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If that is true, then you have to be able to CHOOSE to believe - be convinced without a doubt - that beliefs cannot be CHOSEN. So how about now - while you are reading this - demonstrate your ability by believing that beliefs cannot be obtained by consciously CHOOSING to have them.
RESPONSE:
No. Choosing to believe something is not the same as being convinced without a doubt.
re: "Choosing to believe something is not the same as being convinced without a doubt."
So then John 3:16 could be written: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever thinks that He might exist, even though they are not convinced and have doubts about it, should not perish but have everlasting life." ?
re: "Every belief I hold required a conscious decision."
If by that you mean that you can consciously CHOOSE to believe things, I would ask you - as I have asked ancient warrior who so far has ignored my request - to do as I requested in post #19.
re: "Choosing to believe something is not the same as being convinced without a doubt."
So then John 3:16 could be written: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever thinks that He might exist, even though they are not convinced and have doubts about it, should not perish but have everlasting life." ?
RESPONSE:
If someone, in spite of the evidence to contrary, chose to believe that statement by the writers of the gospel we call John's, that would be an accurate statement.
Intellectual assent is NOT belief. Belief is completely independent of choice or intellectual assent . . . it just is or is NOT! What you truly believe is revealed in your motivations and behaviors . . . it can be claimed or denied . . . but it remains what it is regardless.
Intellectual assent is NOT belief. Belief is completely independent of choice or intellectual assent . . . it just is or is NOT! What you truly believe is revealed in your motivations and behaviors . . . it can be claimed or denied . . . but it remains what it is regardless.
RESPONSE:
Oh I see! I may not believe something but still give intellectual assent to it, right?
re: "Choosing to believe something is not the same as being convinced without a doubt."
So then John 3:16 could be written: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever thinks that He might exist, even though they are not convinced and have doubts about it, should not perish but have everlasting life." ?
Ha! That's funny
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