How do you know you're right?

[Ashurie]

How do you know that your mom and dad are your real parents? How do you know that somebody didn’t falsify your birth certificate. If videos were taken of your birth, of your foot prints, how do you know those are actually yours? A change could have been made without your knowledge. You may say that proof of the DNA through science is proof, but how do you know that the lab technician was 100% correct? Can you be certain that somebody who discovered the DNA didn’t make a mistake somewhere that many now follow that procedure and maybe that person made a mistake that makes all results invalid? Won’t you have to be a scientist yourself to be able to know you’re 100% correct? But what if some professor fed you that wrong information that all of your results are invalid?
See where this can lead to?
You said its based on faith. But where did you learn about faith? You will answer from the Bible. But how do you know the Bible is correct. Were you there when God dropped it out of the sky? Or, how do you know the Bible to be true simply by reading it. Nowhere in the Bible do you find “This is the Bible which is the Word of God and anybody can read it and determine it for themselves that it is true”?

I agree with you 100%, I do not belong to any religious sector, but have faith. I discovered my faith through the Angels and God…but not the bible. It is all on person belief and experiences, have seen, heard and felt things that I can not explain. One of the first times I had contact with Angels, I saw a bright flash in my bedroom…and had a huge wave of emotion. I have also heard a deep voice - I know it was Archangel Michael’s voice - in my bedroom on evening…I was the only person in my house at the time.

These can not be explained with Science.

 

[Cruxis117]

Question out of curiosity: what does the pope have to do with the bible? Why is he considered so sacred?

Why he has everything to do with the bible. Without the Pope, and more specifically, the Papacy and the Magisterium, you wouldn’t have your bible in the first place. The role and office of the Pope, is a sacred position in which the teaching authority rests upon. The person himself is not, quote unquote, “sacred” (unless I am mistaken, please correct me) but the Office is.

 

[rev_kevin]

Out of the thousands of religions in the world, how do you know yours is right? I’m asking every individual that read this; how do you know you’re right on this?

Just a question.

First, what is religion.
Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
Something one believes in and follows devotedly.
A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects.

Now according to the definition, all are correct and true.

 

[dianaiad]

LOL I am a mythology nut, gonna have to do a slight correction (please don’t take me wrong way!) Diana is the Roman’s goddess of the Hunt, the Greeks had Artemis They are in all the same goddess cos the Roman’s “borrowed” a lot of the mythology from the Greeks.

oops.

You are quite right…I can only plead dementia…

On topic:
Knowing what is “right” religion should be on a personal level of an individual. Everyone loves to be the correct, right one to preach their religion to everyone, and boast that “your” religion is wrong and “mine” is right.

 

[rev_kevin]

Why he has everything to do with the bible. Without the Pope, and more specifically, the Papacy and the Magisterium, you wouldn’t have your bible in the first place. The role and office of the Pope, is a sacred position in which the teaching authority rests upon. The person himself is not, quote unquote, “sacred” (unless I am mistaken, please correct me) but the Office is.

Well if it wasn’t for the Pope or more specifically the Papacy and the Magisterium, we wouldn’t have the Bible. Its possible that if it didn’t happen that way someone else would have put the Bible together.

 

[Ashurie]

oops.

You are quite right…I can only plead dementia…

LOL! its okay~ I get a bit corrective like at, at least you didn’t get it completely wrong

 

[BlueShadow123]

How do you know that your mom and dad are your real parents? How do you know that somebody didn’t falsify your birth certificate. If videos were taken of your birth, of your foot prints, how do you know those are actually yours? A change could have been made without your knowledge. You may say that proof of the DNA through science is proof, but how do you know that the lab technician was 100% correct? Can you be certain that somebody who discovered the DNA didn’t make a mistake somewhere that many now follow that procedure and maybe that person made a mistake that makes all results invalid? Won’t you have to be a scientist yourself to be able to know you’re 100% correct? But what if some professor fed you that wrong information that all of your results are invalid?
See where this can lead to?
You said its based on faith. But where did you learn about faith? You will answer from the Bible. But how do you know the Bible is correct. Were you there when God dropped it out of the sky? Or, how do you know the Bible to be true simply by reading it. Nowhere in the Bible do you find “This is the Bible which is the Word of God and anybody can read it and determine it for themselves that it is true”?

