NationStates Jolt Archive

It has long been a belife of mine that all of us belive somethings without knowing why, or without proof of anykind.

Mine is obviously God.

What are yours?

That I percieve reality as it really it. It's so hard to get anything done without that one.

Most people's unquestioned beliefs are probably so deeply hidden in their viewpoint that they can't really see them as beliefs, but as facts.

Like the belief that the law of gravity is consistent in parts of the universe that we've never observed.

A lot of them, like the example, are perfectly reasonable.

It has long been a belife of mine that all of us belive somethings without knowing why, or without proof of anykind.

Mine is obviously God.

What are yours?

I believe in spellcheckers, in spite of all the evidence presented to me on the internet that no-one else has ever heard of them :D

That Gary Busey and Nick Nolte are the same person.

I believe that my cats talk to each other and that everyday for them, if it were filmed and their voices could be heard, would play out exactly - scene for scene - like the Lion King. Everyday.

Our soldiers did not go to some foreign country and risk their lives in vain and defend our Constitution so that decades later you can tell me it's a living document ever changing and is open to interpretation. The guys who wrote it were light years ahead of anyone today, and they meant what they said -- now leave the document alone, or there's going to be trouble.

Aye, world runs on belief.


Examples:
- Economic system is based on belief and trust, not facts.
- Farmer believes the seeds (s)he sows bear fruit come the next season, while there's only a chance it will happen.
- Heck, reality itself is a sustained construct of personal belief. :tongue:

I believe in spellcheckers, in spite of all the evidence presented to me on the internet that no-one else has ever heard of them :D
I believe spellcheckers merely limit the mind rather than helpi in getting your point across to other readers. :p

I believe that every human being is capable of rational thinking, and positive social behaviour.

No, I've got no evidence for that whatsoever, unfortunately.

I believe in spellcheckers, in spite of all the evidence presented to me on the internet that no-one else has ever heard of them :D

Ahhh I don't belive in them, spielcheckers yeah sure!:D

I believe that my point of view is the only real thing that exists and everything else is just a figment of my imagination.

Our soldiers did not go to some foreign country and risk their lives in vain and defend our Constitution so that decades later you can tell me it's a living document ever changing and is open to interpretation. The guys who wrote it were light years ahead of anyone today, and they meant what they said -- now leave the document alone, or there's going to be trouble.

It's a constitution, not a religious document.

I believe that every human being is capable of rational thinking, and positive social behaviour.

No, I've got no evidence for that whatsoever, unfortunately.

Yeah, like Charles Manson.

I believe that every human being is capable of rational thinking, and positive social behaviour.

No, I've got no evidence for that whatsoever, unfortunately.

Heh why, why would you belive such a thing in light of the overwheling evidence to the contrary?

Heh why, why would you belive such a thing in light of the overwheling evidence to the contrary?

Well, I've got no other believes, really.
At the end of the day, isn't belief the natural extension of hope?

Well, I've got no other believes, really.
At the end of the day, isn't belief the natural extension of hope?

Could be, but you know belife in the bogey man, I doubt that is about hope.
And I bet you have many more.

Could be, but you know belife in the bogey man, I doubt that is about hope.
And I bet you have many more.

Maybe you hope the Bogeyman won't eat you?

Maybe you hope the Bogeyman won't eat you?

Haha, okay I'll give you that.

I believe that if people spent less time hating each other a lot of the problems in the world wouldn't exist.

I believe that if people spent less time hating each other a lot of the problems in the world wouldn't exist.

Shit, I belive that too!

I have this crazy idea that at the end of the day the world always ends up a better place

I believe that every human being is capable of rational thinking, and positive social behaviour.

somebody stop her before she brings down the government!

also yeah the whole everyones good deep down is a hard belief to follow sometimes isn't it? :tongue:

I believe that my point of view is the only real thing that exists and everything else is just a figment of my imagination.

please don't wake up, the monsters come when it goes dark (you can really fuck with someones head by suggesting this btw)

I believe that if people spent less time hating each other a lot of the problems in the world wouldn't exist.

but then we would have to worry about constant hugging and wild flash orgies *shudders*

There is limitless power within the human brain

But I still cling to hope
And I believe in love
And that's faith enough for me
And that's faith enough for me

-Rush, "Faithless"

but then we would have to worry about constant hugging and wild flash orgies *shudders*
I see you've been lurking GM.

Most things people have written in this thread..

And I believe there exists other life in the universe besides us.

I believe that if people spent less time hating each other a lot of the problems in the world wouldn't exist.

I vote this too!

