What's behind your religious beliefs?

GhostUser · Jul 10, 2006

I'm not sure if a thread/poll like this has been made before... my apologies if there has been. Why do you believe in what you do? 
Feel free to explain the details of your poll answer on this thread. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> I am interested in learning why others believe the things that they do. 
Oh, and this is in the Patch and out of the Heap for a reason - NO DEBATING HERE, please. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> Play nice.

GhostUser · Jul 10, 2006

I almost voted for #4- but the word "appealling" didn't apply. 
I choose my religon based on things that i indentified with, that made sense to me, and felt correct to me. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

GhostUser · Jul 10, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by purrpelle <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I almost voted for #4- but the word "appealling" didn't apply. 
I choose my religon based on things that i indentified with, that made sense to me, and felt correct to me. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"></div>
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 <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
I would think that if it "felt correct" that it would go under choice #3, but I understand what you're saying anyway.

karenlovessnow · Jul 10, 2006

My upbringing influenced by religious beliefs, however, it is not the reason I believe what I believe today. As I grew older my beliefs grew stronger. My religion and I just 'fit'. I have never once doubted that it is the right thing for me, even during some very trying times.

Savannah · Jul 10, 2006

although i was raised in the Presbyterian Church i became drawn to and heavily influenced by Buddhism and Eastern philosophies and traditions. i have kind of an amalgam of beliefs and believe the Universe to be connected by some force. i also attend Presbyterian worship because I don't feel it conflicts that much, they aren't that dogmatic, but they still are a Protestant denomination. as the Caltholic theologian Thomas Aquinas said, the prime mover, the creative force, has always been and always will be....whatever that prime mover is. i believe in something and the interconnectivity of being.

bigdufstuff · Jul 10, 2006

What if I don't have a belief? There really isn't an option for those like me.

Savannah · Jul 10, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by bigdufstuff <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
What if I don't have a belief? There really isn't an option for those like me.</div>
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your non-belief is still a religious belief, because aetheism or similar things are beliefs about religious issues...so i think it actually fits in the categories?

GhostUser · Jul 10, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by bigdufstuff <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
What if I don't have a belief? There really isn't an option for those like me.</div>
</div>
 
This poll is for people who have religious beliefs. Hence the title "what's behind your religious beliefs." Even if that is agnosticism or atheism. 
Do you not believe anything? You may not believe in something, but I'm sure you believe something.

bigdufstuff · Jul 10, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Savannah <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
your non-belief is still a religious belief, because aetheism or similar things are beliefs about religious issues...so i think it actually fits in the categories?</div>
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This is a false dichotomy. Lacking a belief in X is not the same as believing in not X. So no, my non-belief isn't a religious belief. <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by veggiejanie <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
This poll is for people who have religious beliefs. Hence the title "what's behind your religious beliefs." Even if that is agnosticism or atheism. 
Do you not believe anything? You may not believe in something, but I'm sure you believe something.</div>
</div>
 
I have no religious belief. This isn't the same thing as a belief. But if this poll isn't meant for people like me, fair enough.

GhostUser · Jul 10, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by bigdufstuff <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
This is a false dichotomy. Lacking a belief in X is not the same as believing in not X. So no, my non-belief isn't a religious belief. 
I have no religious belief. This isn't the same thing as a belief. But if this poll isn't meant for people like me, fair enough.</div>
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I thought that believing there is not a god means you believe in something concerning religion. That's why I thought it could be called a religious belief. 
My apologies. 
ETA: My question to you, bigdufstuff, is then, why do you believe what you do? You can still explain here if you wish.

MaryC1999 · Jul 10, 2006

I picked 3 even though I'm pretty sure my upbringing has something to do with my beliefs. 
I've questioned my beliefs many times but I still come back to them. I believe they're right for me. It's nothing I can prove or explain well, I just believe what I believe I guess. 
I don't follow a church though. I believe in Jesus and that's where I end. I don't put a lot of stock in the Bible either. 
Mary

GhostUser · Jul 10, 2006

Thank you to everyone so far for being so open, and thank you also for sharing your thoughts. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

bigdufstuff · Jul 10, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by veggiejanie <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I thought that believing there is not a god means you believe in something concerning religion. That's why I thought it could be called a religious belief. 
My apologies. 
ETA: My question to you, bigdufstuff, is then, why do you believe what you do? You can still explain here if you wish.</div>
</div>
 
If I had said "I believe this is no god" then yes I would have a belief. Howerver, I did not say that nor would I knowingly say that. I would describe my self by saying "I do not believe in god". Notice I used an absence of a belief and not a belief. So my situation is an absence of a religious belief and not a religious belief itself. Understand the difference? 
If I were to make a claim that there is no god, I would need to back that up. Since the evidence for no god is as hard to come by as the evidence for god (after all god is such an ambiguous and hard to define term) then that would be as impossible as the theist's job in proving the god. Therefore the only logical stance I can take is the absence of a belief.

