Beliefs Everyone Has Certain Beliefs

Beliefs Everyone has certain beliefs that they consider to be true. This, of course, does not guarantee that these beliefs actually are true, but the person is convinced they are. Beliefs normally come in groups, one building on another over time. They reinforce each other and create complex structures. The beliefs are not acquired arbitrarily, but fit into a consistent pattern. These groups of beliefs are called a belief system.

These belief systems help people grapple with some very difficult concerns, such as "How did life evolve?," or "Why are we here?" Or "What takes place when we die?" This belief system is a way that individuals can better understand the many unknowns in their life. Once these beliefs are formed, they are very difficult to eliminate, even when trying as much as possible. They have strength, especially when they were established in the formative childhood years.

Most people will develop their beliefs as they are growing up, since family members and others who are close exert a great deal of influence. As children get older, their beliefs are either strengthened or altered by their peers. By the time of adulthood, these beliefs are quite firmly established. John Stuart Mill stated, "One person with a belief is equal to a force of 49 who have only interests." (Mill as quoted in Robbins, 1986) From a positive standpoint, beliefs can guide people in the right direction.

When believing something as true, a persona will act in that direction. These beliefs can be a very positive force in life. For example, is someone believes that it is possible to continue learning throughout life, he/she will be driven to continually acquire knowledge. If someone believes that all people should have the same opportunities to develop and grow, he/she will act on this belief in how people are treated. Unfortunately, not all beliefs are that positive and supportive.

Believing that people lose the capacity to learn as they get older, someone who is aging may decide that it is no longer possible to gain new knowledge and understanding. People who are biased and prejudiced against certain individuals because they believe they are inferior, will treat them in that way. These positive or negative beliefs are found in all belief systems, including religion. Religion, according to Johnstone (1992, p.

14) "is an institutionalized system of symbols, beliefs, values and practices by which a group of people interprets and responds to what they feel is sacred and that provides answers to questions of ultimate meaning." Something that is "sacred" is believed to be holy, placed above all else, and commemorated by special rites and rituals. It is distinct from the "profane," or what Emile Durkheim defined as something that is "everyday." Religion goes beyond beliefs and even a system of beliefs.

It is an institution, or a pattern of organized societal actions centered around these beliefs and rites. As do all belief systems, religion explains something that is unknown. It deals "with the whole of human life and death," (Bowker, 1997) that goes beyond human: It believes in a supreme being or god. My personal religious belief system is based on Christianity. I grew up as a Christian and went to church with my family on a regular basis.

I do not do this as often now, but still have a strong Christian belief. My religious beliefs gave me strength as I was growing up; when I did not understand why certain things happened, I could turn to my religion as a help and guide. My family's religion also gave us traditions, or a way to continue our set of beliefs from one generation to the next. These traditions include beliefs, practices, and doctrines, which as all belief systems, can be a positive or negative force in the world.

As part of my religious system, I believe in God or higher power and his son, Jesus Christ, who provided his followers with a set of moral codes and practices for worship. This code provides direction on how to treat others and how to live one's life to the fullest. There are many different forms of Christianity in the world today, but they all believe in Jesus and his teachings. How they interpret these teachings, what they believe to be true can does differ between Christian religions.

All of these Christian sects, as with all religions, have traditions. Although traditions normally stem far back in the past when a religion began, they are always changing and new ones forming that better conform to the changes in society. Religious belief systems and the accompanying traditions about such essential issues as slavery, women and even same-gender relationships, for example, have changed in many Christian religions. Yet traditions, like belief systems, are ingrained in many religions and their practices, and thus not always easy to change.

Nor, is it necessary that they do so in all cases. Religious traditions can be a positive or negative influence. From a positive standpoint, they keep families and groups of people together. They give stability and consistency to life over a person's life, from birth through death, and to groups of people from one generation to the next. However, other religious traditions can negatively impact society. They can keep groups of people separate, by making one religion feel superior to another.

This makes this religion treat others as different and inferior. Traditions that do not change along with the changes in society become stagnant and can become barriers and hinder the order of society. Major divisions can occur within a society that are difficult to repair. Throughout history, there have been belief systems and traditions based on those beliefs that have been very destructive. Today, terrorism is taking religious traditions to an extreme; in the past, the Inquisition, for example, was doing the same.

It is not easy, as noted, to change beliefs, since they are so engrained in religious practices and traditions. Yet, over time, they can be changed with effort. Religion, since it plays such a major role in all cultures, can make a tremendous impact for change. Religious leaders must take a stand and also encourage their followers to the same against any negative beliefs and traditions and toward replacing them with positive and uplifting ones. The goal is to release the tensions that exist among different religions.

It is by interpreting the scriptures and the traditions that come from these interpretations in a positive direction. It also takes standing up against the negative values and practices within the society. Jacques Dupuis and Mark Helm, as well as others, called for the Christian understanding of all religions, even those that are not Christian. They suggested eliminating exclusivism and pluralism and supporting a trinitarian theology of.