“I don't know if God exists, but it would be better for His reputation if He didn't.”  Jules Renard

Belief is an attitude and an outlook toward the world. It is a subjective mental state that shapes our opinions and feelings and ultimately influences our decisions and behavior. Our beliefs affect how we view people, work, money, relationships, life, and God. Belief is a sensitive subject because it touches the very core of who we believe we are. The direction our lives take, the decisions we make, and the way we behave are all influenced by what we believe. Yet we are not born with a belief system. We gradually acquire and develop our beliefs as we move through life. A six-month-old child does not yet have a system of beliefs. However, the child instinctively recognizes that their mother is a source of safety and comfort. This instinct is built into all of us, including animals. When wild animals are consistently fed by someone, for example, they learn that the person is safe and may continue to return. The basic concepts of safety and danger, or what is good and what is harmful, are therefore deeply rooted in conscious beings as mechanisms for survival. As we grow and experience life, however, these basic instincts develop into a much more complex personal belief system. Our beliefs are shaped by the stories we hear, the culture and region in which we grow up, the news and information we consume, our positive and negative life experiences, our education, workplace culture, friendships, the people we admire and look up to, superstitions passed down to us, and our religious or spiritual traditions. The most devastating beliefs, however, are those we hold about ourselves. Limiting and negative beliefs can undermine our confidence, hinder our growth, and contribute to feelings of despair and discouragement. In contrast, positive and empowering beliefs can inspire and motivate us, strengthen our sense of purpose, and set our lives on a more productive and fulfilling path.

Religion

Religions have always played a significant role in shaping people’s beliefs, values, and understanding of the world. In many cases, the philosophy and religion that people follow influence and shape their view of life. Among the world’s major religions are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. At the foundation of many religions is a belief in a supernatural power or reality. Christianity is based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, as described in the New Testament. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he is the Savior and Lord. Islam is based on the teachings of the Quran, which Muslims believe was revealed by God. The prophet of Islam is Muhammad. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, around the 5th century BCE. The central goal of Buddhism is to overcome suffering and escape the cycle of rebirth by achieving liberation, or nirvana. Hinduism encompasses several major schools of philosophy, including Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mīmāṃsā, and Vedanta. Together, these traditions contribute to the rich philosophical and spiritual development of Hinduism. To understand a religion, it is important to examine its various components individually. These components come together to form a religion’s traditions, culture, values, and understanding of the world, often referred to as its worldview. Some of the major components of religion include:  

• The scriptures and sacred texts of the religion

• Its various beliefs, doctrines, and teachings

• The rituals and practices followed by its members

• The moral principles and values it prescribes

• The history and development of religion

• Its stories, myths, and sacred traditions

• Its cosmology and creation stories

• Its philosophy of salvation or liberation

• Its sacred and holy places

• Its festivals, celebrations, and feasts

Examining each of these elements provides a deeper understanding of how a religion influences the beliefs, behaviors, values, culture, and worldview of its followers.

Spirituality & Mysticism

Within established religions, there are individuals who have distanced themselves from formal religious institutions and chosen a different path known as spirituality or mysticism. Mysticism has existed within the major world religions since their earliest beginnings. Religion generally focuses on external practices, such as studying religious texts, following traditions, and performing rituals. The purpose of religious practice is often to live a pious life, prepare for the afterlife, and ultimately be in the presence of God. Mysticism, however, takes a more inward approach. Through meditation, contemplation, and other spiritual practices, mystics seek to experience ultimate reality directly, here and now. While spirituality and mysticism are closely related, there are some differences between them. Modern spirituality often emphasizes personal growth, self-discovery, mindfulness, and living a more meaningful life. In this sense, it can be viewed as a more accessible or simplified form of traditional mystical practice. According to mystical traditions, God does not necessarily exist as a separate being somewhere outside of us. Instead, mystics believe that the divine can be experienced directly within oneself. For mystics, intellectual knowledge or the study of religious texts alone is not sufficient; the ultimate goal is direct personal experience of the divine. Traditional mystical practice involves a spiritual teacher or guide, a dedicated disciple, the repetition of sacred words, chanting, contemplation, meditation, altered states of consciousness, and, ultimately, the experience of union between the individual soul and the Divine.

WHAT IS BELIEFS & RELIGIONS

PREPARATION

Start by listening to the audio session, then watch the short video(s).

GUIDED SESSION

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Illogical Belief. Nathan Salmon. Philosophical Perspectives. Ridgeview Publishing Company. Philosophy of Mind and Action Theory. Vol. 3. P 243-285. 1989.

The science of belief: A progress report. Nicolas Porot et.al. Wires Cognitive Science. V.12, Issue2. 2020.

Belief. Robert A. Orsi. Material Religion. The Journal of Objects, Art and Belief. V. 7, 2011 - Issue 1. P. 10-16. 2015.

The Measurement of Belief. Patrick Suppes. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. V. 36, Issue2. P. 160-175. 1974.

Belief systems today. Donald R. Kinder. A Journal of Politics and Society. V. 18, 2006 - Issue 1-3. P. 197-216. 2008.

The psychology of belief. Lund, F. H. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 20(1), 63–81; 174–195. 1925.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH