What do you think you may be wrong about?

[Thistledew]

Presuming that there is 'One Truth' regarding religious/spiritual beliefs:

Given that there are so many forms of religious belief, and that even within one particular form there is such a wide divergence of belief, if there is one truth, then it is very highly probable that each of us has got it wrong in our understanding.

For example, even amongst people who identify as Christians, there is a divergence of belief regarding just about everything: from whether Jesus was mortal or god in human form, to whether heaven and hell are actual real places or metaphors, to whether homosexuality is a sin.

So my question is - what are your core beliefs, which do you admit you might be wrong about, and do you think it matters if you are wrong?

I'll go first: I like to think that there is some greater energy that connects all living things that have been, are now and will exist in the future. I'm quite prepared to accept that that might be romantic hogwash, but don't think it matters if I am wrong.

I don't believe that there is a sentient deity in existence that is described in any religious text. I don't think I am wrong about that but as we apparently live in an infinite universe of infinite probability then I admit of the possibility that I might be wrong. However, I think the probability of such a being existing to be the same as the probability of it being my neighbour's cat. I have no concerns about being wrong about this.

I do believe that it matters somehow to treat all other people with respect and compassion. I really don't think I am wrong about this.

I could be wrong about everything. Actually, as a Christian I suspect that your 'universal truth' is more complex than we as humans can ever understand so I believe we are called to follow a path that is right for us.

I absaloutely agree with your final sentence about treating others with respect and compassion. I believe this was Jesus' key message 'to love one another as I have loved you'.

No core beliefs, or even any beliefs, really. Religious dogma all seems so implausible from where I'm sitting.

I may be wrong about it, of course. There might actually be a petty deity with infinite powers who demands adoration and obedience from humans and tortures forever the disobedient ones. I doubt it very much, though.

More likely, it is just people trying to find purpose and meaning where there is none, like our ancestors found malicious gods in random meteorological phenomena.