Majority Rule

[Starman]

Okay so here is my rant……

Majority rule is one thing but saying that the majority is always right
is completely different. There is an old saying that millions of people
cannot be wrong but I believe that millions of people can be wrong.
In this world the more people who believe in something the more valid
that thing is accepted as truth. In my opinion quantity does not validate
quality. What are your views on this?

I was having a discussion with someone who thought the largest
most acceptable religion by people here on earth is the true religion.
I disagreed. The phrase to win the hearts and minds of the people is
all about getting people to agree with a certain point of view. It
seems people are after other people’s hearts and minds. Why is it that
so many want others to see things their way?

Does your truth depend on others agreeing with you?

[BigJohn]

My truth is in many ways, the opposite of what the 'majority' might believe.

[FallingLeaves]

my feeling is the majority is wrong about so many things it is ridiculous...

even stuff you probably take for granted yourself (like for example the efficacy of the specific body of scientific knowledge we have) I question... as many have pointed out you can do stuff with it, but from my point of view other than that it leaks like a sieve.

I honestly didn't look but I suspect there isn't much people do get right once it gets beyond the basics where we are eating and sleeping and attending to other bodily functions that we sorta can't deny involvement with the way we do with our ideas....

but, people need something to agree about (or at least a talking point to disagree about) so they can talk to each other and relate... so there has to be *some* body of knowledge somehow.

Anyway I think if people knew a 'better' truth than they have, given the social problems I see people always bringing to the table, life would be much worse for all of us. Not the much better knowing truth is supposed to bring.

So it is a saving grace, in my mind, that things are as messed up as they are.

Once I got that far I was able to see that for the same reason it is not a good idea for people to have knowledge of the real truth, I personally won't be allowed to have it myself either. I can believe I have it all I want and proclaim to the world how smart I am for having whatever it is i want to be talking about, but I won't actually be allowed to have the thing I sought in any real sense.

honestly though I was like 'what a relief' when I figured that one out... it changed my whole life when I realized the fact I couldn't know the truth meant I didn't have to be so darned literal about what things are supposed to mean.... and i don't have to go running around to the rooftops proclaiming the truth either if i can't actually know it, I can just kinda rest and attend to my own needs for a change...

[JustBe]

I listen to myself regardless of what others decide for them. Even amidst the majority..

It’s a non issue for me. There is empowerment in being disliked and not running along with the group mentality. People get sucked in and caught up when not clear in themselves. Peopke band together in groups because they align in sameness ..

I’m more interested in the middle path of myself as all this. My truth might not gel with the majority, but it’s not clear truth, if it’s truth, needing validation externally. I am my own validation..

[J_A_S_G]

Originally Posted by Starman

Does your truth depend on others agreeing with you?

Nope. As for the rest I'd say there's a fine line between discussion and proselytizing, and it's a line one might easily be carried over by exuberance.

[Unseeking Seeker]

Belief is a function of mind. We can believe or disbelieve anything, win debates both for and against the motion but the true realisation is in the heart, a recognition that is free from doubt.

All religions address mind and so, in my view are inadequate, acting as a pointer at most. Direct experience offered in silence is what awakens us at our core. So majority views hardly count, they are just opinions, rooted in conditioning, dependent upon culture and environment.

[Redchic12]

Starman…..” Majority rule is one thing but saying that the majority is always right
is completely different. There is an old saying that millions of people
cannot be wrong but I believe that millions of people can be wrong”

Oh yeah I totally and absolutely agree with this statement as I have seen this play out in a sporting institution and a few other places.

Starman……” Why is it that
so many want others to see things their way?

Yeah I’ve often wondered that myself. Maybe deep down they are really unsure of themselves and they NEED other people’s reassurance to confirm that they are right.

It will be interesting to hear other peoples comments on this.

[Native spirit]

No I follow my own path I don't follow anyone if it feels right to me then it is right.
I don't think about whether anyone else thinks the same things it is up to each of us, to Decide what is right for us.


Namaste

[Starman]

Very interesting comments, thank you all.

It is very difficult for many to follow their own path, many here
on this forum have shared how they rebelled against parents or
others who did not understand them and wanted them to fit in and
follow the crowd. Be that crowd a family belief or tradition which
was followed for generations.

In psychology there is something called “group think” which we
see in like minded people banding together to further their beliefs or
way of thinking. Again I refer to winning the hearts and minds of
people, and that winning means changing that person to see things differently.

Tolerance of differences, as long as they are non-violent, is one of
the big failures in this world, in my opinion. Lots of people are
easily offended by something which is different than what they may
believe. I have seen that here on this forum. To tolerate differences
does not mean I give up my beliefs or embrace a different perspective.
It just means that we politely agree to disagree.

I understand that in religion and spirituality lots of people want to
“bear witness” to their experience or beliefs with exuberance, some
call it proselytizing. But there is also propagation, where groups
seek to increase their membership by converting others to their
beliefs. I feel like all of this is normal in humanity, although
normal does not necessarily mean it should be acceptable.

[FallingLeaves]

Originally Posted by Starman

I feel like all of this is normal in humanity, although
normal does not necessarily mean it should be acceptable.

ive been coming to the belief, that, this whole idea that I should buy into the idea of what is acceptable or not acceptable is itself a problem.

As is the idea that I should be propagating any ideas about what is or is not acceptable myself...

Talking about acceptability to me is like a bunch of us ganging up and being mean to anyone we want to label as unacceptable...