Jim Cathcart is a long time professional speaker; the author of 19 books on achievement, business strategy, and selling; and a leader in the field of personal and executive development. Here is Part 3 of his article on the power of our beliefs and belief systems:

Everybody maintains some kind of belief system which signifies what is good and right, versus what is bad and wrong. All belief systems have their “sins”– that for which you are condemned for doing or for not doing.

Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and many other religions organized around the teachings of great thinkers and philosophers. The difference between Christianity and other religions is that Christ is accepted as God in the flesh, whereas the other gurus were great teachers and guides without being considered the deity.

A Force for Good

More people have been inspired by Christianity to do more good for others and to become responsible citizens, of any country, than by any other religion. Haters of Christianity will immediately challenge this assertion by pointing out bad acts by Christians through history, and there certainly are some: The Crusades, the Inquisition, and corrupt regimes publicly identified with the church.

Those who caused great harm in the name of Christianity clearly were not Christians, despite using it as their cover. (Remember, Satan is the Great Deceiver. Not a horned monster with a tail, not some ogre, but an entity who seems entirely admirable at first.)

All religions are abused by some people who use the respective religion as their cover, and much pain has been caused in this way. That doesn’t mean one should reject all belief systems. Reject the hypocrites, not the faithful.

The reflexive deflection, “Yeah, well, your guy did bad things too!” is called “extra-punitive.” It means blaming others or blaming circumstances. “Intra-punitive” is taking the blame upon yourself. In any case, don’t focus on blame. Focus on right versus wrong and fix whatever requires it. Offer your apology, correct your behavior, and move on.

Correction yes, punishment no. Remove the threat, repay the debt, make things better, and get over it. Note: This doesn’t apply to the behavior and deeds of dangerous, deranged criminals and sociopaths. They must be segregated from others to avoid further harm. Still, don’t punish them, simply block their ability to do harm.

Focus on What is Right

The historic belief systems comprised of evil doers includes Nazi-ism, Fascism, and Marxism. Such belief systems resulted in the murder, internment, and starvation of multi-millions of people, exterminated by the few who were able to take control, while led astray by the charismatic leaders who guided them.

A recent tactic by evil doers is to perpetrate behaviors that they claim to loath. For example, “Antifa” claims to be anti-fascist, while their actions are totally fascist. Over the past several years abundant video proof is available.

One true indicator as to whether your belief system is valid and just is to look at the faces of your compatriots. If they are wearing hoods and masks, chances are good you are with the bad guys. If they are spewing hatred, destroying property, and hurting people, you’re with the bad guys.

If they contend that, “My outrage is so great that it justifies taking what you have, destroying property, and hurting people” …run from them! No matter what their intention might be, their actions speak louder.

Intentions and Actions

We’ve established that everyone has a religion and you ought to know what yours happens to be. If you don’t, then you are blindly following others. You are a serf until you precisely define your own beliefs and declare your freedom.

The Leftist religions each are based on an underlying assumption: How you feel is more important than what you do. Leftists, however, do not view you merely by your actions. They manage to find harm in what you do. “You said he; you didn’t say he or she. Therefore you must be a white male, closet sexist. Now we know the real you!”

Characteristically, they judge themselves only by their intentions. If they didn’t mean to do harm, but in fact did much harm, that’s okay to them, because they didn’t mean to do harm. The Right’s view is that your actions are what count the most.

In a courtroom video available on YouTube, recorded years ago, the late George Floyd had been caught hijacking a woman’s car and injuring her in the process. He told the judge it wasn’t his fault. It was because she resisted, and he needed her car. He said she shouldn’t have resisted. Floyd’s father sat in the gallery and shook his head in shame.

Freedom for All, Not Merely for Some

Clearly, I’m Christian. I believe in the forgiveness of sins, the chance to improve oneself, and the existence of a Loving Creator who intentionally gave me life. I do not feel compelled to make you believe what I do. Indeed, you’re free to think and believe what you choose to think and believe. You certainly are not free to interfere with others who might not share your beliefs. If you have well-grounded assertions, then openly and honestly debate the issue. Be convincing and prove your case. Otherwise, please go your own way.

Without trampling on the rights of other people, we all deserve the freedom to make our own choices about how we shall live.

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