Does it really matter what we believe?

[anonymous person]

Does it really matter what we believe regarding our origin, our purpose or lack thereof, and our destiny? If so, why?

If not, why not?

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Given that beliefs guide actions and actions have real consequences, then yes, it matters.

 

[Albion]

Does it really matter what we believe regarding our origin, our purpose or lack thereof, and our destiny? If so, why?

If not, why not?

Considering that Jesus spoke a lot about our eternal destinies, would it be possible to become a disciple of his and yet not deal with his own teachings on the subject? But if religion isn't particularly interesting to a person, I would think the answer would be "no," there'd be no special reason to care.

 

[zippy2006]

"Where did I come from" and "Where am I going" are important questions. They consciously or unconsciously shape every action of our lives, and the answers to those questions bear very heavily on one's happiness. Most importantly, we ought to pursue truth, for a false answer will not satisfy in the end.

 

[anonymous person]

Given that beliefs guide actions and actions have real consequences, then yes, it matters.

But this assumes that the consequences of our actions are somehow really important.

Why think that?

 

[Davian]

"Where did I come from" and "Where am I going" are important questions. They consciously or unconsciously shape every action of our lives, and the answers to those questions bear very heavily on one's happiness. Most importantly, we ought to pursue truth, for a false answer will not satisfy in the end.

How so? It would appear to me that there many religionists, each satisfied with their particular theology, and they cannot all be "truth". The vast majority are going to be false. They could all be false.

 

[Aelred of Rievaulx]

Does it really matter what we believe regarding our origin, our purpose or lack thereof, and our destiny? If so, why?

If not, why not?

Does it matter for whom? The relevancy of a particular belief is contingent upon its particular and contextual importance, these may be related more in terms of degrees than in terms of absolutes. What does it matter to you what I believe about x may be of some importance, not much. What it matters to my partner about my belief in x may be of more importance. What does it matter for a being living tens of thousands of years in the future what you or I believe? Nothing at all. Yet, what does it matter for us living today what a person living tens of thousands of years in the future beliefs? By the same token, nothing at all.

 

[Davian]

But this assumes that the consequences of our actions are somehow really important.

Why think that?

Can I infer from this that you are going to insinuate that atheism and nihilism are practically equivalent? Would that be accurate?

 

[2404]

If our belief (Faith) is self-generated then it doesn’t have much value.
If it is given then it speaks of our origin, purpose and destiny.

 

[Gene2memE]

But this assumes that the consequences of our actions are somehow really important.

Why think that?

They're important to us, and to the people around us that they effect. Isn't that enough?

 

[Locutus]

"Where did I come from" and "Where am I going" are important questions. They consciously or unconsciously shape every action of our lives, and the answers to those questions bear very heavily on one's happiness. Most importantly, we ought to pursue truth, for a false answer will not satisfy in the end.

But surely, asking questions which are so self-focused (where did I come from, and where am I going) is problematic. Perhaps not the 'where am I going?' part of that - since it has a practical application, but certainly the former. Toddlers are self-centric and ask such questions - we as adults are behoved to be beyond that. So in this sense, I think it does matter.

 

[Locutus]

If our belief (Faith) is self-generated then it doesn’t have much value.
If it is given then it speaks of our origin, purpose and destiny.

Actually it has far less value if it's genuinely (and quantifiably) 'given', since it's now ours.

 

[Locutus]

How so? It would appear to me that there many religionists, each satisfied with their particular theology, and they cannot all be "truth". The vast majority are going to be false. They could all be false.

since none can be demonstrated to be more true than another, and they can't all be true, for practical purposes they're all untrue. this is a very basic thing, but is often lost on monotheists. there is a distinct blind spot when it comes to the reality that other faiths feel exactly as they do, about their own deities. the work around (my god is better than your god) seems to suffice.

 

[dogs4thewin]

Yes, because if we have no purpose then really there would be no reason to live, after a while.

 

[bhsmte]

Does it really matter what we believe regarding our origin, our purpose or lack thereof, and our destiny? If so, why?

If not, why not?

The only thing that matters is the quality of life a person leads; hopefully having a positive impact on others.

I don't really care what someone believes or doesn't believe, but I am highly interested in how people justify their beliefs. That is where things can get really entertaining, from a psychological standpoint.

 

[Eudaimonist]

But this assumes that the consequences of our actions are somehow really important.

Why think that?

They are important to us because we have a natural function that matters to our existence as individuals. We can lose our lives, live stunted lives, be prevented from reaching beneficial goals, and general fail to live up to our full potentials. This isn't just a matter of desire or feeling, but of what we are.

This might not matter to "the universe" (as that sort of nihilistic critique usually goes), but it matters to our fragile and finite existence as human individuals.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Eudaimonist]

But surely, asking questions which are so self-focused (where did I come from, and where am I going) is problematic.

Not really, no. Those questions are right on target.

Toddlers are self-centric and ask such questions

Toddlers are self-centric, but adults do not cease to have selves.

- we as adults are behoved to be beyond that.

Feel free to give examples. It seems to me that even if one is capable of asking more questions, the original ones remain.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[quatona]

Does it really matter what we believe regarding our origin, our purpose or lack thereof, and our destiny? If so, why?

If not, why not?

I can´t help the impression that such beliefs matter a lot to people who hold them.
It seems to me that psychology 101 is sufficient to explain the potential "whys".

 

[malvina]

There's a saying, 'There's no atheists in Foxholes' My husband was in the Front Line of World War 2 , He said, 'There are no atheists in the Front Line' and that was his experience.
I think most people have to find a need for a covering for security before they give their lives to Christ. People can sail through their lives with a silver spoon in their mouths and manage very well without Him - until that fatal day arrives when they have a terrible need and realise their only help can come from God and they are converted and a whole new life opens up to them.
This is the difference between a believer and an unbeliever

 

[bhsmte]

There's a saying, 'There's no atheists in Foxholes' My husband was in the Front Line of World War 2 , He said, 'There are no atheists in the Front Line' and that was his experience.
I think most people have to find a need for a covering for security before they give their lives to Christ. People can sail through their lives with a silver spoon in their mouths and manage very well without Him - until that fatal day arrives when they have a terrible need and realise their only help can come from God and they are converted and a whole new life opens up to them.
This is the difference between a believer and an unbeliever

You just explained the psychology piece of this, that quatona brought up.

There is a reason, some reach for a God when under duress. There is also a reason, when suspects are put under significant duress when questioned by police, they will actually confess to doing something they didn't do, to try and temporarily stop the duress.