Free Your Mind From Labels

The more I look at labels and how people label themselves, I've observed that initially, the person has one view, and then eventually, the label changes them.

Most look at their stronger beliefs and find a label to fit them, only to find that their weaker beliefs are changed by the label's definition.

For example, a woman who's only strong political belief is pro abortion will most likely find herself becoming a Democrat.
Then, as she considers herself a Democrat, she will take other Democrat's words as a higher authority than a Republican's (for example).
She will find herself forming strong beliefs which she once never had which align perfectly with a Democrat.

This is how we find ourselves in such clean demographics.
This restricts free and creative thought.

When I considered myself a Republican (once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away), I would watch the news and when I saw a Republican arguing against a Democrat, the FIRST thing I did was take note of who was a Republican.
I said to myself (though perhaps not consciously), that he/she was the person I would look to agree with.
Without even looking at the issues, the playing field was already uneven to say the least.

Now I know that most people do label themselves and so a lot of you will most likely disagree with me.
I'll say that it's not true in all cases, but in most cases I find that it is true.

Also, it's not just true with politics but with every label you could think of.

Thoughts?

Great points. I avoid labels whenever I can. I have only recently felt "ok" with the atheist label. And I still don't feel completely comfortable with it. I disagree with most atheists on most things.

I find other people label me much more than I do. I'd rather think of each of us as an individual, not one of a group.

reply to post by Benevolent Heretic


Same here. I do consider myself an atheist, but all that word really means is that I'm not a theist.
Though it does get annoying when people assume things about me just because I say I'm an atheist.

It strikes me as a general insecurity amongst people that they need to be categorized, or categorize themselves. It is to me a mutation of tribal mentality that many human beings have never grown out of. And while it is easier to describe ourselves to others, the meanings of the labels we use are never universally understood as we understand them. I don't believe beliefs are changed by labels, but assumptions about beliefs are easily made.

That to me is enough of a reason to avoid labels. I prefer to know who people are rather than what they are.