We have heard that we live according to our beliefs. But I wonder if more often, we live by what we are inclined to believe.
What's the difference? We all have solidly held beliefs. Whether it be that murder is wrong, God exists, or all Jews should be exterminated, we have beliefs that are very strong. We will not compromise these beliefs. We will die for them. Do we live for them? Sure we do; there is no question on them in our minds, so our lives will be structured around them.
But there are those beliefs that may not be so strong. And I wonder if THESE beliefs actually dictate more of our day to day life, and play a huge part in our major decisions. Let me give some examples. One may be inclined to believe that inter-racial marriage is ideal for humankind, that the best way to live a fulfilled life is to travel broadly, that it is best to live close to relatives, that a web start-up is the quickest way to get rich, or that there may not be a God.
When we are making decisions, I am certain we think about these "inclined beliefs" more than our strong beliefs. Our strong beliefs allow for no question, so we spend little time thinking about them. If they affect our decision, we already know the answer, because we won't allow anything contrary to those beliefs. I wonder though, if what we are inclined to believe is a very strong factor in our decision making.
Perhaps we sort of make a test case of ourselves. Why? We may be out to see if something really is, and we're the only way we know to test it. Or we may be out to prove something to ourselves, and if possible, to the world. We are unsure of the belief, and what better way to test it than to step out and try it ourselves?
What do you think?
What's the difference? We all have solidly held beliefs. Whether it be that murder is wrong, God exists, or all Jews should be exterminated, we have beliefs that are very strong. We will not compromise these beliefs. We will die for them. Do we live for them? Sure we do; there is no question on them in our minds, so our lives will be structured around them.
But there are those beliefs that may not be so strong. And I wonder if THESE beliefs actually dictate more of our day to day life, and play a huge part in our major decisions. Let me give some examples. One may be inclined to believe that inter-racial marriage is ideal for humankind, that the best way to live a fulfilled life is to travel broadly, that it is best to live close to relatives, that a web start-up is the quickest way to get rich, or that there may not be a God.
When we are making decisions, I am certain we think about these "inclined beliefs" more than our strong beliefs. Our strong beliefs allow for no question, so we spend little time thinking about them. If they affect our decision, we already know the answer, because we won't allow anything contrary to those beliefs. I wonder though, if what we are inclined to believe is a very strong factor in our decision making.
Perhaps we sort of make a test case of ourselves. Why? We may be out to see if something really is, and we're the only way we know to test it. Or we may be out to prove something to ourselves, and if possible, to the world. We are unsure of the belief, and what better way to test it than to step out and try it ourselves?
What do you think?
1 comment:
That is a very interesting concept to consider. I'll have to think about it for a while before I can conjure an interesting answer.
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