No, no. See, what you stated is possible. I’m talking things in the bible that are scientifically impossible without faith. Due to the fact that we were not there to see the miracles jesus performed, to us, scientifically, it would be impossible to prove because we know scientifically they are impossible for a human to do. therefore, without faith, it is impossible to believe it. Now this is because we know those miracles are impossible to perform without magic or illusions. You compare impossible scenerios with possible scenerios. See what I mean? It is perfectly scientifically possible that I was born from my parents, but is is scientifically impossible to perform the miracles that jesus did without proof. See what I mean? You are comparing what is possible to what isn’t possible. The only way it would be possible to believe the miracles really took place (without witnessing it) is to have faith because we know, that they would be scientifically impossible for a human to do.
Get what I’m saying? Its a little tricky, but I hope after reading this a couple times you’ll get it, lol.

Oh, and a quick statement: if we were able to see somebody perform miracles like this knowing it was 100% not an illusion or magic, then it would be possible, see? I am not denying what jesus did. I’m saying that since it is scientifically impossible for a human to perform these acts, and me, not being able to see it, I would need faith to believe it because there is no proof they took place other than what is written down, which essentially means nothing without proof. I’m sorry, like I said, this is tricky to understand, but I hope im getting the point across.

 

[Mikeoffaith]

See, this is what I mean. You are so convinced you are right but you are not showing me any evidence that catholicism is the RIGHT religion. What if you’re wrong? What if Islam is the right religion? Do you understand what I’m saying? You’re telling me that christianity is right because ‘the bible says so’. Well of course it does! The torah says its right too, so does the quaran.

You cannot PROVE 100% that christianity is the right religion. You could be practicing the wrong religion for all you know.

Hi Blue-

I understand what you are asking, and I have told this story in another post. When I was in HS, I asked one of my teachers, how do we know that this is right? What happens if we kick the bucket and we find out that what we believe in is just a bunch of malarky. What happens when we die and we run into Buddha, or Vishnu, or Brahma?

She said to me it doesn’t matter if what we have been taught or what we believe in was right. She said the only thing that matters is that in my heart I believe that I cannot live my life any other way than how Jesus Christ taught; to live with love and compassion.

I firmly believe that if I can’t try and live my life with love and compassion for myself and others, who cares if I believe in the real presence or the immaculate conception, I missed a major point of the Gospel.

Mike

 

[faithfully]

I Like this write up!

I’ve also had some extremely spiritual experiences… These can not be written off. I’m not crazy (at least no one has proven it… ) I know them for REAL. You tie that up with info as listed in the link above… I just know…

Regardless of where you stand… If you keep your heart open to heavenly experience, you do yourself justice. Continue to search… You will find the answers you are looking for!!!

1)Have you read anything? I already told you I found MY truth.
Geez, is this clear enough? I am a christan believer in the bible. Nothing added, nothing taken away.

2)I was just wondering why you think you’re so right.

3)Oh, and im not male either. My name is Brittany. I don’t know any men named Brittany, do you?

1. Yes, Quite aware that you have found YOUR truth! I don’t define that the same as God’s Truth, however. Your rudeness is also not appreciated. Not sure what you mean about believing IN the bible… Might just be a matter of semantics. So, for example, I Do believe that the bible is accurate accounting of history and the word of God. I Believe the bible as a valid document, and teaching tool. I actually believe IN God. And I believe that the person he chose to “feed his sheep” has the only authority to say how we’re supposed to use the Bible the his apostles wrote, and how to worship God. Not someone elses interpretation. As the Church is the only authority according to Christ on the interpretations.
2. The link I posted explains EXACTLY why I as a Catholic KNOW that I’m right.
3. Do me a favor and point to the section of my post that states I think you are are male??? Wrong person maybe?

Question out of curiosity: what does the pope have to do with the bible? Why is he considered so sacred?

