I have wanted to write about this for quite a while. I have heard so much to do with this, and it affects every aspect of our lives. Beliefs intrude on many of our schools of thought. There is not anything wrong with a belief in particular …until it becomes defined as a truth.
Such as: to believe that an atomic bomb is dangerous.. when we know it is. That is a wrong belief. I could give many more examples but it would take up too much room and time.
To say that someones third party information about someone else is true when it is only a belief, is a way to harm others without putting the blame on incorrect information and the person disseminating it.
We have entire organizations which are supposedly setup on knowledge actually being setup on belief. Psychology being one and there are more.
For a church to be involved with belief is not seen as incorrect. We protect those beliefs, like the belief in god. Those as a rule do not affect us too much. However, all religions started based on knowledge. How that knowledge was gained was often of conjecture, however, that is for each religion to handle.
We, as a society have no room for belief when it comes to knowledge, it will destroy us. Knowledge is logical and gives an end product. Not to say that I think eradicating belief is the solution, only a crazy person would try to eliminate the human imagination. Belief is a concept, not a truth.
What makes concepts so dangerous?
Factions within our society are using beliefs to make us feel, think and behave differently. This is not what a society should be. We already come with the concept of good and evil ingrained in us. Some of these people using beliefs against us, wish us to change the belief of good and evil. It gives us no ethical choice to keep ourselves free of non survival actions, and associations with non survival actions.
This is to their benefit alone.
Take for example the drug companies selling drugs that supposedly will protect us against disease.
Some of these magic pills do things that they should not.
In fact a very large percentage have turned out to be dangerous to our bodies, health and wellness. These have resulted in large losses of life, lawsuits and have forced the drug companies to sell like never before. Their profits are in the billions, but the belief remains that they do good.
Our society is full of beliefs a stew pot of many different components, each boiling at its own rate and time. Each of these holding us back from being truly enlightened and healthy as well as happy.
Our society is not happy nor are its people, to be honest many people did not know where to turn when 911 happened. They did not have anything to turn to. Their belief that this society was an invincible juggernaut was taken away and nothing was left to replace that. Their safety was comprimised, their knowledge based on beliefs wrecked.
Lets look at the other side of the coin….Knowledge.
Truth is only based on real knowledge and fact. Belief is only based on half truths and near truths. Knowledge is King.
The reason our civilization is on the verge of destruction is .. ignorance.
(Ignorance…a belief that one is smarter or better than others, laughing at and cajoling others with witticisms to make oneself feel larger and better than they. A lack of real knowledge of others.)
The out come of knowledge is real application. Whether it is talking to someone or building a bridge the outcome is always exact and real.
Belief does not give exact results or even allow for results. It confuses issues and clouds minds.
Belief in the dictionary means:
Belief \Be*lief”\, n. [OE. bileafe, bileve; cf. AS. gele['a]fa.
See {Believe}.]
1. Assent to a proposition or affirmation, or the acceptance of a fact, opinion, or assertion as real or true, without immediate personal knowledge; reliance upon word or testimony; partial or full assurance without positive knowledge or absolute certainty; persuasion; conviction; confidence; as, belief of a witness; the belief of our senses. [1913 Webster]
Notice the word knowledge is missing.. that is because it is a concept not knowledge. It is kind of like …guessing, and we cannot afford to do that.
Our world has become increasingly complex. Forcing us to deal with bigger and bigger issues.
Fortunately for us we can learn from the past and see over time what these beliefs have done to us and our societies. In fact, there are many societies still operating under beliefs.
Most of our problems would be solved if it were not for the concepts of beliefs. We need to root out what is a real truth and what is a concept. Remove the concept and we now are left with a reality of knowledge. Even if it is somewhat droll and boring, the cleaning up of this area of our lives will result in prosperity and sanity in every area of life.
This I hope has made you think about the beliefs in your life. There are some that are ok and will not affect you or others but if they do you need to realize them as concepts not truths.
Ethics and justice require truth, as does teaching and learning. Concepts are okay as long as one understands them as concepts and not as truths.
more to come in my next installment
