Originally Posted by rstrats
Originally Posted by Pilgrim
"So are you saying you believe things unconsciously vs. consciously?"

I would guess that when a new belief is realized that it is caused, most likely by a process occurring in my subconscious mind due to an exposure to outside stimuli, such as literature, lectures, media, conversation, reflection, experience, etc.
Methinks you have avoided the question. scratchchin And what is "when a new belief is realized..."?? The subject is whether "belief", i.e., to embrace something or someone is done deliberately (consciously) or as it appears to be your view, unconsciously. So, you are not aware why it is you believe anything? shrug

Originally Posted by rstrats
[re: "Jonathan Edwards is correct in saying that a man will ALWAYS choose that which is most desirable/important to him under any given circumstance."

But if he had to, could he consciously CHOOSE to believe that which is not most desirable/important to him?
1. Is the "he" you are referring to Jonathan Edwards?
2. No! All... every choice made by any person is done according to that person's predisposition, whether of the renewed spirit or the flesh. For example, one might be confronted with the temptation to use cocaine. And, intellectually, one might reason that there are myriad reasons why that would not be a good idea. But the person's desire to 'fit in', impress someone, etc., etc., might be stronger at that particular moment and thus the choice made would be against better judgment. The choice would be most deliberate and thus conscious.

Am I missing something here?

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simul iustus et peccator

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