Leahey.org

(Part 1)

What is a ‘convenient belief’

A convenient belief is just what it sounds like, a belief OF convenience. An example: Man who fears doctors adopts the belief system that they are unable or unwilling to cure diseases, and can actually make you sicker (and/or) are just out for your money. Generally a belief of convenience comes about as a reason to not do something, as in the example. It can also be a reason TO do something, good or bad. An example there would be a rapist who believes that his victims “asked for it” or “had it coming to them”. To suppress his conscience, he is convincing himself (and you, if you let him) that he is not the one to blame, and the victim is the person at fault.

Often times we can quite readily identify this line of thought in others, but are unable to see it in ourselves. I, myself, have fallen victim to this before. I will see there is some activity I should do, but don’t want to. I then look high and low for reasons, or other people, who also don’t want to do it. I mold my reality around these reasons, and before I know it, I truly believe I have a good reason for avoiding said activity (apart from fear, laziness, or lack of motivation).

Identifying

The key to identifying beliefs of convenience is getting to the root of why you do the things you do. This sounds easier than it is. You will basically have to look at everything you do, and don’t do, throughout daily life. You will then have to analyze what makes you do some things and avoid others. That may sound simple, but being honest with yourself is probably one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do.

Another example is one’s belief system. If you’re an atheist, are you an atheist because you genuinely believe there is no higher power, or are you an atheist because you have something to fear if there is? If you’re a Christian, are you one because you truly believe in the religion, or are you one because you fear the idea of being in complete control of every single aspect of your life?

Conclusion

You may come to realize that you have, in fact, been lying to yourself. Now, that doesn’t neccessarily mean that you want to change anything. Some people, I firmly believe, would rather believe what they would LIKE to be true, rather than what they truly think is true. This is not a problem in the above example of religion, but it can become one in other aspects of your life, such as the doctor example.