At what point do you no longer question????
By bird123
@bird123 (10658)
United States
May 25, 2012 11:40pm CST
There are people in this world that believe so hard in every single word of their holy book that they no longer question it. At what point do they get that way and why?? Does it come from the insecurity of life and death?? Does it come from pride that they worked so hard to memorize that holy book?? Is it just a need to be right?? Is it just because people have been taught since they were very young and do not want to change?? Why is it?? At what point do you no longer question beliefs of any kind??
5 people like this
14 responses
@iuliuxd (4453)
• Romania
26 May 12
It is only in your head that other people are different from you.Here is how it works.
"God is this way :...
No God is this way : ...
Why don`t you question your beliefs until you`ll reach the same conclusion i have reached ?
"
Maybe you should be more concerned about questioning your own beliefs and leave the others to believe whatever they want to believe.
"
Maybe you should be more concerned about questioning your own beliefs and leave the others to believe whatever they want to believe.@crossbones27 (52905)
• Mojave, California
26 May 12
You bring up a good point. I question my beliefs every day? Is this the right way? Is this what I really want or need? How is this going to effect my family or friends. At the end of the day, I could less what other people believe unless it has some positive influence on fixing this world. It has to be based on reality though. If it is a negative a effect, I want no part of it. They can still write, talk about it and share their point of view In the end. As long as they are not making important decisions based on what they think might be true, and actually is true. If it is going to effect millions of people, then they need to leave their beliefs at home, and stick with the facts. It is the people who can't separate reality from their beliefs that are the problem.
There is just so much humanity does not know. Maybe we should go with what we see in front of us.
@crossbones27 (52905)
• Mojave, California
26 May 12
See we are talking about two different things. Yes people are led by beliefs but one belief is what I have experienced in my life. What I know has happened that is can be fixed through experience of the bad things I have seen. The other is I have no experience, but have faith in something that I have never seen work out the bad stuff that I know goes on. What makes more sense to you.
@iuliuxd (4453)
• Romania
26 May 12
It doesn`t work that way.You talk about "fixing this world " .That is already a belief, the world must be "fixed" according with your beliefs.
Again it is only in your head that only religious people are lead by beliefs.All the people in the world are lead by their beliefs ( not to mention that most of the time they don`t have their own beliefs but they are indoctrinated to think that way ).
I like to fix my own world and i will leave the others to fix theirs.
Again it is only in your head that only religious people are lead by beliefs.All the people in the world are lead by their beliefs ( not to mention that most of the time they don`t have their own beliefs but they are indoctrinated to think that way ).
I like to fix my own world and i will leave the others to fix theirs.
@redhotpogo (4398)
• United States
28 May 12
I think everyone enters a point in their lives when they become skeptical of things. You either research to find the truth or you just forget it and move on. That's why I am at the point now where I believe the words in my bible, because out of skepticism I looked into it deeper and found it to be correct 100% of the time. On the other hand people themselves should always be looked at with skepticism. Just because someone says they come in the name of God doesn't mean they really do. The bible itself says to question everything.

@redhotpogo (4398)
• United States
29 May 12
From what I know; what I've studied, my opinion at this very moment...Yes. I have different views on hell then most Christians. I don't know if I'm right, so I usually don't state my opinions on it, because I wouldn't want to lead anyone astray. But to answer your question I don't think anything deserves hell. I think that is overkill. And I don't think God would do that. Reading the bible tells me that he wouldn't do that, but for some reason other Christians read the bible and claim everyone will go to hell for eternity. It seems that way at first if you read it, but there are other details you will notice that would change your mind.
Are women second to men? No. God made man and women as partners. To look after one another. Man was first, so people say men are greater than women, but look at what Jesus said. He said the first will be last and the last will be first. Those that put themselves above others will be below others, and those that are below will be above. (That's paraphrasing of course. Not the exact words).
What this means is that we are all equal.
@Bluedoll (16770)
• Canada
29 May 12
Not everyone (Christians too) will agree on everything in the bible. True some will say hell some will say no not hell. I myself do not believe in hell but recognize hate, I mean hateeee’s (don’t you just love some translations) to have a figurative meaning.
I think of man and woman having a very special natural arrangement. In society I often see the man going first with his woman close behind him. This arrangement is often a complimentary one for both. It too in my mind is more figurative than a social law, so correctness in this case is how can we say more demonstrative?
If the situation is reversed it does not mean laws are being broken though some people might disagree. Jesus was confronted with the same things while eating grain on the Sabbath. We really do need to look at the more important things to get direction I think.
I think of man and woman having a very special natural arrangement. In society I often see the man going first with his woman close behind him. This arrangement is often a complimentary one for both. It too in my mind is more figurative than a social law, so correctness in this case is how can we say more demonstrative?
If the situation is reversed it does not mean laws are being broken though some people might disagree. Jesus was confronted with the same things while eating grain on the Sabbath. We really do need to look at the more important things to get direction I think.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
26 May 12
Blind faith is of course a dangerous thing, but remember the words of Soren Kirkegaard, "Life is a mystery to be lived not a problem to be solved."
Or, as Wittgenstein puts it, "If I have exhausted the justifications, I have reached bedrock and my spade is turned. Then I am inclined to say: "This is simply what I do."
all the best urban

