RE: Daily Discussion No. 10: Where Do Your Beliefs COME From? Interactive Exercise!
Thanks @denmarkguy,
Much of my Religious beliefs were introduced to me via family tradition. As I got older though, I was really disconnected from it. And begin to read unbiased sources and came to the Conclusion for me at least what seemed to me the most "believable", based on the evidence. So that's what I practice and believe within my own little family now., even though I still question things.( Christian Protestant, Methodist)
My political beliefs are really not based on any family tradition. My mother is a hard core liberal, Democrat and my Dad is a die hard staunch Republican ( go figure as they have been married 62 years this June lol). I kind of have both liberal and conservative values but refuse to formally identify with any Party.
I think recently my political beliefs ( and humanity beliefs as well) have been swayed by my emotions. Particularly the emotion of Empathy. As I have gotten older one of my top tier values is really embracing the 'underdog' and disenfranchised in society. And just really standing by them using my voice whenever I can to support them and trying to encourage those around me to do the same.
Thanks for the thoughtful response @robertandrew!
Much of what I believe-- across the board-- is the result of personal study and observation. Very little was passed along to me; I was not substantially indoctrinated into any particular beliefs. My parents were primarily conservative but in no way religious. Any identification I have with a preset religious or political doctrine is mostly coincidental... but I do tend to believe in "possibilities."
I would say that I am guided by a sort of "selfish altruism;" that is, I seek whatever path seems to be of the greatest benefit to both the "WE" and "ME" at the same time... losely based in a "do no harm" core.