It takes a certain amount of awareness to realize "I am not the center of the universe". But it's human nature to believe this.

Even with the most basic and insignificant things, most people can't fathom that what they feel isn't a universal truth. Just look at simple opinions, like "this book is good." People can't even agree over trivial things like this because they don't understand that "good" is relative to everyone.

It's like Itachi's quote, and it's why it's one of my favorites. "Every human being relies on and is bounded by his knowledge and experience to live. This is what we call “reality”. However, knowledge and experience are ambiguous, thus reality can become illusion. Is it not possible to think that, all human beings are living in their assumptions?"

As far as religion goes... I don't have a problem with those who are religious, but I also do find it annoying when people try to press their beliefs on others and present them as universal facts. I think religion is great thing for those who find guidance or comfort in it. Who knows, maybe one day I'll believe in a benevolent God if something bad happens to me.

Right now though, IMO I think it's ridiculous to think that us humans could possibly understand an omnipotent all knowing God. I find it unlikely that a God who created time, the universe, everything, could possibly care about us humans. We are on one planet orbiting one star that is among billions of other stars in a galaxy that is among billions of other galaxies. In that sense, IMO we would be as insignificant as ants are to us to an all mighty being. But again, it all circles back to human nature - the belief that we are the singular most important thing in the universe. The belief that the universe revolves around us.

My personal belief is that there may or may not be a god, and that there will never be a way to truly know. Because we dont have the capacity to possibly perceive such a being. So basically, it's really all up to what you want to believe.

Sorry for pouring out all of my religious beliefs out here on NB. Also, sorry for the long and rambling post and if I don't make any sense. Just finished a 3 hour long test and my brain feels fried Zzz

 

[Sakura Michiko]

The majority of people think that everything they believe is true and correct. Most people aren't aware enough that they can step back and take a look a the big picture. It takes a certain amount of awareness to realize "I am not the center of the universe". But it's human nature to believe this.

Even with the most basic and insignificant things, most people can't fathom that what they feel isn't a universal truth. Just look at simple opinions, like "this book is good." People can't even agree over trivial things like this because they don't understand that "good" is relative to everyone.

It's like Itachi's quote, and it's why it's one of my favorites. "Every human being relies on and is bounded by his knowledge and experience to live. This is what we call “reality”. However, knowledge and experience are ambiguous, thus reality can become illusion. Is it not possible to think that, all human beings are living in their assumptions?"

As far as religion goes... I don't have a problem with those who are religious, but I also do find it annoying when people try to press their beliefs on others and present them as universal facts. I think religion is great thing for those who find guidance or comfort in it. Who knows, maybe one day I'll believe in a benevolent God if something bad happens to me.

Right now though, IMO I think it's ridiculous to think that us humans could possibly understand an omnipotent all knowing God. I find it unlikely that a God who created time, the universe, everything, could possibly care about us humans. We are on one planet orbiting one star that is among billions of other stars in a galaxy that is among billions of other galaxies. In that sense, IMO we would be as insignificant as ants are to us to an all mighty being. But again, it all circles back to human nature - the belief that we are the singular most important thing in the universe. The belief that the universe revolves around us.

My personal belief is that there may or may not be a god, and that there will never be a way to truly know. Because we dont have the capacity to possibly perceive such a being. So basically, it's really all up to what you want to believe.

Sorry for pouring out all of my religious beliefs out here on NB. Also, sorry for the long and rambling post and if I don't make any sense. Just finished a 3 hour long test and my brain feels fried Zzz

Exactly. Like it's just something that we will never know. I question a lot of things and question if human beliefs are right is one.I also question our existence. Like we might be someone imagination or a game on a super computer. Even if "the creator" appears who is to say that the creator is real or still a figments of someone's imagination? When I started to fade away from being christian I questioned the concept of haven and hell being real or not. and a 3 hour test wow are you in high school or college?

 

[Pumpkin Ninja]

Because I expressed an opinion,asked a question and I didn't make an assumption that deems me "not bright"...yea...no. You are pretty much doing exactly what my post is about

Uh, no. So basically you couldn't understand I was talking about Hell portrayed and questioned whether I've been there. That is a dumb thing to do. Not to mention there are atheist who do the same as you mentioned. It's pretty one sided.

 

[OG sama]

The majority of people think that everything they believe is true and correct. Most people aren't aware enough that they can step back and take a look a the big picture. It takes a certain amount of awareness to realize "I am not the center of the universe". But it's human nature to believe this.

Even with the most basic and insignificant things, most people can't fathom that what they feel isn't a universal truth. Just look at simple opinions, like "this book is good." People can't even agree over trivial things like this because they don't understand that "good" is relative to everyone.

It's like Itachi's quote, and it's why it's one of my favorites. "Every human being relies on and is bounded by his knowledge and experience to live. This is what we call “reality”. However, knowledge and experience are ambiguous, thus reality can become illusion. Is it not possible to think that, all human beings are living in their assumptions?"

As far as religion goes... I don't have a problem with those who are religious, but I also do find it annoying when people try to press their beliefs on others and present them as universal facts. I think religion is great thing for those who find guidance or comfort in it. Who knows, maybe one day I'll believe in a benevolent God if something bad happens to me.

