Belief and Knowledge Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many contentions our present world has faced that require a thorough thought process in order to represent a side of the argument. We see that there are many different authorities that tell us we should be thinking in certain directions. However, most people need to realize that influence from these different sources such as academics, politicians, companies, global organizations, media, and others in this nebulous category, don’t always steer us in the write direction. Maybe they can provide us with knowledge about a certain problem, or information regarding each side, but when it comes down to the bottom, belief and knowledge seems to be what most people turn to. We see many people opposing social issues because of what their families have taught them, we see many people opposing scientific technology because of what their religion says. We see many people then opposing the â€Å"religious fanatics† because science is â€Å"the key to th e future.† And lastly we see many people opposing things just to cause trouble, and those are the types of protestors, I really cannot stand. But that’s beside the point. Reason and emotion are reflected in the way one uses them to distinguish between their faith and belief, and knowledge and solid fact. This can be shown through the abortion debate, stem cell research, and of course, the hot topic of 2004 and the near future- gay marriage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First, abortion has really taken center stage in our society. Both sides of the argument have been well thought out and make good sense; it is up to you to decide which one you feel more strongly represents your views. Or, you must interpret it and make your own opinion. Those who oppose abortion are called the â€Å"pro-life† group. These people believe that the fetus is a living thing, and that it should not be killed for it has yet to develop fully into a human being. By taking the life of a fetus, one is taking the life of a potential human being, and an innocent child. The opposing view is usually referred to as â€Å"pro- choice.† This argument is strong in the sense that people believe they should be able to exercise their rights as a free human being, and if they choose to abort their child, it is the potential parent’s choice. You will find that many people that belong to the â€Å"pro- life† side are religious. Most who are on the... ...Scotts Valley High. It took a long while for me to develop my full thoughts, and although some teachers at my school may choose a different lifestyle than me, it does not make them a â€Å"bad† person, or one that has â€Å"sinned.† As far as I am concerned, God will send those who discriminate and harass and who are hateful all down to hell before any homosexual who has lived their life virtuously. However, I do not support gay marriage because I believe that marriage is sacred and that it is something that should stay between a man and a woman.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Through this class, I have learned so much about the world, different cultures, perception, how we know things, what influences us, but most of all, I have learned the most about myself. I have learned to work thorough all factors that may intimidate me into forming my own opinion about things, and I have found that things I really rely strongly on, are driven not by fact or knowledge, but by what I believe and what is in my heart. Being able to distinguish belief and knowledge comes down to the individual and whether they feel that they can be more persuaded through solid fact, or what they believe and have faith in.