What is the difference between a fact and a belief?

I’m sure there is a hard and fast definition for both of these words. For the purpose of this discussion, let’s just say that facts are usually accepted as the bottom line and not necessarily based on opinion, but provable by some objective measure. For example, it is a fact that 12 inches equals 1 foot. We can measure it with a ruler. A belief would be something like this, “Relationships are hard work”.

The thing about beliefs is that they are the foundation upon which we build our expectations. Most of us need expectations to help us feel secure. We feel safer when we can guess what is coming next. We feel like we can prepare for the worst if we need to.

This powerful need to feel safe is what we can so easily confuse with feel like a fact, because facts are considered more solid, therefore safer. Being able to distinguish facts from beliefs will actually empower us even more than simply “pretending” that a belief is a fact just because it feels better to think that way.

Let’s say that we think that putting butter on a burn as first-aid treatment is a fact. Many of us have thought this and some still may think this is a fact. However, weith experience and observation, we now know that burns will actually get worse if butter is applied and heal better if cold water is applied. This has been tested by experience and science so now it is a fact. However if we pretend that applying butter is a fact, and we do that, the results will still be the same as though we didn’t believe it and put butter on a burn knowing full well that it would hurt and cause more damage to the burn. In other words, the belief does not change the fact no matter how hard we believe it.

What are some beliefs you have? Are those beliefs or facts?

Here’s my best definition: Beliefs are assumptions, theories, explanations, conclusions and states of mind which we choose, at some level, as mechanisms to help us make sense out of our experiences. Beliefs often become so ingrained due to repeated situations which seem to “prove” their legitimacy, that we may confuse them with facts.

Most of us can recognize beliefs such as political leanings and religious philosophies. Have you ever given much thought to beliefs you take for granted, those assumptions about others that are based on whatever your idea of “normal” is. For example: Say you get an invitation from someone in the office to attend a brunch with a group of your friends over the weekend. You are all excited and eager until you find out it’s on Sunday morning. You suddenly feel angry, surprised and maybe even put off because, “Don’t people know better than to plan things on Sunday mornings when everybody’s in church”? (smile) I use that example for the “Bible Belt” baby boomer I used to be. (chuckle).

What other assumptions do you make in your life about others? Situations?