Right now though, IMO I think it's ridiculous to think that us humans could possibly understand an omnipotent all knowing God. I find it unlikely that a God who created time, the universe, everything, could possibly care about us humans. We are on one planet orbiting one star that is among billions of other stars in a galaxy that is among billions of other galaxies. In that sense, IMO we would be as insignificant as ants are to us to an all mighty being. But again, it all circles back to human nature - the belief that we are the singular most important thing in the universe. The belief that the universe revolves around us.

My personal belief is that there may or may not be a god, and that there will never be a way to truly know. Because we dont have the capacity to possibly perceive such a being. So basically, it's really all up to what you want to believe.

Sorry for pouring out all of my religious beliefs out here on NB. Also, sorry for the long and rambling post and if I don't make any sense. Just finished a 3 hour long test and my brain feels fried Zzz

Agreed but its only hard to believe a God does not care about us humans if you dont read about God. He does indeed care on a level we simply won't understand, he constantly wants us Christians to talk to non believers because he cares about where we all end up when we die. He is a just God though, meaning he keeps his promises and if you die and your not a christian you aren't making it into the kingdom of heaven.

Of course we will all find out where people really go when they die, but if God is indeed real, how are people going to react? The people who refused to believe there entire life? But by that time its too late, that's why you gotta read the bible and have faith and obey Gods commandment. But of course I'm saying this all as a Christian, not trying to force my opinion on you or anything like that.

 

[Pumpkin Ninja]

It's pretty easy to not be scared of hell if you don't think you're going to go there. Additionally, it's easy to think of hell's eternal pain as worth it and not be scared that way. There are many possible ways for people not to be scared of hell.

A gun however is something we know exists, and being afraid of it and of dying is logical. Even if it causes no pain, we are still afraid of death. But, even then there are some people who do not fear guns or death.

Fears don't have to be rational. Often they are influenced by what is rational, but they don't have to be, and neither does the absence of fear.

I'd prefer to be rational.

 

[ItachiSan03]

Exactly. Like it's just something that we will never know. I question a lot of things and question if human beliefs are right is one.I also question our existence. Like we might be someone imagination or a game on a super computer. Even if "the creator" appears who is to say that the creator is real or still a figments of someone's imagination? When I started to fade away from being christian I questioned the concept of haven and hell being real or not. and a 3 hour test wow are you in high school or college?

High school, actually Lol might have exaggerated the 3 hour thing, it was more like two. It was an online course, so it was open book but it forever.

 

[Sakura Michiko]

High school, actually Lol might have exaggerated the 3 hour thing, it was more like two. It was an online course, so it was open book but it forever.

Wow, that sounds like some college final. I had one that was like 3 hours.

Uh, no. So basically you couldn't understand I was talking about Hell portrayed and questioned whether I've been there. That is a dumb thing to do. Not to mention there are atheist who do the same as you mentioned. It's pretty one sided.

I questioned what you said because that might not be correct. This is kind of like when I stated in my post some people automatically go off what the bible says and does not question it. I'm not one sided for asking you a question.Hey hell may or may not exist. You are pretty one sided and tell me how is hell "ration"?

 

[ItachiSan03]

Agreed but its only hard to believe a God does not care about us humans if you dont read about God. He does indeed care on a level we simply won't understand, he constantly wants us Christians to talk to non believers because he cares about where we all end up when we die. He is a just God though, meaning he keeps his promises and if you die and your not a christian you aren't making it into the kingdom of heaven.

Of course we will all find out where people really go when they die, but if God is indeed real, how are people going to react? The people who refused to believe there entire life? But by that time its too late, that's why you gotta read the bible and have faith and obey Gods commandment. But of course I'm saying this all as a Christian, not trying to force my opinion on you or anything like that.

Thank you for being respectful of my beliefs.

I do wonder a few things. What about people who have lived good lives but have never heard of God or Christianity? What happens to them? Are they left out of heaven and punished for sheer ignorance?

To me, God is like Schroedinger's cat. Just like the cat may be alive or dead but we have no way of knowing, God may or may not exist, but we have no way of knowing - at least in this life time. For me, personally, there is no basis to sway me to believe either way. So I have no idea whether or not God exists. In a way - and I really don't mean to offend you or your beliefs by this - IMO it would be rather unfair of God to punish me only because of my ignorance.

 

[Pumpkin Ninja]

Wow, that sounds like some college final. I had one that was like 3 hours.


I questioned what you said because that might not be correct. This is kind of like when I stated in my post some people automatically go off what the bible says and does not question it. I'm not one sided for asking you a question.Hey hell may or may not exist. You are pretty one sided and tell me how is hell "ration"?

See, when did I state hell was real? You said if hell existed you wouldn't be afraid and I gave my opinion on that.

 

[Sakura Michiko]

I'd prefer to be rational.

High school, actually Lol might have exaggerated the 3 hour thing, it was more like two. It was an online course, so it was open book but it forever.

