Question My Beliefs, Question Yours

Last updated on: January 24, 2018 at 1:32 pm by Bekah Evie Bel

Question My Beliefs, Question Yours 2018-01-24T13:32:49+10:00 Bekah Evie Bel

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I have never understood why people get upset when their beliefs are questioned. When someone starts trying to show you why your beliefs and opinions are wrong, and why their own is right, why is this so horrible?

I think it’s all about doubt. For some people, when their beliefs are questioned, they are suddenly confronted by the possibility of their beliefs being wrong. The idea of having to face this in their own head, the idea of asking those questions of themselves, is frightening. What if you are wrong? What if you get told something or think deeply about something and you realise your beliefs are wrong?

I think this is also one of the reasons some people feel the need to constantly preach their beliefs to everyone, to yell to the masses that their beliefs are right. If you yell loud enough, surely it means you believe, surely it proves you have no doubts.

Doubt is scary, because to doubt is question is to possibly discover you are wrong. And if you are wrong, what happens next? What will you do with your life then?

Crossroads

There is always a path to take. Public domain, pixabay.

It’s odd to me. I like when people question my beliefs. I even like when I discover I am wrong, because by finding out I am wrong I get to try to discover the real truth. I would much rather have true beliefs than ones I cling to in desperation that turn out to be wrong, a waste of time. I have learned a lot through people questioning my beliefs and assumptions. I think it’s a great thing to confront your beliefs and question them thoroughly.

I suspect this is mostly because I was raised Agnostic, raised to question everything (even my teachers, much to their dismay).

And being forced to question your beliefs doesn’t necessarily mean that your beliefs will be proved wrong, sometimes it has the opposite effect. Sometimes, reading or listening to the bullshit that comes out of your detractors mouth causes your beliefs to solidify, to become stronger – lessening the possibility of doubt. When people question your beliefs, when you question your beliefs, and you come out the other side with those beliefs intact – you come through stronger, knowing your beliefs can weather the storms others will throw at them.

So those are two of the things that can happen when your beliefs are confronted and questioned. You can come to the realisation they are wrong beliefs, and therefore begin the road to finding better beliefs. Or you can come through and realise your beliefs are right, you become stronger and less doubtful.

Doubt is a good thing. Doubt can lead you to something better.

This is not to say that being questioned is always a good thing. Sometimes you are just not in the mood for debate or deep philosophical or political or religious discussions. Sometimes you just want to sit on the couch and watch Adventure Time and wonder if Bubbline is real or not. Sometimes you want to watch Game of Thrones and make bets with yourself as to who will die next. Sometimes you just want waste your entire night reading Damn You Autocorrect. Obviously being questioned on your beliefs is a right time, right place, right mood, sort of thing.

But when you are in the mood to debate or enter the deep discussions – don’t be afraid of the questions that make you doubtful. Welcome them, welcome the questions, welcome the doubt and welcome the outcome of the answers. Sometimes there are no answers, and that’s just as much fun. Because then you get to start looking for the answers. And who doesn’t love a good mystery?

So question my beliefs. Question yours. Ask the big things, the small things. Ask. Never be afraid of the answer, because it will likely lead you to something better.

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