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What does a person get out of subscribing to what you believe personally?

Most beliefs have varied interpretations, what significance is served by subscribing to the one interpretation that you adopt?

What does the you gain personally when another person is compelled by your claimed identity?

"What does a person get out of subscribing to what you believe personally?"
My faith allows a person to get out of it as little or as much as they choose. It's all up to them

"Most beliefs have varied interpretations, what significance is served by subscribing to the one interpretation that you adopt?"
My interpretation of what I believe is only significant to me. If another "attaches" themselves to only my interpretation, they haven't done their own research. Unless, they come to the same conclusion all on their own.

What does the you gain personally when another person is compelled by your claimed identity?
Possibly, a closer bond between myself and the other person and maybe a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Dabbler - what does this have to do with vampires, occult, sci-fi topics or the Dark Network in general?

People here claim to be vampires, and they seek to have people subscribe to those belief.

People want others to believe they can see ghost/spirits.

So the question remains.

What is in it for the person that is compelled by their claims to subscribe?

Basically asking.

"So I believe you, what now?"

I never have said that you have to believe or accept me for who I am, if you do than i am happy but i never expect it or ask you to do that

It is just that I hear individuals imply that anyone who doesn't believe what they believe, or claim to be, are ignorant, or afraid to believe, or accept what they claim to be.

It is as if they are implying that they are something more then others simply because they subscribe to some fringe belief.

That they are not afraid to claim to be something other then mundane human.

For the record, spiriual, and religious beliefs are an aside to this thread, and LZ has clearly articulated why, and I would only add, that most religions, and spiritual paths provide adherents an after life, or enrichment.

see i don't try to broadcast my beliefs all over the place

I can, and do relate to those who articulate moderate beliefs. People who have a personal security with their beliefs, and a context, and application are seldom found making nonbelievers uncomfortable, or instigating confrontation with nonbelievers, or those who find their claims to be fantastical, or unfounded.

For me.s just like High school. Everyone want to be around the Popular group. And why not "promote" a believe that you have, sometimes, without any fact of prof, to attract the attention created, by a big ego. POPULARITY is a decease.

Dabbler - let's rephrase the main question then, because I don't think your primary post conveys what you are asking. It does sound like it is carrying religious overtones.

So my interpretation of your explanation is; for those who seem bent on convincing people their beliefs are the right beliefs, what is in it for them to persuade people to their beliefs? Furthermore, what is in it for the people they are trying to persuade if done successfully?

Does that make more sense?

To me, it's just the same question.

I believe since this is the main forum and Dab does understand the posting guidelines, that any such question, does imply vampire beliefs, occult beliefs so on and so forth...

Birra Edit: I am sure Dabbler knows the guidlines, but for someone unfamiliar with the guidelines and Dabbler himself, they may take such a question and turn it into a religious debate - which would be against the guidelines and force me to either delete posts or close the thread. I'm trying to avoid both, hence my request to state the question with more specifics.

I don't think that we get much of anything from subscribing to another person's beliefs. The benefit is more for the person who has the beliefs - let's face it, no one wants to be told that they are ignorant or be called a liar.

So, other than a potential ally in these beliefs that may seem stupid to other people, I don't see any benefit at all, unless you actually do believe the same as the other person - in which case an ally might be worth the agreement of seemingly unrealistic claims.

Thank you Birra, That does serve as a much better presentation.

There is a lot more conjecture in occult beliefs then in other established beliefs, so there are more people relating personal experiences, and claiming extraordinary abilities.

Even someone who believes on particular fringe belief is not naive enough to subscribe to every testimony by others claiming to share that belief.

Personally, I think that our beliefs are so personal, and OURS...why try to persuade someone else to believe as we do? In fact, I kind of like having my own beliefs, even if that means being different or not popular. Just my 2 cents....

Thank you,

Sharing ones belief differs from proselytizing.

So their are polite manners in how one engages another in such topics.

For that matter politics, and even sports often share the same protocols.

