Why do you believe things when there is no evidence that they are true?

[msc545]

Updates

5 mo

I'm not just talking about mundane things like the mailman's came or he didn't, or things of that sort. I'm talking about really controversial, questionable things that people seem to believe in, believe in and have no doubt that they are true even when they are demonstrably untrue. A denial of what is literally in front of your eyes on a videotape. That is what I am talking about.

[NathanDavis]

I don't believe...

either I think, or I know... when I know, I make sure there's truth, when I think... I sort of "evaluate" possibilities and plausibility as well

but I don't believe in things since a belief doesn't really require truth

[msc545]

Try again. This is not a semantics argument; it's a simple question.

[NathanDavis]

I don't.

[NathanDavis]

Epstein didn't kill himself

and 9/11 was an inside job...

and we might be on the way to have another inside job over the E-files

I believe that, and it is a belief because I don't have evidence for it but I am sure others do, they're just hiding it

[OneViewpoint]

No. Take religion for example. Humans have literally created thousands of gods and goddesses, demons and devils. They all pretend to be the one real truth. Yet not one of them offer a single shred of proof that their fantasy characters are real. They are all filled with scientifically proven misconceptions, lies, and hypocrisy. Still, human weaklings cling to the lies to avoid dealing with the reality of their own mortality and the uncertainty of not knowing how the universe works. I can't cling to ignorance like that. I'm OK with admitting that I don't have all the answers.

[RandomGirl42]

"I believe in everything until it's disproved." - John Lennon

Why? 'Cuz the world is a wonderful, magical place and just 'cuz we can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. Like atoms or wind or love. Who can claim there is evidence of love? Yet, I know in my heart it is there.

And yes, I believe in unicorns, Santa Claus and the good of humanity too. 💖

[purplepoppy]

If there is no evidence, then it's a question of if it is logically plausible or has politics muddied the water.

[sawno]

Belief is a strong word. For example it can be a purely philosophical "belief". I think its most likely to be that so I like to work on that basis while knowing I am probably wrong, but not more wrong than othere.

Then there is the stuff that has hard evidence that is very limited. Stuff that may never be definitively proven. Based on the limited evidence you can then believe certain things are probably true. For example its evident the 9/11 twin towers were blown up. Its basically indesputable. But the motives and who was behind it, and how the planes tie in to that those things are speculatory. So I can have the belief there was an incentive to usher in the patriot act as well as the destruction of certain financial records. But that is merely a belief. there's also other possibilities like them having prewritten the act for a pending disaster whatever it would be.

[Sevenpointfive]

i just form a conclusion on the evidence. while others might see something very simple and done; that's not how i've been trained to think. we have been trained to see tidbits and to form a conclusion based on stories/evidence. sometimes it's biased. in a world where face value is expected, i don't accept that until i see the entire picture.

reminds me of when war of the worlds was read over the radio and almost caused a shitstorm.

[MisterWack]

I go wherever the evidence goes, minus Epstein “killing himself” since there’s clearly a coverup where we can’t trust evidence saying he wasn’t killed. He was totally killed.

[AviatorTom]

Belief doesn't require evidence.

People believe in a Supreme Being, yet there is no evidence that one exists.

[Sal_Monella]

I examine hypotheses. Treat them as if I believe them and look for facts to prove me wrong.

[UrLoveMocha]

Because it’s a belief, you don’t need any physical proof to believe in something.

[Cidknee]

Well wouldn't that depend on the information gathered? Context, people involved and so on.

[msc545]

In this case, no, it would not depend on that. If you want to write a little essay about the sort of things you do and don't believe in, and the sort of things you do and don't support, then that would be nice.

[Cidknee]

I don't do that.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Ask Crazy Little Bobby !!!

[msc545]

I think he gets a lot of payoffs from the people that make medicines and medical devices that don't work.

[beefcakebradybatson]

YEAH, BUDDY !!!

[DryGermanGuy]

I don’t. I’m not a conspiracies kook.

[CuriousMufuxka]

I usually don't.

[mukon]

Believing and knowing are different things. You don't need scientific evidence to believe, for example, belief in God.

[msc545]

I think most people need some sort of evidence.

[slatyb]

No, people believe many things with no supporting evidence. God is just one of them.

[msc545]

That's actually true. I guess I should have asked the question differently. People seem confused about belief in knowing.

[Anonymous]

People believe what they want to believe.

[msc545]

I think I would go so far as to say that people believe what they need to believe. Sometimes whatever gets you through the day is more than enough.

[Pterodon]

You mean like chemtrails?

[888theGreat]

There is always some evidence.