Can Someone Choose To Believe In God? | Alex O'Connor

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[jimmyquck]

I'm a Christian but alex is one of those guys i respect tremendously for his sound and rational mind

[AWizardOfTastyness]

I did exactly this for years - doesn't work for everyone.
I admire and envy faith, such a comfort.

[SKGuna_writer]

I've read all major religious texts, had conversations with communities practising those faiths, and still remain myself. The key ingredient missing from this conversation is the "active search" on the part of the individual to practice a certain religion. Personally, I choose to observe from afar. I am happy the way I am, and people of faith are happy the way they are. That's all well and good with me. 😊

[Quick-n-eg쿠이크앤이지]

I was in a Christian club in my 20's but I was not shown grace until I stepped away from being a perfect Christian.

[LoshenTingaling]

I grew up in a christian household, going to a christian school. I watched the Matrix when I was 6 and was the only one in my life who didn't believe in god until I met someone else 4 years later who also didn't believe in god.

[jebbus]

I spent a lot of time from age 2 to 12 with my grandparents who were devout christians. I traveled with my grandma to local church functions and did pray every night with her when I was in their care. While I always have had good relations with them the religion it self never stuck even tho I did do my confirmation too.

[HarryBalzak]

When I was maybe 12 or 13 a wise old man told me, "You are your friends".
I didn't get it at first but I never forgot it. I realized how right he was in my mid 20s.

[mommasbigboy]

Isn’t this also how marketing works? Just surround people with constant reminders of your products until they unknowingly start buying them?

[youtoo]

After listening to this guy i now know im definitely agnostic, not atheist but still lean more towards theist, but i see through religion bs, but an overall universe power makes sense to me, just not the way religions think it is

[gedroybacer]

I think a lie detector test for religious people would reveal a lot. “Do you GENUINELY believe there’s a holy being watching your every move judging you…OR…are you just after belonging to a friendship group”

[mojolaoluwapsalm]

What you hear often you will eventually believe

[AlchemyofSalt-Oil]

In a way this is very true its extremely similar to an important part of traditional hindu orthodox families and organizations: the ecosystem keeps the culture, tradition, and personal practices alive and those personal practices lead to personal experiences and in that way its ironically a religion that does include faith and belief, but isnt "belief-based, " it is experience, trust and measurement of ones results based, which results in experiences that are both empirically evidentual and provable and repeatable and those which are purely subjective both. So its a faith based on trust not blind belief and in that eay ive actually only heard Alex roughly describe that process other than a hindu guru. Its essentially the same thing I say to people all the time, myself being neither christian or athiest. But having been both those and more in my life.

[Flamefire]

I would say to “ believe in God is not the best to say here” rather try praying to God And see what happens

[Ilovelife]

Awe my dear Chris, God knows you're unknowing of Him. 🙏💜🕊That's why you begin with a prayer like: Hi God~Lord Śrī Krṣņaji, you know I don't know if you're real or not yet but please give me a definite sign that you love me unconditionally; I'm sure you will since everyone says you love me unconditionally. Thank you Amen. And then be patient and wait, you will either hear an amazing song or feel a wonderful warmth in your heart chakra or see something incredibly inspiring to let you know how perfectly loved you are by Him who created you. Peace be with you dear Chris. One love always 🙏💜🕊🕉✡️⚛️☪️☯️✝️🕉

[jrtb]

That's a fair and reasonable argument. It doesn't account for people who come to Jesus when everyone in their life is not a Christian and when there are severe consequences for following Jesus. Nor does it account for the truth claims of Christianity. Put it to the test and be willing to follow the evidence where it leads.

[kickinghorse]

The inverse of this sentiment . . .
I like the old timers' adage that goes a little something like "You can't fly with the eagles if you hang with the turkeys."

[ThirdLawPair]

Same applies to intelligence physical fitness and other attributes, you can't just choose to have it, but you can choose to spend years doing the things that will acquire it.

[ITheStoic]

Okay that fall out boy shirt is goated

[slicermcgurk]

This Album was really good. Still listen to it

[BenBoydMindset]

If you think of most people, they tend to be born into religion and have tainted glasses on from the upbringing - I would say I sit in that category too of what I was taught to believe (not particularly religious tho)