Re-evaluating my beliefs (comments welcome)

[SearchingForGod]

Well this is an awkward time in my life to be in. Basically, what has happened with me is that recently I stumbled across a certain part of YouTube. I found some conservative and anti-feminist YouTubers who I strongly disagreed with, but strangely enough I got consumed by my distaste and decided to watch more of their videos. Was it just to upset myself further? Probably. But as I was watching more videos, I found the ethical and political part of my mind stepping back and taking a closer look at what was being said. I think, in the end, that this was healthy of my brain to do.

I've been spending a lot of my time living in a vacuum, following only people I agree with on social media. I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with that, except that I wasn't willing to listen to anyone else's side or beliefs. I'd plug my ears or, once again, focus my energy on hating on them. Not the best way of conducting myself, if I do say so myself. So now I've started following people who believe in things that are different than what I believe and I've started taking more notice of my own beliefs and re-evaluating them.

I'm kind of scared that I'm going to switch to another political ideology, but at the same time, I'm kind of glad too. It's always refreshing to have a change of pace and, if this means that I'll be more able to listen to other sides of arguments, then this is a change that I welcome wholeheartedly. It means that I'm growing up some more, mentally, and if there's anything that I've been wishing for, it's been just that. Besides, I live in a more conservative family, so it would be nice if I had a little bit more that I agreed with them on... not that I think I'll ever agree with them completely, but oh well.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? If so, I'd love to hear them. Interacting on journals makes it feel less like I'm talking into a void, you know?

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Well this is an awkward time in my life to be in. Basically, what has happened with me is that recently I stumbled across a certain part of YouTube. I found some conservative and anti-feminist YouTubers who I strongly disagreed with, but strangely enough I got consumed by my distaste and decided to watch more of their videos. Was it just to upset myself further? Probably. But as I was watching more videos, I found the ethical and political part of my mind stepping back and taking a closer look at what was being said. I think, in the end, that this was healthy of my brain to do.
Anyone have any thoughts on this? If so, I'd love to hear them. Interacting on journals makes it feel less like I'm talking into a void, you know?

I am wondering how does one Searching For God find that on such YouTubers, when it's the Bible that is God's Word according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Why Not take a closer look at what the Bible really teaches.
Since the Bible is Not written in ABC order as a dictionary is, then we need to study or research the Bible by subject or topic arrangement. In that way we can get a complete picture of what the Bible really teaches. That way we can see if we agree or disagree with what the Bible teaches.

 

[Akivah]

Well this is an awkward time in my life to be in. Basically, what has happened with me is that recently I stumbled across a certain part of YouTube. I found some conservative and anti-feminist YouTubers who I strongly disagreed with, but strangely enough I got consumed by my distaste and decided to watch more of their videos. Was it just to upset myself further? Probably. But as I was watching more videos, I found the ethical and political part of my mind stepping back and taking a closer look at what was being said. I think, in the end, that this was healthy of my brain to do.

I've been spending a lot of my time living in a vacuum, following only people I agree with on social media. I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with that, except that I wasn't willing to listen to anyone else's side or beliefs. I'd plug my ears or, once again, focus my energy on hating on them. Not the best way of conducting myself, if I do say so myself. So now I've started following people who believe in things that are different than what I believe and I've started taking more notice of my own beliefs and re-evaluating them.

I'm kind of scared that I'm going to switch to another political ideology, but at the same time, I'm kind of glad too. It's always refreshing to have a change of pace and, if this means that I'll be more able to listen to other sides of arguments, then this is a change that I welcome wholeheartedly. It means that I'm growing up some more, mentally, and if there's anything that I've been wishing for, it's been just that. Besides, I live in a more conservative family, so it would be nice if I had a little bit more that I agreed with them on... not that I think I'll ever agree with them completely, but oh well.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? If so, I'd love to hear them. Interacting on journals makes it feel less like I'm talking into a void, you know?

You are to be congratulated for broadening your horizons. Self-reflection and changing cherished paradigms is a hard thing to do.

