[InJoy]

Originally Posted by wolfgang

I think some people come to believe something that is very subjective for them. They are able to believe it because of some kind of experience they've had.

I agree. Aren't beliefs simply things that we think true on a consistent basis?

Originally Posted by wolfgang

Christians have a conversion event when they feel the holy spirit come into their hearts. Or is it Jesus not the holy spirit? Anyway, they believe in Jesus because of some feeling that they know, for sure, that they are living with Jesus. It's a subjective experience that can not be shown to anybody or expalined to the point someone else will believe it.

Who knows, but the person experiencing it? Just because we cannot prove an experience to another person does not mean we did not experience it.

Do you love anyone, wolfgang? Can you prove it?

Originally Posted by wolfgang

I don't understand faith.

But you have faith. You must believe in something. If you believe in the Big Bang (for instance), that is faith. You weren't there. All you have is a pile of suggestive evidence. You can't prove anything. You can't even prove that I or anything exists outside of your mind. You also cannot prove that we don't. So, whichever you believe, that is faith.

Originally Posted by wolfgang

It seems to be a way to believe something one has not had a direct experience of.

I'm confused about this statement, because above you said that faith is based upon a direct, subjective experience that cannot be proven to others. If God visits me and we have a chat, I may not be able to prove that to you, but I did have a direct experience.

Originally Posted by wolfgang

Then, I wonder, what beliefs are useful anyway? I mean, at some level all beliefs are temporary views/explainations of what we are experiencing.

I think that's the most important question any of us can ask ourselves. What beliefs are useful to me? What beliefs are serving me? What beliefs make my life, and the lives of those around me, better?

Originally Posted by nosussbeliefs

My beliefs...

God is everything not a seperate entity

Nossusbeliefs, I thought you were an atheist. Was I mistaken?

Originally Posted by nosussbeliefs

The big bang occured, we evolved and the universe has been unfolding ever since

I can see why you'd have faith in that idea. I'm not sure whether I agree, but since nobody can prove or disprove it, it's as good a belief as any.

Originally Posted by nosussbeliefs

I think Skeptics Vs Believers is not the same thing. Skeptics have a more accurate interperation of events.

I think skeptical believers have the most accurate interpretation of beliefs. However, people who believe everything and people who believe nothing are both deeply limited in what they can see through their respective filters. Don't you agree?