And now… Do you read anything? Because the link I provided you explains this quite clearly. Take a few minutes to ponder who actually wrote the book you believe. You might actually consider they had in mind a way to use it… And their way is the right way. Not yours or any others’ chosen way. And they did NOT intend for the Bible to be your only source of information or teaching. And unless you are reading a Catholic bible, you are reading one that has things “added and taken away”. The King James Version… takes away, so that it can be “accurate”. Because without it’s changes, the relegions that use it would HAVE to be Catholic. Or not follow the teachings of the bible. The most significant to me is that Peter IS THE ROCK… and on this rock Jesus’ church will be built! Peter is the first pope…

Well if it wasn’t for the Pope or more specifically the Papacy and the Magisterium, we wouldn’t have the Bible. Its possible that if it didn’t happen that way someone else would have put the Bible together.

The only people that could have written the Bible that preaches Christ as the Son of God, would still have to be those that hung out with him. We’d still be an apoostolic Church… And still Catholic (universal)… and I suspect SOMEONE would actually be a leader. Who, had not Christ personally appointed, may or may not have a “Rock” to stand on. But easily could have later became “pope” a name for “papa”… “father”… that Christ taught… So, I do believe you are right… God’s WILL would still have been done. It’s quite helpful that Christ made some of it easier to get started…

 

[Mikeoffaith]

My religion is an Integral Religion built upon Christianity. And I strongly suspect you are asking the question wrongly.

It’s like asking me how I know that a banana tastes that way. Or, it’s like asking me what a banana tastes like.

Can you describe the taste of a banana? Do you know of a book that I could read, and then after reading it know what a banana tastes like? Are there logical arguments that prove the taste of a banana?

I think your answer will be “no,” but if that is so then how is possible for you to know the taste of a banana? Should I not, with logic on my side, assert that you are not in fact certain about the taste of a banana, because you have no mathematical-philosophical-whatever proof that you explain to me?

Probably not. You know what a banana tastes like because you have eaten a huge number of them. In other words, you experienced it, though you cannot describe it. You know it very well, but you cannot describe it. You are absolutely certain that the taste is real, and it’s even vibrantly alive in your memory, but you cannot describe the taste to me.

That’s my religion. Not only have I experienced “the banana,” so to speak, but so have a large number of people around me. They affirm me and I affirm them, and that’s how I know that my religion is true. The suggestion that my religion is wrong is as ridiculous to my ears as the suggestion that I don’t know what a banana tastes like.

Scott-

Great analogy!

Mike

 

[faithfully]

No, no. See, what you stated is possible. I’m talking things in the bible that are scientifically impossible without faith. Due to the fact that we were not there to see the miracles jesus performed, to us, scientifically, it would be impossible to prove because we know scientifically they are impossible for a human to do. therefore, without faith, it is impossible to believe it. Now this is because we know those miracles are impossible to perform without magic or illusions. You compare impossible scenerios with possible scenerios. See what I mean? It is perfectly scientifically possible that I was born from my parents, but is is scientifically impossible to perform the miracles that jesus did without proof. See what I mean? You are comparing what is possible to what isn’t possible. The only way it would be possible to believe the miracles really took place (without witnessing it) is to have faith because we know, that they would be scientifically impossible for a human to do.
Get what I’m saying? Its a little tricky, but I hope after reading this a couple times you’ll get it, lol.

Oh, and a quick statement: if we were able to see somebody perform miracles like this knowing it was 100% not an illusion or magic, then it would be possible, see? I am not denying what jesus did. I’m saying that since it is scientifically impossible for a human to perform these acts, and me, not being able to see it, I would need faith to believe it because there is no proof they took place other than what is written down, which essentially means nothing without proof. I’m sorry, like I said, this is tricky to understand, but I hope im getting the point across.

The thing is, from a scientific view point, Jesus would have to repeat his mircle over and over again for it to be “proven”. Science takes NOTHING as proof without the ability to repeat the experiment over and over again without fail.

And quite frankly, don’t we have to take ALL of history with a sense of faith? Do we NO FOR A FACT that King Henry the 8th had his wives killed for certain reason? Yeah, someone wrote about it, many colaborated… but that doesn’t mean their truthful. In fact historians will go on to debate info until the end of time.

