DON'T BOTHER ME WITH FACTS - MY MIND IS MADE UP.

A belief is ... a faith - an emotional acceptance of system or idea - a conclusion arrived at without proof or logic. A belief cannot be altered or even modified with intellectual information. Prejudice is a belief system that facts and proof cannot alter. Religions are belief systems requiring no evidence before acceptance.

Although beliefs are accepted at an emotional level and held without proof - many believers often attempt to support their ideas by using what seems to be logical material as support. For example, some use the Bible as a factual history accepting it as a true history and being unwilling to consider other interpretations or opinions on the source and meaning of the biblical metaphors. Because their belief is emotionally based, the tendency is to over-react with anger and fear when ideas are questioned.

"So long as there are earnest believers in the world, they will always wish to punish opinions, even if their judgment tells them it is unwise, and their conscience that it is wrong."

Walter Bagehot, The metaphysical basis of toleration

In a philosophical discussion of free speech one accepts that truth, although not the only value, is indeed the prevailing value of greatest importance and the most desirable goal. From the Platonic position, truth is good; from Milton that truth dominates the literature of free speech only if an absence from government licensing for publishing; from the Millian (J.S. Mills) argument that truth is based on the principle of utility and even contemporary positions that assert the value of truth whenever the subject of free speech is brought up. So I hold truth to be a given value with no further justification necessary.

Milton (as did Locke, Voltair and Jefferson) had faith in the God given power of all individuals of reason to solve problems and that truth would be attained if the power of the individual was allowed to flourish. (Note here the flagrant mix of belief and logic. Question: Did Milton observe, study, test and conclude or did he just believe that God was all powerful and perfect in his gifts to man?)

A question continually asked by many people is whether truth will triumph over falsehood. Unfortunately, history includes examples of numerous logical and powerful incidents that show how truth or right does not necessarily emerge as the clear winner.

But in groups where rationality prevails it is recorded on a regular basis that truth - if allowed to battle falsehood rather than repress laws and leaders - will prevail,

But will the same conclusions - that good will triumph over evil - be reached on the subject of violence. Because of the impact of TV and the media, should our society repress art in any form to protect its people from the influence of negative, or opposing ideas, images or opinions. If we do, perhaps we must come to the conclusion that Democracy is a new belief-system - religion or prejudice rather than a logical and meaningful conclusion that can be intellectually supported.

There is evidence that for many people of democracy is fast becoming a religion rather than an intellectual choice. The intense anger at the expression of opposing ideas, the need to quote the constitution as if it were a bible, and even using symbols like the flag as if it were a religious artifact.

Respect for an idea need not cross over into an emotional attachment and when the emotions exert undue influence in areas where they do not belong - the dangers become clear and the conclusion can be dire.

The balance between intellect and emotions is a sensitive and often precarious one; the perfect balance is often difficult to determine or achieve. Because of the impact of emotions on thinking, balanced discussions are nearly impossible to conduct. There is a need to be watchful -- to ask ourselves if we believe something or have we reached a logical conclusion.

At a very tactical, behavior driven level, one must choose to use the word believe only if one is willing to accept a conclusion without need for proof. To know oneself is to know in what we believe -- like marriage, family, love, truth, or God. For a start, in those areas we must consider ourselves prejudiced and then, through on-going self-examination, add to the list.