Belief Is Not A Choice

[nailit]

Our beliefs (or non-beliefs even) are based upon our present understanding of available evidence at any given moment in time.

I don't believe in fairies because I am not presented with any evidence (at this moment in time) that would satisfy me that fairies exist. That could change if evidence became apparent, or even a possibility!
Likewise for Unicorns, Thor, the Bermuda Triangle or Dracula.

So the question is, how can I believe in something that I evidently *CAN'T* believe in?
I dont dismiss the Bible/God/Christianity etc because I WANT to. I dismiss it all because I CAN'T.
What is so hard to understand?

What would make an atheist a believer?
I dont know. But an Almighty, Supreme being would know. And he hasn't showed up yet to convince me....

[nailit]

//Maybe I've been lucky, fundamentalists have hardly impinged on my life at all//
And I think thats where part of the problem lies.
Theres a world of difference between been a 'believer' and one that thinks he 'knows' that non believers are hell bound because of their non belief.
No problem at all with the believer.
Big problem with the believer believing things about me that arnt true! (ie i disbelieve because i WANT to disobey God in some way) I dont.

[Nical]

Sorry, Eddie, I was watching TV at the same time and thought that question was asked of me!

Nailit, sorry.

[Mamyalynne]

I've always had friends who believe and friends who don't, I won't be friends with those who preach - from either side.

I just live and love.x

[Nical]

Nailit, can you accept that the majority of us are seldom bothered by fundamentalists? And believe it or not, we ourselves know the difference between kinds of believers . I think you really are very unfortunate, bumping into all these people who want to believe things about you that aren't true.

[nailit]

EDDIE,
The terms agnostic/atheist mean nothing to me personally.
Im an atheist in the same way that Im a non stamp collector.
Its a ridiculous term in real life.

[JimF]

The Bermuda triangle certainly does exist, in the same way that the equator exists and the Arctic circle exists. It's an area of the earth in the shape of a triangle whose nodes, if you will, are Miami, Peurto Rico and Bermuda (obviously). You can go there and look at it.

[nailit]

//Nailit, can you accept that the majority of us are seldom bothered by fundamentalists?//
In real life neither am i for the most part Nical.
But surely I can have my say on AB when questioned?
As have you tonight :-)

[woofgang]

I just do wonder why you keep posting about it though? I mean I loathe kale and think that Big Brother is the work of the devil but I don't keep posting about it.

[Nical]

Nailit, of course you can - so long as you accept that you let them (and the literalists and the Biblicists, whatever all those are ) get to you, literally and figuratively, far more than most people. I'd have liked other people to have shared your experiences, as I'm quite a curious person- it's difficult when there's only your encounters to go on.

[nailit]

//I've always had friends who believe and friends who don't, I won't be friends with those who preach - from either side//

Wise words...seriously!

[nailit]

//I just do wonder why you keep posting about it though?//
Maybe I wonder why you keep reading and replying?

//I'd have liked other people to have shared your experiences, as I'm quite a curious person- it's difficult when there's only your encounters to go on//
Im not the only one here.

[Theland]

Hmm. I wonder?
Am I in the category of people who have hounded you about your atheism?
I don't think I am, and can't think of any examples this.

[nailit]

//Hmm. I wonder?
Am I in the category of people who have hounded you about your atheism?//
Hound all you want. (After all the church is renowned for it)
Answers are much more appriciated....

[nailit]

And of course Theland, you have your own set of beliefs that no one else does....
ergo all others are wrong and I am right!

[Theland]

My beliefs are purely biblical, not religious.
You know this, but speaking about my beliefs do not constitute hounding you or anybody else.

[naomi24]

Theland, //My beliefs are purely biblical//

Not so. You don't believe Isaiah 45.7 because it makes uncomfortable reading for you.

[Theland]

Naomi - indeed I do.

[naomi24]

Nical, //I really don't mind what other people believe//

I'm pretty sure that people who say that haven't really thought about it.

[naomi24]

Nom Theland, you don't.

[naomi24]

*No* not nom.