Well, we convince ourselves that it’s because we have found the truth of the matter in question.
But is this itself actually true?
Are we in fact interested in Truth at all?
Or is there something else in our nature that is more likely to drive what we believe? Something that overrides our interest in the truth?
As an atheist, one of my arguments with people of faith – most commonly Christians – was that they believed in a “God” simply because they wanted the benefits of there being such a being. For example: meaning, an afterlife, freedom from pain and suffering, reward for a life of virtue and/or faithfulness, ultimate justice, comfort in trials, etc. etc.
I don’t think many Christians in particular would argue with the fact that they believe these things – that, to them, God does provide meaning in general and to their lives in particular.
Nor that they take real comfort in their belief that there is “more” to existence than just this mortal struggle with its the pain and suffering, that there is ultimately something other than death to look forward to, and that there is ultimate justice or reward for what happens in this life.
But the question then is this: do they believe simply because of a volitional drive to enjoy these comforts that come from their belief with no real basis in reason or evidence?
Or is it because they have a real and rational reason to believe that there is absolute truth to what they believe? A Truth that exists outside of us and our existence.
For an atheist, the answer is of course the former – that the belief of “Believers” comes from a volitional desire to enjoy the benefits of their belief.
But now we have another question for the honest thinkers out there: are atheists any different in their thought process?
As atheists, we comfort ourselves that we are children of the enlightenment, of the scientific era, of being able to understand the universe around us. We learned that we are the product of an evolutionary process that has taken billions of years to unfold. We looked behind the curtain and saw that science explains the things that were previously explained by a “god” or “gods”.
And with our enlightened and bright minds, we were able to escape from the shackles of superstition and irrational belief, and we only believe in things for which we have proof of their existence.
Or do we?
On both sides, a small minority undoubtedly exists for whom there is indeed a committed desire to know the actual truth, regardless of the cost or the consequences of finding that there may be evidence to doubt their position, and who zealously follow wherever the evidence may lead.
However, for the vast majority, this is simply not true. In fact, on both sides of the divide, the beliefs held by the average person are simply the product of human nature.
For “Believers”, we have already seen a sample of the fruits they enjoy by holding on to their beliefs.
How then does this apply to atheists, who are, after all, completely rational?
It applies because, in fact, no one is as rational as they think they are.
It’s quite simple really – every one of us desires to be the determiner of what is best for us, and to decide our own destiny for ourselves. In short, to be the “god” of our own lives. This is a volitional drive that is extremely powerful and almost impossible to escape.
And it is true for everyone, unless there has been a fundamental regeneration in the soul, spirit and mind of the individual.
Without that, our minds work as follows:
- Due to our background, or an event, or a series of events, our belief or opinion on something that is important to us is formed.
- Thereafter, every single piece of evidence that supports our position is grasped and treasured , and
- Everything that even hints at undermining it is discarded on both an individual and collective scale without wasting any time on examining it, as it must be false by pre-definition.
As a result of the cluster of cognitive biases that causes this, truly inquisitive minds – that are really committed to discovering the truth – are few and far between.
True seekers after Truth must be willing to confront their underlying nature, and then be prepared to discard any comfort, or to accept any consequence, should they discover that they are wrong.
Very few of us qualify.
To determine which one you are, ask yourself this:
How often do you seek out information that may challenge your beliefs – rather than support it – and then examine it with a truly independent mind with a view to questioning your existing beliefs?
If this is not something that you do very often, you have your answer:
Whether you like it or not: your beliefs are based on your volitional desires, and you actually have no real interest in the Truth unless it serves your pre-existing beliefs and desires.
To be continued ...
“People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs not on the basis of proof but on the basis of what they find attractive.”
Blaise Pascal.
What the human being is best at doing is interpreting all new information so that their prior conclusions remain intact.”
Warren Buffet
“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.”
Robertson Davies.
