Are you really thinking for yourself?

Question

A lot of Theists get flak for "Not thinking for themselves" by Atheists. I would like to put forth the question: How many of you out there are thinking for yourselves?
To you Yahwists: Do you read the Bible and interpret it for yourself, or do you base your faith on what someone else tells you the book says?
Atheists: Are you really considering alternate theories of the functions of the universe, or do you simply have a grudge with religions?

How many people out there are trying to explain the universe for themselves, and how many of you are accepting someone else's explanation?

Answer 1

While I find various theories fascinating (like the idea of a holographic universe:), I don't really feel an overwhelming need to "explain the universe." The universe just IS. I don't know how, I don't know why, most of the time I don't really care.



I have no grudge with religion.

Answer 2

If you're asking if I'm doing original work on TOE.... not really, I'm mostly just trying to read all possible theories and see which ones are plausable. I'm not a trained physicist



Although if you want, I can toss my own dimensional field theory your way.. There's still some kinks to work out, but it appears logically sound, and would bridge the gap between quantum level explanations and gravitational theory...



I might be wrong tho, so I prefer to trust people that can prove their work better than me... unless it starts to look I'm on to something... I do have a life to live, it takes quite a bit of my time.



;)

Answer 3

I have often thought of this point you make... and the answer I feel is this : NO ONE, has a new or unthought thought.... Every one believes in something or things that were thought out before them: there are very few original thoughts, if any left to think...... improvements, understandings, upgrades, etc. , yes, but to think we are the first or last to think of anything is nonesense....... we all have heard, read, seen, smelt, felt, touched, tasted, and visited each and every thing we know as *truth* or proof or reality or faith....... anyone who denys this is fooling themselves....... there is an explanation for everything some where, rather truth or not, some one some where is going to believe it......... right or wrong ???? go in peace....... God bless

Answer 4

I'm Atheist, and no I don't have a grudge against religions. In fact, I'm pretty much fine with all nonabrahamic religions. I don't agree with them but I can live with them. Yes, I consider alternate theories of the universe, I just don't think a god existing is one of them. Even in the monumentally infinitesmally small possibility that a god exists, its equally impossible that human kind would ever remotely be able to understand said god, or that any god would even give one damn about us when said god likely would have a trillion other more important things to think about than the petty desires of humans.

Answer 5

This shows up so much on here and my explanation always is as Christians, we follow God's word - the Bible. There are many other points of view from various sources that I ponder, rationalize and if I agree, adhere to as my own. Atheists do the same; they hear or have read someone's views on atheism and adopt them as their own. Wherein lies the difference?! So to educate oneself with various ideas and accepting some means one is not thinking for oneself?

Answer 6

I refuse to believe anything anyone tells me, and only accept things I've proven myself in double-blind research trials.



I also have a supercollider in the basement just for this purpose.

Answer 7

the people thinking for them self our imperfect so they are going to make mistakes but just having your own wisdom well not get u far because u don't know everything if u made every thing then i could understand

Answer 8

You know I like this idea



now if my boss would just let the person thinking for him hurry up and get here allow me to just stay home and get paid.

Answer 9

to all pre programmed pundits of faith:



this question means: can you answer without vomiting dogma you've been spoon fed that you understand with your own logic not blind faith and repetition?

Answer 10

I do. Thinking is my favorite sport.



Few think without predetermined outcomes though.

Answer 11

I follow my own spiritual beliefs.

Answer 12

I am open to any and all evidence. I am not open to unsubstantiated assertions or proselytizing.

Answer 13

im not exactly sure what u r talking about?