To the editor:

A well-known adage from psychology is that needs dictate beliefs and emotions produce actions. Beliefs may be secular or religious while actions may be benign or otherwise.

Some common secular beliefs: Bigfoot exists in the northwest forests of the United States; the Earth is flat; strange things happen with a full moon; a broken mirror can bring bad luck; karma is real; thirteen is an unlucky number; and political beliefs vary widely.

The primary influences of religious beliefs are family, geography, and time historically. Secondary influences are child/parent bond, psychological crisis, social pressure, and the authority of respected individuals.

Consider a child in the 17th century that is born into a Buddhist family in China. In all likelihood that child will be a lifelong Buddhist. Envision a child in the 10th century that is born into a Muslim family in the Middle East. There’s tremendous social pressure to remain in that faith. And then there’s the child in the 21st century that is born into a Southern Baptist family in Mississippi — probably a Fundamentalist Christian for life.

Then there’s the adult in the 1870’s in the United States that converts to Mormonism. Why would this happen? One possibility is a very poor family environment resulting in the desire for a substitute group to meet the need for love and acceptance.

Reflect on a child in the early 1900’s that is born into a non-religious family in the United States and suddenly converts to an Evangelical Christian belief system. Perhaps a crisis has occurred, like the realization one was born a homosexual, a sexual orientation that is severely and unfairly condemned by family and peers. Now the person can be in denial and blame some external influence such as a mythical Satan.

Contemplate a child 5,000 years ago born into a hunter-gatherer family in Africa. That child would grow up to follow the spiritual beliefs of the family and tribe. Ponder a child, 60,000 years ago, born into a Neanderthal family. What religious or spiritual belief, if any, would that child be taught?

The spiritual aspect has its roots in the infant/mother bond of love, nourishment, and comfort; in adulthood this is carried over to some sort of transcendental feeling of awe, wonder, and the belief that one is loved and protected.

Apparently, the circumstances of our birth (the luck of the draw) usually determines our future beliefs and actions.

David Keranen

Bakersfield