Why do you believe the things you do?

[Delta]

I'm just wondering why you believe the things you do? Where do the beliefs that you choose to hold come from? How do you choose what to believe? Do you simply accept what you hear from authority figures, or is there just part of you that believes? What happens when there are conflicting opinions from different authority figures - how do you choose who to believe? Do we really have control over what we believe? Can we force ourselves into believing something that deep down we for some reason do not in fact believe; or is that simply a form of self-induced brainwashing that doesn't reflect your true feelings.

I don't necessarily mean this to be just about religion. Just your beliefs in general.

I'm not trying to be "deep", I just want to know how you feel about beliefs.

 

[DodgeFB]

There is just something down deep within me (my soul?) that tells me right from wrong. I do not just go by what my family taught me. Many times they have been disappointed in my choices. Some of the things I have just modified for me. Like fighting fair. I was always taught to fight fair. After I got old and sick this did not work well for me. So now if confronted I will slap them in the head with a rock or something. I got tired of being the one being stitched up. But in general I still try to be fair. I want people to think of me as that "nice old guy".

 

[Glee]

A belief systems usually comes from the morals of parents, implanted on children when they are developing into... well humans. (I don't think Children are people until they have understanding. Until then they are a blank slate waiting to be programmed) So parents make little copies of themselves, but when the kid becomes influenced by other people in their lives (usually in Highschool and College years) they start questioning some of the beliefs the previously thought. But those core ideas usually remain. So you add the influence of the new people admired and parents, added to the culture and society lived in, and the person started developing a unique but similar belief system around them.

It takes an intelligent person to see things with an open mind, and be able to question everything around them coming up with their own view points. I'd like to think I'm such a person. However, in my open experience, as open minded as I think I am, I still carry with me some of the core beliefs my parents and society programmed into me. My parents are VERY religious. In some of my previous threads, I think one could tell that I believe more in common sense and historical facts. But there always is a string of faith there. As much as I'll deny Angels or the such, I'll still say I believe in God. It's really illogical, isn't it? But that's how people are.

Anyway, that's what I think.

 

[Delta]

There is just something down deep within me (my soul?) that tells me right from wrong. I do not just go by what my family taught me. Many times they have been disappointed in my choices. Some of the things I have just modified for me. Like fighting fair. I was always taught to fight fair. After I got old and sick this did not work well for me. So now if confronted I will slap them in the head with a rock or something. I got tired of being the one being stitched up. But in general I still try to be fair. I want people to think of me as that "nice old guy".

Well that's interesting! If you've ever seen Gran Torino, this whole outlook on fighting pretty much makes me picture you as Clint Eastwood in it. A badass old guy Don't worry, it's a good thing

Glee - ah the old tabula rasa nurture outlook on things. I'd have to agree with most of what you say though - I can see it in myself as well for some things. Although for other things I have completely changed as far as my attitudes towards some things. My sister on the other hand is basically a clone of my dad for the majority of her personality - the only thing different is, well, she's pretty bitchy.

I agree it does take an intelligent person to see things with an open mind - but at the same time, I believe EVERYONE is close minded about something or another.

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

 

[GekiDan]

My family, especially my parents influences me on what I do. Beliefs, like Glee said, was implanted to children when they are growing. And teachers from the schools you attended to are also one of them.

I don't believe that it's brainwashing.

 

[omej]

I'm just wondering why you believe the things you do? Where do the beliefs that you choose to hold come from? How do you choose what to believe? Do you simply accept what you hear from authority figures, or is there just part of you that believes? What happens when there are conflicting opinions from different authority figures - how do you choose who to believe? Do we really have control over what we believe? Can we force ourselves into believing something that deep down we for some reason do not in fact believe; or is that simply a form of self-induced brainwashing that doesn't reflect your true feelings.

I don't necessarily mean this to be just about religion. Just your beliefs in general.

I'm not trying to be "deep", I just want to know how you feel about beliefs.

It really comes in two steps for me. I think most people (myself included) believed whatever we were told as children from our parents. But as I grew older and started thinking for myself, I pretty much discarded a lot of the things I was told, especially when it comes to religion. But one thing that I did keep were morals.

 

[Glee]

I don't think it's brainwashing, because brainwashing implies that there is something there to be "cleaned" in the first place. A kid doesn't have the luxury to have any view points but the ones they are told. That's why I see it more as programming. A computer doesn't know or do anything until we put software onto it. And depending what we place on it is what that computer does. The same thing goes for children.

 

[Delta]

What I meant by brainwashing is self-brainwashing. Sort of like, altering ones beliefs by constantly reminding oneself that their current ones are incorrect.

Like take me for instance and the argument that I hear tons of times - maybe you should just give god and Jesus a try. You can believe if you want to.

I really don't think this is true. I mean sure I can tell myself - yes God is real, yes Jesus loves me. I can repeat this until it becomes natural but I mean, is that really right - is it really a true belief if I force it on myself despite that deep down, I really don't believe any of it.

I believe some things you just believe and some things you don't and there isn't really a choice. Sort of like who you're attracted to - you don't really choose and can't really make yourself be attracted to someone - you just are or you aren't.

 

[GekiDan]

It really comes in two steps for me. I think most people (myself included) believed whatever we were told as children from our parents. But as I grew older and started thinking for myself, I pretty much discarded a lot of the things I was told, especially when it comes to religion. But one thing that I did keep were morals.

Since we are a Christian family, grew and studied on a Catholic school, I regained my religion even though I can decide on my own. And morals taught by my parents and teachers as my basis, I can now decide on myself what is good and bad for me.

 

[xxll_martin_llxx]

I'm not strictly religious but some of the topics that are raised here drew me to the forums.

I believe there should be loyalty. I believe you shouldn't make promises that you can't keep. I believe people shouldn't be afraid to display their religions and beliefs. I belief that the English government are too worried about the "new" people coming in and being offended but what about those who already live here and are of that nationality? All it goes to show is, who is more important to them!? Certainly not the English. I'm not referring to being racist or anything of that nature but why should we not be allowed to celebrate our days; I wouldn't be offended if I went abroad (to live/work or just holiday) and have to be mixed with their celebrations. It's part of their day to day living but here people have stopped that for fear of being labelled a racist or similar.
Loyalty means forever. Loyal to my country.