Belief a CHOICE?

[Chuckt]

Sometimes God creates or lets us get into situations where He compels us to believe because He elects us to believe because of our inability to believe on our own. There were times I believed but wanted to leave because I didn't want to follow but the devil is strong and the only one to hide under is the wings of the almighty. So I chose the one who protects me because God allowed him to chase me to God himself.

[eddybear]

eddybear,

re: “Trying to force myself to believe something contrary to what I actually believe deep down is going down a dangerous road of self-deception...”

But CAN you do that?

Honest answer is, I don't know. I wouldn't want to, so I'm not going to try.

[rstrats]

eddybear,

OK, perhaps someone else will be able to demonstrate such an ability.

[DeaconDan]

Rstrats, it is too bad if you cannot fallow reason to making a choice. Faith is in God gives purpose and hope. Atheism and leprechauns are useless. For a reasoning person, this is an easy choice.

[rstrats]

DeaconDan,

What does reason have to do with an ability to consciously CHOOSE to believe things?

[DeaconDan]

What does reason have to do with an ability to consciously CHOOSE to believe things?

Why is it you believe the things that you believe?

[rstrats]

DeaconDan,

re: “Why is it you believe the things that you believe.?”


Well, as I said in the OP, I have never been able to consciously CHOOSE any of the beliefs that I have, so I would only be able to venture a guess as to what stimuli may have caused the various beliefs that I hold.

BTW, what does reason have to do with having an ability to consciously CHOOSE to believe things?

[DeaconDan]

BTW, what does reason have to do with having an ability to consciously CHOOSE to believe things?

For me, choosing is part of a process that follows reasoning.

Why did you choose to start this topic? Or, would you have me believe that you did not choose?

[rstrats]

DeaconDan,

re: “For me, choosing is part of a process that follows reasoning.

But if beliefs can be obtained by simply CHOOSING to have them, then reasoning is not required - prudent in certain cases, perhaps, but not required.



re: “Why did you choose to start this topic?

I say why in the OP.



re: “Or, would you have me believe that you did not choose?”

Of course I chose; but there wasn’t any conscious CHOOSING of belief involved.

[DeaconDan]

But if beliefs can be obtained by simply CHOOSING to have them, then reasoning is not required

Who said reasoning is not required?

Of course I chose; but there wasn’t any conscious CHOOSING of belief involved.

Are you saying you believe nothing?