An Undue Burden

An intriguing observation is that individuals often apply minimal scrutiny to the beliefs they were raised with while simultaneously demanding an unreasonable level of proof before they accept new ideas. Consider that the beliefs we’re born into are deeply embedded from an early age, reinforced by the foundational structures of family, community, and culture. These inherited beliefs become integral to our identity and worldview, rendering them less susceptible to critical scrutiny.

Now, juxtapose this with the introduction of new beliefs. These often challenge the established worldview, necessitating a thorough re-evaluation of previously accepted truths. This cognitive re-evaluation demands significant mental effort and can induce cognitive dissonance, a psychological discomfort arising from holding conflicting beliefs. To mitigate this discomfort, individuals tend to impose higher standards of evidence and logic on new beliefs, effectively creating an undue burden for their acceptance.

This is particularly true for religious beliefs, which are often instilled from a young age and are reinforced by community practices and cultural norms. They become a cornerstone of our identity, and any challenge to these beliefs can feel like a challenge to our very sense of self. Consequently, when confronted with new theological ideas or interpretations, individuals may demand a level of proof that far exceeds what they require for the beliefs they already hold. This can hinder spiritual growth and understanding, as it creates an environment where inherited beliefs are protected from scrutiny while new, potentially enriching perspectives are dismissed outright.

The Endowment Effect

The endowment effect, a concept deeply embedded in behavioral economics, refers to the psychological phenomenon where individuals ascribe higher value to items simply because they own them.

Imagine you’ve just acquired a new watch. Initially, you might have thought it was a bit pricey and debated whether it was worth the investment. But now that it’s on your wrist, you start to admire its craftsmanship, the way it complements your style, and the convenience it offers. If someone were to offer you the same amount of money you originally paid for it, you’d likely refuse, feeling that the watch is now worth much more simply because it belongs to you. This is the endowment effect in action. Ownership inflates the perceived value of the watch, making it harder for you to part with it at its objective market value.

Now, let’s extend this idea to the realm of beliefs. Consider an idea you’ve held for years—perhaps a particular political stance or a philosophical viewpoint. Because this belief has become part of your identity, you value it highly, often without rigorous scrutiny. When presented with new evidence or alternative perspectives, you might demand an unreasonable level of proof before considering a change, much like you would with the watch. For instance, if you’ve always believed that hard work alone guarantees success, any data suggesting that systemic factors play a significant role might be met with skepticism. The endowment effect makes it difficult to adopt new ideas because we inherently value our existing beliefs more, simply because they are ours.

In the realm of personal beliefs, the endowment effect manifests in a profound resistance to change. Once an idea is integrated into our worldview, questioning it or considering alternatives can feel like a threat to our identity. This is where the endowment effect intersects with cognitive dissonance—the discomfort we experience when confronted with information that contradicts our existing beliefs. To minimize this discomfort, we often impose stringent standards of evidence on new ideas while giving our existing beliefs a free pass. This makes it exceedingly difficult to adopt new perspectives or change our minds, even in the face of compelling evidence.

Understanding the endowment effect in the context of our ideas can provide valuable insights into why we cling so fiercely to our beliefs. It highlights the importance of critical self-reflection and the need to consciously challenge our cognitive biases. By recognizing that the valuation of our own ideas may be inflated simply because they are ours, we can strive for a more balanced and open-minded approach to new information and differing viewpoints. This self-awareness is crucial in the realm of religion and spiritual truth.

Follow the BEst

The Quran provides profound wisdom on navigating and overcoming these cognitive biases, which often cloud our judgment. It encourages individuals to critically examine all words and choose the best. This principle fosters discernment and intellectual humility, which is beautifully encapsulated in the following verse.

[39:18] They are the ones who examine all words, then follow the best. These are the ones whom GOD has guided; these are the ones who possess intelligence.

 ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ ٱلْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُۥٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ

Elsewhere in the Quran, the same expression is used, “the best,” in reference to the scripture. This is because no other words are better than God’s words.

[92:5] As for him who gives to charity and maintains righteousness.
[92:6] And upholds the scripture.
[92:7] We will direct him towards happiness.
[92:8] But he who is stingy, though he is rich.
[92:9] And disbelieves in the scripture.
[92:10] We will direct him towards misery.

فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ
وَصَدَّقَ بِٱلْحُسْنَىٰ
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلْيُسْرَىٰ
وَأَمَّا مَنۢ بَخِلَ وَٱسْتَغْنَىٰ
وَكَذَّبَ بِٱلْحُسْنَىٰ
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلْعُسْرَىٰ

Follow What Has Better Guidance

According to the Quran, if someone brings better guidance than what we inherited, we should adopt it without hesitation.

[43:22] The fact is: they said, “We found our parents carrying on certain practices, and we are following in their footsteps.”
[43:23] Invariably, when we sent a warner to any community, the leaders of that community would say, “We found our parents following certain practices, and we will continue in their footsteps.”
[43:24] (The messenger) would say, “What if I brought to you better guidance than what you inherited from your parents?” They would say, “We are disbelievers in the message you brought.”
[43:25] Consequently, we requited them. Note the consequences for the rejectors.

بَلْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهْتَدُونَ
وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِى قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقْتَدُونَ
قَـٰلَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكُم بِأَهْدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمْ عَلَيْهِ ءَابَآءَكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرْسِلْتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

Move From Darkness To Light

Therefore, if a message takes us out of darkness and into the light, we should be the first to accept it.

