"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many generations.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of teachers, elders or wise men.
Believe only after careful observation and analysis.
When you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.” Kalama Sutta


Believe is one of many words used in our language that can easily mislead and misrepresent the user's intent. This can be attributed to its' denotative and subjective subtleties. It seems "believe" is the catch all verb of choice.

believe (verb) 1. to accept as true or as speaking truth. [synonyms: -be certain of -put one's faith in] 2. think; suppose. [synonyms: assume, maintain, presume] to believe in 1. have faith in the existence of. [synonyms: swear by; trust in; have faith in ] 2. feel sure of the worth of.

belief (noun) 1. firm opinion; acceptance "that is my belief" 2. religious conviction "he has no belief" 3. belief in: trust or confidence "belief in the justice system" [1]

How we use the word
There are two circumstances in which to use the word "believe"; the religious and the rational. By religious, I mean a fundamentalistic zealous attitude towards the belief. In the religious viewpoint, the act of believing is to accept as true or real without need of additional confirmation or proof. We often think this only applies to religious situations but it can apply to any domain. There is a problem with this attitude; it does not allow for change or growth. The person who uses this standpoint already accepts the belief as FACT.

The rational version of the verb "to believe" allows for change because its acceptance of truth is based on assumption and conjecture. This standpoint allows for mistakes and as humans, we have the capacity to learn from our mistakes. The following scenario is over simplified but it goes something like this:

What is the Earth's shape?

The religious believer—"I believe the earth is flat." I know this to be true and nothing you are going to say will change my mind because I am right.

The rational believer— "I believe the earth is flat." I presume this is so, because when I walk I appear to go in a straight line.

Note: With the rational outlook, the presumption can be tested and tried until it has mutated into fact or knowledge with evidence to support it.

— and the answer today?

The standard response is: “the earth is round”, but to be more precise, it is really an oblate spheroid.

For more information: an excellent detailed explanation of the implicit and explicit usage of belief can be found at the following link: The Internet of Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
How we believe (Continues at SOURCE: "The Agnostic Witch")

And here you are wanting people to "believe" you. What a an interesting hypocrit you are!

I think the question is "Do I actually believe this, or only believing it because I am expected to?". It boils down to if you think with logic and reasoning or blind faith.

No, shes suggesting you use your head and think for yourself. Make your own decision on what you believe and think is right.

The earth I BELIEVE is round lol

I don't believe the sun rises or sets as its stated in the bible...and no its not a figure of speach lol..the earth orbits around the sun, and takes 365 days to do so

The only thing I believe is flat right now is this post



C-ya

What an interesting unaware puppy you are.
Perhaps the moon is in your eyes lunar mutt. But if you'll wipe them clear, you'll notice I did not write this article.

If I had a penny for each time someone posted an artical...and others saw it as the words of the member that just posted it..and ignored the actual links provided from the source, i'd be richer than Bill Gates

Me too.

If you were to put it in huge font and a big arrow pointing ----> SOURCE they still would ignore it

Spirituality vs Skepticism rules of conduct here: http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum...showtopic=99047 .

Insults and namecalling will not be tolerated. Keep this thread to a civil and respectful manner. PM's on their way, read them very carefully!

It would be nice if everyone's beliefs were based on imperical evidence. It is unfortunate , yet a fact, that people's beliefs are sometimes swayed from the logical to the illogical as a result of bias.

This cartoon I think illustrates this idea.

NO! She is telling people not to believe. Read her post again! However, she violates her own ideaology by wanting people to believe what she writes. People can believe what they damn well want to believe without having liberal gudlines scripted for them. This is how people re-write history, or at least attempt to.

I think you should read her post again...she isnt telling us ANYTHING she posted up an artical....this is the 2nd time you have deliberately chosen to ignore this

Is it me, or is this happening a lot? I think the next time I post an exerpt from an article I'm going to turn it pink or something so people know it wasn't written by me, because this seems to be causing a lot of confusion for no good reason.

Moondoggy,

To clear this up once and for all. GoddessWhisper did not write this article so this is neither her own personal thoughts nor her opinions. The source to where this article comes from is clearly defined in her original post.
Now back on topic.
Thanks.

This thread is now closed due to a certain person who cannot control her temper.