Popular Beliefs Define How We Act

An explanation of the cause and effect of our popular beliefs and misconceptions

How much of what we believe comes from our own heart and mind? How much is actually a product of popular belief in society? How much comes from our family and friends? How much is influenced by what Oprah (or whoever) said? Some of this is actually normal. What we think of as our own belief system is actually made up of all of the influences and experiences that surround us. Everything that touches our lives will leave an imprint of some kind. This can’t help but color our beliefs and actions. Still, there can be a tendency for a group mentality and conformity that threatens to harm our individuality. How much of our actions are motivated by something or someone outside of ourselves?

It’s an interesting thing to wonder how much of what we say we believe is really a part of our own belief system and how much is drawn from an outside source. Another interesting exercise is to look at how people act on their beliefs based on the perceived popularity of their beliefs in the general population so as to avoid confrontation. If you are against the war in Iraq, but sitting in a room full of military supporters you may not feel as comfortable expressing your beliefs openly. If you are surrounded by like-minded individuals you generally feel much freer to be vocal about what you believe. So much do we crave approval, we will censor ourselves and perhaps even ultimately adapt our own beliefs strictly to fit in with the crowd. When does the path of least resistance become a dangerous thing? Has it already?

Here’s another point to ponder: how many people believing in something that is wrong will make it become right? It should be that no amount of misconception will turn false into true. However, consider some of the slang words and misused vocabulary that became so much a part of common language that they were added to the dictionary. This happens every year despite the fact that many people find it to be wrong. Is it right or wrong, though? One on side of things, the mangled words shouldn’t become “legal” if they are grammatically (or otherwise) incorrect. On the other hand, if enough people use the words, perhaps they should be in the dictionary after all.

Now, apply that same thought to belief structures. How many people who believe in something that isn’t actually true will make it true? How many does it take for you?

The influence of popular opinion on the beliefs and actions of most people is pretty astonishing. Certainly we are influenced by other people, and trends and activities. At a certain level, though, doesn’t it make sense that our thoughts should really belong to us? Wouldn’t you think that our actions should be fully ours? Continue your life of self-awareness, and keep an open and loving mind. Strive to live a fully authentic life so that the popular beliefs in society will not overwhelm the truth of what we believe in our souls.