I'm a straight (as far as I can tell. I might turn out to be wrong later.) 95-grade-average teenage girl who sees no problem with gay or Lesbian relationships, marriage, etc, and also sees no problem with abortion. My parents are Christians, who are tolerant of gays and despise abortion (but never really told me about either. I never got the Sex talk; junior high bus trash-talk taught me well enough). My question isn't about whether it's right or wrong (God hasn't struck me down yet, so smite me, oh mighty Smiter, for daring to speak of such atrocities! If you're up there, come get me! Extremist anti-gays, sic your God on me; tell me which road to take to hell! Until then; people like me aren't going anywhere.).
But enough religous drivel. What I want to know is what you think really affects your beliefs; your parents' beliefs, or what you're raised with in the media, or other? (please don't say only you affect your beliefs, because environment is a huge part of what we are.)
2006-09-27 16:46:56 · 4 answers · asked by petzjazz 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
I like to think that I have an eclectic belief system, taking the best from my parents, friends, the media, and all the other outside influences. Each has had an impact on what I believe, but I'd have to say the media least of all- I don't particularly care for the portrayals and belief system it seems to promote most of the time i.e. you must be beautiful, thin, rich, blond, drive a good car etc...that is just b.s. I am still learning things and reformulating my beliefs- sometimes someone challenges you to reevaluate the conclusions you have come to in life, and you end up changing your mind; after all, what is the point of having a mind if you never change it? Anyhow, here is a great quote about changing your beliefs:
“Remember that to change your mind and follow him who sets you right is to be none less free than you were before.”
~Marcus Aurelius
2006-09-27 17:25:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you are young mostly you are a product of your parents, school, the media etc. These are differently mixed in each person. Over the years you hear different things, or hear things differently and often change your mind. At lease I believe intelligent people do. I was very proud of my father who started out totally intolerant of homosexuality, as most people in the world war II generation did, and evolved into a very tolerant man in later years. You do make your own beliefs in the long run by choosing what to think.
2006-09-28 00:30:29 · answer #2 · answered by irongrama 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow!! difficult question...It's difficult because it's very hard to see ourselves from the outside in (if not impossible)...I think that my core beliefs must have come from my parents...They were influencing me long before the media did....but now with the media blasting all the time it's confusing...because I never really know whether to believe the media or not...I think also a lot of my beliefs come from feedback from my friends about my behaviour--which I guess is really biased 'cause our friends tend to agree with us..But if you're asking if I'm gay by choice or influence..the answer is no...I was born this way...this is natural to me..completly.
2006-09-27 23:52:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My friends, the media, even a little bit from my family, but mostly just looking around and observing.
I agree with you regarding environment.
2006-09-28 00:06:12 · answer #4 · answered by GreenEyedLilo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