Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"这只是历史的一个偶然现象,在我们的社会中,普遍认为相信宇宙的创造者能够听到你的思想是正常的,而认为他通过与你共进晚餐来与你交流则被视为精神疾病的表现。"

Sam Harris
Sam Harris Author, Philosopher, Neuroscientist
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
When you dig into it, the core idea here is about the strange double standard we have in society when it comes to beliefs about divine communication. On one hand, it's totally normal for people to think that the creator of the universe can hear their thoughts—no biggie. But, if someone claims that this creator is chatting with them over dinner, suddenly they're looked at as if they need psychiatric help. Weird, right?

This idea hits home in how we navigate beliefs and mental health. Think back to the historical context of this—religion has been a cornerstone for many civilizations. Belief in a higher power, one that listens to prayers and thoughts, is foundational in many cultures. It's been that way for millennia. But when someone steps outside the boundaries of what's "accepted"—like claiming a conversational experience with God—society starts to raise its collective eyebrows.

Imagine this: there's a man named John. He's a deeply religious person who prays every night. His neighbors think nothing of it; it's as ordinary as having a cup of coffee in the morning. But then, John starts telling people that God visits him for dinner, discussing everything from the weather to the state of the world. Suddenly, those same neighbors are whispering behind his back, suggesting he sees a therapist. What's changed? Only the form of the interaction, not the belief itself.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? It's about understanding and empathy. Next time you encounter someone with beliefs that might seem out of the ordinary, take a moment to consider the broader context. Are their beliefs really that different from mainstream ones, or just a variation on the theme? Exercise a bit of compassion and open-mindedness. After all, maybe those dinner conversations are simply John's way of feeling close to a higher power.

Let's dive into a relatable scenario. Picture Sarah, a young woman who’s always been spiritual. She often finds comfort in the idea that the universe listens to her. She meditates, speaks her thoughts into the ether, and feels a connection. One day, she shares with her friends that she feels the universe spoke back to her during a quiet moment in the garden. Some friends nod along, used to her spiritual musings. But a couple of them look at her funny and suggest maybe she's taking things too far.

Here’s the thing: if Sarah’s friends had paused to think about it, they'd realize her experience wasn’t so different from their own quiet prayers or meditative moments. It just took a slightly different form. Instead of jumping to conclusions about her mental state, they could’ve embraced her experience as part of the rich tapestry of human belief.

In the end, it's all about perspective. The next time you encounter someone with unconventional beliefs, remember John's dinner conversations and Sarah’s garden moment. We all have our unique ways of connecting with the universe, and what seems unusual to one person might be perfectly natural to another. And hey, maybe that dinner conversation isn't so far-fetched after all.

So, next time, before you judge, just think: we’re all searching for connection in our own way. And isn’t that what really matters?
Related tags
Belief systems Communication Cultural norms Faith History Mental health Philosophy Religion Skepticism Society
MORE QUOTES BY Sam Harris
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon