BELIEF is not complicated. (Introduction)

by Cary Cook , Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 01:45 (5805 days ago)

BELIEF is not complicated. It's simply ambiguous. - To read this with diagrams, go here: http://www.sanityquestpublishing.com/essays/belief.html - Belief is not the least bit complicated after you recognize the term as ambiguous. It labels two completely different concepts which are erroneously conflated in most minds because they usually occur simultaneously.
1.	JUDGMENT OF PROBABILITY
2.	TRUST - As abstractions, these concepts can be separated and contrasted: - JUDGMENT OF PROBABILITY is an involuntary act.
It happens in the mind without conscious effort or choice. We judge evidence and automatically believe(1) whatever appears probable (more than 50% likely). Anyone who claims to believe(1) something which he considers improbable is either confused or lying, possibly to himself. - TRUST is a voluntary act of will.
Though we usually choose to trust what appears probable or reliable, we are not obligated to, and may have sufficient motivation not to. Though trust begins as a mental decision, it cannot be shown to exist until it is manifest in action. - In practice, these concepts usually overlap. - Sometimes completely:
	I believe(1) that my car's brakes will work.
	I believe(2) it enough to drive on the freeway,
		and act as though I am certain of it. - Sometimes partially:
	I believe(1) my home is safe.
	I believe(2) it enough to leave it unattended,
		but not enough to leave it unlocked. - On rare occasions, not at all:
	Some long shots are worth betting on.
	I believe(1) my home is safe, but I may buy fire insurance.
	I don't believe(1) I will win the lottery, but I may buy a ticket. - Religious issues are no more complicated.
I may believe(1) a God exists, but not believe(2) it enough to obey Him.
I may believe(1) a God doesn't exist, but believe(2) it enough to obey Him.
For any Scripture buffs who may stumble in:
All that Paul vs. James stuff is resolved.
...Paul: You are saved by faith (BELIEF(2)) alone.
...James: Faith(BELIEF(1)) without works is dead.
Mark 9:24 Lord, I believe(2). Help thou my unbelief(1).