Also just about everything is relative and there are very few absolutes.

Also just about everything is relative and there are very few absolutes.

*nod* Cept for God of course!

*nod* Cept for God of course!

Agreed. I should have said everything humans do.

I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away...


But seriously, I believe in Karma

Our soldiers did not go to some foreign country and risk their lives in vain and defend our Constitution so that decades later you can tell me it's a living document ever changing and is open to interpretation. The guys who wrote it were light years ahead of anyone today, and they meant what they said -- now leave the document alone, or there's going to be trouble.

And those "guys," especially Franklin, Madison and Jefferson, would be utterly horrified to hear you say such a thing.

Also just about everything is relative and there are very few absolutes.

I believe there are NO absolutes. Absolutely none.:D

though I don't beleive it myself I have encountered a wide belief in people that everything happens for a reason

I'm surprised I haven't seen it in this thread (maybe cus its getting near valentines)

There is limitless power within the human brain

*looks around* I don't know about limitless but we certainly are good at hurling poo

I see you've been lurking GM.

nah off site forums are the plague :p

And I believe there exists other life in the universe besides us.

I think I have one sitting on my lap right now (absorbing mah body heat!)

Our soldiers did not go to some foreign country and risk their lives in vain and defend our Constitution so that decades later you can tell me it's a living document ever changing and is open to interpretation. The guys who wrote it were light years ahead of anyone today, and they meant what they said -- now leave the document alone, or there's going to be trouble.

By what right do you presume to lecture anyone on the Constitution or on our millitary's mission? Show me where it says that your opinion is totally correct and everyone must agree with you or "there's going to be trouble"?

BTW, I'm fairly sure making threats like that isn't allowed.

I think I have one sitting on my lap right now (absorbing mah body heat!)

Never said they were on Earth, now did I?
But if you have evidence?? j/k ,)

Our soldiers did not go to some foreign country and risk their lives in vain and defend our Constitution so that decades later you can tell me it's a living document ever changing and is open to interpretation. The guys who wrote it were light years ahead of anyone today, and they meant what they said -- now leave the document alone, or there's going to be trouble.

"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate."

It's too bad those guys left us the ability to amend the constitution right in the document itself. Otherwise, you might be slightly right! (Not really though, but we can pretend.)

My main totally irrational and unfounded belief is that nurture is a stronger force than nature in the development of character. It's a rational consequence of that belief that if we just got the system right, we might be able to make a world worth living in, but the belief itself is just a desperate assertion in the hope that enough people might agree with it to make it so.

EDIT: Actually, scratch that. It's not totally unfounded - People can change, and thus nature cannot be the deciding factor.

It has long been a belife of mine that all of us belive somethings without knowing why, or without proof of anykind.

Mine is obviously God.

What are yours?
Apart from religious beliefs?

Grammar and spelling!

I believe in miraclllllles.

I believe in God, but I believe the world would be better without religion.

When it comes to your average individual, it seems all is a random mess of suffering. But when it comes to great men, I, like the normally realistic Bonaparte or Machiavelli, believe in destiny. The idea that everything is on a set course is not difficult for me to comprehend--action and certain reaction seem likely to have begun when the universe's first molecule set things in motion; what I believe unrealistically is that fortune has a way, a trend and love, for chosen men; that fortune will take one to heights unimaginable if one will accept.

I believe in God, but I believe the world would be better without religion.

How we differ. Just think what great art work, literature and music would not exist without religion.

How we differ. Just think what great art work, literature and music would not exist without religion.

But think of all the literature that would not exist, and has been crushed with religion, and all the deaths, wars etc.

I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away...


But seriously, I believe in Karma

Action and reaction or simply that one suffers for one's sins?

But think of all the literature that would not exist, and has been crushed with religion,

Not half as much as has been inspired. Let us just take the stories based on YHVH and Zeus; without them, we would be severally lacking. Almost all our great paintings and sculptures are based on modern or ancient religious themes. And artistic music is a direct descendant of religious music.

and all the deaths, wars etc.

Wars happened just as frequently before religion influenced things. Just think of the ancient world, where religion existed, but wars were started for other reasons. And without threat of hell, I guarantee you more crime; religion keeps the obtuse in line.

It has long been a belife of mine that all of us belive somethings without knowing why, or without proof of anykind.


I 'believe' you're wrong.

Not half as much as has been inspired. Let us just take the stories based on YHVH and Zeus; without them, we would be severally lacking. Almost all our great paintings and sculptures are based on modern or ancient religious themes. And artistic music is a direct descendant of religious music.

