Are Your Beliefs Wasted If Not Everyone Agrees With It ?

I get this question all the time for throwing away my vote in the 2016 election for voting for Gary Johnson and the Libertarian party.

Also applies across the board on my religious beliefs, my bigfoot and ufo beliefs. Paranormal and so many other things.

I have never really followed the normal way of thinking, just pretend to. I see things for what they are , and asking many questions of those things on the fringe.

Like religion, for instance. My mom drug me to church every sunday, did bible school , even sang in the choir and was an acolyte . But, when I became of age, say around 14, I saw the hypocrisy, and never went again.
Around the time I was reading about ufo's , aliens and bigfoot. Also heavy into Jules Verne and H.G Wells. Dune was my favorite by Frank Herbert.


I never threw my vote away because I have a belief that, one day, people will realize there is a better way of government . Less government, more freedom.

So, am I a waste of a vote, or voting my conscience and my beliefs , not following the norm ?

a reply to: Groot

So, am I a waste of a vote, or voting my conscience and my beliefs , not following the norm ?

No.

Just because your personal beliefs are not shared by a "majority" does not make you a non-person.

To the contrary... it makes you a unique individual.

Which we all should strive to be, especially if you are an American, given the right by our founders by law to be exactly that.

Wanting to be "normal" is ingrained in all of us... wanting to conform to societal norms.

Nobody who was ever of consequence in the history of our planet was a conformist, however.

YOU are someone who is curious, has questions that are not supposed to be asked and you are looking for knowledge.

You are unique in a world filled with the mundane, the accepted, the "norm".

Never want to be "normal".



ETA... Gary F###ing Johnson.

You would think that the Libertarian party would have found a candidate that at least could coherently frame the debate for Libertarianism.

I'm all for the political platform, but would like... I dunno... someone that makes a better argument other then free weed, hookers and a bigger Federal government.

a reply to: Groot

No, the political system needs people to be true to themselves.

Unfortunately, it is hard to 'sell' a great variety of ideas and opinions, so the media stick in a comfortable, and for them, profitable rut.

But really, Trump or Biden as the only choice?

a reply to: chr0naut

But really, Trump or Biden as the only choice?

We generally have 10-12 choices here in America for the Presidential election.

The Socialist Party USA is gaining traction now that Bernie sold out again...

Let me help you here... WIKI minor and independent parties USA

So don't know where you are going with that....

originally posted by: chr0naut
a reply to: Groot

No, the political system needs people to be true to themselves.
Unfortunately, it is hard to 'sell' a great variety of ideas and opinions, so the media stick in a comfortable, and for them, profitable rut. But really, Trump or Biden as the only choice?

Trump = a supernatural being (INSERT) to save the federation
Biden = cloth hand puppet being used by others for nefarious reasons.
You know you are being 'sold' a bill of goods by carpetbaggers (they want your money) as soon as a 'belief system' idea is tossed around. Why would you accept another's take on reality as more valid than your own? Belief systems are designed to render you incapable of thinking for yourself and accepting another's truth (NOT YOUR OWN).

I think it's a great thing to have your own set of beliefs. I think where many people have issues is when they can't take criticism of their beliefs.

Because beliefs are a central part of who we are.

When someone disagrees with something we hold to be true it can feel like a personal attack.

For instance I believe that if someone is going to speak about their beliefs they need to be able to articulate what it is they believe in; while speaking with their own mind.

Whenever I hear someone saying they believe such and such and it's practically verbatim what you would hear from a media outlet, activist cause, or religious dogma then that isn't thinking for yourself.

I don't ever want to hear anyone tell me they believe something because someone else told them to.

I want to hear people tell me what they believe because of what they themselves have witnessed, observed, or experienced and then went and actually did some research.

ETA... Gary F###ing Johnson.

You would think that the Libertarian party would have found a candidate that at least could coherently frame the debate for Libertarianism.

I'm all for the political platform, but would like... I dunno... someone that makes a better argument other then free weed, hookers and a bigger Federal government.

LOL ! Spot on !

We just need something better than what's on the table. There is no choice anymore, really.

a reply to: AutomateThis1

Exactly this .....

I don't ever want to hear anyone tell me they believe something because someone else told them to.

