How can you know your beliefs aren't hurting anyone?

Question

Few people actually want to harm others, but how can anyone ever know they aren’t hurting anyone?

Take abortion, for example. If you’re pro-life then the pro-choice people think you’re oppressing a person’s right to choose. But if you’re pro-choice the pro-life people think you’re in favor of killing. No matter which side is right, there is still a sizeable side of the debate that believes that THEY are doing the right thing when in fact they are hurting people on a massive scale.

Other issues like this are: Euthanasia, the War on Terror, Gay Marriage, and Stem Cell Research, just to name a few.

In every case, no matter what side you take you must believe that the people on the other side of the debate are either intentionally or unintentionally hurting many, many people.

How can you ever be sure that you’re not the one who is making a horrible mistake and hurting people on a massive scale?

Answer 1

You are responsible for creating your own emotions.

Answer 2

We all do have to make judgments according to our understanding, thinking, and education. The fact that I believe in whatever I believe in should not hurt anybody. However if my intentional deeds hurt another that should be a no no.

Abortion - personally I may NOT agree to abort if it is in my family. But I do NOT have a right to deny an abortion for a person who needs it. The world is never a bed of roses always there is suffering. Abortion is part of it.

If I decide with a clear mind tat I need Euthanasia, it's nobody Else's business.

Terrorism is wrong and collectively the governments have to resolve the issues. That's why we pay the elected people good money.

Of course there are opposing viewpoints to every issue. That's the way of the world.

I am convinced to the best of my ability, knowledge, and education that my judgments are reasonably correct.

May u have peace.

Answer 3

I think if you're seriously, sincerely debating the possibility that you may be making a serious mistake, chances are much better that you aren't than if you go off cocksure that you're right.

Years ago there was a wonderful documentary with Jacob Bronowski, I think it was, touring a Nazi death camp. In the final, touching scene he crouched, scooped up a handful of ashes, and said something like "These are the ashes of my family. The Nazis were sure that what they were doing was right. This is what comes from being sure. This is what comes from being certain."

So, I think, it is best not to be sure. It is best to question, to weigh choices, to look at the different sides, to see things in terms of greys rather than black-and-white. Make well-informed decisions, and make them with empathy for even those you disagree with. And realize that yes, you may still make mistakes.

Answer 4

I beg to differ with you. You have a good heart. But most people
do want to hurt you. Because they aren't happy. Just look at
all the trash we have to look at when we come here for inspiration.
The prophets weren't very popular. They killed all the prophets.
And if what you say doesn't get people riled up, you're not telling the truth.
But constructive criticism is not just criticizing. It's pointing out
someones mistakes, and offering suggestions on how they
can avoid those mistakes. Explain in practical terms why things
hurt those you love. Not, "because it's wrong", or "I" or the "Bible says so".

Answer 5

It's actions that hurt people. Just holding a belief or disagreeing with someone shouldn't hurt them, it should help them think.

There are certain things that all of us who aren't mentally ill can deem to be objectively harmful. It is based on that we all know what pain is and we know that everyone is out to avoid it. Through us holding different beliefs we can talk about them and decide what course of action would minimize the amount of pain in the world.

Then in comes religion and it messes everything up.

Answer 6

Is it O.K. to hurt someone's feelings and save a life in doing so? The important thing is to obey God. You can't wait around to get a majority vote before you do that. Surely people will get mad and hate you for it, but it just goes with the territory. So, taking all that into consideration, the only thing that really matters is "what does God want you to do?" To a lot of people, all that is important to them is, "what do they want to do." The conflict between the two groups is unavoidable.

Answer 7

Thats a great question. This goes along with "why is there sufferring in the world".

Suffering, causing pain, misery, and hatefulness.
This is how the world is, Satan thrives in hurting the Lords creation. Many people with full knowledge of Christ's sacrifice, choose to love and live in there sin. The Christians try to change there mind about it. This battle wont end. The only way to reach full harmony is if Jesus returns.

Answer 8

In all the cases you describe, you are hurting people.

But you've got to weigh that against the potential good you are doing. the big problem is humans are limited, so anything we do has potentially bad consequences. But you can't let that limit your response. You still have to try. that is part of being fully human.

Answer 9

I'm hurting people just by being born in America. I'm hurting people for being a woman. There's really nothing you can do but not let others hurt you. Because no one's going to care about your life, only their own.

Answer 10

In my Christian belief, I believe God in Pure love and give unconditional love to all who seek him, and through his light "Jesus Christ" , Jesus Christ provided every one unconditional love and compassion to all he had cross along his journey , when Jesus Left this world he sent another the comforter" Holy Spirit" to teach us his ways and to learn how to take the narrow path through life, with courage and strength, under the direction and guidance of our heavenly father, Events or situation that happen in our life is to help us with building a stronger level of Acceptance and endurance, tolerance, patience, to help those we may meet along our individual journey, through live and provide others with the same compassion and unconditional love towards other Not to judge one another or place blame or to argue over petty things of the world that will only fade away. Now I must you the question how would compassion and unconditional love cause any harm to any one.

Answer 11

man this is by far the most thought provoking question i have ever read here yet. and yet we all know that we should all be one big happy family right? a true brotherhood? so if you take any side at all does that automatically preclude the opposite side as brothers? it would seem so... does any one wonder why the statement judge not lest ye be judged mean anything at all....

hmmmmmmm???????????

again awesome awesome question. wow big applause! keep asking great questions like this.

mournyngwolf
solitary practitioner of Wicca and wizardry.