@urbandekay (18278)
•
26 May 12
Well many things are not so scary once you take them out the box
Socrates, "Wisest is he, who knows he knows naught"
Better to live with and acknowledge doubt and uncertainty that believe you have false knowledge
all the best urban
@crossbones27 (52905)
• Mojave, California
26 May 12
SO basically you go through life not knowing. I think that is what scares people the most is not knowing.
@crossbones27 (52905)
• Mojave, California
26 May 12
See that makes sense, but it kind of makes religion and the bible look bad. People say they KNOW their religion or the bible is true all the time. The truth, there is a lot of things mankind simply does not know. We just like to pretend we do, because it makes us feel better

@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
27 May 12
Its some of all the things you mention, plus they get fixated by Faith. Faith has been said to move mountains, but I've yet to see a mountain moved! To question any part of the bible would downplay the value of religion in the minds of those religious fanatics!

@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
27 May 12
Well, of course its important that we never try to upset the beliefs of others. Although it seems crazy from where we sit, their beliefs are their inherent right,and we have an obligation to respect that, in the same way we respect the limited knowledge of a preschooler. Its ok to try to point the faithful in the right direction, but the final decision must be up to them.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
27 May 12
I just can't understand why people don't value Truth over any belief. Still, I feel there is a lot of brainwashing being done in religion. It is a lesson on how strong a person is. If one is strong enough, they would not allow others to control their thoughts through mere beliefs. They would not allow a closed mind and such a narrow view. Of course, it's just one of the many lessons around religion. There are a million lessons to learn around religion. None of them about God. Even though many just do not listen, it is important to keep pointing. One never knows when that light bulb will go off over their heads and they will finally see.
@Bluedoll (16770)
• Canada
27 May 12
I do not question when I run out of time.
1. I think it is good thing to question. The more questions you can ask the more you can learn.
2. Certainly insecurity can cause us to throw up our arms and ask for help. It is not a time of questions you are correct.
3. We all have pride in our accomplishments. I think it is a good thing but if we have too much pride,it bad for everyone. So true.
4. It is a need true to feel we are right. If we are uncertain we would not have much confidence that's for sure.
5. Our basic educuation and how we grew up will affect us all our life. It is good thing to hold on the good things we learned and question it too.
6. It makes us who we are.
7. Never, keep asking the right questions.
Revelation 1:3 (New International Version)
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
27 May 12
OK,Bluedoll. Lots of good answers here. Question! That's what I want to hear!!
Of course, one should go out and discover the answers for themselves rather than depend on prophecy. God has placed all the knowledge around us just waiting for us to discover it.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
30 May 12
Some people hear beliefs or prophecy then accept, doing nothing after that. Real answers are truth and facts rather than mere beliefs or forecasts of what will come. I can't count how many times the prophecy was: it's going to be the end of the world. The truth is, we are all still here. If one really understood God and this world, one could see it's not going to be destroyed. There is good reason for it to be here, further the system is designed to last at least a billion more years. It Ain't quite worn out just yet!! OK! OK! Bluedoll. I hope this explanation helps. Yes, it's all waiting for us to DISCOVER!!

@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
27 May 12
You always question. Always. That is part of being human. You would not be human if you didn't question. If you knew everything, then you shouldn't be here.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
26 May 12
Perhaps it's because they understood that life and that book is a learning process and they learn to appreciate it more day-by-day.
They don't get that way because they didn't question. Neither did they get that way because they were forced and have worked so hard.
It is when you get into Theology classes that you understand the history and reasons for the words in that book. You don't actually need to memorize it, you just need to apply it in your life.
Have a great MyLot experience ahead!
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
26 May 12
I personally continuously question what I believe. That "what if" song is always playing in my mind. But from what I know of the life I live, something needs to prove itself tangible in order to be perceived as tangible. Obviously this can be done in different ways and through a variety of methods and deductions and predictions. But at the end of the day, I find it hard to take any religious scripture seriously.
Even to so-called kindest and gentlest and most loving scriptures out there are flawed. And these flaws can be picked out by a 8-year-old kid given the freedom to analyze it honestly and without fear looming over his or her head.
So, for me, it's a toss-up as to why people would subscribe to every single word and stop questioning. I think fear certainly plays a role, but I also think knowledge comes into play.
A good example of this would be one of religion's favorites scientific characters, Newton. Once he reached the limits of what he was able to understand, he put something unknowable beyond that wall. And by doing that, he suddenly knew. So for people who take their scripture literally and cling to it, I think they truly believe that they're right, and they truly fear questioning if it's wrong.
That obviously couldn't apply to every individual. But with the carrot and the stick being the major part of any popular religion, it becomes obvious that a reward is sought and a punishment is avoided. To get one and to avoid the other, you have to subscribe as taught. Religion doesn't teach that you can institute your own rules. The idea of "free" will isn't so free at all. Doing the wrong thing will cost you dearly. So it's extortion.
But when you get down to it, few people know the entirety of their holy books. They pick and choose what to take seriously and what to avoid unless it's brought up and they suddenly need to defend it. I think it's enough that most folks just believe that it's true. After that, the search stops.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
26 May 12
Yes, I think you are right. Search for truth takes work. It's always been easier to just blindly believe and move on. I do like the point you make about some people of religion fearing deep down that their beliefs are wrong. This is an issue I think is swept under the carpet. I really think that is why some fight so very hard. If their beliefs were proven to be wrong, they wouldn't know what to do next.
@Frederick42 (2043)
• Canada
31 May 12
The unquestionable cannot be questioned. However, beliefs should be questioned.
There comes a point in life where questioning becomes impossible. That is also where life becomes beautiful. When you are free from questioning, that is indeed a very great freedom.

