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Post 0

Monday, July 10, 2006 - 6:41pmSanction this postReply
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Hi everybody!

I am sure everybody has an opinion on this one...Not to be taken too seriously. I am just curious.
Since none of us believes in the supernatural or lives by faith...I am still sure that to believe in some things is important to living a rational life. If one would ask me I would say something like:

- I believe in myself
- I believe in friendship
- I believe in love at first sight

and so on. What are things you believe in and how do you think about "believing" rationally? Do you think it is necessary or rather superfluous...

Thank you for participating:-)
Tok


Post 1

Monday, July 10, 2006 - 8:15pmSanction this postReply
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Beliefs are affirmed by the premises they set upon. If the premises in question are not sound then the belief is equally not sound. But if the premises are sound for that given belief, then the belief is equally sound. Belief in this regard depends on some level of reason for it to be even defensible. Many folks take certain beliefs without even knowing the premises of them, and even more so, they'll try to invent premises to support a belief that may indeed be faulty from the get go.

So as it is commonly said, "Check your premises." :)

-- Bridget

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Post 2

Monday, July 10, 2006 - 9:45pmSanction this postReply
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If you ever hear me start a sentence off with "I believe in" then kill me. Please. : )

Post 3

Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:16pmSanction this postReply
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I believe my chinese cookin' is the best! *ducks*

-- Bridget

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Post 4

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 5:27amSanction this postReply
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Yes - this has always been one of my peeves, that among those who say there is a difference between knowing and believing, they still resort to using "I believe...." .....  you either know something, or you don't...  you can statistically assume or presume, which prefaces with qualifications - but you cannot claim something as true in the absence of knowing... 


And Bridget - while your Chinese cooking may be the best, my Pacific Rim is better.... ;-)

(Edited by robert malcom on 7/11, 5:29am)


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Post 5

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 12:46amSanction this postReply
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Belief is a funny thing because it is very individualistic.  It can be based on some very good data or facts (this would be known as knowledge), a gut emotion (perhaps faith), or there may be no known reason why something is believed.

 

I believe my daughter being born is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

 

I believe everything should be questioned.

 


Post 6

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 10:05amSanction this postReply
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And I believe I should use my bicycle more than my old car, because my old car isn't getting any better or younger. ^_^;
 
-- Bridget


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Post 7

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 12:07pmSanction this postReply
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"Belief" is used in different contexts. The statement, "I believe in myself" means that you have high self esteem and confidence in contrast to, "I believe in miracles and the supernatural"  which means that you have a view of of the world that is unshakable.

(A statement such as, "I believe I'll have another beer" falls into neither of those categories.)

Sam


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Post 8

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 2:31pmSanction this postReply
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My son told his playmate that he believes in science as oppose to Jesus Christ. :-)

(Edited by Hong Zhang on 7/11, 2:33pm)


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Post 9

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 2:48pmSanction this postReply
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Oh, Einstein, thou art in Heaven, without preferred frame of reference, hallow by thy name. Thy will be done, within the speed of light. Thy kingdom come within its lightcone. Amen.

-- Bridget

Post 10

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 5:34pmSanction this postReply
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Ahh, Bridget ... a 'true believer' ...

Ed
[may a thousand blessings be bestowed upon thee; for thou seekest the truth, the light, and the way]

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Post 11

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 9:26pmSanction this postReply
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“I believe in the small of a woman’s back.”

Post 12

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 9:35pmSanction this postReply
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I believe I need to go outside more.

-- Bridget has too many YTMND fads winding up in her dreams... @_@;

Post 13

Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 9:32amSanction this postReply
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My son told his playmate that he believes in science as oppose to Jesus Christ. :-)
My son told me that the idea of a God creating everything sounds like magic, so he knows that can't be right.  :-) 

-- Bridget has too many YTMND fads winding up in her dreams... @_@;
Oh -- I believe "you have my stapler".  LOL!!



Post 14

Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 12:54pmSanction this postReply
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I dislike the word "belief" but I'd have to say my goals are along the lines of (in no particular order):

full evidence (observation from reality)
acute individuality (freedom of mind)
free, open, and transparent inquiry (freedom of ideas)
multiple perspectives (freedom from entrenching one's self)
self-stability (freedom from others)
knowledge and understanding (freedom from backwoods stupidity)
wisdom, maturity, insight, exsight, hindsight, and foresight ('intelligence fixes mistakes, geniuses prevent them')


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