I want to hear people tell me what they believe because of what they themselves have witnessed, observed, or experienced and then went and actually did some research.

originally posted by: Groot
a reply to: AutomateThis1

Groot:
I don't ever want to hear anyone tell me they believe something because someone else told them to.
I want to hear people tell me what they believe because of what they themselves have witnessed, observed, or experienced and then went and actually did some research.

Spiritual growth has to include the first person/individual experience in order to be valid (your individual point of view); not hearsay/overlay of an idea or product of another's belief system foisted upon you to believe in ideas not your own. Why would you blindly accept another's doctrine as your own if it was not your personal experience? Eager to let some random belief system to take the blame for your own laziness regarding matters of enlightenment.

a reply to: Groot

Muad'dib
I believe many don't realise how deep the first book really is. It goes back to when God said the word and the universe came to be.
Words are magic, black and white, to destroy, seduce and confuse just as much as to build, heal and teach.

You're alright can't let anybody do your thinking for you, in the end it's your responsibility and when the herd gets culled it's good to not be a part of it, right?

originally posted by: Peeple
a reply to: Groot

Muad'dib
I believe many don't realise how deep the first book really is. It goes back to when God said the word and the universe came to be.
Words are magic, black and white, to destroy, seduce and confuse just as much as to build, heal and teach.

You're alright can't let anybody do your thinking for you, in the end it's your responsibility and when the herd gets culled it's good to not be a part of it, right?

AMEN. A rookie mistake: trying to define God as then you are attempting to put limits upon a limitless entity.

a reply to: vethumanbeing

And to think some people try to make God a man.... insanity, aye?

originally posted by: Peeple
a reply to: vethumanbeing

And to think some people try to make God a man.... insanity, aye?

Arrogance to the extreme. We are God experiencing Itself is all. We are not "Man is God". We are God experiencing Itself as all living things upon this planet including human life forms.

a reply to: Groot Yes I do believe so

a reply to: Groot

When it comes to voting, my beliefs are more libertarian, but I have to vote as close to that as I can get.

IMO, voting for the libertarian often doesn't get me there because the libertarian cannot win. And if by voting for the libertarian, it means the person who is the worst for my beliefs takes office, I get further from what I want ... then I can't allow that.

So, no, not voting libertarian isn't going against my beliefs as much as it is voting for something that's as close to my beliefs as I think I can get and still reasonably expect to win. If I can't take the whole cake, then I'll vote for the slice because it's better than not having any of the cake at all because I went all of the cake or nothing.

a reply to: Groot


Ummm...of course not...no...

Your answer is couched in your very question...

You asked...”are your beliefs wasted”...?

Your beliefs...


Individual belief...is exactly that...a position held due to the perceptions and perspectives of the individual...due obviously to upbringing...education...curiosity...environment...and most egregious...a willingness of the ego to be held...or kept...

The fortunate aspect is that beliefs are capable of change...of evolution...but only if a self study includes in equal measure...the realization that one might be incorrect...that knowledge...must...remain fluid...and never solidify...or accrete into a fixed state...

All that aside...belief remains inherently individual and therefore unique...

There’s beauty in the thought that at every given moment...you exist as a creature in flux...in exquisite chaos divided and personified by a rather simplistic act...but one that is deterministic...

You get to choose...

Every moment...and that majesty is what brings an implied aspect of the divine...to a mundane world...


So choose wisely...







YouSir

a reply to: Groot

Actually it’s the other way around…Your views would be wasted if you just blindly followed the norm/herd mentality, without thinking anything through yourself…

In fact, it’s not about whether you’re following the norm or not following it. It’s about having your own thoughts and ideas about what you believe to be right based on your knowledge and experience etc…as you walk through life.

If you think a position through carefully and thoughtfully and decide it’s correct then it doesn’t matter if it’s alignment with the norm or not. What matters is that you remained true to yourself in the moment.

- JC

a reply to: Groot

Everyone's views are valid according to our constitution.
Some carry more weight than others but are no more or less valid.

Our choices do have consequences though and that should be taken into consideration.

Ross perot getting millions of mostly right leaning votes got bill clinton elected over George Bush.

Actions have consequences.