With regard to Christs miracles… they were done in simple fashions with many witnesses. This is on purpose. He didn’t just heal a blind man who was blinded a few days ago. No, because you could say that he just healed. He healed a blind man who had been blind from birth. And this was witnessed. Science may not be able to explain it or prove it. But if it’s a true account, then many people KNEW this man. They knew him to be blind from birth. Before Jesus ever arrived on the scene. They witnessed him having vision. Presumably because he could walk around unassisted.

With regard to fishes and loaves. There were many people to feed. Not enough food. It doesn’t take Emmeril to tell you how many fish you need to feed a group of a 1000 or more. But when they took the few fish, clearly not enough, and didn’t run out… How is that an illusion. You can’t hide enough fish in your robes and go unnoticed? Let alone NOT stink…LOL! Clearly witnessed by all the people and yet fed all of them… That’s not an illusion. Can you imagine that your tummy is full? And be full? An illussion would have left them hungry… I can only imagine.

ETA: I agree that it’s probably not humanly possible to scientifically perform these acts… But then Jesus just isn’t your regular human now is he? We’re applying a man made thing, science to the degree that we understand it… to our creator… it will never measure up…

 

[Mikeoffaith]

No, no. See, what you stated is possible. I’m talking things in the bible that are scientifically impossible without faith. Due to the fact that we were not there to see the miracles jesus performed, to us, scientifically, it would be impossible to prove because we know scientifically they are impossible for a human to do. therefore, without faith, it is impossible to believe it. Now this is because we know those miracles are impossible to perform without magic or illusions. You compare impossible scenerios with possible scenerios. See what I mean? It is perfectly scientifically possible that I was born from my parents, but is is scientifically impossible to perform the miracles that jesus did without proof. See what I mean? You are comparing what is possible to what isn’t possible. The only way it would be possible to believe the miracles really took place (without witnessing it) is to have faith because we know, that they would be scientifically impossible for a human to do.
Get what I’m saying? Its a little tricky, but I hope after reading this a couple times you’ll get it, lol.

Oh, and a quick statement: if we were able to see somebody perform miracles like this knowing it was 100% not an illusion or magic, then it would be possible, see? I am not denying what jesus did. I’m saying that since it is scientifically impossible for a human to perform these acts, and me, not being able to see it, I would need faith to believe it because there is no proof they took place other than what is written down, which essentially means nothing without proof. I’m sorry, like I said, this is tricky to understand, but I hope im getting the point across.

But why would you need proof of the miracle? Why would you even care if the miracle really happened or didn’t happen? In my opinion, if the Gospel is just a record of what happened or didn’t happen and it’s one persons visual account, it is no more alive than my history text book from grade school. I think there is a dynamic at work in the Gospel that makes it alive for us today. You can read the story of Jesus healing a leper and that’s just dandy, but I think we have to look deeper, what does that story of Jesus healing that leper mean to us today? How does this live for us today? What is the significance? Why Jesus healing a leper as opposed to Jesus healing someone with a scrapped knee? How did the leper react? What did this mean for the leper? I think as Richard Rohr said we need to look at these stories with a Jewish lens, we need to understand these wonderful stories from a Jewish perspective in order to get the full meat of the story rather than just Jesus healed a leper.

I think when we stop reading the scripture as just a book, and look at it and really dive into it and be a part of it, then it becomes more than just a record of a bunch of miracles. I think that is where the true miracle is.

 

[BlueShadow123]

But why would you need proof of the miracle? Why would you even care if the miracle really happened or didn’t happen? In my opinion, if the Gospel is just a record of what happened or didn’t happen and it’s one persons visual account, it is no more alive than my history text book from grade school. I think there is a dynamic at work in the Gospel that makes it alive for us today. You can read the story of Jesus healing a leper and that’s just dandy, but I think we have to look deeper, what does that story of Jesus healing that leper mean to us today? How does this live for us today? What is the significance? Why Jesus healing a leper as opposed to Jesus healing someone with a scrapped knee? How did the leper react? What did this mean for the leper? I think as Richard Rohr said we need to look at these stories with a Jewish lens, we need to understand these wonderful stories from a Jewish perspective in order to get the full meat of the story rather than just Jesus healed a leper.