@Frederick42 (2043)
• Canada
31 May 12
There are many things which are unquestionable. Hungering to know is not the point. if you truly hunger for the truth, then you would not question. The ultimate truth is beyond questioning.
I am glad that at last I am free from questioning. This is a great freedom and one can know it only when one experiences it.
Learning is not the purpose of life. You do not need to learn anything . In our true nature , we know everything we are the sum of all knowledege.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
31 May 12
Is there really anything unquestionable?? Not for one who hungers to know. Sure, one can convince themselves not to ever question. I can see where one could find freedom and content in that. On the other hand, Life is the education of God's children. If no learning is happening, a monkey wrench will show up as a problem or challenge to give us the excuse we need to start questioning again. That's the reason problems don't go away on their own. We learn when we solve them.
For myself, I see so many wonderful things to discover that I don't think I'll run out of questions any time soon.

@LetranKnight25 (33117)
• Philippines
27 May 12
Hello Bird, there are some verses in the bible that is really doubtful for me most of them time, most of specially when it comes to the issues with the gay or lesbian people. back in the day were men were dominant and feminism didn't exist.
I have taken theology classes back in College and it tells the history which supports some of the bible verses. sometimes, when you question it, just waste your time into asking more and more questions and then you completely leave yourself with a huge question mark in your life.
You ask too many questions but i don't think am in the position to answer that, you have to find them on your own. otherwise, answering your question would raise debate.

@bird123 (10658)
• United States
27 May 12
Yes, but debate will bring out more views for everyone to learn from. From time to time, I have pastors invite me to their churches. On one invitation, I asked the pastor if they were sure they wanted to invite me. With a puzzled look on his face, he asked why not. I said I would be asking him questions he couldn't answer. He said in that case he would simply usher me out of the church. I laughed, however I couldn't rule out that possibility. Yes, I love to question so there would have been a debate.
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
29 May 12
Hi bird: I think that's a way people defend themselves from their fears. Humanity has always faced some questions where we know there's not only an answer and that we can't be 100% sure about what to expect. Some people take the decision to assume their truth is the only answer because that's the way they feel safe and better with themselves but the consequence is that they are not really thinking.
ALVARO
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
29 May 12
Interesting. In order to feel safe they ignore everything but what they agree completely on and that makes them feel safe. Indeed, feeling is a very big part of religion,however one should never stop Thinking simply because Thinking requires more work. People who fear do not realize that discovery of knowledge can remove the unknown by which is the cause of fear. We must all be brave enough to venture into undiscovered country to discover truth. The truth will set you free.
@doc_holiday (35)
• United States
27 May 12
There are those who simply latch on to what they have been taught and never question it. Others, once they decide what they believe never attempt to question or change because they want something that does not change in their life. They need something they KNOW is true and can fall back on. Sometimes these people harden themselves and are no longer teachable.
However, there are others, who have heard the whisper of God in their heart. In which case, they can set aside any questions about that particular thing because the author of the holy book has given them the answer. Whether or not they have truly heard God, is of course, between them and God. But one way to tell if you wonder if it was God is whether or not you have peace in your heart about it. If God gave you an answer you should have peace and rest about it.
The holy book is of course the one source of information that the reader need not ever question. You can rest and be assured every word is true. When reading the holy book is the one thing in life during which we can set aside all doubts, all need to question or wonder if what we are reading is indeed true, but one must rightly divide and seek the holy book's author to be sure you are interpreting it correctly.
Interpretations can be flawed and questioned. The book itself will always be right.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
27 May 12
AS I watched the News on TV yesterday, it came to me that those members of the Pope's Holy See must have heard God speaking to them! They were doing God's work but His Holiness caught them at it, and now they will pay the price for doing God's work! Perhaps the Pope will try to crucify them!
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
27 May 12
Barehugs, truth always has a way of getting out. It sometimes takes time. however it comes out.
doc-holiday. If you can accept any holy book as 100% right, then you are not questioning it. Truth is more than a good feeling. Truth always adds up. Can you really say everything about your holy book adds up???
















