Santa Claus. Santa Claus’s story is the best example that comes to mind of the baseline of a doomed faith. When we’re very impressionable we’re taught about this Christmas character, and his story, by those that know it’s hugely exaggerated and largely untrue. How many kids believe it? In this case, it is the foundation of the belief for the gift giving wizardry of the holiday. It’s a working mythology. It’s doomed. The vast majority of people can’t maintain it as they grow up. How many other beliefs fall into this category?
Recently it has pressed heavily on my conscious that there is a need to reassess all my beliefs. Beliefs about myself, relationships, family, faith, the structures of society, the motives of leaders, and the ultimate existence of the powers for good and evil. These are not subjects which get reviewed often. It seems philosophic. While some ideas are likely sound, it’s clear that many current views are based on a good amount of flawed, failed, and nonfactual information. Information that was provided wrongly, or for impure, corrupt, and/or distorted reasons. The degree to which my beliefs are based on what’s incorrect and untrue is the degree to which I’m incomplete. Any hope for completeness and authenticity resides in the reassessment of foundational beliefs. Man?! I feel the need for a working mythology. One that’s consistent with the real and eternal.