This is a short synopsis of what I consider myself to be and to believe.
I live in the physical world. A universe filled with quarks, bosons, mesons, electrons, the strong and weak nuclear forces, gravity, galaxies, space, matter, ideas and time. I live in a universe that seems self sustaining and and acts like there is no outside force or grand curator, namely God. I am an Atheist
I have researched, to an admittedly limited extent, many religions. I am reading the Bible and will soon read the Koran. I have heard of thousands of peoples own personal experiences of God. Even some of the most intelligent people of our time claim without a single sign of embarassement that they believe in a God. Who am I to discount the supernatural with a single stroke. I am an Agnostic
I believe the teachings of Christ as portrayed in the Bible are mostly good. The values of turning the other cheek and forgiving those who do you wrong are good tenants to live by. I am a Christian
I believe that by and large, suffering is brought on by the mindless pursuit of peoples desires, and that suffering can be lessened through education and mastery of our natural urges. I am a Buddhist.
I believe that verifiable proof such as that brought about through valid scientific experiments is the only mantle by which we can and should live our life, and the blind faith and belief is our greatest weakness as human beings. I am a Skeptic
I believe that not everything can be proven or discovered in my lifetime, thus I cannot have proof for everything, and so there must be some things I must accept without proof and believe on faith. I am a Believer
I believe that in small and loosely organized groups of people, the voluntary sharing and distribution of wealth improves the group as a whole and gives those in need a leg up I am a Communist.
I believe that government should not be too big and should not regulate private industry when it is not needed. I believe that a properly functioning market will cater for most needs. I believe in small local governments which are run by locals on a semi-voluntary basis. I am a libertarian
I believe that governments should not prevent people from doing whatever they want to do, as long as their actions have no negative impact on others. I believe not that everyone is born equal, but that everyone should be treated as equal, regardless of race, creed or birth. I am a Liberal.
I believe in the right of all people to monetary gain by their own means and to increase their own standing in society through honest work and good ideas. I am a Capitalist.
I believe that responsible use of public funds should outweigh raising taxes. I also believe that government should stay small. I am a Conservative
I believe that all life should be treated as sacred, and that no living being should have to die a superfluous death due to the selfish desires of another. I am pro-life
I believe in a woman’s right to choose what to do with her body. I believe that like a seed is not a plant, an embryo is not human. I believe that what could have been, and what should have been, is not what is. I support the considered decision of a family or individual to give birth and raise a child or not to do so depending on what is right for them. Including the right to abort in the early weeks of pregnancy without fear of reprisal or abuse. I am pro-choice.
I believe that the death penalty holds some value as a deterrent, and that we as a society should not waste resources on a “lost cause” I am pro death penalty
I believe that every human has a given right to life that no-one should be able to take away. I think it is a barbaric form of torture, and should be outlawed. I am anti death penalty
I believe that labels and categories are useful methods of organising people and it helps to define them. However no-one fits neatly into the boxes they are placed. I hold many views, some contradictory and conflicting. I consider myself pro-life and pro-choice at the same time. I consider myself a conservative and a liberal. I consider myself a skeptic and a believer.
After reading this I urge you to think about the boxes you have been placed in, by yourself and others, and see if they really fit you. Try and work out where you stand on issues you never considered before, or just took for granted.
Chris