Chapter 1: The Nature of Belief

The concept of belief can often act as a constraining force in our lives. Terence McKenna once expressed, “I don’t believe in belief. I think belief is a tremendously stultifying force. What I’m interested in is freedom, and I noticed very early that a belief absolutely precludes the possibility of holding to its opposite, and therefore if you believe something you have… limited yourself.”

My own skepticism towards belief first emerged during my childhood. At just seven, I was preparing for my First Communion at Catholic school. For those unfamiliar, Communion—or the Eucharist—recreates the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples before his crucifixion. The priest, by uttering specific words during Mass, claims that the bread and wine transform into the actual body and blood of Christ, a notion that baffled me as a child. Despite my confusion, I participated, hoping that understanding would eventually dawn on me.

However, that understanding never arrived, and I drifted away from the Church during my teenage years due to various personal issues—a topic for another discussion.

Belief is not exclusive to religion; it permeates every aspect of society. Most people navigate their lives based on beliefs, and many conflicts stem from differing convictions. What we often regard as facts can frequently be rebranded beliefs.

Our societal structure is increasingly organized around beliefs rather than actionable practices. In the U.S., many individuals engage in minimal practical actions essential for survival, such as sourcing food and shelter. This shift began with the advent of agriculture and the abstraction of wealth. In earlier communal societies, survival was directly tied to practical actions, where our connections were rooted in cooperation.

Practicality determines the edibility of plants and the potability of water, not belief. Our ancestors operated on a level of trust and practicality that is often absent today. The transition from this practical existence to one dominated by beliefs is a topic worth exploring, yet it is clear that it has indeed occurred.

Today, our lives are mediated by abstractions like money, ownership, and time—concepts that exist only in our collective imagination. This reliance on belief-based organization has led to dire real-world consequences, including widespread hunger and environmental degradation.

The core issue lies not in what we believe but in the act of believing itself. We are trapped in a shared psychosis that distracts us from tangible realities. The meaningful choice we face is whether to return to a life grounded in real actions or remain lost in the realm of imagination. If we could make that shift, the outcomes would be profound: everyone would have access to food and shelter, and we would collectively address the pressing issues we face.

The belief that such a transformation is impossible is, in itself, merely a belief, lacking any concrete proof. We often choose to hold onto these beliefs without recognizing their ephemeral nature.

Chapter 2: The Illusions of Belief

Beliefs can be likened to sunglasses, altering our perception of reality. Just as I own multiple pairs of sunglasses, each with a different tint, our beliefs filter our experiences. While these filters might initially seem vivid, over time, we forget their influence, continuing to navigate life under their sway.

We may identify ourselves as different types of believers—be it religious, political, or dietary—but these distinctions often obscure the shared human experience. This continuous singing of our respective “songs” causes us to overlook the reality of living in the present moment.

The present is not shaped by belief; it is a space for action. Our conviction that we are operating from an elevated perspective is a mere illusion. In reality, we are grounded in our shared existence, where beliefs become luxuries we cannot afford.

Consider two influential beliefs: “Be fruitful and multiply” and “Cogito ergo sum.” These ideas have led to widespread philosophies that have had detrimental effects on our world. The consequences of living under such beliefs are palpable.

Reality calls to us, yet we often ignore its pull. Both optimism and pessimism are just beliefs, neither more real than the other. They tint our worldviews, creating a perception that may not align with the truth.

On a personal level, I am intrigued by the reality obscured by belief. I seek to understand the filters I possess and to dismantle them, yearning to uncover what I might be concealing from myself. It seems peculiar to inhabit a body capable of thriving yet to choose a path laden with self-created obstacles.

At the societal level, this dynamic is exhausting. Individuals are drained before they can harness their energy to effect change. People internalize cultural despair, blaming themselves for a system that has turned potential paradise into hardship.

What I hope to witness is a shift back towards practical actions—a reclamation of the freedom we’ve lost and a commitment to a communal existence where humans coexist among countless other species.

Such a transformation is possible, though its likelihood remains uncertain. Anyone claiming to know the outcome is likely deceiving themselves and others. Be wary of such assertions. Instead, focus on the present and the actions we can take to create meaningful change.

This video titled "Please Stop Saying Faith Is Belief Without Evidence" delves into the misconception surrounding belief and faith, challenging viewers to rethink their understanding of faith in relation to evidence.

In "Believing Matters," Bishop T.D. Jakes shares insights on the significance of belief in personal and communal contexts, emphasizing how belief can influence our lives and actions.