GhostUser · Jul 11, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by bigdufstuff <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
If I had said "I believe this is no god" then yes I would have a belief. Howerver, I did not say that nor would I knowingly say that. I would describe my self by saying "I do not believe in god". Notice I used an absence of a belief and not a belief. So my situation is an absence of a religious belief and not a religious belief itself. Understand the difference? 
If I were to make a claim that there is no god, I would need to back that up. Since the evidence for no god is as hard to come by as the evidence for god (after all god is such an ambiguous and hard to define term) then that would be as impossible as the theist's job in proving the god. Therefore the only logical stance I can take is the absence of a belief.</div>
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Okay, so would you say this statement is true or false for you? : 
"I believe that a god may exist, but I do not believe in one." 
I'm just trying to understand you better. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

bigdufstuff · Jul 11, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by veggiejanie <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
Okay, so would you say this statement is true or false for you? : 
"I believe that a god may exist, but I do not believe in one." 
I'm just trying to understand you better. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"></div>
</div>
 
You made two statements <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
I'll break them down into their two parts 
"I believe that a god may exist" 
A god may exist, just like a unicorn, gnome, or vampire may exist. This isn't really a belief. Anything may exist. However, I have yet to see a shred evidence for any of these so as of right now I will not believe they exist. If some evidence were to show up I would have to rethink my stance. 
"I do not believe in a [god]" 
True.

ElliottsMom · Jul 11, 2006

I picked other. but I can't really explain it. it's not really a religious system per se more spiritual and I guess I just follow my heart and try to be as nice as possible kind of like karma. I believe in a higher power be it male(s) female(s) or just the power of nature or something.

bigdufstuff · Jul 11, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by ElliottsMom <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I picked other. but I can't really explain it. it's not really a religious system per se more spiritual and I guess I just follow my heart and try to be as nice as possible kind of like karma. I believe in a higher power be it male(s) female(s) or just the power of nature or something.</div>
</div>
 
I've always been unclear as to the difference between spirtualism and religious convictions. Could you explain it to me?

ElliottsMom · Jul 11, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by bigdufstuff <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I've always been unclear as to the difference between spirtualism and religious convictions. Could you explain it to me?</div>
</div>
 
no, no I can't. I honestly have no clue. I mean I don't pray or go to church or read any scriptures. I feel there's something more just don't know what it is.

GhostUser · Jul 11, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by bigdufstuff <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
You made two statements <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
I'll break them down into their two parts 
"I believe that a god may exist" 
A god may exist, just like a unicorn, gnome, or vampire may exist. This isn't really a belief. Anything may exist. However, I have yet to see a shred evidence for any of these so as of right now I will not believe they exist. If some evidence were to show up I would have to rethink my stance. 
"I do not believe in a [god]" 
True.</div>
</div>
 
Yeah, I know I technically made two. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> Thanks for explaining!

Vegmedic · Jul 11, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by bigdufstuff <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
A god may exist, just like a unicorn, gnome, or vampire may exist. This isn't really a belief. Anything may exist. However, I have yet to see a shred evidence for any of these so as of right now I will not believe they exist. If some evidence were to show up I would have to rethink my stance. </div>
</div>
 
What BDS is describing is sometimes called "negative" atheism which is the absence of belief. A religious person claims that a deity(ies) exists. A "positive" atheist claims that no deity can exist, but a "negative" atheist claims neither generally on the point that to be either a theist or a "positive" atheist requires the burden of proof placed on them to prove that a god does or doesn't exist. Of course it is impossible to prove that a god does not exist because it is impossible to prove a negative. 
I consider myself to be a "positive" atheist as I feel that the complete lack of evidence in the existence of Superman, Santa Claus the Tooth Fairy and Thor justifies me to believe that their non-existence is certain. The same goes for any god(s). Other "positive" atheists base their position on the scientific knowledge and observations in the world which show that many properties attributed to a god are incompatible with science.

What's behind your religious beliefs?

Why do you believe in the religious system you do?

My upbringing influenced my religious beliefs.

I found or constructed a logical argument for my religious beliefs.

I "just believe" in it or have faith in it.

I picked which religious beliefs are most appealing to me.

I randomly chose a belief system.

Other (please explain)

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