I hear the term "personal" belief all the time. "That's your personal belief. You're entitled to it." This implies there is such things a thing as a "public" belief too, correct? And that personal beliefs are off the conversation table, as compared to public ones?

i've got no idea what this is about

Religious beliefs are most often called "personal" beliefs.

I have a feeling the "personal" belief thing is a fallacy committed by people who think a belief is bunk but really don't want to criticize the belief in question because other people are involved.

A good point. One could argue all of our beliefs are personal in that they come from the person. But just become they come from the person, they are not automatically that person's own belief -- and they can hardly be separated from driving actions or shielded from criticism.

Remember, beliefs are not appendages, they're propositions we hold to be true.

personal as in not attempting to influence others through govt? thats what i get from it.

That's the argument, but how can core moral beliefs (or even any belief for that matter) not influence how you engage with the public?

A "personal" belief is just that--a belief that is personal in nature (someone believes it for their own reasons).

Why would that imply a "public" belief? Because public is the opposite of personal?

This thread doesn't make any sense.

someone may be pro-choice but find it morally reprehensible to have an abortion. for one.

How could anyone believe anything without having their own reasons, or reasons they've decided make sense to them? Does this then mean all beliefs are personal?

I'm not following. Go on.

Cpt., one of the reasons I made this thread is that I don't get the "personal" belief thing either. Isn't a belief a belief all the same?

If that is your point, then I guess I agree. I would say a personal belief is basically the same as an opinion. Any thing outside of the realm of "fact" is more or less a personal belief.

More than anything I think it is a figure of speech. People generally use it as a way to sheild themselves from scrutiny. "That's my personal belief" = "That is how I see it, and I don't care what you think."

Shouldn't this be personal belief versus public policy? Cpt's abortion example wass good. I believe a public policy of allowing abortion but have a personal belief against it.

Why do you believe abortion should be legal if you think abortion is wrong? Expand on that.

adultery should be legal, yet i have moral qualms with it.

Same goes for drinking, or anything else that requires any sort of morality (or lack of).

yup.