Do not believe anything merely because you are told it is so, because others believe it, because it comes from Tradition, or because you have imagined it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect. Believe, take for your doctrine, and hold true to that, which, after serious investigation, seems to you to further the welfare of all beings. Jean-Yves Leloup, Compassion and Meditation
Because whether aliens exist or not, many of us want to believe in them. Nick Cook, aerospace journalist
I also think there’s something else – our need to believe. Nick Cook, Are UFOs Real 2/2
Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it’s actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe. Christopher Paolini, Eragon
My belief in art is religious. Damien Hirst
How much is history and how much is belief wanting to be history? Howard Jacobson, Christianity: A History: Jesus the Jew, Channel 4 2009
I have a great mind to believe in Christianity for the mere pleasure of fancying I may be damned. Lord Byron
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. The Missal, used by Church up to 1964, The Ordinary of the Mass
I believe in death, destruction, chaos, filth and greed. American History X 1998 starring Edward Norton & Edward Furlong & Beverly D’Angelo & Jennifer Lien & Ethan Suplee & Fairuza Balk & Avery Brooks & Elliott Gould & Stacy Keach et al, director Tony Kaye, Danny
I am not sure I ever had a true belief. Star Trek: The Next Generation s6e23: Rightful Heir ***** Worf to Picard
Lesson #7: Belief and seeing are both often wrong. Robert S McNamara, The Fog of War, 2003
Between the 10th and 15th centuries the West was dominated by religious and supernatural beliefs. Dr Robert Bartlett, Inside The Medieval Mind III: Belief, BBC 2008
The connection between this world and the next was an everyday reality. ibid.
Relics ... objects of supernatural power, they were to be approached with awe. ibid.
Medieval pilgrimage became a great industry. ibid.
The word of the Church was the word of God. ibid.
The people will believe what the media tells them they believe. George Orwell
Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth. Albert Einstein
I do not believe in an anthropomorphic God. 50 Renowned Academics Speaking About God, Robert Coleman Richardson
I don’t believe in God. 50 Renowned Academics Speaking About God, Professor Patrick Bateson
I can’t believe the special stories that have been made up ... Too provincial. ibid. Richard Feynman
We have no reason to believe in it now. ibid. Professor Ned Block
I don’t believe in God. ibid. Professor Patrick Bateson
It’s a question of the rationality of belief. ibid. Professor A C Grayling
We would all like to believe that there is a meaningful world beyond our own capacity to inject meaning into it ... We like there to be justice in the end. ibid. Professor John Serle
Wishful thinking. ibid. Herbert Kroemer
I don’t think we should upset those people who do. Another 50 Renowned Academics Speaking About God, Professor Max Perutz
A personal God – and that I don’t believe. ibid. Professor Alexander Vilenkin
The question does God exist is nonsense ... Wishful thinking. ibid. Professor P Z Myers
Sometimes Americans say, So you don’t believe in God. Then they say, Do you believe in anything? Jonathan Miller, The Atheism Tapes, Colin McGinn
Russell: There’s no more reason to believe in the Christian God than the Greek gods. ibid. Colin McGinn
We don’t need God to validate our moral beliefs. ibid. Colin McGinn
Belief in a belief of God. ibid. Daniel Dennett
If you believe in God you do all sorts of lunatic things. ibid.
One can’t be in a state of belief all the time. Dr Jonathan Miller: A Rough History of Disbelief I: Shadows of Doubt *****
The widespread suspicion of disbelief is becoming a real threat to free thought. ibid.
Sometimes people hold a core belief that is very strong. When they are presented with evidence that works against that belief, the new evidence cannot be accepted. It would create a feeling that is extremely uncomfortable, called cognitive dissonance. And because it is so important to protect the core belief, they will rationalize, ignore and even deny anything that doesn't fit in with the core belief. Frantz Fanon, Black Skin, White Masks
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:18&36
Except ye see sings and wonders, ye will not believe. John 4:48
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:29
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:4&14
Who believe in the Unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that We have bestowed upon them;
And who believe in that which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) and that which was revealed before thee, and are certain of the Hereafter.
These depend on guidance from their Lord. These are the successful.
As for the Disbelievers, Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not it is all one for them; they believe not.
And when it is said unto them: believe as the people believe, they say: shall we believe as the foolish believe? Are not they indeed the foolish? But they know not.
And when they fall in with those who believe, they say: We believe; but when they go apart to their devils they declare: Lo! We are with you; verily we did but mock.
And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) unto those who believe and do good works; that theirs are Gardens underneath which rivers flow; as often as they are regaled with food of the fruit thereof, they say: this is what was given us aforetime; and it is given to them in resemblance. There for them are pure companions; there for ever they abide. Koran 2:3-6&13&14&25
Lo! those who disbelieve after their (profession of) belief, and afterward grow violent in disbelief: their repentance will not be accepted. And such are those who are astray.
Lo! those who disbelieve, and die in disbelief, the (whole) earth full of gold would not be accepted from such an one if it were offered as a ransom (for his soul). Theirs will be a painful doom and they will have no helpers.
Say: O People of the Scripture! Why disbelieve ye in the revelations of Allah, when Allah (Himself) is Witness of what ye do?
Say: O People of the Scripture! Why drive ye back believers from the way of Allah, seeking to make it crooked, when ye are witnesses (to Allah’s guidance)? Allah is not unaware of what ye do.
O ye who believe! If ye obey a party of those who have received the Scripture they will make you disbelievers after your belief.
How can ye disbelieve, when it is ye unto whom Allah’s revelations are recited, and His messenger is in your midst? He who holdeth fast to Allah, he indeed is guided unto a right path.
O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah with right observance, and die not save as those who have surrendered (unto Him)