But if we had never had religion, how o you know we might have even better art, music etc?

Wars happened just as frequently before religion influenced things. Just think of the ancient world, where religion existed, but wars were started for other reasons.

Not on the same scale though.

And without threat of hell, I guarantee you more crime

I read somewhere, I'm not sure if it's on the internet, but in the UK 90% of all prisoners call themselves religious.

But if we had never had religion, how o you know we might have even better art, music etc?

Not likely. If you read classical Greek texts, you will find that writers are generally only inspired by Gods or sex, and that Gods make for better writing.


Not on the same scale though.

The most destructive wars in history were not religious wars. You are probably one of those persons who thinks the Crusades were about religion. :D


I read somewhere, I'm not sure if it's on the internet, but in the UK 90% of all prisoners call themselves religious.

And I will wager you that there would still be more criminals if we destroyed the comfort of a church. I want to see that statistic when you can find it.

You must remember that many un-religious geniuses supported religion.

Not likely. If you read classical Greek texts, you will find that writers are generally only inspired by Gods or sex, and that Gods make for better writing.
I'll give you music, but the kind of religion the Greeks "did" wasn't really based on the same sort of theologies and social structures we have today. They knew they were dealing in mythology rather than gospel - except for Apollo, who was really an informant rather than an instructor, the Gods were basically just big people that stories were told about, rather than the guiders of morality and politics. And their contributions to literature were vast, both in terms of their epics and their philosophical dialogues.

I'll give you music, but the kind of religion the Greeks "did" wasn't really based on the same sort of theologies and social structures we have today. They knew they were dealing in mythology rather than gospel

Nonsense.

The most destructive wars in history were not religious wars. You are probably one of those persons who thinks the Crusades were about religion. :D


But religion was the excuse for them, as it was for the 2nd World War.

But religion was the excuse for them, as it was for the 2nd World War.
Care to elaborate?

I believe in chance.

That there is no fate.*No destiny.

Just this universe and our freedom.

Our soldiers did not go to some foreign country and risk their lives in vain and defend our Constitution so that decades later you can tell me it's a living document ever changing and is open to interpretation. The guys who wrote it were light years ahead of anyone today, and they meant what they said -- now leave the document alone, or there's going to be trouble.

At least, by posting it in this thread, you admit this belief is irrational and not really based in fact.

Nonsense.
Okay, I didn't say that well, since I forget that most people think I mean "false" when I say "mythology" and "true" when I say "gospel". What I meant was that their belief system wasn't proscriptive - it was more based on a sense of history and storytelling than it was about moral instruction. Their "religion" was a collection of tales, not of some revealed truth or order but of the Gods as characters in an ever unfolding narrative.

A thing is what it is and not something else, however much you may wish otherwise. I'm an objectivist, though not a Randian objectivist (her form of objectivism does leave a lot to be desired).

I suppose that attempting to view the world objectively and wanting proof for things could constitute a belief system.

It has long been a belife of mine that all of us belive somethings without knowing why, or without proof of anykind.

Mine is obviously God.

What are yours?

I believe I am not a good person.

I believe in...

http://dinosaurfanfiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/raptor-jesus.jpg

Never said they were on Earth, now did I?
But if you have evidence?? j/k ,)

well it depends on what you mean by us (I haz a cat:tongue:)

That the written word can convey thoughts, feelings and ideas with some degree of accuracy (that is, "transparency").

well it depends on what you mean by us (I haz a cat:tongue:)

My most sincere apologies, I should of course have added "extraterrestrial" in my sentence in order to clarify it´s supposed meaning. ,)
(Three cats haz me! :p)

But religion was the excuse for them,

It was the vague idea, but since robbery and murder were still glorious back then, religion was not required. Even the Pope told the Crusaders to cease when they started killing and robbing Jews, but the knights basically told him to piss off; they were more concerned with making money than with gaining the respect of the Pope.

as it was for the 2nd World War.

It was not. Read your history. Stalin was an atheist, Hitler appealed to the idea of German superiority, the Japanese wanted an empire, Britain wanted to maintain the balance of power (see wars against Napoleón), and America wanted influence.

Okay, I didn't say that well, since I forget that most people think I mean "false" when I say "mythology" and "true" when I say "gospel". What I meant was that their belief system wasn't proscriptive - it was more based on a sense of history and storytelling than it was about moral instruction. Their "religion" was a collection of tales, not of some revealed truth or order but of the Gods as characters in an ever unfolding narrative.

Their religion was simply more relaxed, morally speaking. And because religion was not as important, Spartans conducted genetic purging on their children (by the way, Sparta was easily the most progressive Greek city-state).

