@Junior: It’s not absolute conviction that I have a problem with. Indeed, I admire it at times, though one of its faults is automatic closed mindedness. After all, how can you grow if you believe you’re completely correct already? (I realize there is more to this than simply what I’ve stated, that there are degrees of this, but for the sake of argument I’ll work with this general assumption.) Nevertheless, I do admire this type of conviction, and at times, even apply it in my own life, for there are things in my life which I believe are absolutely true, regardless of what others may believe, or even what the facts tell.

However, I’ve always had a problem with imposition. Faith is a very personal thing, since it usually deals with the ultimate personal event, death and the entrance to the afterlife (and therefore the rules by which you govern your life). So I draw the line when someone tells me I’m supposed to believe in something which I find utterly wrong, utterly abhorrent, especially in light of my having to live according to that. The problem with a large number of Christians (excluding Catholics) is that unless you believe like them — exactly like them — you’re always wrong. That, to me, seems to stifle growth. Indeed, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, from people I otherwise admire, that “He’s a great person, but he doesn’t have it right. And unless he accepts [My Faith] he’s already in trouble.

Ironically, this closed minded conviction about the possibility that I may be wrong, and that in the end only I can truly determine what I believe was exactly what I had employ when confronted with the same.

Adversity will at times increase conviction. It’s why sometimes people in the sales profession get excited when they hear a “no” — and gain conviction that they’re one closer to a “yes” — while others get disappointed when they hear a “no” — and believe there to be no end in sight.

Now that’s taking a stand firmly for an idea, not a belief.