What is a belief? The dictionary defines it as an opinion or conviction, something that is not readily susceptible to rigorous proof. I like that, something that is “not readily susceptible to rigorous proof.” In other words, you can say it but you usually can’t prove it. I have a lot of beliefs, most of which I can’t prove and I certainly don't think they'd hold up to "rigorous proof." So, as an experiment, I thought it would be interesting to go a week without beliefs to see if I was capable of being beliefless (yes, I know you believe this is not really a word, I can’t help that).
The first challenge came quickly. I was watching cable news when a politician I don’t like at all was making some sort of inane comment about health care. Immediately, I was taking sides against this lady, she didn’t know what she was talking about, she didn’t have all the facts. Suddenly, I remembered I was beliefless, and so I just listened quietly. It was hard, my mind wanted to formulate an opinion and fight against her, but I didn’t let it.
At the bank drive through window I had a belief that the man in front of me was doing too much banking for the ATM and was being rude, but then I remembered I didn’t have any beliefs so I waited patiently. He left shortly thereafter, and overall I was much less aggravated than usual.
Later in the week one of my friends didn’t call me back and I started to believe that perhaps he was angry about our last conversation, but then I remembered I didn’t have any beliefs about anything and quickly forgot about it. The next day he called, he was out of town. I’m glad I didn’t follow that belief too far.
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At work someone offered an opinion that I felt was preposterous, I was about to offer a few counterpoints when I remembered the whole non-belief thing. Instead of arguing, I nodded my head a few times in a non-committal way and walked on without much comment. The person looked a little perplexed, apparently expecting a fight.
Sometimes I forgot I didn’t have any beliefs and found myself believing things with deep emotion and conviction. Interestingly enough, I noticed that strong belief was usually followed by feelings of annoyance and aggravation – usually because someone disagreed with my beliefs. Believing was turning out to be a lot more stressful than non-believing.
The week ended, I had found it nearly impossible to be beliefless for longer than a few moments at a time. We humans have a desperate need to have the world understood and categorized at all times, mostly because our very existence on this planet is so mysterious that we believe hard and fast rules will make life less frightening. Beliefs are just a way to pretend we actually know what is going on when we don’t. They’re comforting little lies that we tell ourselves. Or are they?
I don't know, but maybe you shouldn't believe anything you just read.
Jeffrey Mindell can be reached at jmindell@gmail.com |