That the written word can convey thoughts, feelings and ideas with some degree of accuracy (that is, "transparency").

but isn't our concepts of what words mean influenced by our own experiences *is ripping off waking life*

My most sincere apologies, I should of course have added "extraterrestrial" in my sentence in order to clarify it´s supposed meaning. ,)

well you could count Laika ;) (though I get what you mean)

(Three cats haz me! :p)

:eek2: and they haven't managed to kill you yet?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1-lnHJBFc30/RuO46BA__aI/AAAAAAAAAI4/XhXZk07hAHQ/s320/_large__animepaper_scans_the-melancholy-of-haruhi-suzumiya_moutonzare_-edit493.png

This. ;)

It has long been a belife of mine that all of us belive somethings without knowing why, or without proof of anykind.

Mine is obviously God.

What are yours?

I was born innately aware that there is/are no god(s). The absurdity of it was apparent to me from the first. So, I'm more or less in agreement with you, only not quite.

Action and reaction or simply that one suffers for one's sins?

Action and reaction. It makes much more sense than simply suffering for your sins.

but isn't our concepts of what words mean influenced by our own experiences *is ripping off waking life*

Is intrigued.
Is it a book or a movie or..?

well you could count Laika ;) (though I get what you mean)

Arggh..Meh :D

:eek2: and they haven't managed to kill you yet?

Not yet, and seeing as I have had about 15 cats over all, I must be doing something right.
<.<
>.>
Right?

Is intrigued.
Is it a book or a movie or..?

its a movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn41C9mFpGM&feature=related)

I don't know really its a film about existentialist philosophers basically talking shit for about an hour or so :tongue:

Not yet, and seeing as I have had about 15 cats over all, I must be doing something right.

none of them have done that thing where they hang about your legs trying to trip you up on the stairs? they must of found a use for you in their plans:wink:

Action and reaction. It makes much more sense than simply suffering for your sins.

Then you should not call it "karma", because karma is about inherent justice in the universe.

its a movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn41C9mFpGM&feature=related)

I don't know really its a film about existentialist philosophers basically talking shit for about an hour or so :tongue:

I watched "The man from earth" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0756683/) from start to finish, and enjoyed it immensely so.
EDIT: Actually, I think I can count the number of movies I did not watch through from start to finish on one hand.

none of them have done that thing where they hang about your legs trying to trip you up on the stairs? they must of found a use for you in their plans:wink:

Well, I have a really big scar from my first cat,
but that was because he got scared by a car driving past really fast.
And one cat climbed up my back when I sat in front of the computer one time.
Other than that, they love me, as do most animals.

Our soldiers did not go to some foreign country and risk their lives in vain and defend our Constitution so that decades later you can tell me it's a living document ever changing and is open to interpretation. The guys who wrote it were light years ahead of anyone today, and they meant what they said -- now leave the document alone, or there's going to be trouble.

They probably also "meant" what they say said in Article III where they establish a judiciary to interpret the law, and Article V where they set up mechanisms to change the Constitution.

The service oath of military personnel might include upholding those parts, too.

Could be, but you know belife in the bogey man, I doubt that is about hope.
And I bet you have many more.

Ok, maybe not.
But I force myself to believe that people can be rational, sensible and responsible... in a way, the only other option available would be to just kill them all and be done with it, really.

I believe that cows enjoy becoming burgers.

I believe that cows enjoy becoming burgers.

But they enjoy making drink (http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE51B1N820090212) so much more... and no, I'm not talking milk, either.

Then you should not call it "karma", because karma is about inherent justice in the universe.

Which is based on basically action and reaction both physically and spritually. In Hinduism and Buddhism the system of reincarnation takes into account karma, using that has to whether your next life will be better or not.

Example: If someone acts in a horrible/evil/selfish way in one life, karma will react by giving that person a crappy next life. That's the absolute basic of it.

I believe that Karma is ever present in our lives, dealing us good or bad hands depending on our actions, situation and luck. Karma is a reactive force. So really we're just arguing semantics.

I do believe in something. There is something out there. Would I call it God? No, but I don't deny there's something out there.

I do believe in something. There is something out there. Would I call it God? No, but I don't deny there's something out there.

http://dogandponyshowwebsite.com/files/images/TheTruthIsOutThere.jpg

I hold the totally irrational belief that I'll meet a woman I can have an actual romance with.

I believe that i exist. . .despite evidence to the contrary

I believe there are NO absolutes. Absolutely none.:D

Heheh.

