The Role of Religion in our Belief Systems

Today is Sunday, so I am going to ruminate on one area of our Belief Systems which most hold sacred-- not open to question.

But, first, I want to touch again on what Belief Systems are. As indicated, "Belief Systems" are systems first and foremost, i.e., interconnected. As we go through life, we develop our individual belief systems. As we do so, most individuals integrate the new information they take in by comparing it with what is already part of the system. As we grow older, our systems become more and more set/established so that it becomes automatic to allow in, or reject new information.

There are exceptions to this. In order to reduce dissonance, many will develop split belief systems; this is particularly evident in the highly "educated," (programmed). A favorite story in this regard is one told me by a former "boss" of mine. A wonderfully open-minded friend, who had grown up in Utah, and, thus, been raised as a Mormon. Mormons and the Mormon Church, are, in themselves, a very interesting study. A motto of the Mormon Church runs, loosely, "the glorification of the mind, is the glorification of God." Mormons are required to attend "Sunday School," (indoctrination in a religion) into adulthood.

The story: This took place when my friend was attending one of the many Mormon Universities. He said that one of his Professors at the University also happened to be his, and many of the other students', Sunday School Teacher. (I don't remember what subject was being taught.) He said that, when the Professor would be teaching something or other, one or other of the students would raise his/her hand and say, "but, Professor, in Sunday School you said,...

Apparently, the Professor had segregated his Sunday Belief System, from his intellectually acquired Belief System.

Higher education brings about many such conflicts within newly forming personal belief systems. Students will bring home these teachings and share them with family members, thus discovering that this stirs up many heated discussions. I know I did this when I was pursuing a formal education; particularly in the area of psychology.

Universities and Colleges have changed greatly over my lifetime, very few are now engaged in providing a "liberal" education, most have, instead, become glorified Vocational Schools, giving out Degrees in various Professions which will enable their students to "earn a living." (Can't have these kids learning how to think, don't you know!)

One of the things taught in Liberal, (even the idea/word makes many turn apoplectic these days) Art's Schools was a course in Comparative Religions. Comparing the various religions of the world is a worthwhile pursuit, but only a tiny step, toward examining your own belief system--start with your own. This would be a good place to start a Journal. What was your parents religion, (usually not chosen, but born into)? How did they practice it when you were growing up, etc., etc. By doing this you will be gaining practice in examining other fundamental beliefs in your system. Religion is, indeed, a "fundamental" (basic, underlying, foundation, structure) aspect of Belief Systems.

In the United States, it is rare to find anyone who does not have, at least, a general knowledge of religious teachings of some sort. Many years ago, I had a friend whom I had known for quite awhile, when she mentioned that she had been visited in her home by a member of those who distribute the "Awake" literature. She began to tell me about what this person had been telling her. (This proselytizer had found fertile ground for her message.) I was amazed to learn that my friend had not gained even the slightest education in basic religious beliefs! A real rarity!

In the small town I grew up in Northern Minnesota there were a number of different Church denominations. I had chosen to start going to one in particular, during my high school years, as my parents did not attend church. The primary reason for this, as I recall, was that that church offered a number of activities for young people. Being a small town, other than school events, there were few, acceptable, activities for maturing young people to involve themselves in. Schoolmates, who were members of other churches, would come to those events, (hay rides and such) and talk about the trouble they would be in for having attended. One friend, for example, belonged to a church that forbade dancing, and the wearing of lipstick; another would have to go to "Confession," as a result of having attended an event at another Church.

So, this Sunday, I urge you to examine your own religious beliefs; how you obtained them; how you learned about conflicting beliefs, how strongly you hold your own beliefs, etc., etc.

So, I end my Sunday Ruminations.

Shirley Gallup