Predisposed to believe?
914022
The issue you are really trying to get at is this- Are events predetermined or not. And that means ALL events including human thought. You should research the topics "determinism" and "quantum mechanics" and then decide on an answer for yourself. One is definitely the deciding factor, but either way free will is excluded.
295530
Why should we have to "believe" anything? I agree..Ideas are better...What, are all of us so pretentious that we believe that the greatest minds ever have tried to figure it all out and couldnt, but what youve been "told" is absolutly true without doubt? What a narrow point of view!God forbid you have an original thought or question the sense of a taught doctrine, or you might be burned up in hell for an eternity by a God who defines himself as Love?\nHey in a world like the one we live in, who needs that kind of love? Ya know they talk about "religious war" well as far as I can see in all of history, every war has been over religion of some sort...over Beleifs, at least, for sure...One could speculate thay "belief" is the very cause of war itself...If people could just Concede that their "idea" is an opinion, as in fact it is, then maybe they could show more respect for those who have different ideas...No matter how much you believe in something it doesnt make it true or not true...No amount of faith in a lie makes it true, just like lack of faith doesnt make something Not true. People are like Cattle...And they're on a Drive...Go where the guys with the whips tell you!...But I wont
1175000
I believe that certain people are descended from monkeys, and others are not. Ask me sometime, and I'll point out which ones  are which.\n\nBut as far as what people prefer to believe, people prefer to believe that which gives them more meaning in life or more comfort that they won't have to account for themselves. That is why people believe as they believe, evidence is insignificant compared to that.
71582
if you trully don't believe, then it shouldn't matter. Are you concerned because you don't believe, but you're afraid of possible repercussions (which, if you don't believe, how can they be there?)  are you concerned for another's damned soul?  don't be,  cause they don't care...cause they don't believe..\nit's like saying, "I don't believe in Santa, but I'm leaving out cookies, just in case"..
987313
People get comfort from believing there is a reason for existence, that it's not all accidental or the product of a statistical probability. \n\nLook at it this way: if you are a believer and you die and there is no God, what difference does it make.  If you are not a believer and you die and there is a God, BIG SURPRISE!
331954
I find it funny that people atomatically assume that since a thing does not exist within the scope of their personal experience, it must be a delusion, hallucination, or short-comming fo a sort on the part of another.\n\nI speak to God nearly daily.  He speaks to me.  He may not use an audible voice, but I recognize it when he speaks.  Does that make me a nut case?  I do the best job I know how to live out a life worthy of the sacrifice that Jesus made.  I know I fall short way to often, but my hearts desire is to fulfill the expectation he has for me.  What part of this threatens you?  And what justification have I offered any of you to call me delusional, tweaked out, dazed, crazed or sedated?  Or is it simply you have made up your mind about all Christ followers based entirely on the experience you had with a few?\n\nI find it funny in a really sad way that there are so many trolling the religion and spirituality section of Y!A simply to stir the pot and verbally harass or defy those with beliefs in God.  I recommend you start your own section.  You can Call it "Infallible Logic and Answers to Every Question You May Have From Those Who Know Everything."\nYou can even set criteria preventing any nut jobs with delusional tendencies and hallucinations from joining.\n\nOr in short, I'd rather be tweaked out over the Great News of Jesus Christ than seeking satisfaction by bashing people who seem to have something I want but can't find.
741909
Yes. Skeptics are often as skeptical of themselves as they are of others. I speak from personal experience. I question everything - literally, EVERYTHING. My own personal thoughts are not exempt from this constant analysis.
1098164
to an individual yes(have faith in who ever you believe) but to everyone in whole it shouldn't! (it shouldn't be important to what someone believes in, they are human just like you)\nBut unfortunately, it matters to most people...sigh...
163105
I believe that believeing in an idea/thought/belief will eventually means disbelieveing the other ideas/thoughts/beliefs. Our relationships with the otherness of those ideas/thoughts/beliefs should be formed in the shape of respect and thus if someone has to believe in something you disbelieve then it is up to him/her not to you.