[65:10] GOD has prepared for them severe retribution. Therefore, you shall reverence GOD, O you who possess intelligence and believed. GOD has sent down to you a message—
[65:11] a messenger who recites to you GOD’s revelations, clearly, to lead those who believe and work righteousness out of the darkness into the light. Anyone who believes in GOD and leads a righteous life, He will admit him into gardens with flowing streams; they abide therein forever. GOD will generously reward him.

أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَـٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَدْ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكُمْ ذِكْرًا
رَّسُولًا يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ مُبَيِّنَـٰتٍ لِّيُخْرِجَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ مِنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَـٰلِحًا يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا قَدْ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ رِزْقًا

Follow the Word of God

Similarly, we see in the context of scripture that if someone brings a book from God, and if it has better guidance, then we should accept it and follow it.

[28:48] Now that the truth has come to them from us, they said, “If only we could be given what was given to Moses!” Did they not disbelieve in what was given to Moses in the past? They said, “Both (scriptures) are works of magic that copied one another.” They also said, “We are disbelievers in both of them.”
[28:49] Say, “Then produce a scripture from GOD with better guidance than the two, so I can follow it, if you are truthful.”
[28:50] If they fail to respond to you, then know that they follow only their own opinions. Who is farther astray than those who follow their own opinions, without guidance from GOD? GOD does not guide such wicked people.
[28:51] We have delivered the message to them, that they may take heed.
[28:52] Those whom we blessed with the previous scriptures will believe in this.
[28:53] When it is recited to them, they will say, “We believe in it. This is the truth from our Lord. Even before we heard of it, we were submitters.”

فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِنْ عِندِنَا قَالُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُوتِىَ مِثْلَ مَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰٓ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ مِن قَبْلُ قَالُوا۟ سِحْرَانِ تَظَـٰهَرَا وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِكُلٍّ كَـٰفِرُونَ
قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِكِتَـٰبٍ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْهُمَآ أَتَّبِعْهُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
فَإِن لَّمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَكَ فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يَتَّبِعُونَ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ بِغَيْرِ هُدًى مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
وَلَقَدْ وَصَّلْنَا لَهُمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ هُم بِهِۦ يُؤْمِنُونَ
وَإِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مُسْلِمِينَ

Reject The Word of Men

This automatically eliminates any book that is not from God. This includes the Hadith compilations or the writings of Paul and his disciples from the New Testament.

[34:44] We did not give them any other books to study, nor did we send to them before you another warner.

 وَمَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُم مِّن كُتُبٍ يَدْرُسُونَهَا وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمْ قَبْلَكَ مِن نَّذِيرٍ

[35:40] Say, “Consider the idols you have set up beside GOD; show me what on earth have they created.” Do they own any partnership in the heavens? Have we given them a book wherein there is no doubt? Indeed, what the transgressors promise one another is no more than an illusion.

 قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ شُرَكَآءَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَرُونِى مَاذَا خَلَقُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ أَمْ لَهُمْ شِرْكٌ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ أَمْ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمْ كِتَـٰبًا فَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَتٍ مِّنْهُ بَلْ إِن يَعِدُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا إِلَّا غُرُورًا

[68:37] Do you have another book to uphold?
[68:38] In it, do you find anything you want?

أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَـٰبٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ
إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ

Examine All Inherited Information

The Quran instructs us to examine all inherited information regarding religion, and on the Day of Judgment, excuses that we followed what we inherited will not be accepted.

[7:28] They commit a gross sin, then say, “We found our parents doing this, and GOD has commanded us to do it.” Say, “GOD never advocates sin. Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?”

 وَإِذَا فَعَلُوا۟ فَـٰحِشَةً قَالُوا۟ وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهَآ ءَابَآءَنَا وَٱللَّهُ أَمَرَنَا بِهَا قُلْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْفَحْشَآءِ أَتَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

Examine Our Selves

Moreover, the Quran advises us to be critical of our own actions and intentions, urging self-reflection and accountability.

[59:18] O you who believe, you shall reverence GOD, and let every soul examine what it has sent ahead for tomorrow. You shall reverence GOD; GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.

 يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

Summary

By applying these principles, we can overcome the cognitive biases that often cloud our judgment. The endowment effect, for instance, leads us to value our inherited beliefs more highly simply because they are familiar. This bias can prevent us from fairly evaluating new ideas or interpretations that may offer deeper understanding or more accurate guidance.

To truly embrace the teachings of our faith, we must be willing to critically examine both our inherited beliefs and new information. This involves a continuous process of learning, reflection, and improvement. By doing so, we ensure that our religious beliefs are not merely a product of tradition but are rooted in a sincere quest for truth and understanding. This approach, grounded in the wisdom of the Quran, fosters intellectual and spiritual growth, enabling us to navigate the complexities of faith with greater clarity and conviction and protects us from blindly following the religion of our ancestors without critical analysis.

[2:170] When they are told, “Follow what GOD has revealed herein,” they say, “We follow only what we found our parents doing.” What if their parents did not understand, and were not guided?

 وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ قَالُوا۟ بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَآ أَلْفَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ ءَابَآءَنَآ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ ءَابَآؤُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