Ha! I would sound like a fart who can't quite win the fart race! :p:

The beliefs I use to hold:

- People are all really just good inside.
Revised to: People pretty much suck, unless they want something from you.

- If you work hard and be honest, things will work out well for you.
Revised to: Sucker!

- Most people just need to be loved.
Revised to: Some people think they want love. Some people really just need a kick in the head.

- There is always opportunity in adversity.
Revised to: There is always opportunity for further adversity in adversity.

- I can do anything if I am motivated and have time.
Revised to: Dang, lots of things hurt, these days. Now, what did I have for supper last night?

I'm glad to see you're not bitter or cynical. ;)

Eh, it's probably just a phase. I am sure I will be back to my usual peace loving hippie self, soon. ;)

Whew, cool. :D

I think we were saying the same thing about "faith"

My experience is along the lines that people can have different beliefs, and essentially agree to disagree.
But if they have different faiths (religious or not) it's an emotional difference that can lead to arguments.

So in this thread, you are the master of your own words. ;)

(Through the Looking Glass, Chapter 6)

put down the lighter and step away from the pipe... :cool:

No Classic, that's the Caterpillar
Alice in Wonderland Chapter 5

lighter = lamplighter. add pipe = (lamplighter + pipe) = you are the catepillar. ;)

I think my belief system has changed a lot during my lifetime depending on my circumstances at the time.

I always thought people were good and had my best interest at heart, and I still believe that, but I think there's an extra bit on the end now. People are good and have my best interest at heat, as long as it's in parallel to or convergent with their own interests.

I don't think it's cynical to think that way. It's completely understandable even. We as human beings are far too self important when it comes down to our place in the world. Sure we're at the top of the food chain, but we still can't survive without all those things under us. Even knowing that, we still think we're more important. Really, I think we should be humbled.

now you're mixing up faith and belief.

I had reasonable evidence that beest would uphold my expectations of our marriage. Perhaps that's why we're still married.

Not at all. You are wrong - READ the definitions repeatedly posted from multiple sources.
Here's another -

She just said she had reasonable evidence.

Latin

Etymology 1

From fīdō (“I trust”) < Proto-Indo-European *bhidh-, *bhoidh- (“to command, to persuade, to trust”).
[edit] Noun

fidēs (genitive fideī); f, fifth declension

1. faith, belief
2. reliance
3. confidence, trust

Related terms

• fidēlis
• fidēlitās
• fīdō
• fīdus

Etymology 2

From Ancient Greek σφίδη (sphidē).
[edit] Noun

fidēs (genitive fidis); f, third declension

1. chord
2. the gut-string of a musical instrument
3. (plural) lyre, lute, harp (by extension)

What I find interesting about this word and its origins are the related meaning of Chord: one of which is "A straight line between two points" Which can describe certain types of faith, especially the "I have faith in God" type. It is a straight line between those two points (I and God) with no stops along the way to explain or justify one's faith.

What is really most fascinating about all these words are the subtle shades of meaning that each word offers, how a word is commonly used, or popularly used often has more to do with memes than with a sudden pan-cultural need to express a concept like Zeitgeist (mid to late 80's) or Bespoke (lately) The same goes for faith, I'm sure.

I don't care what you call it or where it stems from. All I asked was And I still don't have an answer. I know what people call it, I just don't understand why they do it.

and I asked in response to the OP

I don't accept things without testing/proof/evidence. I don't understand why some people do.