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Why Do We Believe What We Believe?

Why Do We Believe What We Believe?

Last updated on: April 4, 2024 at 4:26 pm by Larry Jordan

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Why Do We Believe What We Believe? 2024-04-04T16:26:58-05:00 Larry Jordan

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Sometimes, we believe things because they are comfortable, not because they are sensible.

Often, we hold these beliefs, irrespective of whether they are supported by evidence or experience. We might say things like this:

“I believe that there is a God or a Supreme Being who loves me, because I would feel lonely and unloved otherwise.”

“I feel that this God creates rules and monitors our behavior, because the Universe would feel unfair and unjust otherwise.”

“I hope that this God establishes a purpose for each of us, because the Universe would feel aimless and meaningless otherwise.”

“I think that this God gives each of us a soul, because our lives would feel short, and our journeys would feel incomplete otherwise.”

“I trust that this God gives each of us free will, because our “choices” would feel hollow, and we would feel like animals otherwise.”

Do Evidence or Experience Confirm Any of These Beliefs?

Evidence and experience do NOT confirm these beliefs (at least, not the kind of evidence or experience that could convince an objective observer.) Do these beliefs describe the world “as it is” or the world “as we want it to be?” Some people believe that “faith” refers to belief, rather than trust. Is it “faithful” or helpful to believe unbelievable things or unsupportable things?

Billions of compassionate and wise people do NOT believe any of these things. Still, they can live lives of connection, guided by their consciences, sustained by the meanings that they create. Also, they can appreciate this life, knowing it may be their one and only life. They can live in the here and now, whether they have agency or not.

Of course, all religion is cultural and all theology is speculation. Evidence and experience do NOT deny these beliefs, either. This post does not seek to confirm or deny any particular beliefs. Rather, it encourages us to be honest (at least, with ourselves) about whether our beliefs are comfortable or sensible.

Sometimes, we believe things because they are comfortable, not because they are sensible. Image from Pixabay/12019

What if We Believed Different Things?

We can see why these beliefs might offer comfort or hope. Now, assume that that there is no God, there are no rules, there is no purpose, we have no souls, and we have no free will.

Assume that we are merely animals who live our mortal lives. We are clinging to a small rock that is hurtling through cold, dark, endless space. We are experiencing fortune and misfortune alike. Further, assume that our lives are alternately joyful and sorrowful until death or “lights out.” In the end, we simply get stirred into the cosmic soup. Is such a place unimaginable?

Q: What would such a Universe look like?
A: That Universe would look EXACTLY like this Universe.

Awe, Gratitude, Reverence and a Sense of Responsibility

We might realize that everyone is related, and everything is connected. We might say that kindness is our religion. We might see the wisdom of the Golden Rule. Do we need anything more?

Can we feel awe for a Universe, whether created or eternal, that allows us to have this wondrous experience, which is both unique and universal? Of course.

Can we feel gratitude for a Universe, whether designed or evolved, that blesses us with these very special places, these very special times, and these very special people? Of course.

Can we feel reverence for a Universe, whether intentional or random, that is so finely tuned that it can manifest all of this beauty in consciousness and energy and form? Of course.

Can we feel a sense of responsibility to establish the Kingdom of God, whether there is a God or not, as creation’s stewards and our brothers’ keepers? Of course.

Imagine that we pursued “Truth with a capital T” with no holds barred and no sacred cows. Where would that lead? What would we gain? What would we lose? Would we prefer clarity or comfort?

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About Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan is a follower of Jesus with Zen practice. Recently, he published his first book, “The Way: Meaningful Spirituality for a Modern World,” which was informed by the Eastern religions, the mystics, and the quantum physicists. You can read more about the author here.

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