Do We Need To Believe In Something ?

[modeller]

A believer recently told me he believes in God, despite lack of proof because he has an inner need to.

[maggiebee]

Atalanta, I don't fear death. I believe, but I also believe there is proof of my God in everything I see and do. I don't feel there is anything missing in my life, I live life to the full and enjoy it. If there is anything lacking in my own character then that is for someone else to point out.

[grasscarp]

Mikey. My character is not lacking in anything thank you.
Also to write - anybody believing in some that can't possibly be true.
That is a very sweeping statement. can't possibly. really?

[mikey4444]

Woofy...if someone wants to believe in something without any proof being provided, that is up to them. I have no beef with them at all....live and let live is my motto.

I was brought up as a good little Catholic boy, in the 50's and 60s, and accepted everything that I was told.

But when I became older, about 16, it was obvious that most, if not all of what I had been told, couldn't possible be true,as it involved belief in the supernatural.

There are people, mostly in America, but not exclusively so, that believe that the Grand Canyon is only 6,000 years old, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Its that ability to suspend disbelief that I find difficult to understand.

[woofgang]

"But when I became older, about 16, it was obvious that most, if not all of what I had been told, couldn't possible be true,as it involved belief in the supernatural.”

And once again Mikey, we are at “couldn’t possibly be true” How do you know this? What evidence do you have that its not true?

[naomi24]

Mikey, your Grand Canyon thing is wearing a bit thin as an argument.

To answer the question, yes, some people do need to believe in something. It undoubtedly gives them comfort and presumably some sort of a sense of security.

[Khandro]

mikey; //Some people do, probably because of a lack of something in their own character.//
and vice versa?

[mikey4444]

Naomi...not sure what point you are trying to make. I use the GC argument as an example of what blind faith can achieve, with some people, over facts.

The GC is not 6000 years, and to have a belief that it is, shows a lack of being able differentiate fact from fiction.

Here is another thing that you will have heard from me....all religions are invented and involve a irrational belief in illogical circumstances.

If anybody on here wants to believe in any superstitious mumbo-jumbo, it is entirely up to them.

If I were to suddenly announce on here, that I thought Father Xmas or the Tooth Fairy were real, I would justifiably be open to ridicule and criticism. But it would be up to me to give evidence that both existed, rather than unbelievers to prove that they didn't.

[Zacs-Master]

'A believer recently told me he believes in God, despite lack of proof because he has an inner need to'

erm....that's called faith aint it?

[mikey4444]

It is indeed Zacs....blind faith !

[bhg481]

mikey //all religions are invented and involve a irrational belief in illogical circumstances//

Do you have any proof for that or am I just expected to believe it?

[mikey4444]

bhg...believe what you like ! But all religions ARE invented, by man not Gods.

[bhg481]

You have no proof for that, mikey; it's just your belief (or religion).

[vetuste_ennemi]

Just read William Kilpatrick's "Christianity, Islam and Atheism". I disagree with Kilpatrick's premises, but not all of his conclusions. One is that modern credos like cultural relativism are just as irrational, and, in some ways, more immoral than anything to be found in Christianity.

[mikey4444]

Religions are still being invented :::

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology

[Khandro]

v_e Now you're hummin'

[jomifl]

Mikey, things that couldn't possibly be true in your world might be perfectly believable in another persons world. Perhaps you should have said something like 'things that lack any evidential support', or 'things that defy belief by any one of sound mind'.

[mikey4444]

jomifl...I am quite happy with what I have said !

If people want to believe that the GC is only 6000 years old, that up to them, but science proves them wrong. Ditto for the spacemen from scientology.

[cupid04]

jolly japes 13.30 for BA!

[Khandro]

mikey; Why are you so concerned about a handful of seriously weird types who think the world is only 6,000 years old. I have met many people from many religions and have never met a soul who believes that. The Pope doesn't believe it, the Archbishop of Canterbury doesn't, nor equally The Dalai Lama.
It seems an odd reason by which to dismiss all religions don't you think?

[mikey4444]

Khandro....millions of Americans believe it !

But I don't think I can add anything more to what I have already said, on this thread and many, many others.

As Dave Allen used to say :::::::

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnIGE5034WM