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Forums -> General Info -> Re: Facts Vs. Beliefs.
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Original Post:
by: User263251 on Sep 16, 2014

There are quite a few people in this site who think that because they believe something everyone should believe it, no one should disagree or question it, and that their belief is a fact in the world.

When you question, or simply point out that what they have stated is an opinion, or a belief, and not necessarily true they automatically assume you are bullying them and get incredibly defensive!

Anyone who does do that needs to grow up and accept that just because you may believe that anything is possible, stepping off a ten story building believing you can fly will not be enough to stop you crashing to the ground!

The Oxford Dictionary defines the term belief as,

"An acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof"

"Something one accepts as true or real; a firmly held opinion"

By proof, it does not mean subjective proof i.e. your own experience. It means objective, infallible proof.

A firmly held opinion does not equal a fact. It means everything you state about a belief is your own opinion, you should state before any post, or any reply- "in my opinion, or, in my tradition....."

You should not state beliefs as facts as they are not. Not everyone is a Wiccan, not everybody believes in the three-fold law, to say it is a fact that it exists is an erroneous statement, and you will most likely be called out on it.

It is not bullying, it is pointing out that diversity must be encouraged and the allowance of other points of view must be encouraged.

The definition of a fact-

"A thing that is known or proved to be true:"

I.e., gravity will cause you to fall stepping off a 10 story building regardless of how much you believe you will fly.

When stating beliefs and opinions clearly state they are your beliefs and opinions and are therefore not true, in the sense that they cannot be generalised to every other person.

You may think they are true to yourself, but they are not necessarily true to everyone else.

You cannot argue with scientific, objective data. I am not saying the lack of proof for life after death is enough to dismiss it, however, the proof of people who have come back, or past life memories, are not objective. They are subjective and could be brought on by imagination, the sub-conscious mind, and in the case of people being resucitated, random neurons firing in the brain.

Analyse everything with a balanced brain. Do not be close minded, but do not leave your mind so open that you fall into the depths of fantasy and become a deluded individual.

Above all, realise everyone is different and has their own thoughts and opinions and that it is good to be diverse. If someone challenges your beliefs it is a good thing- it rejustifies to yourself why you wish to believe them, and can also alter your beliefs for the better, by learning and incorporating new thought and opinions into your practice.