Don't be scared of switching political parties, it is a common occurrence over one's life. When one gains more experience and knowledge, many original beliefs may end up changing.

Good luck on your search.

 

[Nakosis]

Well this is an awkward time in my life to be in. Basically, what has happened with me is that recently I stumbled across a certain part of YouTube. I found some conservative and anti-feminist YouTubers who I strongly disagreed with, but strangely enough I got consumed by my distaste and decided to watch more of their videos. Was it just to upset myself further? Probably. But as I was watching more videos, I found the ethical and political part of my mind stepping back and taking a closer look at what was being said. I think, in the end, that this was healthy of my brain to do.

I've been spending a lot of my time living in a vacuum, following only people I agree with on social media. I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with that, except that I wasn't willing to listen to anyone else's side or beliefs. I'd plug my ears or, once again, focus my energy on hating on them. Not the best way of conducting myself, if I do say so myself. So now I've started following people who believe in things that are different than what I believe and I've started taking more notice of my own beliefs and re-evaluating them.

I'm kind of scared that I'm going to switch to another political ideology, but at the same time, I'm kind of glad too. It's always refreshing to have a change of pace and, if this means that I'll be more able to listen to other sides of arguments, then this is a change that I welcome wholeheartedly. It means that I'm growing up some more, mentally, and if there's anything that I've been wishing for, it's been just that. Besides, I live in a more conservative family, so it would be nice if I had a little bit more that I agreed with them on... not that I think I'll ever agree with them completely, but oh well.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? If so, I'd love to hear them. Interacting on journals makes it feel less like I'm talking into a void, you know?

What I find interesting is that the more one is exposed to a idea, the more reasonable it seems to become.

Some folks are really good at making their ideology seem reasonable. Not saying this is something sinister, just it seems if something is repeated often enough, this seems to reprogram our subconscious into finding it more and more reasonable. It even becomes part of your own thinking. So the more you hear it, the more reasonable it sounds to the point sometimes we no longer even think to question it.

 

[Sanzbir]

I love the internet for this reason.

I regularly listen to the viewpoints of a group of progressive socialists, an Irish conservative, a group of Canadians who are... I don't even really know, I guess "centrist" might be the best fit for them, a liberal commentator (who is sometimes prone to conspiracy talk but is one of the few people who talks about what's going on in American foreign policy these days), an oddball environmentalist libertarian occultist, a handful of various Kazakh journalists at the Astana Times, and a guy who rarely gives his opinions on anything but just reports what is happening and presents both sides. And a whole host of other characters.

I think out of all the people I listen to online talking about news and politics, there's only one guy I really agree with 100%, but the rest all make interesting and compelling points as well, and it's really nice to get the exposure to what other people think and why they believe what they believe.

 

[sun rise]

I think the search for areas of agreement is helpful and healthy. @Revoltingest and I are pretty opposite politically but every so often we agree on something, for example. But I would not renounce my beliefs to "fit in".

When it comes to terms like "anti feminist", my warning signs go up. I first would want to know what they mean by it. My "feminist" wife's philosophy rests on both of us being equal and that I need to respect her perspective as well as asking her to respect mine. That to me is very healthy. But maybe someone means something different such as being against men and women being fundamentally equal.

Another part of the picture is not "does it sound good" but "does it fit with the facts". There are too many that devalue facts these days, but some things have been tried over and over again and failed. One example is the "religious" belief in tax cuts which experience proves does not work. So to me the important idea is to listen skeptically but not dismissively.

 

[Revoltingest]

I think the search for areas of agreement is helpful and healthy. @Revoltingest and I are pretty opposite politically but every so often we agree on something, for example. But I would not renounce my beliefs to "fit in".

When it comes to terms like "anti feminist", my warning signs go up. I first would want to know what they mean by it. My "feminist" wife's philosophy rests on both of us being equal and that I need to respect her perspective as well as asking her to respect mine. That to me is very healthy. But maybe someone means something different such as being against men and women being fundamentally equal.

