Thread: Just an honest question

Originally Posted by Korittke

A choice is an act of free will. Not everything you can do with your mind is a choice.

This is basically it Rock. I could not choose to believe in god right now just as I couldn't choose to believe in a flat earth. Some beliefs just aren't a choice. You just analyze the data (or if you're religious the lack thereof) and your mind gets made up. Now you may choose to look up more data, do more research and such and then your mind is changed, but that change of mind was most likely not a choice, just the result of you choosing the research. Just my two cents.

Originally Posted by Rock

I don't object to that, all I was saying is that belief is a choice, and you just agreed with me.

Well, depends on the context of the belief, but in a general sense, yes. Some things though aren't subject to beliefs and choices though (such as gravity, for example).

Originally Posted by bluefinger

Some things though aren't subject to beliefs and choices though (such as gravity, for example).

I agree. keyword here being Some. cheers

Originally Posted by Rock

I'm not saying I can choose not to believe in scientific fact, although technically I can. I'm talking about religious choices, these are definitely choices made by people, you choose to be an atheist even though you were once a Christian, another person would choose to believe in God after once being an atheist, or a member of any religion for that matter. Why are you denying that these people chose their beliefs?

Please go to the "2 + 2 = 5" thread and do an interview.

UM no one is going to do it.

Originally Posted by Seismosaur

UM no one is going to do it.

I know. To finally come clean, I knew that nobody was going to do it. My point in starting the thread was to show exactly that. Nobody can do that interview because belief is not a choice.

Originally Posted by Seismosaur

If anyone on this forum's beliefs are changed, they will just leave and never, ever admit defeat.

Ever.

Wrong.

When I first became a member here, I was a "Christian". I argued stupidly about how atheists should just choose a win/win situation, and accept Christianity. Didn't take long, but a few comments STUCK. I thought, and thought, and thought.. coming to the most logical answer. It's nothing but a bunch of brainwash gone wrong. Too many splits, too many people interested in power, and too many people not using critical thinking. What may have been started as a true belief, has spiraled down into a JOKE. Most people who claim they practice, are usually only there because of the fear. So many people will be quick to tell you, "believe this or you will burn in hell". That's too bad for people who just can't simply "believe".

I won't, bash someone for their "belief" though. Even though I usually see religious people as plain stupid, I can't help to remember I was once in that mindset. Society and popular culture have "GOD" woven into the very fabric of this world. Fear of the eternal pit of fire, is used to force belief onto someone. Otherwise, we probably wouldn't be having this discussion.

When i first came here i was a full believer in the spiritual side (screw religion!!!!!!), then i became alittle paranoid in my beliefs and most of my beliefs turned into disbelief, now it's been a long while and i'm half and half and don't care what anyone thinks and don't really care what others believe unless it's the bible and them trying to say it's right because the book says so. Everyone has a choice what they want to believe, so it's pointless trying to make them not believe, or believe because you want them to, they will do it on their own or wont do it. I havn't cared about this stuff in over a month now, i just post here and ask questions so i'll know for when i start wanting to understand. It takes alot outa you, wanting to know the truth and trying so hard to know it so whatever happens happens.

Nobody can do that interview because belief is not a choice.

Why didn't you answer my last question to you on this thread.

Originally Posted by Minervas Phoenix

Why didn't you answer my last question to you on this thread.

Originally Posted by Minervas Phoenix

If you say belief is not your choice. Something else must be making you believe things other than your own mind. That's why I asked if something else was in charge.

We are on to this question now.

Oh, that one. The answer is... that which seems logical to me.

And this one...

What extent of evidence for each person then makes it officially a belief despite any will to question evidence or to think intellectually. At what point does a belief impose itself on you without your permission in your own mind.

It is all about what seems logical. I cannot get around how it really seems that 2 + 2 = 4. No matter how much I stretch my mind, it still appears that 2 + 2 = 4.

Thinking intellectually happens even at the subconscious level. If a person refuses to think about something consciously, which is very difficult to do, he still is aware of the logic on some level, so his conscious rationalizations are just rationalizations and not true beliefs.

I converted Jesus, he's atheist now.

Whether Atheist or not I believe many people learn from the R/S board, myself included. I haven't changed my views much, I have only cared less about supernatural stuff.

Originally Posted by Pyrox

Wrong.

