Personal beliefs and conformity

[Micorhizea]

Question:

Watch this video from the Candid Camera show. It’s OK; very “safe for work” and brief.

youtube.com/watch?v=fQI8pZJiMe0

Now explain in simple terms how it is that any one of us is an independent and rational thinker in terms of what we have necessarily accepted as our cultural inheritance, no matter how strongly we believe it to be the one and only, or even best, way, whether politically, economically, ethically, musically, whatever.

What areas might* not* be influenced by such conformity, why, and how? What learned areas would almost completely be influenced in such a way?

What might radically alter one’s ability to self-assess long held beliefs? Most of us have had some such shift to one degree or another; what happened? Tell your story.

 

[Micorhizea]

Question:

Watch this video from the Candid Camera show. It’s OK; very “safe for work” and brief.

youtube.com/watch?v=fQI8pZJiMe0

Now explain in simple terms how it is that any one of us is an independent and rational thinker in terms of what we have necessarily accepted as our cultural inheritance, no matter how strongly we believe it to be the one and only, or even best, way, whether politically, economically, ethically, musically, whatever.

What areas might* not* be influenced by such conformity, why, and how? What learned areas would almost completely be influenced in such a way?

What might radically alter one’s ability to self-assess long held beliefs? Most of us have had some such shift to one degree or another; what happened? Tell your story.

170 views, and not one taker? Really? OK, how about a comment; any comment that reveals what you think?

 

[ThinkingSapien]

Question:

Watch this video from the Candid Camera show. It’s OK; very “safe for work” and brief.

youtube.com/watch?v=fQI8pZJiMe0

Funny!

Now explain in simple terms how it is that any one of us is an independent and rational thinker in terms of what we have necessarily accepted as our cultural inheritance, no matter how strongly we believe it to be the one and only, or even best, way, whether politically, economically, ethically, musically, whatever.

I don’t think that we are completely independent (we are social beings). Nor Do I think we are completely rational (I’m coming from a perspective in which rational thought still has some dependence on irrational thought and can’t be completely separated from it).

What might radically alter one’s ability to self-assess long held beliefs? Most of us have had some such shift to one degree or another; what happened? Tell your story.

Experiences, education and other evidence that infer that other beliefs better fit what’s being observed would be one factor. Fear, expectation of social punishments, and desires for social status also my influence one’s affinity to exploring other beliefs (or restrict that affinity).

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I had a 10 year psychosis that is just now going away. That has given me radically different than “average” viewpoints to things that other who haven’t been there just wouldn’t know.

Alan

 

[Micorhizea]

I had a 10 year psychosis that is just now going away. That has given me radically different than “average” viewpoints to things that other who haven’t been there just wouldn’t know.

Alan

I don’t know what to say, Alan, I’m just glad that it is going away. I’m sure that fe can even imagine what that must be like. I trust that what you need to advance will be given you or you will find already within yourself. Thanks for your contribution.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I don’t know what to say, Alan, I’m just glad that it is going away. I’m sure that fe can even imagine what that must be like. I trust that what you need to advance will be given you or you will find already within yourself. Thanks for your contribution.

I had wonderful spiritual advice right up front, helping me at least see there is a path to sanity – and I don’t mean mine but of the institutions. Lots and lots of family love from my six kids and amazingly patient wife St. Julie. Disability helps, and people even helped us with our mortgage and other expenses, including the St. Vincent De Paul society, and my mother.

The Holy Spirit made it clear to me, at least “by the numbers,” that I was in His hands a few years ago, but experientially it didn’t feel like until this past year.

Actually, having been cured by the Holy Spirit feels better than never having been sick in the first place!

Alan

 

[empther]

Somebody can easily be swayed about something if:

1. the matter is unimportant or trivial
2. the person has never thought about the matter
3. the person has no committment to the belief

But there are countless stories about martyrs who died for their faith because:

1. their faith was important
2. they’d spent a lot of time thinking about it
3. they were firmly committed to it come what may

The A-team never understands this or they would take their empty stuff elsewhere and stop annoying us.

 

[ThinkingSapien]

I had a 10 year psychosis that is just now going away.

I seem to remember some one telling a story of an Asian Dr asking something like “Do you believe that God is telling you that…” and the person being asked replying with something like “…I don’t know if you mean the same thing by God that I do” and the Dr. just documenting that the person didn’t answer. Was that you or some one else? (Sorry, I want to make sure I’m not running my stories together).

 

[LJH_80]

Micorhizea,

I think you may also enjoy this gem as far as pre-conditioning goes.
youtube.com/watch?v=sQAlfIJsU6Y

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I seem to remember some one telling a story of an Asian Dr asking something like “Do you believe that God is telling you that…” and the person being asked replying with something like “…I don’t know if you mean the same thing by God that I do” and the Dr. just documenting that the person didn’t answer. Was that you or some one else? (Sorry, I want to make sure I’m not running my stories together).

That was I. Yes, the doctor I’d known for maybe five minutes asked, pen in hand, if I was here on a mission from God. I told him I was a member of the Catholic Church and with that I have certain responsibilities. I told him that he’d have to tell me what he meant by “God” and “mission” and I’ll try to answer. Nope, he wrote “refused to answer” and they increased my tranquilizers.

If you’ve never met a truly closed mind, try being interviewed by some of these two bit doctor-wannabes. You won’t be disappointed!

Alan