I think when we stop reading the scripture as just a book, and look at it and really dive into it and be a part of it, then it becomes more than just a record of a bunch of miracles. I think that is where the true miracle is.

I never said I needed proof. Just was trying to get my point across.

 

[BlueShadow123]

The thing is, from a scientific view point, Jesus would have to repeat his mircle over and over again for it to be “proven”. Science takes NOTHING as proof without the ability to repeat the experiment over and over again without fail.

And quite frankly, don’t we have to take ALL of history with a sense of faith? Do we NO FOR A FACT that King Henry the 8th had his wives killed for certain reason? Yeah, someone wrote about it, many colaborated… but that doesn’t mean their truthful. In fact historians will go on to debate info until the end of time.

With regard to Christs miracles… they were done in simple fashions with many witnesses. This is on purpose. He didn’t just heal a blind man who was blinded a few days ago. No, because you could say that he just healed. He healed a blind man who had been blind from birth. And this was witnessed. Science may not be able to explain it or prove it. But if it’s a true account, then many people KNEW this man. They knew him to be blind from birth. Before Jesus ever arrived on the scene. They witnessed him having vision. Presumably because he could walk around unassisted.

With regard to fishes and loaves. There were many people to feed. Not enough food. It doesn’t take Emmeril to tell you how many fish you need to feed a group of a 1000 or more. But when they took the few fish, clearly not enough, and didn’t run out… How is that an illusion. You can’t hide enough fish in your robes and go unnoticed? Let alone NOT stink…LOL! Clearly witnessed by all the people and yet fed all of them… That’s not an illusion. Can you imagine that your tummy is full? And be full? An illussion would have left them hungry… I can only imagine.

ETA: I agree that it’s probably not humanly possible to scientifically perform these acts… But then Jesus just isn’t your regular human now is he? We’re applying a man made thing, science to the degree that we understand it… to our creator… it will never measure up…

Thats not proof of anything. And in your first paragraph you were trying to compare what is possible to what is impossible which is what I had already explained in my previous post.
If there is something we know that is scientifically impossible, and you weren’t there to witness it, and have no proof of it, its based on faith. If you are there to see it, and really look into it, and find it is not magic or illusions, then it is true to you that its possible. See what I mean? I’m not denying it happened, I’m saying I don’t have proof of the miracles that were said to take place in the bible.

 

[faithfully]

Thats not proof of anything. And in your first paragraph you were trying to compare what is possible to what is impossible which is what I had already explained in my previous post.
If there is something we know that is scientifically impossible, and you weren’t there to witness it, and have no proof of it, its based on faith. If you are there to see it, and really look into it, and find it is not magic or illusions, then it is true to you that its possible. See what I mean? I’m not denying it happened, I’m saying I don’t have proof of the miracles that were said to take place in the bible.

Well, I think I see what you mean… But I don’t know if proof can only be weighed or presented in terms of science. Because even if you personally witnessed the miracle, the event as proof. From a scientific standpoint, it’s still not proven. It’s a one time thing. But I guess that’s what I mean about what the Catholic church teaches, plus my own personal experiences. That all the miracles in the bible, while amazing, aren’t even necessary for me. As I’ve experienced my own… And that’s what I mean that I kind of feel that my own free will has been removed… or that rather, I would have to just decide not to believe in something that I KNOW. I do feel we’re kind of talking in circles…NO???

 

[BlueShadow123]

Well, I think I see what you mean… But I don’t know if proof can only be weighed or presented in terms of science. Because even if you personally witnessed the miracle, the event as proof. From a scientific standpoint, it’s still not proven. It’s a one time thing. But I guess that’s what I mean about what the Catholic church teaches, plus my own personal experiences. That all the miracles in the bible, while amazing, aren’t even necessary for me. As I’ve experienced my own… And that’s what I mean that I kind of feel that my own free will has been removed… or that rather, I would have to just decide not to believe in something that I KNOW. I do feel we’re kind of talking in circles…NO???

Well we seem to understand each others points. Thats what really matters here.

