Faith, Belief, and Truth
Written for The Stoic Magazine
The storming of the United States Capitol with its mob violence and wonton destruction on January 6 sadly showcased the power of “The Big Lie” in action. “The Big Lie,” perpetrated by Hitler, Goebbels, and others during WWII means that if you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually believe it and act on it.
In the wake of the Washington siege many are wondering “how could those people do that?” It’s nice to think otherwise, but we aren’t that different from the marauders. Unchecked, anyone’s thinking can become beclouded, loosing the distinction between blind faith, belief, and truth.
We like to think we come to our personal beliefs by independently: that we inform ourselves as best we can and arrive at our conclusions based on considered, dispassionate appraisal. But, I know when I take an honest look at myself, my views and my values prove to be almost completely congruent with those of my friends, my community, and with my upbringing, because we pretty much only let into our lives people and media who confirm our biases.
When our minds are roiled up and we are imbibing a steady stream of information fanning our fears and mirroring our prejudices, it is hard to avoid having our view of the world and of other people petrify. We really think we’re right. We are scandalized by the behavior, beliefs, and words of others. Yet everyone else feels the same way!
When our view of others and ourselves hardens, complacency expands, empathy dissipates, and we can’t hear other points of view. Of course, we have to affirm our personal moral convictions and live from them. And, heaven knows not all points of view are equally good. The important thing is to be alert to the dangers of unbridled reaction and unexamined belief that pose as truth-based conviction.
Since an untrained mind easily mixes up faith, belief, and truth, it is wise to practice self-scrutiny by regularly focussing our attention inward and pausing from the blaring world.
This simple action of regular retreat and contemplation can open us to vast expanses of possibility and moral reframing. The practice of reeling in our attention from all the external events and conditions that whipsaw our hearts and minds helps us see the transitory nature of our current situations and the elevated possibility that whatever is happening out there can be marshaled somehow for goodness and meaningfulness.
A regular practice of settling and training our minds in spiritual and moral contemplation offers us a way of living in the world with joy alongside ethical action. For society to be decent, orderly, and kind, not just driven by impulse, we need clear-minded citizens.
Committing to practicing moral introspection grows our character and clears our thinking so that we can play our part in making a just and joyful world.
Copyright © 2021 by Sharon Lebell
