Why do believers believe?

Question

Believers tell me that faith is something that’s felt in the heart, something that hits you, and you ‘just’ know. Of course, me being me, I don’t buy that but I can’t disprove it either. Question is, do they really, in their heads, believe what they say?

Unlike politicians, I think they really do. Although I’m questioning the major religions of the world, I’ve been to exotic locations where masses of people were tranced-states, and others possessed by spirits, performing rituals such as fire walking and grotesque body piercings. Point is, these people were really ‘feeling it’.

There are those who were born into religious families or traditions (all around the world).  If you have been doing, eating, believing something since the day you were born (and still are), then chances are these actions and beliefs become ‘automatic truths’, which do not require proof. It’s simply irrefutable, even if some observations contradict this. What’s more it doesn’t require any thought. Every human being (including me) should always be mindfully aware of this. 

Group mentality is another important factor. When you are accepted into a group (be it a religion, a bunch of football supporters), members of the group sense a strength in unity: A common bond, struggle, ambition, etc. The group provides you security, but by definition you must have sacrificed some individuality (willingly or not) to gain acceptance into the group. But security may lead to complacency in thought, as the group has answered some of the most fundamental questions for you. 

It appears to me that the group can simply sweep glaring contradictions under the rug, without much fuss. Members of the group also start to ‘self-censor’ their thoughts at first, maybe consciously, but eventually even that becomes automatic.

Approaching the problem of belief from the ‘evidence’ perspective has not worked. Not only would believers not agree, they’ll turn it around on me. So I’m trying another strategy here. I’d like to know your thoughts.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Yes in their minds they do believe it and only in their minds does it really exist , no where else . Brainwashing is the only reason why any god is worshiped . We are brainwashed from before birth until we are adults , by our parents , grand parents , family , friends and community to worship the god of choice . Now the god of choice is jesus and not Zeus or Ra  or Baal .When the brainwashing wanes so does the worship and no body is brainwashing their children to worship any of the old gods today !   tg

Edward J · Answer

There are many reasons that people believe in God so I a surprised that anyone in this forum would limit it to simply a feeling. I have presented logical reasons for God's existence many times only to get a thumbs down. Fair enough. But to suggest that it is only because of a feeling is a misrepresentation. And to the person who says it is easy to believe when everyone else is couldn't be more wrong. For one thing every one else isn't believing and in my opinion the easy stance it to sit by and say I don't have to prove anything and totally put the burden of proof on the other person which is why atheistic speech is peppered with weasel words. saying non belief isn't a belie so we don't have to prove anything. As if they came to their conclusions without thinking or researching their position.

Danielle · Answer

I grew up with an atheist father and a 'Christian' mother, who wasn't really practicing her faith when I was growing up. 
I was an outcast growing up, that included within my church's youth group. My brother was also teased in our church, so much that he changed from dragging US to church, to refusing to go. 
The group mentality and religious family really had nothing to do with me becoming a Christian. 
(Though I do like the tradition of my church, I find comfort in this tradition, but it doesn't mean I'm a Christian for the sake of someone waving incense around)
I struggled to figure out why people believed in God when I was growing up. My grandma was a practicing Christian and when I questioned her she told me it was nothing she could teach me, or tell me, or make something happen. Keep your mind open, keep aware, and one day you'll know God is there. 
Having faith and God is nothing someone can force you to have or experience. (Though, being a part of the 'mob/church' is, as many former Catholics will tell you lol, but Christians really shouldn't get caught up in their church's rules if their church is inaccurate. A church is a place to worship, a family that you can learn on for spiritual support, it isn't a place to sow discrimination or to point fingers and judge.)
Truly letting God in your heart shouldn't really be an easy thing. I feel that a lot of people are very lucky to have supportive families and, even communities to encourage them in their faith, but in my own experience, finding and keeping faith hasn't been easy, especially in this world setting.
As far as evidence goes; I've never looked into evidence for Jesus. I've never had a need to. Though, because the question is specifically referred to, I'll say that it seems like it's easy for evidence to disappear over time. I can't imagine what was lost in the library of Alexandria. I'm confident other incidents similiar to this happened. People make family members disappear off their family tree if they're disgraceful, people bury evidence of their wrong doings. I don't think it's out of the question that records of Jesus could have been destroyed, if even recorded at all. I'm not sure what other evidence could be really looked to as Jesus came so long ago.  I'm not trying to discount your thoughts of evidential proof of Jesus, those are just my thoughts on the subject.
I encourage you to read about Jesus and God and perhaps make a few appointments with priests of different religions; Catholic, free Lutheran, Judaism, etc. It seems like you have a lot of questions, you shouldn't deny yourself answers and a lot of what you'll get is opinion, so hopefully if you research enough you might find what you need.

Nate D · Answer

Why do non-believers not-believe ?

- Struggle in life, in which they lost all hope.
- Disappointment or Dissatisfaction. 
- Thinking they are the higher power.
- Not being ok, with knowing humans are limited.


Why must they try so hard to disprove everyone else and for what anyway? To prove, I'm right, I'm smarter.

When it comes to it, atheism is a big game of jealousy, and self pity.  

Now, thumb me down, my atheist servants.

A Cat · Answer

I admit I was raised in my religion.  When I got older I was taught to find out for myself if what I was taught was true or not.  I studied the scriptures, asked a million questions and prayed a lot.  I came to an independent conclusion that what I had been taught was true.  Still to this day I know that Christ lives and loves us and there is no other name under heaven whereby mankind can be saved.  These are spiritual truths to be discerned with spiritual eyes.

CC · Answer

From my observations over the years, believers believe in god for 2 main reasons:

1) Fear of their own mortality, hence belief in some sort of afterlife, and
2) Ignorance of some situation, such that they need a god-of-the-gaps to fill in their lack of understanding.

Effie · Answer

Many people wanna keep thinking that a man in the sky is responsible for everything. Its like when something happens in our country we blame the president....so if a traumatic thing happened people would blame their "God"

Vito1964 · Answer

People are lazy and when everyone around you believes, belief is the easiest thing to do.

I&#39;m me · Answer

because its good to belive in a power higher than your self

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Why do believers believe?

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