Don't be afraid to engage…

Hello, you.

I’ve had a few people challenge me to write again, and being a narcissist, I decided to do just that. This is the first post on this blog and I can’t assure you that all posts will follow this format, but who likes predictability?

My uncle and I were having one of those deep discussions that only happen after a few beers and semi-exhaustive states, when a topic came up that made me stop and think. He sent me a text with the exact question and this will be my response. Hopefully I only anger about 22% of those who read this and bore less than that. Too late, you say?

This is the exact text, with some corrections for typos.

“Belief?

Why does one believe that one believes? It’s a deep and profound question. My premise; Most don’t have a rational and well thought out reason for what they believe. Belief systems are divided into two main groups. One, a personal belief system originates from someone else’s thoughts and teaching and is accepted as true and right without any or very little question and once that person decides that is it, they hold to that belief even confronted with evidence to the contrary. Two, a person questions and test theories and belief systems with rational thought before deciding what is true or not and if provided with evidence to the contrary will potentially change their mind. The first type is rigid and inflexible. The second is reasonably thoughtful and fluid. With that as my premise, what and why do you believe what you believe?”

For those who know me, you understand why I lit up like a Christmas tree by this question.

Everyone would love to believe they are in the second group, open to challenge on topics, evolving in their understanding of the world, lacking hostility to differing belief systems. Raise your hand if you are in the first group. No one?

I know I am in the second group, but go kicking and screaming. I am a facts based person, who likes data, testing and abhors the phrase “settled science”–this is not about climate change. Calm down, Greta.

As children, our beliefs are shaped by the myths and stories our parents and authority figures relay to us. If we have religious instructions, our beliefs are shaped by the teachings found in it. They are the building blocks that guide us to be seekers or to “believe” we don’t need to challenge ourselves. If our background is filled with nothing but trustworthy authority figures, our belief in institutions will be greater. For those of us with less than stellar authority figures, we might push back at narratives.

We all want to believe we are the hero in the story, that we would “do the right thing” but studies show that our actions are influenced by those around us. A majority of people will not step in to intervene, unless there are observers or a perception of an increase in social esteem. Hello, face/insta/toc/x posts about “helping”.

So, to answer the question, I believe in the inherent goodness in all humans with a capability for savagery in the right circumstance. I believe that we know a fraction of what is to be known and nothing is settled. I believe that a cold beer on a hot day can lead to great things.