Belief

I recently had an interesting conversation with a religious friend. She maintained that belief systems (religions) are reflected in the behaviors of those who claim to subscribe to them. I strongly disagreed. Born-again haters and jihad bombers are not really behaving in accordance to Christianity or Islam in their systemic forms of written text and evolved interpretations.

I brought up my own concept of behavioral systems. I maintain that human beings actively or passively choose behavioral systems. Those who actively create and maintain their behavior systems are practitioners, in my opinion. Those who passively allow heredity, environment and social factors to determine their behaviors are simply sleepwalking through life. Some practitioners choose to model their practices on a prescribed belief system, such as a religion or ethical philosophy.

I think the differentiation between belief system and behavioral system is helpful. As a secular humanist, I have no abstract belief system, based on established Truth. I base my behavioral system on science (the constant questioning of Truth), self-education, meditation and other health-oriented activities. Humanism, as I practice it, is a behavioral system, designed by me to increase my health, awareness, understanding, social contribution and compassion. It is my responsibility to myself and my environment.