My main totally irrational and unfounded belief is that nurture is a stronger force than nature in the development of character. It's a rational consequence of that belief that if we just got the system right, we might be able to make a world worth living in, but the belief itself is just a desperate assertion in the hope that enough people might agree with it to make it so.

EDIT: Actually, scratch that. It's not totally unfounded - People can change, and thus nature cannot be the deciding factor.

Umm unless it is in their nature to change?:D

A thing is what it is and not something else, however much you may wish otherwise. I'm an objectivist, though not a Randian objectivist (her form of objectivism does leave a lot to be desired).

I suppose that attempting to view the world objectively and wanting proof for things could constitute a belief system.

That is interesting, a belief in objectivity, umm interesting? Would that be a subjective belife in objectivity I wonder?

I was born innately aware that there is/are no god(s). The absurdity of it was apparent to me from the first. So, I'm more or less in agreement with you, only not quite.

Heh alomst the opposite of my belife in fact.

Ok, maybe not.
But I force myself to believe that people can be rational, sensible and responsible... in a way, the only other option available would be to just kill them all and be done with it, really.

Heh I think people can be rational, sensible and responsible, if they try.

That's why I believe it is too late for anyone to believe.

I hold the totally irrational belief that I'll meet a woman I can have an actual romance with.

How is that irrational, B-tan?:confused:

That's why I believe it is too late for anyone to believe.

Huh wot? Mindfuck!:D

Huh wot? Mindfuck!:D

Nope, Tears for Fears. :p

How is that irrational, B-tan?:confused:

Because I live in a place where a good 75% of the people I meet are below my not very high standards for friendships let alone relationships.

Because I live in a place where a good 75% of the people I meet are below my not very high standards for friendships let alone relationships.

Then lower your standards, or move.

Then lower your standards, or move.

I refuse to lower my standards, and I can't move. Unless you have a small fortune to give me for that venture.

I refuse to lower my standards, and I can't move. Unless you have a small fortune to give me for that venture.

Meh! Your choice of course, but moving even without cash is easy enough.

What are your standards like, BTW, if of course you want to tell us?:D

Because I live in a place where a good 75% of the people I meet are below my not very high standards for friendships let alone relationships.

You're an over achiever.:D

Meh! Your choice of course, but moving even without cash is easy enough.

What are your standards like, BTW, if of course you want to tell us?:D

Some common sense and the ability to think rationally. An opinion on things; whats so hard about that? I need to feel I can trust them, and she doesn't use drugs or smoke (at least not a lot); and no children, I don't have the will nor desire to take care of someone else's kids. That's essentially the list, I don't care about looks and I can forgive most things but I can't even find THAT around here.

Some common sense and the ability to think rationally. An opinion on things; whats so hard about that? I need to feel I can trust them, and she doesn't use drugs or smoke (at least not a lot); and no children, I don't have the will nor desire to take care of someone else's kids. That's essentially the list, I don't care about looks and I can forgive most things but I can't even find THAT around here.

Ahhh then you really wanna come to London! We have all sorts of bolshy women here, not afraid of giving their opionion quite loudly, and many of them really quite pretty. Ummm my wife for example.

Man it's great!:D

Ahhh then you really wanna come to London! We have all sorts of bolshy women here, not afraid of giving their opionion quite loudly, and many of them really quite pretty. Ummm my wife for example.

Man it's great!:D

Sounds great, I just need airfare and $45,000 to pay off my debts from college :D.

It has long been a belife of mine that all of us belive somethings without knowing why, or without proof of anykind.

Mine is obviously God.

What are yours?
To give a bit of a stuffy answer, induction and causation.

I think we all do.

Sounds great, I just need airfare and $45,000 to pay off my debts from college :D.

Ahhh then maybe in the fullness of time huh! *pst* I have sisters btw!

To give a bit of a stuffy answer, induction and causation.

I think we all do.

Yes indeed we do. Time to make the follow on thread me thinks.

It has long been a belife of mine that all of us belive somethings without knowing why, or without proof of anykind.

Mine is obviously God.

What are yours?

That i have achieved many things in my life despite suffering...or that i will be able to cope with problems of finding employment i would enjoy in the future...
if you mean more profound things ahm let me think, that i exist, that other people exist and that things can get better...oh oh i have an interesting idea for a thread.

I believe in magic.

I believe that mankind should work out all its petty squabbles over religion and culture and form a unified civilization before we start going out to find and interact with whatever else is in the universe.

now leave the document alone, or there's going to be trouble.This is the part you believe?
It's a good thing they didn't leave it alone regarding the 19th Amendment, and the like.