There is material that is best reserved for gathering of like minded believers, that should be avoided with uninitiated folk.

If one introduces the topic of their belief, and declares to others their belief, is it not reasonable for that same person to be open to, and prepared to accept general inquiries relating to their belief doctrines, or mission statement?

I am very open about my beliefs, if asked. If someone does proclaim any belief, they should be prepared to give answers because there will be questions.

The questioner should also be prepared for answers they may not like or believe.

It was mentioned in another thread, Maybe Serverus, the most flamboyant are best avoided.

I am not a person that tolerates being talked at, and fanatics tend to do just that.

I suspect the intent is to astonish, and awe people, because lets face it entertain some people, and you can slip any agenda into the meal, and astonished people will eat it up. Then after they "dine" you announce their obligations to pay for the meal. Such practices are more cult then belief group.

That may have been me that said that Dab although severus may have said it as well.

That's the great thing about belief (mine for sure) they do not require that anyone else to believe.

I do find that most people who require about my beliefs, just want to argue them. That's when I shut the conversation down.

My feeling on that is...

You asked.

I answered.

That's it, I don't care what you think.

That is the difference between a Skeptical response, and a cynical response.

I like to get to know a person before the topic of politics, sports, or beliefs are brought up.

Anyone can gauge an audience as to how they are likely to be received.

Cynics tend to be rather assertive about not engaging in such topics at all.

Skeptics may be curious as to the varied sub beliefs of those in the sample audience.

While no one likes to be called an idiot for believing something.

It often escapes the lips of believers that nonbelievers are so ignorant for not accepting their belief.

I left out..

Just because someone does not subscribe to the beliefs of another person does not mean that they reject the believers.

The determining factor being the priority the believer places on their belief.

I don't believe I have ever rejected a person for what they believe but, I sure have been. LOL

I don't think you have to accept a person's beliefs in order to accept them but, you should at least respect that they believe it.

The way I see beliefs is this: Mine are my own. If I'm asked about my beliefs I will openly tell or answer questions that are asked of me.

When it comes to another person's beliefs I will most definitely ask questions, so that I will understand and not be ignorant.

But personally, I'm solitary in most of my pursuits and tend not to adopt someone's beliefs just because they tell me it's true. I like to do my research and pick what feels right to me. Regardless of what the crowd may think of me.

I completely agree. My beliefs are MINE. Granted, some of them are shared by others, but as a whole, I am rather eclectic in the combination of beliefs from various cultures and religions that make up my own personal collection.

And, while I am open to new ideas (how on earth would I have such a variety of beliefs to begin with if I wasn't?) but whether or not others agree with my faith/spirituality doesn't change the fact that I do.

However, I have noticed that not everyone shares this confidence - there are those out there that need others to agree with them as a booster, proof that they are "right" and everyone else is wrong. And, that seems to be the difference, IMO. Those that are secure in their spirituality seldom need others approval of their beliefs.

Sif13 posts:


'But personally, I'm solitary in most of my pursuits and tend not to adopt someone's beliefs just because they tell me it's true. I like to do my research and pick what feels right to me. Regardless of what the crowd may think of me.'

If a person truly wants me to consider their belief, I want to see text, or some material that relates to the belief.

How and what I believe in .. I feel is private and is mine and I only share with my closest IC .

I think how and what each of us believe in is our own business . But I feel what we all need to remember is to respect the rights of each others opinion and we need to learn to be alittle more tolerant with each other .

With some believers their is a resentment to nonbelievers, they assume every nonbeliever, or openly
skeptic person is out to bash them.

Cynics make generalizations regarding belies, and that is may have something to do with that.

When people share about beliefs, politics, or sprots even their are strong opinions involved.

Yet even among believers their are squabbles so it is important to interact, rather then react when opportunities are presented to share beliefs.

Keep in mind that some people have been exposed to
bad examples of believers, and may have set their fences against that belief based on those bad examples. In such a case you may be the ambassador to reset the slate.