Following on from the previous blog, another piece of (non-religious) advice! It pays to avoid actions based on beliefs which are based on further beliefs. We are all liable to make this mistake. A simple example is trusting the advice of someone whom we believe, without evidence, is honest. A false belief based on false belief. Do not, uncritically, accept the advice of a real estate agent or used car salesman no matter how trustworthy you believe they are – they do not have the same goals as you.
History is full of examples of beliefs which led to other beliefs and dreadful actions. A recent classic example is Nazism. Hitler promoted the belief in the superiority of the German ‘race’ which led to the further belief that other peoples were inferior, sub-human, including those who were disabled, and therefore could be destroyed. Racism is based on the false belief that some people – usually white northern Europeans and their descendants, are superior to those with black, brown and yellow skins, and this leads to the belief that non-whites are inferior and can be treated in an inferior way. A similar false thinking is at the basis of sexism and the abuse of women by men.
And this leads me back to religion and other strongly held beliefs. It is the right of everyone to hold certain religious or political beliefs if they provide guidelines for surviving the rigours of living, no matter if they contradict the beliefs of others. However problems arise when a strongly held personal belief leads to the further belief that it is then OK to attack those who do not agree with oneself. In the past, too many people and populations were persecuted and died because their beliefs were not in agreement with those of the majority. Our modern world provides many other current examples.
Actions need to be based on facts, not on beliefs supported by other beliefs. A tent is not a reliable shelter in a gale when it is pitched on sand.
An old codger's comments 