Why do YOU believe?

[Tinker Grey]

I'm interested in which item from the poll is most often selected for the primary reason you believes in God.

NOTE: This is different than the other thread in which I ask why do you think that others believe.

ETA:

• Note the use of the word primary. It means the single best reason.
• This does not imply that the reason you chose is the only reason.
• Please feel free to expand on your answer and other options you may have chosen for other reasons and seasons in your life.
• I have no intention of implying that all those who choose option 'q' are idiots and therefore Christianity is false.

Sheesh

 

[GreenMunchkin]

You're only allowing us to choose one option?

 

[Tinker Grey]

You're only allowing us to choose one option?

Yeah. I know its hard, but I wanted to avoid folks selecting everything. (Hence, the use of the word primary.)

Feel free to elaborate.

 

[RobinRedbreast]

I'm afraid that for me, choosing one simply is an impossibility. There are multiple that may apply to me, and many more not even up there, and they would all rank at the same level rather than one being more important.

I'm afraid I cannot help you on this one!

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Am honestly not trying to be pedantic, but you can't *possibly* expect to so casually pigeon-hole the reasons people believe. If I choose it's because I've experienced God, does that mean am saying I *haven't* experienced answer to prayer?

At various times in my walk, it's probably been several of them.

In terms of the final results, the poll effectively asks people to claim they've either never had doubts or struggles, *or* they've never experienced God and they're Christian solely out of fear. Neither will be accurate for a single person.

I understand that you're trying to keep it neat and ordered, but the poll is too flawed to be even remotely indicative of what it is that leads people to believe.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Am honestly not trying to be pedantic, but you can't *possibly* expect to so casually pigeon-hole the reasons people believe. If I choose it's because I've experienced God, does that mean am saying I *haven't* experienced answer to prayer?

Of course not! Do you not understand the word "primary" in the OP?

I'm simply asking that you choose the best answer out of the ones given. It in no way implies that the reasons may not be many.

 

[Tinker Grey]

In terms of the final results, the poll effectively asks people to claim they've either never had doubts or struggles, *or* they've never experienced God and they're Christian solely out of fear. Neither will be accurate for a single person.

The poll does no such thing. There are no implications to the choice at all. (I guess I should say that I have no intentions of implying anything about someone's choice.)

You know it is impossible to have a conversation with someone who is always suspicious.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Of course not! Do you not understand the word "primary" in the OP?

I'm simply asking that you choose the best answer out of the ones given. It in no way implies that the reasons may not be many.

I get that. Truly. But I just don't think it can be done. If you want my primary reason, it's because He loved me first.

The poll does no such thing. There are no implications to the choice at all. (I guess I should say that I have no intentions of implying anything about someone's choice.)

I didn't prescribe motive. I'm saying the poll's structure is flawed. It doesn't mean there's anything underhanded afoot. In fact, it never actually occurred to me.

You know it is impossible to have a conversation with someone who is always suspicious.

Not quite sure what to do with that... suspicious in what way?

 

[RobinRedbreast]

Tinker, let me ask you a question:

The purpose of the Exploring Christianity forum is for people who are seeking answers to questions they don't understand about the Christian faith, for seekers who are trying to explore Christianity and get a better understanding of the faith, typically for themselves and their own personal journey. Knowledge is of course a powerful thing.

How do you feel this question is going to help you on your personal journey? Will knowing why others believe in God help you much in trying to come to grips with the reasons why anyone would believe in God or why you should believe in God? I am not sure how it would, to be honest.

I mean, there are many places you could ask "Why do YOU believe in God?" -- but when asked in Exploring Christianity, a certain assumption is made by posting here: That you are exploring Christianity in a sincere fashion, for instance. Otherwise, you could have posted this just about anywhere.

So how will my answering of this poll help you exactly?

 

[LogosRhema]

I'm interested in which item from the poll is most often selected for the primary reason you believes in God.

NOTE: This is different than the other thread in which I ask why do you think that others believe.

ETA:

• Note the use of the word primary. It means the single best reason.
• This does not imply that the reason you chose is the only reason.
• Please feel free to expand on your answer and other options you may have chosen for other reasons and seasons in your life.
• I have no intention of implying that all those who choose option 'q' are idiots and therefore Christianity is false.

Sheesh

Hello again Tinker!

