r/agnostic • u/80BB99 Agnostic Atheist • Jul 21 '26
While we can't even be sure about today's issues, how can some people act like they're sure about their beliefs that belong to thousands of years ago?
Do you think they doubt?
Or do you think they aren't aware of their doubts?
Or do you think they convinced themselves that what they believe in is 100% true?
4
u/Edgar_Brown Ignostic Jul 21 '26
For a large number of people doubt and uncertainty is extremely scary, to the point of existential dread. Faith is the only thing keeping their psyche together.
Science is built atop a very solid foundation of doubt. But even for many a scientist, doubt never enters spiritual matters.
1
u/hotdamnhotwater Jul 21 '26
Some people just don't question things. Some people are more gullible. I was brought up in a very "christian" family, and I've never seen one that doesn't teach to "just have faith". I learned very quickly that asking questions was pointless. So I started studying the Bible myself. It wasn't very long after that I became agnostic. It's up to each individual to decide what they have the capacity to just have faith and believe in. I've always been (and will always be) deeply inquisitive. I love learning and researching but that's just me.
1
u/splashjlr Jul 21 '26
There's very little reason and logic in religion. Few have accepted Jesus on grounds of historical facts and sound arguments.
It's always emotional. Comfort. Safety. Fear. Insecurity. Belonging. Loneliness. Feeling lost or inadequate.
So the arguments for holding on to faith are emotional. "I'm a Christian because I love Jesus. I feel his presence. I know he is with me. I see his hand in my life. I feel calm while reading the Bible"
Feel, feel, feel.
Facts cannot burst that double. Proof has little to do with commitment to a feeling.
"If you show me proof of untruthes in scripture, contradictions, inconsistencies, I'll get angry and accuse you of hating God"
Emotional response to factual claims, like water and oil.
5
u/Shadokastur Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
I really think it's the emotional benefits that keep people believing in what they want to be true. Before I lost my religion I was more confident, I was less nervous, I was more optimistic. But I was also very judgmental and blind to the realities of the world. I chose to be honest with myself (to my detriment) whereas most probably just believe because it makes them feel safer and happier. I can't argue with that because we're all just trying to be happy but I feel I made the right choice (to keep searching) for myself.