In today’s world, there are literally millions of things in which we can choose to believe.
Relationships, God, good and evil, politics, true love, psychology, the internet, technology, science, art, sex, work, money, fame, and the list goes on. Post-9/11, many people were terrified by the catastrophic aftermath of “true belief” in something.
In that instance, I’m speaking of the intense, overpowering, complete belief in something to the exclusion of all else, often at the expense of others. Around the world every day, including in our own country, people are doing many things in the name of their beliefs – some beneficial and nurturing, and some absolutely horrifying.
Like anything, taken to the extreme, belief can be a very strong force that propels people to behave in many different ways. It is important to believe in things; part of creating a good life includes believing in things you find worthwhile and wish to engage in.
Strong beliefs propel us to love, to work, to play, to live. So why do people sometimes believe in something so strongly that they can’t see anything else?

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 13 Jul 2004
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.