Sinead+G's+Op-Ed+Article

media type="file" key="sineadg-muckraker-1123.mp3"

Spreading gossip, making up false accusations, believing everything we hear; these are some of the things we’re best at. “I heard that (fill in the blank)...” “Really? Where did you hear that?” “Oh... I think I read it somewhere. Some magazine.”

To be honest, most of us don't know what the fuck we’re talking about.

This is one of the many reasons why connecting and talking with many of my peers about somewhat deeper matters is so difficult.

One of the main things I hate talking about is religion. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe that everyone has the right to believe whatever they choose, including not believing in anything at all. That is perfectly okay with me. With that said, however, when people start claiming that they know what a particular religion is about and/or what they practice, when in fact that person has no clue and their opinions are all based on hear-say... that’s when I have a problem.

I grew up in a very strict Mormon household until the age of fourteen when I stopped going to church. Although I don’t agree with many of the Mormon beliefs and standards, my feelings are incredibly hurt when people make rude remarks involving the religion. I can see why many are intolerant with the Mormon faith. I completely understand and could even say that I have similar views on a few certain aspects, but I don’t see the point of voicing your opinions when you really don’t know your facts. I hated discussing this subject in class because honestly, almost none of my classmates really knew what they were talking about.

I will respect everyone’s opinion, they are in fact entitled to their own belief. If you still dislike and disagree the Mormon, Catholic, Jewish, or any other faith AFTER you’ve done a bit of research, that’s perfectly acceptable to me. But please, don’t start talking/complaining unless you have your facts straight.

On a different note, this annoyance doesn’t just happen with religion. Politics, History, and probably one of the biggest subjects, Science/Health. How many times have you heard “blah blah blah is good for you” and then found out it wasn’t true?

There is a field in Psychology called Cognitive Bias, and they’ve found that much of what people believe is simply is based on emotional or common circumstances, such as what they heard last. This could possibly mean that the majority of what we hear and come to believe is UNTRUE.

I guess the final question is: what is considered “knowledge”, and how do we come to the conclusion that what we think we know is true?