A core principal of how I see the world is the idea that views–all views–are constructed. Unfortunately, some views are created as absolutes, which don’t allow any space for contrary or even slightly different views. Religion, for example is one of those views where often there is little room for different views. Is there one God or Many? God or Allah? The division we draw along these views creates tension that often bleeds into outright conflict. At the same time, the distinctions, or lines we draw, about our views is what creates identity.
What is identity but the balance of how we see ourselves and how the world sees us. That value is shaped by what we see the world as and how we see ourselves in it. This is all a large equation; the plus and minus of viewpoints and the 0,1 of computer language. When we find people who are similar to us we are largely talking about how these people view the world and view themselves and how they see their role and place in the world and the factors that affect that. This is why it wasn’t surprising that a group of people in Walmart who all happen to be ‘open carry’ people felt the need to come together and acknowledge each other. It is culture and culture is often the signpost of identity.
The point of all this is to say that holding tightly to views creates suffering. The more I base my reality around particular views, the more I am hurt or enraged or shocked by the world not existing in accordance with those particular views. It is only when I am able to pull back and allow myself space to question, consider, even evolve my views that I can then find peace.