Another part of the picture is not "does it sound good" but "does it fit with the facts". There are too many that devalue facts these days, but some things have been tried over and over again and failed. One example is the "religious" belief in tax cuts which experience proves does not work. So to me the important idea is to listen skeptically but not dismissively.

Regarding taxation.....
- Too much is damaging, but too little is also.
- There are many ways to tax us, & each method has different effects due to incentives.
- The level of taxation can affect the culture of government for better or worse.
- One can take different societal goals as premises, & then reason which tax policy is optimum.
This doesn't mean one believes in the goals....but it's merely a game with rules.
Within the rules, what works best for one's own goals? This is how I can advocate
for single payer health care, which is something I'd oppose under a more libertarian
society & governmental structure.
- It pays to avoid being a true believer in some ideal which is at odds with reality.
By analogy, if I play chess, I think castling is a dumb rule....but it is what it is, & it must
be taken into account in strategizing.

 

[George-ananda]

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Yes, I think it is good to understand what the other sides position is even if we don't agree.

On RF I typically take the paranormal/spiritual position versus the so-called skeptics. One thing I do is listen to and read what skeptical people and skeptical websites are saying. This has very much increased my belief in the paranormal/spiritual as I know what the best arguments against it are saying and I still hold my position to be the correct one.

 

[shunyadragon]

Well this is an awkward time in my life to be in. Basically, what has happened with me is that recently I stumbled across a certain part of YouTube. I found some conservative and anti-feminist YouTubers who I strongly disagreed with, but strangely enough I got consumed by my distaste and decided to watch more of their videos. Was it just to upset myself further? Probably. But as I was watching more videos, I found the ethical and political part of my mind stepping back and taking a closer look at what was being said. I think, in the end, that this was healthy of my brain to do.

I've been spending a lot of my time living in a vacuum, following only people I agree with on social media. I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with that, except that I wasn't willing to listen to anyone else's side or beliefs. I'd plug my ears or, once again, focus my energy on hating on them. Not the best way of conducting myself, if I do say so myself. So now I've started following people who believe in things that are different than what I believe and I've started taking more notice of my own beliefs and re-evaluating them.

I'm kind of scared that I'm going to switch to another political ideology, but at the same time, I'm kind of glad too. It's always refreshing to have a change of pace and, if this means that I'll be more able to listen to other sides of arguments, then this is a change that I welcome wholeheartedly. It means that I'm growing up some more, mentally, and if there's anything that I've been wishing for, it's been just that. Besides, I live in a more conservative family, so it would be nice if I had a little bit more that I agreed with them on... not that I think I'll ever agree with them completely, but oh well.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? If so, I'd love to hear them. Interacting on journals makes it feel less like I'm talking into a void, you know?

Weird way to re-evaluate your beliefs. You tubing for the search of the reality of a fruiteful search for belief is like going down the numbing black hole of the bizzaro. You would have better luck checking out the phone numbers on the walls of bathroom stalls.

I recommend an honest and open minded search for alternatives, and the down to earth consequences of different world views. Getting a background in science, philosophy, and religion would help. Make a positive independent investigation of the possible choices.

go with the low the river knows . . .

 

[Revoltingest]

Well this is an awkward time in my life to be in. Basically, what has happened with me is that recently I stumbled across a certain part of YouTube. I found some conservative and anti-feminist YouTubers who I strongly disagreed with, but strangely enough I got consumed by my distaste and decided to watch more of their videos. Was it just to upset myself further? Probably. But as I was watching more videos, I found the ethical and political part of my mind stepping back and taking a closer look at what was being said. I think, in the end, that this was healthy of my brain to do.

I've been spending a lot of my time living in a vacuum, following only people I agree with on social media. I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with that, except that I wasn't willing to listen to anyone else's side or beliefs. I'd plug my ears or, once again, focus my energy on hating on them. Not the best way of conducting myself, if I do say so myself. So now I've started following people who believe in things that are different than what I believe and I've started taking more notice of my own beliefs and re-evaluating them.

