Why People Cling to Ideologies | Rebecca Goldstein

Rebecca Goldstein suggests that ideologies often endure because they stabilize a person’s sense of significance and belonging. Do you think people commit to belief systems because they need to matter — or do other forces explain ideological commitment better?

I believe that all ideologies are false, distorted or simply inaccurate reflections of social reality. At the same time, we know that any "beautiful" utopia inevitably turns into a dystopia. From a philosophical perspective, if an idea rises above human consciousness and enhances human reason, it functions correctly. But if an idea attempts to descend, to infiltrate social life, it can become an ideology and a means of justifying coercion and violations. For example, if you use virtues (ideas) to improve yourself and become a good person, everything will go well, but if you demand others to be “good people” and judge them, then you may end up becoming a psychopath.

She fails to show this issue. there are a lot descrepancies. She is mis interpreting this issue, which shows she doesnt get It.

In today's world it applies to atheists as well

Most people cling to ideologies because they mistake them for their identity. Most people create these belief systems to maintain a false sense of separation, control and specialness. By holding onto rigid beliefs, individuals avoid the fear of the unknown and the perceived vulnerability of surrendering to inner peace. Ideologies are defense mechanisms for survival. By aligning with a specific framework, most people believe ideologies can protect them from the reality of shared oneness. Most people prefer the familiar "hell" of the world over the silence of peace. An ideology, even a flawed or limiting one, gives the mental projection of structure, safety and predictability. Clinging to an ideology that positions one as "right" and others as "wrong" allows most people to maintain a sense of superiority, uniqueness and control over others. By externalizing beliefs and (harshly) judging others, most people project their own conscious or unconscious guilt outward onto opposing viewpoints, avoiding the need to look at their own internal errors. In essence: while a "universal theology is impossible," a universal experience of love and forgiveness is possible. All people need to do is look beyond the content of their varying ideologies and instead practice forgiveness to undo the purpose behind clinging to them.

Everything in this realm of sensual delectation is a snare. Everything man seeks to possess will always end up possessing him. In whatever way or direction a man resists the great pendulum swing of life, it too resists back. If one knows the balance of this realm they will refrain from taking any thing additional beside the simple necessities for the sustenance of their bodies, because what a man takes he also has to give back, just like the body he temporarily has. Knowledge and information is good for a fulfilling material lifestyle but wisdom will always be better because it is the truth.

THE belief system to which most viewers of this channel cling, including its host, is naturalism, otherwise known as materialism or scientific reductionism. The wisest of those who think in this manner are aware of the unproven presupposition of their thought, that reality is confined to what we can sense or observe or extrapolate therefrom. Most, of course, who cling to naturalism are as unaware of their presupposition as is the goldfish of the water in which it swims.

Really fascinating conversation, Mattering is something that I hadn't really ever considered or heard of to be honest but now really intend to read this book.

This woman just talks and talks and talks but says nothing.

It is difficult to refute the evidence of a changed life due to first-person experiential knowledge of the supernatural. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).