Belief systems are normal and useful (to a point). They provide the basic frames of reference by which we learn and organize our thoughts and expereiences. There are many different belief systems constructed for various purposes

We each have many belief systems interwoven into an individually unique tapestry. Perhaps we might call this a “Personal World View.” We acquire our individual beliefs in various ways. Some primary sources include cultural cues in our family and society, explicit teaching at home, school or elsewhere; in social, political or religious associations; and books, movies, music and other media.

What makes a set of assumptions, beliefs, and “rules” into a “Belief System?”

This website will explore that question and the way we construct or simply accept various beliefs and belief systems — usually very subtly.  It will seek to explain how we can become trapped by our beliefs and belief systems and how we can escape the traps, to operate as autonomous individuals with “open” belief systems that help guide us, but don’t control or limit us.

We will further discuss why we would want to escape.  Some might argue that it is better to adapt to the prevailing cultural norms and beliefs than to venture beyond what is established. 

Finally, we will explore what it looks like to “break free” of “belief system illusions.” How will that change my own life and my relationships with those around me. 

To prevent confusion, it is VERY important to make clear one fundamental assumption behind the underlying purpose of this website and its discussions. That is: We assume that, regardless of what any of us believes about it, there is ONE reality that is shared by all conscious — and unconscious — beings. This means that we reject various popular notions about reality that lead to relativism or nihilism. These generally boil down to an idea that reality is what we believe it to be (my belief = reality). This idea quickly leads to relativism, and then on to nihilism. Philosophies that posit that anybody’s beliefs represent their reality — and that each one of those “individual realities” is just as “true” (or “real”) as anybody else’s belief-based reality, must eventually lead to one logical conclusion: the impossibility of any actual reality outside of one’s own mind; that nothing is knowable or that the whole idea of “reality” is absurd. 

Instead, we hold that a person’s beliefs do not CREATE or DEFINE reality; but rather, those beliefs are a personal method of interpreting a reality that DOES exist, independent of those beliefs. Conversely, the fact that someone holds a belief that something is true or real can never be used to discount the reality believed in.  A skeptic may say: “You just believe that is true. Beliefs are fantasies.” That statement implies a denial of a fact in question, simply because someone believes it to be a fact. The truth is there is no way to determine the fact by whether people believe it to be a fact or not. Beliefs are mere representations. They do not exist independent of the believer. But the facts do. Facts stand free of beliefs and belief systems.

Finally, we will fully disclose another assumption of the authors that has probably already become apparent. We operate under the working assumption that we live in a cosmos that has been designed and created by an intelligent and loving being of unimaginable majesty and goodness.  This being has been recognized in nearly every culture since the dawn of human history and has been given the titles “The Great Spirit,” “God” and other similar designations. Although we express this as a “belief” in our ever-adapting belief system, we assert that the belief reflects a reality as we have experienced it. ONLY because of personal experience (our own and that of countless others of whom we trust) that we conclude this to be real and true.  As part of the landscape of reality that we have seen and travelled ourselves, we include this understanding as an important factor for daily living in our “daily operating manual” or roadmap (our operating belief system).