346508
Religious people have certain notions that have been drilled into their heads by family, peers and close-minded beliefs. Even though not "all" are the same the vast majority are in fact like that. As an example the other day I had this lady come up to me and start to ask me about having bible 'discussion' at home, when I told her I'm not interested she began making several insinuations to include saying people that don't believe as they do are hypocrites... hahaha! boy did she have it backwards.
894430
You just answered your own question, most people come to faith out of fear, whether they know it or not, so of course they would be afraid of being wrong.
283322
Good question. \n\nStart with the premise that people fear what they don't understand. Even though the Bible is full of examples of people talking with angels and the occasional demon, mainstream religion seems to think (or hope) that it doesn't happen any more. \n\nWith the advent of psychology, we've realized that SOME people who hear voices just aren't quite all there, and they actually do have some mental illness affecting them. More fundamental people will argue with this and say that all mental illness is really the result of demonic possession, but that would imply that all mental illness affects people negatively, which doesn't seem to be true. \n\nSo now you also have church versus science in the mix. \n\nAnd there are parents who are seriously scared when ANYTHING happens to their kids, understandably, and just want it to get better fast. Spending time with a religious advisor discussing these things and having that person work with your cousin is time they don't want to spend!\n\nIf she has no reason to lie, you can probably trust her about this. But there are differences of opinion about what she should do about it. Technically speaking, dead people don't need help - it's a bit late. I'm not saying it's true in every case, but there are plenty of times when the voices ask for help, but then demand more. You have to consider the risk! If this is her ability, it's also her choice how to use it.
930124
My guess? To ridicule those who do believe.
697195
theoretically that is believed to be true
24950
No. "Believing" in a religion because you were raised to isn't really believing, it is more of just following tradition- and SOOOO many people do that just because of what it is. There is usually no belief involved, just walking a walk because that's what's always been done.  That is a lot easier than actually having to know/study/learn what something is and believing.   :-)
125133
Genetic predisposition among other things.
481011
That would be faith...or ignorance.  Depends on how much thought goes into it.\n\nPersonally I view faith like this:  If someone believes in god, the bible, etc.  More power to 'em!  However, if you present a different point of view, and they cover their ears, close their eyes and scream, "Lies!"...that's not faith, that's ignorance.\n\nIf they ignore your question and quote the bible...the same book they know nothing about, that's ignorance\n\nIf they KNOW they're right and you're wrong, that's ignorance.\n\nIf they believe in God with knowledge, understanding, acceptence, and reservation that while their faith is absolute, that there are other possibilities, or that we are too ill informed or lack the understanding to comprehend the workings of the universe...that's faith.\n\nTo be agnostic, like I am, means you don't have faith.  Personally, I don't have a clue what's going on.  I know the bible isn't accurate, we've proven Genesis to be wrong 100x over.  However, I do agree with many of its teachings.  How did we get here?  Dunno.  How does life work?  Dunno.  Is there a God?  Dunno.  Is God as the bible describes?  Probably not, but dunno.  Good news about being agnostic is it allows you the freedom to think and examine.  You're not stuck in an organized religion that recites the same thing to you day after day.  Your free to analyze and accept that there are somethings you just don't know.  On the one had its very liberating.  On the other it carries responsibility because you don't have something to blame, or to believe will take care of you...you lose the "knowledge" that everything's under control.\n\nSo, I'm all for agnostic.  I'm comfortable knowing that I don't know. I LOVE studying theology, laughing when a religious person avoids thought, and learning when a religious person makes a good point.\n\nFor examples:  Look to spur4eight.  He'll make intelligent arguements for Christianity.  I disagree with many of them, but hey...that's faith.  For ignorance, look at Mainworry.  He'll ignore questions completely that require any sort of thought towards religion, and reply either with biblical quotes or insults.