I selected I have experienced/ing God.Through my daily life and perils and your day to day reasons for saying one believes in God because He is there through the good and bad.

Beyond this I can think of a couple personal experiences.

Of course, its hard not to believe if you have seen Him face to face...

 

[Tinker Grey]

I get that. Truly. But I just don't think it can be done. If you want my primary reason, it's because He loved me first.

So why do you believe that?

I didn't prescribe motive. I'm saying the poll's structure is flawed. It doesn't mean there's anything underhanded afoot. In fact, it never actually occurred to me.

Not quite sure what to do with that... suspicious in what way?

Perhaps you lack an understanding of the loaded nature of words like pigeonholing.

If you don't want to answer my questions, don't.

 

[solarwave]

For me I like all the evidence for God, but I said because I have experienced God. For me my faith (Christianity) is a person relationship with God, which means some sort of experience of Him. Logical arguements for God are all good but in the end it is a personal question of will you put your trust in God.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Tinker, let me ask you a question:

The purpose of the Exploring Christianity forum is for people who are seeking answers to questions they don't understand about the Christian faith, for seekers who are trying to explore Christianity and get a better understanding of the faith, typically for themselves and their own personal journey. Knowledge is of course a powerful thing.

How do you feel this question is going to help you on your personal journey? Will knowing why others believe in God help you much in trying to come to grips with the reasons why anyone would believe in God or why you should believe in God? I am not sure how it would, to be honest.

I mean, there are many places you could ask "Why do YOU believe in God?" -- but when asked in Exploring Christianity, a certain assumption is made by posting here: That you are exploring Christianity in a sincere fashion, for instance. Otherwise, you could have posted this just about anywhere.

So how will my answering of this poll help you exactly?

One of my hobbies is epistemology. Unfortunately, to date this avocation has been limited to me thinking about how I know things and how other people know things. Someday, I hope to get around to reading some expert opinions on the topic.

One of my theories about epistemology is that we learn things through analogy. ("That's how I feel when somebody hits me! Therefore I won't hit people", etc.) Empathy is a particular form of epistemology.

So, asking the question as to why you believe and asking why you think others believe helps me understand my own attitudes on the topics.

I would hope that it would be helpful to others as well.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Hello again Tinker!

I selected I have experienced/ing God.Through my daily life and perils and your day to day reasons for saying one believes in God because He is there through the good and bad.

Beyond this I can think of a couple personal experiences.

Of course, its hard not to believe if you have seen Him face to face...

It's good to see you too. Thank you for your answer and taking the question at face value.

 

[Tinker Grey]

For me I like all the evidence for God, but I said because I have experienced God. For me my faith (Christianity) is a person relationship with God, which means some sort of experience of Him. Logical arguements for God are all good but in the end it is a personal question of will you put your trust in God.

Thank you for answering. I appreciate it.

 

[LogosRhema]

It's good to see you too. Thank you for your answer and taking the question at face value.

People tend to see beyond whats being asked rather whats truly being asked. And of course I've discussed things with you before and I know a bit about the way you think and can conclude you aren't asking a loaded question.

Loaded questions are ant-intellectual. You are intellectual, so I wouldn't honestly expect it from you.

Nice to see you again too. Hope your search is fruitful.

Take care.

 

[Kyle_2]

I believe in God because I was raised as a Christian. Also, I just feel God's presence.

 

[Tinker Grey]

People tend to see beyond whats being asked rather whats truly being asked. And of course I've discussed things with you before and I know a bit about the way you think and can conclude you aren't asking a loaded question.

Loaded questions are ant-intellectual. You are intellectual, so I wouldn't honestly expect it from you.

Nice to see you again too. Hope your search is fruitful.

Take care.

That's the kindest anyone has said to me in a long time (and I consider myself to have good life with good friends)! Thank you very much.

 

[Tinker Grey]

I believe in God because I was raised as a Christian. Also, I just feel God's presence.

Thank you for answering. Since "raised Christian" wasn't selected, I think, I take it you either didn't vote or selected the "God's presence" answer?

 

[Chesterton]

One of my theories about epistemology is that we learn things through analogy. ("That's how I feel when somebody hits me! Therefore I won't hit people", etc.) Empathy is a particular form of epistemology.

I'm curious - are you saying the above example of epistemology is logical or rational? I mean do you think that "Therefore I won't hit people" follows logically from "That's how I feel when somebody hits me!"?