Getting Old and Believing

[Avonia]

I ran across this quote and thought it was interesting. I don't know the source.

"The older I get, the more deeply I believe but the less beliefs I have."

 

[sentipente]

The question is, What does it mean to believe? I'm not sure the term makes sense anymore.

 

[JonMiller]

Everyone believes in things. It is the usual operation of a logical mind, the need to create assumptions with which to provide the fundamental building blocks to create a logical system to order and explain perception.

Everyone from scientists to psychics do it, as do Christians and every other religion (as well as atheists).

Those who say they don't believe in anything generally don't understand what belief is, or mean that they don't believe in certain classes of assumptions (generally religious).

JM

 

[JonMiller]

As for the OP, I can see two possible meanings.

Either it could mean that old people get confused, and give up on explaining perceptions, and so just need a few beliefs to build a logical system to explain the beliefs they desire to.

Or it could mean that old people have more time to build up their logical systems, and so don't need as many beliefs to explain the ir perceptions/world view. For example, I no longer believe that Christ walked on water. I believe that He was the Son of God, and had power over all the earth, and so logically could walk on water. Note that I now have two beliefs, and not three (the third being unnecessary).

Finally, I don't think this fits my experience really. Sure, as people go from a child to adult, they have less beliefs. But many don't progress from that point, and don't put any effort to ordering their beliefs as they experience more things, and so must multiply their beliefs.

JM

 

[cesty]

I ran across this quote and thought it was interesting. I don't know the source.

"The older I get, the more deeply I believe but the less beliefs I have."

The older you get the wiser you become; and the wiser you become the less foolish you are. In other words, as your understanding of the truth deepens your desire to hold onto false ideas lessens.

Unfortunately, this isn't always the case...

 

[Avonia]

Everyone believes in things. It is the usual operation of a logical mind, the need to create assumptions with which to provide the fundamental building blocks to create a logical system to order and explain perception.

Nice contribution Jon.

The question is, What does it mean to believe? I'm not sure the term makes sense anymore.

I've been pondering something similar. I have a family member that is a bit unusual in the sense that I can't remember a single time he talked about a belief. I've also never heard him argue a point. He either talks about things he knows, or simply says "I don't know." He also seems indifferent to people agreeing or disagreeing with him.

Whereas Jon is talking about belief as a step in the acquisition of knowledge, I've observed that religious belief is often a barrier to knowledge. Religionists are usually suspicious of inquiry.

Senti, would you say a bit more . . .

 

[JonMiller]

Knowledge only exists in a framework of beliefs.

JM

 

[Avonia]

Knowledge only exists in a framework of beliefs.

JM

There are two aspects of knowledge. Gnosis is experiential knowledge - not conceptual (intellectual) knowledge.

Jon, what was your framework of belief underpinning your experience of breath when you were born?

 

[JonMiller]

The framework to put experiences in, to make it anything more than
11:20 am I took a breath
11:20 am I took a breath
11:20 am I took a breath
and so on, is belief. That of empiricism, for example. Which is held universally by scientists.

But actually, to even know what a breath is takes belief.

So it doesn't become knowledge, until after belief is applied. Before that it is a sensation or feeling or some other such thing.

JM

 

[Avonia]

The framework to put experiences in, to make it anything more than
11:20 am I took a breath
11:20 am I took a breath
11:20 am I took a breath
and so on, is belief. That of empiricism, for example. Which is held universally by scientists.

But actually, to even know what a breath is takes belief.

So it doesn't become knowledge, until after belief is applied. Before that it is a sensation or feeling or some other such thing.

JM

Jon, I wish you would dig deeper.

I will be away from computers for a bit - so you all soon.

 

[Cribstyl]

I ran across this quote and thought it was interesting. I don't know the source.

"The older I get, the more deeply I believe but the less beliefs I have."

From my experiences this applies to knowlege and understanding of any matter.

Sooner or later the student should become the teacher

The wisdom that flows from understanding the word of God, teaches us to know that we're not just servants of the King, but Children of the King.
There are always rules for the servants, but the children becomes heirs to the throne are are free.
The more we come into knowlege of Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection, the more we allow Him to walk in us and teach us how to please the Father.

As stranger we learn that law and judgement flows from His tongue.
As children we learn that love flows from His tongue.

We are to serve a living God mediated by our High Preist Jesus Christ.
We do not serve a written law mediated by Moses.

CRIB

 

[Byfaithalone1]

I ran across this quote and thought it was interesting. I don't know the source.

"The older I get, the more deeply I believe but the less beliefs I have."

That has been my experience.

BFA

 

[JusSumguy]

"The older I get, the more deeply I believe but the less beliefs I have."

I like this.

To me it means that we grow closer to God with age, from garnered knowledge. And that we narrow our focus........ weed out the chaff.


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