Is it worth believing in something that isn't true?

IronicTwist · Post by **IronicTwist** » 2003-06-10 10:15pm

There was a thread the other day about Christians thinking that Christianity is the only true religion, and the others are false. It made me wonder if there is any point in believing in something if you don't think it's true?

I've often heard people say, "It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you believe in something." This strikes me as a very odd thing to say. The only way it wouldn't matter what you believe is if none of the belief systems are true. What would be the point?

I know a thread on Christianity inspired this thread, but I don't want to limit the topic to God. I think that the question applies to any belief system - religious or atheistic.

So here's my question:

If you were presented with evidence that your particular belief system was wrong, would you feel like you have wasted your time? Is there any reason to believe in something other than that it reveals a truth about the universe?

jegs2 · Post by **jegs2** » 2003-06-10 10:18pm

You're new. I'll do something I've never done before, newbie:

*POKE*

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-06-10 10:18pm

IronicTwist wrote:There was a thread the other day about Christians thinking that Christianity is the only true religion, and the others are false. It made me wonder if there is any point in believing in something if you don't think it's true?

I believe in the possibility that I may be wrong, but to me, being pagan is the only thing for me. However, there are a lot of evolutionary and atheistic beliefs that I hold, as well.

I've often heard people say, "It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you believe in something." This strikes me as a very odd thing to say. The only way it wouldn't matter what you believe is if none of the belief systems are true. What would be the point?

You (as an atheist) believe that religion is wrong, in the same way that religon-goers believe that atrheism is wrong.

I know a thread on Christianity inspired this thread, but I don't want to limit the topic to God. I think that the question applies to any belief system - religious or atheistic.

So here's my question:

If you were presented with evidence that your particular belief system was wrong, would you feel like you have wasted your time? Is there any reason to believe in something other than that it reveals a truth about the universe?

Honestly, I can't answer that. It's something, to me, that would have to be done before I could say anything about it. But if incontrivertible evidence were shown that I was wrong in beliefs, then yes, I probably would change. But I don't know right now.

And since I've not seen you before (and you joined 9 days after me)..

[bites the n00b] Welcome to SD.Net, enjoy your stay!

Well, I'm sure you have, elsewise you wouldn't be posting here after nine months....

~ver

Montcalm · Post by **Montcalm** » 2003-06-10 10:23pm

jegs2 wrote:You're new. I'll do something I've never done before, newbie:

*POKE*

I don`t think you need to poke him red shirts are for the ritual sacrifice.

GrandMasterTerwynn · Post by **GrandMasterTerwynn** » 2003-06-10 10:24pm

IronicTwist wrote:There was a thread the other day about Christians thinking that Christianity is the only true religion, and the others are false. It made me wonder if there is any point in believing in something if you don't think it's true?

I've often heard people say, "It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you believe in something." This strikes me as a very odd thing to say. The only way it wouldn't matter what you believe is if none of the belief systems are true. What would be the point?

I know a thread on Christianity inspired this thread, but I don't want to limit the topic to God. I think that the question applies to any belief system - religious or atheistic.

So here's my question:

If you were presented with evidence that your particular belief system was wrong, would you feel like you have wasted your time? Is there any reason to believe in something other than that it reveals a truth about the universe?

Believing in something that isn't true. The dictionary calls that being delusional. Why would I want to be delusional?

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-06-10 10:25pm

I'm an atheist, so I'd be more surprised than anything if it turned out God existed. But I wouldn't feel bad about (assuming I wasn't burning in hell), because I would see no reason why I should have believed in a deity during my time on Earth.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2003-06-10 10:27pm

IronicTwist wrote:So here's my question:

If you were presented with evidence that your particular belief system was wrong, would you feel like you have wasted your time?

That has happened, and yes I do.

Is there any reason to believe in something other than that it reveals a truth about the universe?

I no longer seek belief. I seek knowledge.

IronicTwist · Post by **IronicTwist** » 2003-06-10 11:26pm

Wicked Pilot wrote:I no longer seek belief. I seek knowledge.

Well, this was kind of my point. Isn't religion (or atheism) a search for knowledge, when you boil it down?

Drooling Iguana · Post by **Drooling Iguana** » 2003-06-10 11:29pm

My beliefs change all the time, pretty much whenever I learn a new piece of information. Big whoop. I adapt and get on with my life.

David · Post by **David** » 2003-06-10 11:36pm

If I found out that all that I hold true is false I'd probably be disappointed, but I'd try to get on with life.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2003-06-11 12:15am

I don't know when exactly I stopped believing in Christianity, but I do know that when I did, I felt cheated and betrayed by those who had brought me up 'in the faith'.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-06-11 12:19am

I don't believe so much as have ideas.

Believe it or not, a good deal of my religious beliefs actually are based on Dogma.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2003-06-11 01:05am

Wicked Pilot wrote:
IronicTwist wrote:So here's my question:

If you were presented with evidence that your particular belief system was wrong, would you feel like you have wasted your time?
That has happened, and yes I do.
Is there any reason to believe in something other than that it reveals a truth about the universe?
I no longer seek belief. I seek knowledge.

same here.

Hethrir · Post by **Hethrir** » 2003-06-11 04:19am

Howedar wrote:I don't believe so much as have ideas.

Believe it or not, a good deal of my religious beliefs actually are based on Dogma.

I finished watching that the other day, and really liked it. It really boosted my faith and I thought it spoke a lot of truth. The writer says he is a Christian in the extras.

h0rus · Post by **h0rus** » 2003-06-11 04:30am

I have no belief in anything supernatural. If it turned out there was a GOD, which I doubt there is, I don't think it would change the way I live my life. It probably wouldn't be anything like the fundies or non-fundies think, so it wouldn't be a problem for me if there were to be a GOD.

Can you really make progress as human being if you believe that your belief systems values are fixed in a book, namely one which isn't updated to fit in with the changes in society as they occur? I personally don't think so.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2003-06-11 08:52am

Why should you have a belief in the first place if you're 100% sure that you are believing in a lie??

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2003-06-11 11:01am

I have alot of irrational beliefs, including many of the supernatural. I am well aware I may be wrong. I am too apathetic to care.

Seriously. Beliefs are an utterly human thing, and I don't mind having them at all.

Zoink · Post by **Zoink** » 2003-06-11 11:43am

For me, its not so much being true/false that's important, its being rational that counts.

Knowing the truth is the goal, but for many things we haven't reached it. I have my own opinions on the nature of the universe, which I spurt out here every so often. These "opinions" could very well be false. They're based on what I've read, and we don't really have a complete picture on the nature of reality. What is important: make the best decision given the available data.

When I stop accepting new data, and the opinion becomes more important than the data, that's when I've stepped over the line and become irrational. At that point I am now making decisions not on observations, but on my own fantasies. That's a problem.

StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Is it worth believing in something that isn't true?

Your belief system is wrong. You feel:

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