OUR BELIEF SYSTEM IS SECOND HAND. They began forming when we were born and are mainly made up of the beliefs passed down to us by our family and predecessors. As we grow into adulthood, we may vary them somewhat, but generally, we retain the same basic set of beliefs that were formed in early childhood.
Our beliefs create the world we see and primarily determines who we think we are. What we are taught to believe in also helps us to placate our fears of our own mortality, of not being anymore and re-enforces our fervent, although misguided hope that we will continue on forever as a separate individual.
Organized religion jumped on this band wagon a long time ago. They preached that if we believe in what the church tells us, then we will be protected and need not fear death and damnation. If we don’t believe their doctrine and follow what they preach, then we may very well be condemned to hell.
Whatever mainstream religion promises us, eternal life in heaven, or eternal damnation in hell, it is all playing on our fear of not existing anymore. For even hell with all its purported pitchforks, fire and brimstone is a better alternative than oblivion, for in hell, we would still continue to exist.
What we think of ourselves, how we approach and tackle life’s problems, how we see and react to the world in general depends on what we believe. As we experience more of life, our beliefs become ever more rigid and unmovable until they are so caked in the mud of the past that they become resistant to change.
Usually it takes a major shock, loss or extreme trial and tribulation for us to break free of our ingrained beliefs. Then, being at a loss as how to handle the desperate situation we find ourselves in, the blindfold of belief is removed and we suddenly see clearly, which gives us the opportunity to learn what life is trying to teach us...
_____________ it’s what we believe in that’s the problem.”
Header: Henley Beach ‘Adelaide’ South Australia.
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