I don’t know if this topic belongs in Great Debates or in MPSIMS, but I’ll post in GD on the not-so-hard-to-conclude notion that it may spark a debate.
I have always believed that Mormonism was true. My grandmother is the same way. I’ve never required an external proof such as archeological finds in South America, touching the Golden Plates for myself, or even seeing Christ in person, in order to believe in my religion strongly. This condition of not needing external proof is called (I think) “believing blood.”
I’m just curious: how many of the Teeming Millions have “believing blood” and have never needed to seriously question their faith externally? In your opinions, is it wiser to never question it, or to subject it to rigorous testing?
I’ll start: Sure, I find such testing to be intellectually stimulating and rewarding, but the basic issue of believing without proof has remained with me over the years, ever since I gained a testimony of my faith’s truthfulness. Of course, one might call gaining a testimony “proof” and be completely correct. But as for scientific proof of my religious assertions and beliefs, I’ve never felt the need, y’know? Interesting, yes; essential to faith, no.
First, I want to state that I don’t intend any of the following as an insult to your or anyone else’s religion. I’m not being sarcastic; I’m genuinely curious and interested in hearing the opinions of true believers.
You say that you believe in your religion because of a faith that is independent of any external proof (I’m parphrasing here). Do you feel that this faith is, by itself, an indication that your religious beliefs are true? As in, “I have this faith because God placed it in me” or “it would be impossible for me to have this much faith in something that wasn’t true” or even “my faith is part of what is making this true.”
The reason I am asking this is because, as I’m sure you’re aware, there are people who have equal faith in religious beliefs that contradict your own. To me, this would seem to imply that faith alone is not sufficient grounds for religious belief, but I’d like to hear your opinions.
I’m curious as to what a “testimony of my faith’s truthfulness” is. I always thought that “testimony” meant something somebody said under oath – which makes it sound like a testimony of your faith’s truthfulness would be some person other than yourself swearing that your faith was truthful. Does the phrase have a different meaning in this context?
I believe it’s an indication that the principles behind the beliefs are true, which would explain how other people can be of different faiths and yet still believe in the same principles. I believe Gaudere believes in the Golden Rule, for instance, and I assume she has some basis within her mind or heart to believe that principle (correct me if I’m wrong, Gaudere).
They do say that faith is not a perfect knowledge of things. I can’t explain it adequately, but my faith is so innate in me that my very “life’s blood” (so to speak) is believing. However, I did need to supplement that faith with knowledge, and still do need to nourish it daily. I dunno about anyone else, but I’ve always had “believing blood.”
Oh yes, definitely a different meaning. To a Mormon, one’s “testimony” is one’s declaration of belief and/or knowledge that certain things are true (like, “I have a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true,” for instance.)
I come from a very religious Catholic background. I went to Catholic school,was an altar boy and was involved in many church activities. Then, when I was about 15, I started to question everything. The one thing that did not survive scrutiny was my faith.
It’s not that the Catholic Church asked me to believe in something outlandish. I might have been able to negotiate that. It’s that the Church asked me to believe in so many outlandish things. I saw the Church as a house of cards. It wasn’t much of a leap to realize that all religions have this fatal flaw.
Anyone who reads this posts with a critical eye will realize that my post deals with religion and not with God.
I don’t have to do drugs to mess up my head. I went to Catholic school.