I'm kind of scared that I'm going to switch to another political ideology, but at the same time, I'm kind of glad too. It's always refreshing to have a change of pace and, if this means that I'll be more able to listen to other sides of arguments, then this is a change that I welcome wholeheartedly. It means that I'm growing up some more, mentally, and if there's anything that I've been wishing for, it's been just that. Besides, I live in a more conservative family, so it would be nice if I had a little bit more that I agreed with them on... not that I think I'll ever agree with them completely, but oh well.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? If so, I'd love to hear them. Interacting on journals makes it feel less like I'm talking into a void, you know?

Echo chambers are stifling things.
Good for you.
Merit can often be found in thoughtful arguments on the opposite side of an issue.

 

[Geoff-Allen]

"My opinions may have changed but not the fact that I am right."

~ Ashleigh Brilliant



Best of luck!

 

[sayak83]

Weird way to re-evaluate your beliefs. You tubing for the search of the reality of a fruiteful search for belief is like going down the numbing black hole of the bizzaro. You would have better luck checking out the phone numbers on the walls of bathroom stalls.

I recommend an honest and open minded search for alternatives, and the down to earth consequences of different world views. Getting a background in science, philosophy, and religion would help. Make a positive independent investigation of the possible choices.

go with the low the river knows . . .

There's plenty of excellent channels on you tube as well.

 

[sayak83]

Well this is an awkward time in my life to be in. Basically, what has happened with me is that recently I stumbled across a certain part of YouTube. I found some conservative and anti-feminist YouTubers who I strongly disagreed with, but strangely enough I got consumed by my distaste and decided to watch more of their videos. Was it just to upset myself further? Probably. But as I was watching more videos, I found the ethical and political part of my mind stepping back and taking a closer look at what was being said. I think, in the end, that this was healthy of my brain to do.

I've been spending a lot of my time living in a vacuum, following only people I agree with on social media. I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with that, except that I wasn't willing to listen to anyone else's side or beliefs. I'd plug my ears or, once again, focus my energy on hating on them. Not the best way of conducting myself, if I do say so myself. So now I've started following people who believe in things that are different than what I believe and I've started taking more notice of my own beliefs and re-evaluating them.

I'm kind of scared that I'm going to switch to another political ideology, but at the same time, I'm kind of glad too. It's always refreshing to have a change of pace and, if this means that I'll be more able to listen to other sides of arguments, then this is a change that I welcome wholeheartedly. It means that I'm growing up some more, mentally, and if there's anything that I've been wishing for, it's been just that. Besides, I live in a more conservative family, so it would be nice if I had a little bit more that I agreed with them on... not that I think I'll ever agree with them completely, but oh well.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? If so, I'd love to hear them. Interacting on journals makes it feel less like I'm talking into a void, you know?

Watch but verify.

 

[shunyadragon]

There's plenty of excellent channels on you tube as well.

You tube has no distinguishing criteria.

 

[sun rise]

Regarding taxation.....
- Too much is damaging, but too little is also.
- There are many ways to tax us, & each method has different effects due to incentives.
- The level of taxation can affect the culture of government for better or worse.
- One can take different societal goals as premises, & then reason which tax policy is optimum.
This doesn't mean one believes in the goals....but it's merely a game with rules.
Within the rules, what works best for one's own goals? This is how I can advocate
for single payer health care, which is something I'd oppose under a more libertarian
society & governmental structure.
- It pays to avoid being a true believer in some ideal which is at odds with reality.
By analogy, if I play chess, I think castling is a dumb rule....but it is what it is, & it must
be taken into account in strategizing.

You are close to making my kind of sense again. Stop it now before you lose your hard-earned reputation.

 

[Revoltingest]

You are close to making my kind of sense again. Stop it now before you lose your hard-earned reputation.

We should import more dingos.

 

[sun rise]

We should import more dingos.

We have enough dingbats for any and all purposes.

 

[Laika]

Well this is an awkward time in my life to be in. Basically, what has happened with me is that recently I stumbled across a certain part of YouTube. I found some conservative and anti-feminist YouTubers who I strongly disagreed with, but strangely enough I got consumed by my distaste and decided to watch more of their videos. Was it just to upset myself further? Probably. But as I was watching more videos, I found the ethical and political part of my mind stepping back and taking a closer look at what was being said. I think, in the end, that this was healthy of my brain to do.

