Why follow when you don't have to?

Mr. Ed

Mr. Ed

Be what you is not what you what you ain’t
Location
Central NY
Why don't people follow their own beliefs rather than those presented to them? One reason is we assume authority figures know more than we do, so we follow them seeking wisdom from their teachings to someday think for ourselves. This may be problematic for some people that cling onto the teacher even though they have the knowledge and know-how to think independently, but never leave the nest.

For those with confidence may continue sharing word for word what they learned growing up, however failed to reach their conclusions about lessons learned by the book instead of life experience.

There are those who fear deviation from lessons learned straight from book as a means for punishment and betrayal according to the book. Strangely see paragraph one regarding, "leaving the nest"

Partitioners, through immersion are less likely to question the authority of the church. than those who do not attend.

There is nothing right or wrong following in the footsteps of organized religion, however, to believe in something totally different from the norm is considered heresy. ( a controversial or unorthodox opinion, or doctrine as in politics, philosophy, or science. My belief system is merely an opinion that works for me.

I accredit my unique form of belief to a vivid imagination and god as I know god to be.
 

Mr. Ed said:
Agree however, when does religion offer options to their beliefs? It’s usual one way ☝🏻
Click to expand...
The options would be educating ourselves about different religions, Ed. Then we have the tools to decide if any of them align with what our heart wants to believe... or if none of them do. It's not some tiny little box with only a limited choice... and not all religions are the gloom & doom fire & brimstone that many believe them to be. I have seen some VERY scary crap (geez, Kate, watch your language!) that is being passed off as "religion" and some are even mainstream... but people only get trapped in that box if they don't take the initiative to educate themselves on other options.
 
Many people do not want to take the time to educate themselves or look deeper then what is less informative then cliff notes on ANY topic let alone religion . Research and really taking a moment to ask questions or push back on things seems to not happen.
 
Mr. Ed said:
Why don't people follow their own beliefs rather than those presented to them? One reason is we assume authority figures know more than we do, so we follow them seeking wisdom from their teachings to someday think for ourselves. This may be problematic for some people that cling onto the teacher even though they have the knowledge and know-how to think independently, but never leave the nest.

For those with confidence may continue sharing word for word what they learned growing up, however failed to reach their conclusions about lessons learned by the book instead of life experience.

There are those who fear deviation from lessons learned straight from book as a means for punishment and betrayal according to the book. Strangely see paragraph one regarding, "leaving the nest"

Partitioners, through immersion are less likely to question the authority of the church. than those who do not attend.

There is nothing right or wrong following in the footsteps of organized religion, however, to believe in something totally different from the norm is considered heresy. ( a controversial or unorthodox opinion, or doctrine as in politics, philosophy, or science. My belief system is merely an opinion that works for me.

I accredit my unique form of belief to a vivid imagination and god as I know god to be.
Click to expand...
I do follow my own beliefs not those of others. The downside is it can be lonely, it can be very hard. Organized groups who make rules will not welcome independent thinkers so you will be isolated. Life is much more difficult to survive this way and it can be a negative mentally. It can hurt psychologically when authority figures demand you be shunned for decisions you have made, choices you have followed. It takes a lot of inner strength to believe in yourself at such times soldiering on in your own cause.

Since I do not belong to any religious groups anymore,, my belief system is just about life and relationships in general and not really about religion.
 
chic said:
I do follow my own beliefs not those of others. The downside is it can be lonely, it can be very hard. Organized groups who make rules will not welcome independent thinkers so you will be isolated. Life is much more difficult to survive this way and it can be a negative mentally. It can hurt psychologically when authority figures demand you be shunned for decisions you have made, choices you have followed. It takes a lot of inner strength to believe in yourself at such times soldiering on in your own cause.

Since I do not belong to any religious groups anymore,, my belief system is just about life and relationships in general and not really about religion.
Click to expand...
yes, it can be lonely to hold your own beliefs.
I found i will not follow any organized groups because " labels" others seem so obsessed with labels and then telling me ....What I believe based on whatever label they assigned. I look around and see we are back in the dark ages of people making rash judgement on things they simply have not witnessed/ experienced or understand but have labeled.
 
One reason for refusing to reason, is a profound reverence for academic credentials, and an unqualified trust in the honesty of those holding those academic credentials. This leads to an inflexible assumption that any view contrary to theirs must be based on ignorance and wrong by default. Of course, this popular attitude invariably paralyzes critical thinking which subsequently leads to unproven and unprovable inanities being mindlessly announced as indisputable. Such a blind faith has led to many scientific hoaxes and conjectures based on hopeful thinking or just plain malicious manipulations gaining the gullible public's fanatical acceptance.
 
Last edited:
For so many people religion is just another aspect of their culture. To be integrated with their culture is what is important to them. It doesn't become the MAIN force in their lives, just another part of it. Follow isn't the right word for this behavior. It is more sociability IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JBR
Paco Dennis said:
For so many people religion is just another aspect of their culture. To be integrated with their culture is what is important to them. It doesn't become the MAIN force in their lives, just another part of it. Follow isn't the right word for this behavior. It is more sociability IMO.
Click to expand...
This made me think about the esteemed American national figure George Washington. The history of the two nations being different, in Canada he's not revered the way he is in the U.S. But nearly all Canadians have heard of him, and may know a few basic or interesting facts about the man.

I once read something about Washington's 'religion'. What I can bring to mind isn't very detailed, but what I recall is that he was a church-going Anglican (which in the modern U.S. is named Episcopalian) and a Mason. The biographical researcher who wrote what I'd read viewed the situation this way: Washington's basic religious beliefs were Masonic, and the social side of his religious practice was served by Anglicanism.
 
Mr. Ed said:
One reason is we assume authority figures know more than we do, so we follow them seeking wisdom from their teachings to someday think for ourselves.
Click to expand...

Oh goodie, another thread about religion - what could possibly go wrong? :D

But I'll surprise everyone by addressing this one sentence.

We live in crazy times where "authority" is used as a derogatory word. People seem to believe that as long as you have access to Google we're as informed as the experts in whatever field we're interested in. Being educated, and expert, in a topic just makes people suspicious. In short, we no longer respect education as a path to enlightenment in whatever topic we're thinking of.

So, minuscule theories, learned in a cursory way via some web article of Social Media post, is given equal standing with established authorities. Frankly, it's madness.

Take the Bible. Say what you want about Christianity (and I've said a lot!) the book itself has much to teach us. There are life lessons there that have stood the test of time, and are applicable to our every day lives. Not believing in a God doesn't diminish that. But be it any topic, if you're not willing to learn from those who are very knowledgeable (yes, experts) then you're doomed to having a superficial education.
 
People have an innate desire to fit in somewhere. It's a trait that aided humans in our survival as a species. So if possessing a certain belief or custom may lead to your ostracization from a group to which you belong, you're going to be reluctant to support and hold that belief. Similarly, if your group holds certain beliefs — no matter how bizarre or illogical — you're going to be inclined to go along.

Part of it is our proclivity to procreate. In groups, you're more likely to find a mate than if you're out on your own, wandering around in the woods. You're also more likely to survive conflicts if you're part of a group. Others will defend you and the group can fight more effectively than a single fighter — especially if you're fighting another group.

Terrorist organizations are known to recruit loners or troubled youths to carry out suicide bombings. They do so by offering a family-like environment — perhaps the only family or friends the targeted individuals have ever known. Doing so makes the (typically) young men willing to die for the group. I believe that was the case with the 9/11 terrorists who hijacked the planes and killed 5,000 people.

In conclusion, the reason people "follow" when they don't have to is often to fit in.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top