Core Beliefs: Supreme Being
The Idea of "Self"
There have been times in my life when I have been alone and free to have really deep thoughts and ask deep questions. Questions like “Why do I exist?” and “What does it mean to exist?”. Why am I a human being and not a rock or a tree or a river? It is during these times that I am forced to realize, I have no answers to these incredible questions!
That is when it becomes useful to have a “Supreme Being” (God in my case) to “provide” answers to such uncommon questions. Many times the answer is simply “It is God’s will!”. For me personally, not a very satisfying answer but still far better than anything I can come up with and at this point, I am just ready to move on with my life! This part I find very useful!
That is when it becomes useful to have a “Supreme Being” (God in my case) to “provide” answers to such uncommon questions. Many times the answer is simply “It is God’s will!”. For me personally, not a very satisfying answer but still far better than anything I can come up with and at this point, I am just ready to move on with my life! This part I find very useful!
Once you embrace (or at least understand) the idea of “self”, then it follows logically that you begin to determine where you relate to all the other “self’s” out there. That is where all the sections highlighted above come into play. I have a sense of order and purpose to my life and I realize that my life co-exists in a social nature (with everyone else) and that nature is based in reality and not delusion!
Core Beliefs: Supreme Being
Influence on Worldview
Human beings have believed in a supreme being, or higher power, for a variety of reasons that span across cultures and time. Belief in a supreme being offers a framework for understanding the universe and one’s place in it, providing comfort and reducing existential anxiety.
My worldview is that believing in and having faith in a supreme being allows me to have a sense of self, order and purpose about my life. Having a sense of order is the quality that prevents a life of chaos!
It is my contention that, far too many Black Americans are failing to go through life pursuing life, liberty and happiness! Instead, lacking a sense of self, order and purpose about their life (which is the result of being raised in dysfunctional families) they are then forced out into the real world unprepared for success and often are met with failure and heartbreak!
My worldview is that believing in and having faith in a supreme being allows me to have a sense of self, order and purpose about my life. Having a sense of order is the quality that prevents a life of chaos!
It is my contention that, far too many Black Americans are failing to go through life pursuing life, liberty and happiness! Instead, lacking a sense of self, order and purpose about their life (which is the result of being raised in dysfunctional families) they are then forced out into the real world unprepared for success and often are met with failure and heartbreak!
Core Beliefs: Supreme Being
Belief in a Supreme Being
To prevent misunderstandings and save myself time with explanations, I am providing common definitions regarding ideas about the concept of a Supreme Being. I have highlighted the areas that I relate to, the most.
Sent by you: Why do human beings believe in a supreme being?
Sent by ChatGPT: Human beings have believed in a supreme being, or higher power, for a variety of reasons that span across cultures and time. The belief in a supreme being is a complex phenomenon influenced by psychological, social, cultural, and evolutionary factors. Here are some of the main reasons why this belief is common:
- Existential Questions and the Need for Meaning: Humans naturally seek to understand their purpose, the meaning of life, and the origins of existence. Belief in a supreme being can provide answers to profound questions like “Why are we here?” and “What happens after we die?” It offers a framework for understanding the universe and one’s place in it, providing comfort and reducing existential anxiety.
- Psychological Comfort and Coping Mechanism: Belief in a supreme being can offer comfort during difficult times, such as illness, loss, or uncertainty. It helps people cope with fear, suffering, and the unknown by providing hope, support, and a sense of protection. This psychological comfort is particularly evident in rituals, prayers, and communal worship.
- Social Cohesion and Community: Religions often serve as a binding force, bringing people together in shared beliefs, values, and practices. Belief in a supreme being can foster social cohesion by creating a sense of belonging and community. It provides moral frameworks and social norms that help maintain order and cooperation within societies.
- Cultural Transmission and Tradition: Belief in a supreme being is often passed down through generations as part of cultural traditions and practices. People tend to adopt the beliefs of their family and community, perpetuating religious and spiritual traditions over time. These beliefs can become deeply ingrained, making them a core part of individual and collective identities.
- Cognitive and Evolutionary Explanations: Humans have cognitive tendencies that may contribute to belief in a supreme being. For example, humans have a propensity for pattern recognition, agency detection (the tendency to attribute events to intentional agents), and finding purpose or design in the world around them. These cognitive traits may have evolved because they were beneficial for survival, like being vigilant about potential threats in the environment. Over time, these traits could also have led to the attribution of natural events to a higher power or deity.
- Mystical and Spiritual Experiences: Many people believe in a supreme being due to personal experiences that they interpret as spiritual or mystical. These experiences, which can range from feelings of transcendence to visions or dreams, often provide a sense of connection with something greater than oneself. Such experiences are deeply compelling and can be transformative, leading to a strong belief in a higher power.
- Moral Framework and Ethical Guidance: Belief in a supreme being often comes with a set of moral guidelines or commandments that provide a basis for distinguishing right from wrong. For many, a divine authority gives these moral rules legitimacy and weight, encouraging adherence to ethical behaviors that support social harmony and personal fulfillment.
- Fear of Death and the Unknown: The fear of death and the unknown has been a powerful motivator for belief in a supreme being. Religions often provide narratives that offer hope of an afterlife or a continuation of existence in some form, reducing the fear of death and providing comfort to those facing the end of life.
- Explaining Natural Phenomena:
In ancient times, when scientific knowledge was limited, belief in a supreme being provided explanations for natural events that seemed mysterious or beyond human control, such as thunderstorms, earthquakes, or eclipses. Even today, some people find comfort in the idea that a higher power has control over the universe’s complex and often chaotic forces. - Personal and Social Reinforcement:
People’s beliefs are often reinforced by the surrounding social and cultural environment. When many individuals in a society believe in a supreme being, social pressure, and communal reinforcement make it more likely for others to adopt similar beliefs. Positive social reinforcement (such as approval, acceptance, and community support) strengthens these beliefs.