Who here really believes what they claim to?

[Edwardo Piet]

So, let me get this straight, according to the OP everything someone does is because they believe it's good for them and nobody ever does anything that they believe is bad for them...

Hell, if that's true, the whole meaning of the word "true" doesn't even make sense any more.

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The biggest indication of one's beliefs is what they do - not what they say.

And that's a different claim to the exaggerated claim you made in the OP. That it's the biggest indication is different to saying that it's the only indication, which was your claim in the OP.

[Something completely different]

I`d say it is possible to know that something is complet nonsence (Unichorns in the Koran, Dragons in the Bible), but still ignore it because it is uncomforting for an individual who has based his world views on these myths and who doesn`t want his comunity which has based it`s existance and moral code on these myths, to fall appart. In short, a individual might ignore facts or rational inquiry to continue his or her life in comfort.

Same with smoking, I know it`s unhealthy but I choose to ignore it, because it sometimes gives me comfort.

[Minimalist]

My older brother is a smoker. It has given him kidney problems and heart problems. He fully understands this yet smokes anyway. Why? He likes smoking even though he knows it will kill him.

It is called making an adult decision.

[Rev. Rye]

Yes, just because someone does something, that doesn't mean they don't believe it's bad. Many factors could weigh in to make them partake anyway.

Really? I think at the root of it, people don't actually believe it to be bad for them. In a couple of days the LA voters will get to decide if condom use becomes mandatory in porn - presently most companies don't shoot porn using condoms; thus they don't believe they're at any increased risk of STD's - or put another way - they don't believe condoms offer any protection over STD transmission for them. That has nothing to do with addiction whatsoever, it's a simple choice they chose to make.

Has the possibility ever occurred to you that they just don't care about their health?

[Minimalist]

As Rodney Dangerfield put it....

"At my age, if I don't drink, don't smoke, and eat only certain foods, what can I look forward to? From this point on, if I take excellent care of myself – I'll get very sick and die."

[Kirbmarc]

Smoking. Supposedly this is bad for you. Most people SAY they believe this. 48% of Aborigines are smokers, therefore 48% or more of Aborigines don't actually believe it's bad for their health. The smoking rate in Australia has dropped in recent years, it's now about 18% of the adult population. So 18% of Australians don't believe that smoking is bad for their health

Jaywalking. Supposedly this is bad for you (you could even die if a car run you over, or so they say). Most people SAY they believe this. Yet many of them jaywalk. Following you logic, they don't believe that a car could ever hit them.

In a couple of days the LA voters will get to decide if condom use becomes mandatory in porn - presently most companies don't shoot porn using condoms; thus they don't believe they're at any increased risk of STD's - or put another way - they don't believe condoms offer any protection over STD transmission for them.

Porn actors are usually screened for veneral diseases far more frequently than the general popoulation. And condom are impopular among porn consumers.

[Annik]

Yes, this is in the science forum, because it's a question of science - not ethics, religion or even philosophy.

How many people actually believe what they claim to believe? It can't be very many people. Let me demonstrate using my own country - Australia.

1. Smoking. Supposedly this is bad for you. Most people SAY they believe this. 48% of Aborigines are smokers, therefore 48% or more of Aborigines don't actually believe it's bad for their health. The smoking rate in Australia has dropped in recent years, it's now about 18% of the adult population. So 18% of Australians don't believe that smoking is bad for their health.

That was just the first point, it gets worse with the second...

2. Overweight. 63% of Australian adults are either overweight or obese. 28% of Australians are obese. Thus, 63% of Aussies don't believe that being overweight is bad for their health, and 28% of Aussies are really confident in that belief! There is absolute proof that they don't it to be bad for them because I know people who "tried to loose weight" and then "gave up" after only loosing "some" weight.

A person cannot say the believe one thing, and do the opposite - that's nonsensical.

Smoking is an addiction.

So is overeating.

Of course people understand there are adverse health effects, but they also don't care. Getting their neurotransmitter fix is more important to them. It's a not a matter of understanding, it's a matter of priorities.

[5thHorseman]

48% of Aborigines are smokers, therefore 48% or more of Aborigines don't actually believe it's bad for their health.
63% of Australian adults are either overweight or obese. 28% of Australians are obese. Thus, 63% of Aussies don't believe that being overweight is bad for their health, and 28% of Aussies are really confident in that belief!

Reword this mystifying puzzle.

sequiturs non here. an abundance of Wtf on are you about?

[Gilgamesh]

As you get to know me you'll realize I'm not narrow minded or uninformed or anything of the sort.

This thread is convincing.

[Aroura]

Funny stuff, honestly. I guess OP doesn't understand addiction or cognitive dissonance (that you can honestly believe 2 opposing things at the same time).