Unhealthy Beliefs

 

Uman ka duro ad-on imo suporta sa isa ka tawo na makig-away na man kaw?  Fanatics are people who indulge in a heady, intoxicating, and toxic concoction of self-affirming, know-it-all confidence that they have unique access to absolute truths, truths so perfect that they have to impose them on everyone.

According to Jeremy E. Sherman, PhD (2014): The absolute truths that fanatics latch onto might be religious or political, right-wing or left-wing. It’s not what they believe that makes them fanatics but how they believe it — that they have the final word, no need to consider further evidence, and no need to ever wonder or doubt themselves again.

The bashings and word war in social media sites and other platforms have strong hints of fanaticism. There are those friendships who broke their ties due to their political beliefs. Family members created factions, tagging themselves with COLORS not realizing that there is an implication of an unhealthy mental status on these things.

Perkinson (2002) sees fanatics as dogmatic people whose theories, ideology and proposed solutions are absolutely right in their own eyes. At the same time fanatics avoid critical thinking when they ignore or are not able to see those arguments, facts, or consequences that refute his solutions.

Can this be unhealthy? Some fanaticism comes very close to the behaviors of bipolar mania: energized devotion to an idea. Sex and money are frequent foci, but also political ideas: see, for example, the complex patterns of bipolar-like behaviors in world leaders, examined by Nassir Ghaemi in his book A First-Rate Madness.

Supporting a political candidate becomes an issue when people see their supported leaders as messianic ones rather than seeking out their qualifications, competence and value system. Then, with such belief, they’d break ties with family members and long-time friends because of their convictions.

Let freedom of choice thrive while we do our individual tasks. Let the political leaders do their thing and prove their worth through their actions not just words. We do our job, let them do theirs. Value relationships with the people who were there in your ups and downs. Do not let an ideology brought about by someone you do not know (and does not know you) break them.

We keep our minds healthy as well by avoiding things that push us to the edge.

Inig kasakit mo di kaw bisitahon nan iton imo taghimo na idolo!