Uh, no. So basically you couldn't understand I was talking about Hell portrayed and questioned whether I've been there. That is a dumb thing to do. Not to mention there are atheist who do the same as you mentioned. It's pretty one sided.

See, when did I state hell was real? You said if hell existed you wouldn't be afraid and I gave my opinion on that.

You said you preferred to be rational. I wanted to know how hell is rational.

 

[Naruto X Hunter]

Big Bang Kamahameha

 

[Pumpkin Ninja]

You said you preferred to be rational. I wanted to know how hell is rational.

I was referring to fear. If hell exists, damn straight, I'm not gonna front and say I'm not afraid.

 

[Sakura Michiko]

I was referring to fear. If hell exists, damn straight, I'm not gonna front and say I'm not afraid.

Well that's understandable but I'm not you. Like my boyfriend isn't afraid of death but I don't ridicule him because of it.

 

[Nagi]

Hell is eternal - unmatched pain. A gun is quick and easy.

Saying the idea of hell is not to be scared of is arrogant and ignorant.

Eventually the pain will subside.

 

[Madarauchiwa]

what makes them believe that they are right? fear.

they NEED to believe they are right because if they aren't and say another belief is then they fear that they will go to that beliefs hell or that they have insulted that beliefs diety by believing in a false one. so they NEED to believe that they are right and fight for that belief because if not all those like true believers are doomed to a life of dread. dreading the day they die and are punished for being wrong.

so i guess my answer is fear

 

[Sakura Michiko]

what makes them believe that they are right? fear.

they NEED to believe they are right because if they aren't and say another belief is then they fear that they will go to that beliefs hell or that they have insulted that beliefs diety by believing in a false one. so they NEED to believe that they are right and fight for that belief because if not all those like true believers are doomed to a life of dread. dreading the day they die and are punished for being wrong.

so i guess my answer is fear

Some of them assume they are better than other people because of their beliefs and call people stupid just because that person belief is different. Now I'm not saying there aren't silly people in these beliefs but to call everyone in certain beliefs stupid is pretty immature and low. Some people assumed that I was doing that on this post but I wasn't and someone was telling me I was stupid because I didn't fear stuff like hell.

 

[Aim64C]

People who can't entertain the possibility of their belief being incorrect can't be correctly said to have faith in that belief.

At the end of the day, values are individual. I am willing to believe that the Bible is an accurate account of the Hebrew's interaction with God because I have developed many of the same values as expressed within the accounts. I have also observed similar values as identified within other philosophical/theological contexts and am willing to believe that their outlooks have merit.

Because I have adopted these values that have probed the very depth and concept of existence - it is going to be the rare scenario that leaves me in a situation where I feel my values are being challenged through a contest against what I believe to be true.

Even if it were to, somehow, be proven that the prophets within the Bible were all simply influential speakers and not 'hearing the voice of God' - or that Jesus was simply a very influential social reformer - these would not challenge the values I have with regard to the existence of deity and my place within the world. The God that I have come to understand through these figures and through my own observation of the world is not so easily contested.

Even so, there is the possibility that I am incorrect a number of my beliefs. I believe in a concept of eternal life - IE - that the soul continues existence outside of the body. Even if my belief in God is correct - there is not necessarily a guarantee that my belief in the continued existence of the soul (or a preservation of some form of consciousness) is correct. Or, it could be the other way around. Perhaps the soul passes on and there is no readily identifiable God for it to interact with.

Or, perhaps there is nothing (in which case, there's nothing to worry about).

In some ways, it is more settling to believe that there is nothing. In other ways, it is more settling to believe that I will have the chance to meet others in an existence beyond - a chance to interact with people who I wronged in a space where the body doesn't exist as an obscurity or distraction of/from what is meant or what was intended.

Perhaps it is worth clarifying that I don't believe in a sort of instant-gratification heaven/hell afterlife. I believe hell is more of a state of existence, as is heaven. Both exist within the backdrop of worldly and 'after' lives.

This is, in many ways, why I say that those who can't entertain the idea of being wrong have no faith. I don't have faith that the sun will rise in the East - it's something of a fact (and woe be to all if it should ever be otherwise). I don't have faith that water is wet or that fire burns.

Similarly, if someone treats their beliefs in life as if they are facts - these are not things taken on faith. To them, these are evidence-based conclusions that can be overturned through a challenging of the evidence.

Faith, on the other hand, requires you to still be willing to believe despite a cognitive awareness of the lack of evidence. Faith isn't something that can be taught or proven. It is an individual choice to say: "This is what I believe, and I may very well be wrong." It is an ownership of beliefs and values.

Having faith isn't so much about being right but in being willing to be wrong.

Which is why I also say that faith is not very common within religion - my own is no exception.

 

[King Kendrick]

My entire family are adamant believers in god and i can say for a fact its because of they're unwavering faith . Nothing else . There is no clear answer everyone has different reasons .

 

[ShroominMan]

There is nothing to discuss. 5 grams of Psilocybin Mushrooms or 150mg of DMT is all you need to be sure about what the nature of this existence is all about. With those two tools you can discover the secrets of the universe and become one with the Creator.