Emotion And Faith. Logic And Doubt.

[nailit]

It seems to me (both on AB and in real life) that the reasons why religious believers and religious doubters differ in their opinions is because of the way that we process information. Either emotionally or logically.
I was listening to some street preachers a few weeks ago (I was waiting to meet someone and didn't have any ear-plugs with me) and it occurred to me that their entire preaching was based on emotion...Jesus died for us (love) and if we reject him we can expect to spend eternity in hell (fear) and that we need to rely only on Jesus (trust) to find rest (joy) Not once did they offer any 'logical' reason for this...
I encounter the same mindset with my Christian friends whenever the subject crops up, its all based on emotion.

On the other side of the coin is us doubters who continually apply logic. We explore, research and try to make informed choices. Our 'beliefs' are not based on emotion but on facts. We can no more believe in a dying and resurrecting God-man who wishes for us to worship him (and will cast us into an infernal torture chamber if we don't) than we can believe in a flying pink unicorn wearing a tutu. Doubters don't hate God...we just cant possibly believe in him/her/it.

Are those of us that doubt missing out because we RELY on logic?
Are those that believe emotionally missing out because they DONT apply logic?

[nailit]

Also meant to ask, is it our thought processes (left brain/right brain dominant thinking) that decide whether we will turn to religion or reject it?
Thanks.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't know about dominance, but reject things that don't conform to how we see things and we are bound to miss out. Having a view is fine, but it's good to be open minded regarding other viewpoints.

[nailit]

//but it's good to be open minded regarding other viewpoints//
Couldn't agree more O-G.
The point is though, how do we process those other viewpoints?
If we are primarily an emotional, right brain thinker then we will process those views differently than we would if we are primarily a logical, left brain thinker.

[Tilly2]

May I just interrupt and ask how one knows what side of the brain thinker one is? Is there a test?

[nailit]

BTW,
Not saying that either one is 'right', just trying to better understand why people believe as they do (including myself). Belief...or unbelief...is not created in a vacuum.

[nailit]

Tills,
I did GCSE psychology years ago. Cant remember much of it now...this came up in class.
Google is your friend ;-)
…...

[jim360]

One needs to be careful to distinguish *trying* to be logical from being *actually* logical, mind. I'd be wary of being too black-and-white about what side of the divide we're on.

[Mamyalynne]

The right brain/left brain theory is somewhat over egged.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/brain-myths/201206/why-the-left-brain-right-brain-myth-will-probably-never-die

[Arksided]

I'm simply mad as a bat ... and simply apply logic to any given situation, but also considerate of those around me.

[woofgang]

I think you are wrong in thinking that people are EITHER logical or emotional. In my experience I think most people are a mix of both...at least I have never met anybody who wasn't.

[Theland]

Facts? Great!
So explain Israel.
All facts and no emotion.

[Tilly2]

That's why I asked my question, Woof. One side or the other doesn't sit quite right.

[Patsy33]

I think there is something in what you say Nailit. Some people are over emotional, which opens them up to religious, emotional blackmail & brainwashing.

[nailit]

The left brain/right brain thing might be a bit outdated now but the sentiment is the same....some people think *PREDOMINANTLY* with their emotions while others think predominantly with their intellect.
Its not an either/or scenario.

[nailit]

//Facts? Great!
So explain Israel.
All facts and no emotion. //

YOU seem to have a lot of *emotional* imput into these continuous posts about Israel despite been given *logical* answers. Why is that?
And you refuse to answer questions (denial...another emotion) about unfulfilled prophecies.

[nailit]

Theland,
in fact your continued...almost pathological...interest in Israel is bordering on the insane. What is it all about?
Seriously? Why? I dont get it.

[woofgang]

Nailit, I have never met anybody who was PREDOMINANTLY logical or emotional either. I do know that some people who are on the autistic spectrum have difficulty with social interraction or dealing with their own feelings or the feelings of others, but I don't think its the same thing.

[agchristie]

//almost pathological...interest in Israel is bordering on the insane.//

That wall will never stop wailing...

[woofgang]

I don't think that anyone "thinks" with their emotions..... I would agree that some people, in some circumstances, are unable to think logically because of an emotional reaction....its how scammers get money out of people....I also think that people gain emotional comfort from religion....but that doesn't mean that they are unable to think logically.

[Theland]

Nailit - It was written.
It happened.

Don't complicate it with masses of words.