We label ourselves with all these titles in order to let the world know where we stand, and what we believe.
Further still, there are many more religions for want of a better word, that people follow and adhere to.
Though we may believe in different things, what we all have in common is that our beliefs control what we do in life. If we behave differently, it is because we believe differently.
We set our morals around our beliefs, we set aside certain days and/or times of the week to practice it, we refuse to eat particular foods/drinks because of it, we may dress in a particular style as required by it, we may even choose to marry someone from our own group because of it.
We close our ears and shun outsiders who don't think as we do. We mock and ridicule those who dare question our beliefs - innocent as it may be at times. We threaten war due to it, and ultimately we beat our chests in defiance to all, that we have the utmost truth.
Do you believe as your parents did? If so is it really your belief? If not, why not?
Or have you had an out of the ordinary, supernatural experience that moved you from believing one thing to another?
Do you rely on your reason? If so, how do you account for others, as intelligent as you, who are of a different opinion?
Where do beliefs come from? Is it possible to 'invent' a new belief, or can it only come from the inspiration of a 'higher power'?
If you claim to have no beliefs, then why do you believe in nothing? Is it even possible to believe in nothing? Isn't to believe in nothing an act of faith?
Do you just rely on your gut feeling in the pit of your stomach? What makes your gut so trustworthy?
Did you do any type of research into what you believe or do you believe by default, without even questioning?
I'm not looking to abuse or challenge what anyone believes, in fact, I don't even need to know what you believe. What I'm trying to get at is how you came to believe it, in the light of the questions above.
