How Do You Choose What To Believe?

[Atheist]

Theland, how do you choose? If it's the voice of God, then you don't have a choice. But if you have a mind, then you can choose. How do you choose?

[Baldric]

No voice of God has ever convinced me they exist, mainly because I've never heard one.
As an independent thinker I don't need any outside influence to guide me through my life, I am more than capable of doing that, no imaginary Fairies for me, thank you.

[ummmm]

I think it's mainly chosen for you.

[Theland]

Evidence.

[Old_Geezer]

You don't, your subconscious chooses for you then let's you try to justify it.
But the subconscious has little choice either since it is what it is and inevitability makes the decisions it makes.

[ummmm]

What evidence?

[nailit]

/If it's the voice of God, then you don't have a choice.//
I have a schizophrenic friend who honestly believes that God 'talks' to him. I let it slide, I understand his illness.

[Theland]

Ummmm - How long have you got?
Usually, as soon as I speak, I get ridiculed.

[Old_Geezer]

Challenged more than ridiculed.
I expect ummmm has all day.

[ummmm]

Theland - it's written in print....so go for it. Not a youtube link though!

[nailit]

How do we choose what to believe?
Speaking for myself, I cant choose to believe in a god that tortures his own creation in some kind of unimaginable pain for eternity for the simple sin of 'not believing' in the right thing.
I cant choose to believe in anything anyway...I can only believe in things which have some kind of evidence.

[Theland]

Here goes. I can't accept the naturalist explanation for the universe origin. Something from nothing, as proclaimed by Hawking, Krausse and Dawkins.
It doesn't make sense to me and it shouldn't to you either.
That's a start, Ummm.

[Theland]

Like Nailit, I too ridiculed the Bible for years.
I could pick holes in it with the best of them.
Then age 30, a cHristian began explaining it to me.
My curiosity aroused, I began investigating it myself.
I began by rejecting most organised religion, and embraced Sola Scriptura.

[nailit]

So God made a dirt man and a rib woman. He then placed them into an enchanted garden to be deceived by a talking snake into eating the fruit from a magical tree?

//It doesn't make sense to me and it shouldn't to you either//
Ditto.

[nailit]

//Then age 30, a cHristian began explaining it to me.
My curiosity aroused, I began investigating it myself.//

At age 15 I had the same experience Theland. I also began investigating it for myself. Guess I have 15 yrs experience head start!

[Theland]

Yes that's a problem for me too.
Is that to be taken literally, that is, literal truth, or a vehicle to convey truth?
The Bible is complex. It interprets itself.
It is unlike any other so called sacred book.
Approach it judgementally, and you will be disappointed.
Approach it with humility, with a willingness to learn, and the lights will go on for you.

[ChillDoubt]

From 29 minutes to 45 sums up the pure fantasy, idiocy and contradiction for me.
Strong language:

[nailit]

//The Bible is complex. It interprets itself. //
Err, righto then!!

Actually the bible isn't 'complex' at all if you use any reasoning skills that you might have.
You know, as well I do, that the Garden of Eden stuff is bunkum. So is Noahs Ark etc.
//Approach it judgementally, and you will be disappointed//
No *** Shylock?

[nailit]

//It interprets itself.//
How does it interpret the numerous genocides that it commands?
Or the barbaric laws that it proscribes?
Or the constant threats of death and punishment?

[Theland]

Nailit - so much to say.
But your turn.
Explain your acceptance of naturalism. Universe origin, stupid evolution, even more stupid abiogenesis.
More to come.

[nailit]

//Explain your acceptance of naturalism. Universe origin, stupid evolution, even more stupid abiogenesis./

I don't have too. Im making no claim.
Why don't you try to defend YOUR claim that the Bible is the word of God. Defend its barbaric laws and its genocide. Or are you simply going to ignore it? (as usual)