Does your culture have you by the balls?

 

As we reflect on civilizations of the past or observe people from distant lands today, it’s easy to ask,

 

“How could they believe that?” or

“How could they behave like that?”

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Imagine trying to understand the honor tied to suicide in Japan, the painful tradition of foot-binding in China, or the brutal crusades and witch hunts in the West. Think of the ritual sacrifices made to gods in various cultures, or how personal desires are suppressed by nearly every major religion.

 

Consider the valor often associated with killing for one’s country, or the unquestioning obedience people display towards authority—be it religious, political, academic, or even parental.

 

Then there’s the vilification of entire nations, races, or religions, and the unyielding righteousness fueling wars and conflicts. Notice the certainty with which others declare that their way—their religion, country, school, company, or family—is the only right way. Hey, who wouldn't go on a crusade to kill the people of another country in exchange for the forgiveness for their sins and a remission of penalties for all confessed sins, providing the path to salvation for their souls?

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How certain are you that you are not incurring significant unnecessary costs by your current beliefs?

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We often comfort ourselves with the thought,

 

“I would never think or act that way.”

 

But how often do we pause to question the box of culture we live in today? How much of what we do, say, or believe is shaped by the invisible, often unspoken rules of a culture that quietly molds us? This culture convinces us that we, unlike those “other people,” see the world as it truly is, as it should be. But the act of stepping beyond the boundaries of culture, of courageously questioning it, is perhaps the most daring thing a person can do. The power of any culture lies in its ability to offer acceptance from others and to shield us from rejection—even self-rejection, since we are the culture.

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What would you still believe if your views were not shaped by your religion?

What would you still believe if your views were not shaped by the beliefs of your parents?

What would you still believe if your views were not shaped by the views of our country?

What would you still believe if your views were not shaped by the particular sub-cultural attitudes that shaped you?

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The courage to say "thank you, but no thank you" to your culture

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Every day, we can ask ourselves: Where are the opportunities to choose courage over conformity?

 

To create more benefit and less harm for ourselves and others?

 

How can we side-step the costly expectations of our society, country, school, workplace, family, or friends?

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These opportunities are always present—start playing with them.