In my "Something we can all agree on post", I said that "love thy neighbor as thyself" was the only important part of Christianity, to which a few people replied that I was "Christian bashing". What they didn't realize was that I am a Christian myself, and that I was being completely earnest: I honestly believe this is the fundamental element of Christianity, and that this is sometimes forgotten. I taken aback at the negative response to what I had intended as a topic to unite us all in a agreement over one of the most beautiful phrases ever uttered (at least in my opinion), but it also set my mind to working.

If something as simple and without implication as my comment can be perceived as something negative, does that show what massive power perception has in our lives? Is perception often more powerful than facts or logic? And, if so, how do you think the power of perception affects subjects such as politics, morals, and the arts? This may seem like a broad topic, but it's something I've discussed at length before and always found fascinating. And thoughts on the subject are welcome.

Nate, perception is always more powerful than fact.

This is something I've learned, sometimes the hard way.

Honestly I sound a little trite even to myself typing that out but I think it hold water.

go look at that guy in General Discussion "Fat Yet Eager", his perception of the world is if you are deemed fat or ugly you will only ever have happiness by finding people like you, although he's the one deeming people fat and ugly.

Bad example? How about being called a Christian? a Jew? really it doesn't matter anyway, people are stubborn about giving up on their perception of the world especially one that may threaten their tenuous grasp on security and stability in their lives.
I think clarity is important, and trying to judge people and situations based on facts and how clearly you can judge them, but it's hard to do and even the most secure of us has trouble figuring out what's fact and what's perceived. (not that I'm so arrogant as to include myself in that group, although a lot of people disagree with me on that point )

Math is supposed to convey truth and fact well. I'd like to understand it better, but I don't so I can only rely on my sense of doubt and cynical nature to guide me through the muck that my perception tells me exists in the world.
I also happen to believe that Art conveys truth very well but it's not obvious truth, it's something that exists deep inside and you don't know's there until some piece of art touches it.

That's all I got for now.

Good post, Mary.

Another thing that I;ve always found interesting is the influence of environment upon perception. Take my post, for example. Had I said the same thing to a group of friends, the environment (as well as numerous other factors, such as the way I said it, topics of conversation preceding what I said , etc.) could completely change how what I said would be received. Because I posted in an environment that is usually very liberal, it was taken as cynical and negative by some people. Had I said it on a Christian message board it probably would have been received completely differently. It's amazing what power perception has.