 

[St_Francis]

Thats not proof of anything. And in your first paragraph you were trying to compare what is possible to what is impossible which is what I had already explained in my previous post.
If there is something we know that is scientifically impossible, and you weren’t there to witness it, and have no proof of it, its based on faith. If you are there to see it, and really look into it, and find it is not magic or illusions, then it is true to you that its possible. See what I mean? I’m not denying it happened, I’m saying I don’t have proof of the miracles that were said to take place in the bible.

The thing is that moracles are either possible or impossible. If one believes in God, then one would have to admit the He could perform miracles. Then the only question is whether He did or not.

One of the points of the miracles Christ performed was to show that He was indeed God. If you believe in His divinity, then you have to admit that He could perform miracles, and the question then becomes, did He in fact perform miracles?

Or conversely, if you believe that God exists and that He can perform miracles, and you run across a Man who is performing miracles on His own authority, then you need to think about what is going on: either he is a charletan or He is divine. Like so
many other things in life, you have to weigh the evidence.

In short, miracles do not shift in possibility from person to person depending on who witnessed them. Either they are possible becuae God exists, or they are impossible because God does not exist. The type of proof you are requiring is suitable only for lower order things, those in the material world. The fact the a non-material thing cannot be proved scientifically is irrelevant because science pertains only to the physical order.

 

[simspt]

Many religious people say “I know im right” when talking about their religion. Well how do you know for sure you’re right? There are thousands of other religions out there. How do you know YOURS is the 100% right one? You don’t. You can’t.

please define what u mean by 100% right

U obviously understand that being 100% right about anything is difficult if not impossible.
Some things can be described in mathematical precision without fully 100% understanding and knowing what it is such as gravity. All religions require faith of their adherents. For that matter most things require a certain amount of faith.

is your question more directed toward epistemology or r u wanting thought based on comparative religions and rational for why one has more explanatory power (historical, philosophical, existential etc)than another.

 

[bjryman]

Folks, let’s all back away from the trees and see the forest for a moment.

Almost every person in the world is raised by both a family and some other local organization that molds their early life spirituality. The Seers of India, Buddha, Japans interesting multigod culture, all pass on their biases, with proof provided in a variety of ways.

The fact is that NO ONE CAN KNOW, rationally. Faith., by definition, is belief in something that cannot be fully, completely proven. So “We walk by faith, and not by light”…

Part of walking down our own personal pathway to holiness is dealing with all the unknowns, the uncertainty, the mistakes made by our supposedly all knowing Magisterium and others to whom we are too look for the definitive answer. We CHOOSE to believe, but we do so by Faith, which by definition we can’t fully prove, therefore cannot, from a critical thought or physical evidence standpoint “know”.

This is exactly why multiple religions can prosper and grow. Each builds through education, reinforcement, peer pressure, emotional manipulation, a view of spirituality.

Me, I choose to believe that there is enough told about the miracles Christ performed, the humble teachings of compassion and community he espoused, that I am proud to evangelize that religious view. I will only truly “know” at my death.

 

[Ashurie]

Folks, let’s all back away from the trees and see the forest for a moment.

Almost every person in the world is raised by both a family and some other local organization that molds their early life spirituality. The Seers of India, Buddha, Japans interesting multigod culture, all pass on their biases, with proof provided in a variety of ways.

The fact is that NO ONE CAN KNOW, rationally. Faith., by definition, is belief in something that cannot be fully, completely proven. So “We walk by faith, and not by light”…

Part of walking down our own personal pathway to holiness is dealing with all the unknowns, the uncertainty, the mistakes made by our supposedly all knowing Magisterium and others to whom we are too look for the definitive answer. We CHOOSE to believe, but we do so by Faith, which by definition we can’t fully prove, therefore cannot, from a critical thought or physical evidence standpoint “know”.

This is exactly why multiple religions can prosper and grow. Each builds through education, reinforcement, peer pressure, emotional manipulation, a view of spirituality.

Me, I choose to believe that there is enough told about the miracles Christ performed, the humble teachings of compassion and community he espoused, that I am proud to evangelize that religious view. I will only truly “know” at my death.

:clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping: Seriously, I agree 100%