I've been spending a lot of my time living in a vacuum, following only people I agree with on social media. I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with that, except that I wasn't willing to listen to anyone else's side or beliefs. I'd plug my ears or, once again, focus my energy on hating on them. Not the best way of conducting myself, if I do say so myself. So now I've started following people who believe in things that are different than what I believe and I've started taking more notice of my own beliefs and re-evaluating them.

I'm kind of scared that I'm going to switch to another political ideology, but at the same time, I'm kind of glad too. It's always refreshing to have a change of pace and, if this means that I'll be more able to listen to other sides of arguments, then this is a change that I welcome wholeheartedly. It means that I'm growing up some more, mentally, and if there's anything that I've been wishing for, it's been just that. Besides, I live in a more conservative family, so it would be nice if I had a little bit more that I agreed with them on... not that I think I'll ever agree with them completely, but oh well.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? If so, I'd love to hear them. Interacting on journals makes it feel less like I'm talking into a void, you know?

I'm going through the same thing at the moment as I re-evaluate my political beliefs. It is a little scary because its so closely connected with identity and can therefore feel pretty threatening. But in the long-run it is much better to be aware of what other people think and to learn to "agree to disagree" and co-exist. RF is diverse for religious views but is a bit of a liberal-left bubble as the political compass results show. Conservatives and Libertarians do have a foothold here, but almost any kind of authoritarianism is non-existent so political debates fall into patterns.

It is worth looking up a political ideology on Wikipedia and finding out who the big thinkers are for it. You can then maybe read an essay or book by them and see what you think. This is often a short-cut to understanding their beliefs better as most people typically can't think or debate at a high level. If you were trying to understand a religion, you'd go to the primary sources like the Bible or the Qur'an. A similar approach can be useful for politics. It depends how much you like reading really.

As @sayak83 put it "watch but verify" as Youtube is a very effective propaganda medium. it focuses on how you "feel" without actually getting you to think that deeply.

 

[sayak83]

Well this is an awkward time in my life to be in. Basically, what has happened with me is that recently I stumbled across a certain part of YouTube. I found some conservative and anti-feminist YouTubers who I strongly disagreed with, but strangely enough I got consumed by my distaste and decided to watch more of their videos. Was it just to upset myself further? Probably. But as I was watching more videos, I found the ethical and political part of my mind stepping back and taking a closer look at what was being said. I think, in the end, that this was healthy of my brain to do.

I've been spending a lot of my time living in a vacuum, following only people I agree with on social media. I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with that, except that I wasn't willing to listen to anyone else's side or beliefs. I'd plug my ears or, once again, focus my energy on hating on them. Not the best way of conducting myself, if I do say so myself. So now I've started following people who believe in things that are different than what I believe and I've started taking more notice of my own beliefs and re-evaluating them.

I'm kind of scared that I'm going to switch to another political ideology, but at the same time, I'm kind of glad too. It's always refreshing to have a change of pace and, if this means that I'll be more able to listen to other sides of arguments, then this is a change that I welcome wholeheartedly. It means that I'm growing up some more, mentally, and if there's anything that I've been wishing for, it's been just that. Besides, I live in a more conservative family, so it would be nice if I had a little bit more that I agreed with them on... not that I think I'll ever agree with them completely, but oh well.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? If so, I'd love to hear them. Interacting on journals makes it feel less like I'm talking into a void, you know?

By the way, if you have a specific topic in mind then me (and others) can link good you tube videos.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

"My opinions may have changed but not the fact that I am right." ~ Ashleigh Brilliant

I suppose, in a sense, Jesus changed in that the religious leaders of his day valued their own opinions over Scripture.
Those religious leaders did Not change the fact that Jesus was right. Since Jesus and his followers were always neutral in the political affairs of the world, they did Not even become involved nor take any sides in the issues of the day between the Jews and the Romans but always remained neutral.