Beliefs

Beliefs

My minds made up, don’t confuse me with the facts.

We all believe in something. Beliefs are ours, we own them, and they are uniquely individual to each of us by virtue of our own interpretations of something. Whatever it is that ignites a belief it is always something that we feel passionately about.

Our beliefs will change when they are confirmed correct, and metamorphicly become knowings, (the evolutionary process of conscious thought) or, if proved incorrect they will disappear. I would consider this thoughtful management of our belief system.

Many of our beliefs are products of the questions we ask, others are based on what we are taught, and are as random as where, when, and to whom we were borne. They are based on our associations, the leaders that we place our confidence in, and shaped by those we trust.

When we have spiritual beliefs I think it is possible that the soul has knowledge of a higher power engrained within its framework in this life. People will espouse the spiritual generalities of the region in which they were born, and nurtured them into early adulthood.

For example, take three individuals that have strong spiritual beliefs. Each is doctrinally different, and in direct conflict with the other two. All claim to come from the same source, God. However, each has the same core values: love, honesty, respect, charity, ethics, kill nothing, and there is only one God.

None of those beliefs can be proved either right or wrong, but the core values of each are universally correct. I would suspect that had any of the three individuals in our example been born in Japan they would have been Shinto instead of Christensen. If another were borne in Saudi Arabia they would have been Muslim. The binding spiritual belief would be a product of geography, your choices, and who was available to teach you. This brings into question the concept of one true religion. As long as we believe in God, and all that is good, no harm is done, and it matters not what spiritual path you take. God loves us all.

However, our failure to question the beliefs that we live by is dangerous. Far too often many of our beliefs are based on incorrect information, and are considered knowings without proof. Too many of us refuse to consider new facts that would cause a thoughtful person to modify these beliefs.

If we fail to consider new information we do a disservice to ourselves. If we make decisions based on what we believe, in an unwavering way, regardless of information provided, we will do irreparable harm to humanity. We should mindfully evaluate all available information before we believe in anything without question.