Conflicting beliefs, shared values
Published: Wed, 04/01/20
I am afraid I responded at one point by writing that there was no point in continuing any discussion as each person believed what they wanted to believe and we might as well just stick with whatever belief we feel most comfortable with. On reflection I realise that what people believe is not really the most important issue. Beliefs are important because people act on their beliefs and justify their actions, up to and including killing other people. What actually matters are the values a person holds to. It is usually quite easy to find out what someone believes, just ask them and listen and they will often tell you at great length what they believe. It is more difficult to discern the values that underlie the beliefs that are being expressed.
I am fairly sure that the people who commented on my link actually hold the same values as I do. A genuine and deep concern for the well-being of individual people and society as a whole. That value is then expressed in beliefs around what is best for people and for the wider community. The beliefs may be diametrically opposite but they actually reflect the same values.
When we had the Brexit referendum in 2016 (remember that?) the people I discussed the subject with again seemed to share a genuine value in wanting what was best for our country. Of course the belief varied but the value was essentially the same. It may well be that many people did not vote so much on whether leaving or remaining was the ‘right thing to do’ . Lets face it how can we know for sure? What we have been conditioned to value is democracy and this was such a clear cut exercise in democratic process that it would have been a waste not to vote for the radical option rather than the status quo. I would also suggest that when it came to the recent election it was clear that a great many people felt that value of the democratic result of the Brexit vote meant that it should be followed through. This may conflict with your beliefs about Brexit but we probably share a common valuing of the democratic process.
The scary part is that someone who supports your beliefs may well have very different values and thus be using sincerely held beliefs to serve a very different agenda. It is tricky giving ‘real time’ examples of this process in action. Perhaps the best one would be warfare where governments do their best to convince their people that theirs is a righteous struggle against tyranny and evil and all struggle and efforts are justified in winning that war. It is a commonly asked question. ‘How can both sides in, say, World War One , believe that God is on their side?’ Then answer is that the people on both sides have essentially the same values of patriotism, self-sacrifice and trust in their government. So, they believer their leaders when told that the enemy is the devil incarnate. Part of the anger against the Germans in 1914 was stirred up with completely untrue stories of raping nuns and bayoneting babies in Belgium. In 1916
the Germans made an offer of peace talks, just before the battle of the Somme which took well over 300,000 lives. The British and French public were never told of this approach maintaining a belief that the war had to be fought to the bitter end.
None of this is new. There is a level of consciousness which considers beliefs the most important thing and will fight and argue over those differences of opinion. If you know something that someone else does not know. Or you can see an outcome ahead that is likely to be disastrous then it is usually right to say so. However, if someone disagrees with you and demonstrates a very different belief look for the value they are holding to. If someone else is encouraging you in your belief and pushing you into action justified by that belief use some discernment on their values and agenda, you might well be being manipulated and used.
It is never easy to relate to someone who holds the same values as you do but believes something very different. It is tempting to argue or just keep away from them and stick with people who seem to agree with you. As someone who often has quite strong opinions I know how hard it can be. It isn’t just about breaking up relationships with people who are fundamentally on your side. It actually means that you can be manipulated into evil and destructive actions by those whose values are very different to yours.
Want to make a better world? Start by putting values ahead of beliefs. Cultivate discernment of true values and recognize the propaganda which drives dangerous beliefs. Acknowledge the values in others and consciously explore and develop your beliefs according to your real values. Discerning true value and letting go of beliefs will raise your level of consciousness.
regards
Graham
PS The reason I have practiced martial arts pretty much all my life is that body, mind and spirit training can push you onto a higher level of consciousness. My Principles Based Martial arts programme is intended to get you thinking as well as moving, check it out at http://pbma.iceandfire.org/