# What does it make sense to believe without evidence? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 6, 2005, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-make-sense-to-believe-without-evidence/325007 "2005-10-06T04:51:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-make-sense-to-believe-without-evidence/325007/161 "2005-10-12T23:43:15Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > I also wonder if the church has sought out those who covered it up and kicked their asses out as well. Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop of the Boston Diocese who was forced out was featured front and center at the installation of the new pope and I think has since been given a high Vatican office. As to denial, I heard a priest just today deny that there was any coverup by Mahoney or other officials of the diocese. ---
**Author:** ![Trust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b38774/32.png) [@Trust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trust)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-make-sense-to-believe-without-evidence/325007/162 "2005-10-12T23:50:47Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > There is no God and Jesus is his son. Have you ever believed in God? I mean truthfully believe in Him. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-make-sense-to-believe-without-evidence/325007/163 "2005-10-13T00:09:12Z")
> [@Trust](#): > > Have you ever believed in God? I mean truthfully believe in Him. This may sound odd, because its so very different than what is taught by churches who claim they have the “truth” After a lot of study and a few changes of my own beliefs I began to wonder what could be the truth. If what I thought was the truth a few years ago I now no longer believe and I feel my beliefs changing how can I know anything I believe is true. The conclusion I came to is that we are called to be true to ourselves and our unique individual journey. If we are true to what we believe now, today, and continue to seek the truth then we will find our way. “Seek and you will find” That means we should try and honor that process and personal journey in others. So if someone is being true to themselves by saying “I don’t believe in God” I find that more honorable than someone who claims belief but acts hypocritically. I have more respect for those who _act_ honorably than those who use passages in an old book to unfairly judge others. Does that make sense? ---
**Author:** ![Trust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b38774/32.png) [@Trust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trust)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-make-sense-to-believe-without-evidence/325007/164 "2005-10-13T00:52:09Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > This may sound odd, because its so very different than what is taught by churches who claim they have the “truth” > > After a lot of study and a few changes of my own beliefs I began to wonder what could be the truth. If what I thought was the truth a few years ago I now no longer believe and I feel my beliefs changing how can I know anything I believe is true. The conclusion I came to is that we are called to be true to ourselves and our unique individual journey. If we are true to what we believe now, today, and continue to seek the truth then we will find our way. “Seek and you will find” > That means we should try and honor that process and personal journey in others. So if someone is being true to themselves by saying “I don’t believe in God” I find that more honorable than someone who claims belief but acts hypocritically. I have more respect for those who _act_ honorably than those who use passages in an old book to unfairly judge others. > > Does that make sense? I guess I should double check the words I use lol. But yes I agree. You know what I meant though. If he genuinely believed in God. Not simply because someone told him about God. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-make-sense-to-believe-without-evidence/325007.md?page=8)