When I first became a member here, I was a "Christian". I argued stupidly about how atheists should just choose a win/win situation, and accept Christianity. Didn't take long, but a few comments STUCK. I thought, and thought, and thought.. coming to the most logical answer. It's nothing but a bunch of brainwash gone wrong. Too many splits, too many people interested in power, and too many people not using critical thinking. What may have been started as a true belief, has spiraled down into a JOKE. Most people who claim they practice, are usually only there because of the fear. So many people will be quick to tell you, "believe this or you will burn in hell". That's too bad for people who just can't simply "believe".

I won't, bash someone for their "belief" though. Even though I usually see religious people as plain stupid, I can't help to remember I was once in that mindset. Society and popular culture have "GOD" woven into the very fabric of this world. Fear of the eternal pit of fire, is used to force belief onto someone. Otherwise, we probably wouldn't be having this discussion.

I stand[sit] corrected[informed].

I have changed my beliefs due to this forum. I used to think dream characters were purely constructs of my own mind. Since reading through peoples dreams and talking with Moonbeam, PJ, and Naiya, I am starting to question that belief. They have me starting to wonder that there may be something else going on.

I am open minded about most religion and spirituality, but when it comes to Christianity, I will never be convinced. I believe it is an evil religion that needs to be destroyed, and every member needs to be saved from the church's evil clutches. That's why I normally stay away from the Christian debates. I make enemies quick, even though I try to be civil

Originally Posted by Robot_Butler

I am open minded about most religion and spirituality, but when it comes to Christianity, I will never be convinced. I believe it is an evil religion that needs to be destroyed, and every member needs to be saved from the church's evil clutches. That's why I normally stay away from the Christian debates. I make enemies quick, even though I try to be civil

Don't feel guilty about saying that, because the whole of Christian civilisation feels the same way about you.

Originally Posted by psychology student

Don't feel guilty about saying that, because the whole of Christian civilisation feels the same way about you.

Christian Civilisation? LOL

Nice joke there psych... never knew you were such a good comedian

Originally Posted by bluefinger

Christian Civilisation? LOL

Nice joke there psych... never knew you were such a good comedian

No seriously I am, I have done a few small gigs in London clubs. You should come see me some time.

Originally Posted by psychology student

No seriously I am, I have done a few small gigs in London clubs. You should come see me some time.

London? HISSSS

If I had a car, I'd be screwed over by the congestion charge. If I used the public transport, I'd be screwed over still. It's like a lose-lose situation with travelling to London. That and the pigeons will shit on if you even dare go within a mile radius of Trafalgar Square.

Originally Posted by bluefinger

London? HISSSS

If I had a car, I'd be screwed over by the congestion charge. If I used the public transport, I'd be screwed over still. It's like a lose-lose situation with travelling to London. That and the pigeons will shit on if you even dare go within a mile radius of Trafalgar Square.

Although, you would be seeing me?

Its not really like that, its just the propoganda we rich Londoners put in the news, so we don't need to share the real London: Free money, (courtesy of bank bonuses while the rest of the country can't afford fuel) pretty women, lush countryside, fresh unpolluted air, no work, e.t.c



But lets get back on topic.

Originally Posted by psychology student

Don't feel guilty about saying that, because the whole of Christian civilisation feels the same way about you.

My point exactly...

Originally Posted by psychology student

Although, you would be seeing me?

Its not really like that, its just the propoganda we rich Londoners put in the news, so we don't need to share the real London: Free money, (courtesy of bank bonuses while the rest of the country can't afford fuel) pretty women, lush countryside, fresh unpolluted air, no work, e.t.c



But lets get back on topic.

Sorry, but the population of those in England has been 0 since people lived there.

Originally Posted by Seismosaur

Sorry, but the population of those in England has been 0 since people lived there.

Was that an insult?

Originally Posted by psychology student

Was that an insult?

Compared to the hot Italian girls I've seen in Corfu during the summer holidays (the Italians love the Ionian and Inland Sea area for their hols), hell even the selection in Portugal, Spain and France, the UK is somewhat lacking.

Originally Posted by bluefinger

Compared to the hot Italian girls I've seen in Corfu during the summer holidays (the Italians love the Ionian and Inland Sea area for their hols), hell even the selection in Portugal, Spain and France, the UK is somewhat lacking.

Yea, but London is massively ethnically diverse, more so than any part of the UK. Honestly, you should come and see.

Also, I think that living in a place makes the women seem average, nothing special. I went to Ireland a year ago, and all the girls seemed better.