In a world that constantly pushes us to believe in something, ideologies often slip into our lives and shape how we view the world.
Whether it is a political party, a social movement, or a religious principle, these systems of belief can bring people together, provide direction, and fuel change.
But did you know that they can also lead to divisions, prejudice, and sometimes even violence?
When such beliefs go unquestioned, their influence becomes invisible. They become pervasive and can subtly drive societal norms, shape policies, and mold personal behaviors—into harmful conduct.
Ideologies often create frameworks that influence what we think and how we behave. They define what is “normal” in a given culture. They set standards that few people question. For instance, a person’s political views frequently encompass more than just their policy position.
They may have the power to influence every aspect of that person’s life, from how they view other social groups to how they feel about justice and fairness. Similarly, religious ideologies guide billions around the world and define concepts of right and wrong, influencing how we treat each other and shaping community interactions.
Such beliefs are so ingrained and strong that they often go unnoticed, which makes them powerful drivers of conformity.
Over time, society internalizes these standards, and we end up accepting them as truth and idols. When these beliefs go unquestioned and are manipulative, they can promote biases that, while once debatable, feel like fundamental truths and become evident in the way certain social and political norms—gender roles, definitions of family, views on sexuality—have been solidified within society over generations.
Therefore, without critical reflection, these beliefs resist change, even if the world around them evolves.
The most striking impact of unquestioned ideology is seen in policy-making. For example, political leaders and institutions often embody the prevailing ideologies of the time. They shape laws and policies that reinforce these beliefs. For example, consider economic policies: societal biases about poverty, wealth, and work ethic are often the root cause of ideas about who “deserves” support or what it means to “earn” a living. Policies reflecting these biases may ignore structural inequalities and reinforce the idea that success is purely an individual achievement, neglecting the systemic barriers that hold certain groups, minorities, races, and cultures at the back seat.
The criminal justice system is often influenced by prejudices based on social class, race, or religion. For example, unchallenged racial biases can lead to over-policing and profiling in marginalized communities. While these tactics are often justified to maintain order in the law, the underlying beliefs influence policymakers’ decisions, perpetuating cycles of discrimination and social division under the guise of security and protection.
Religious beliefs are perhaps the most powerful examples of how ideology shapes society. For millennia, religions have influenced everything from family structures to legal systems. Yet, when religious beliefs go unquestioned, they can lead to exclusionary practices that marginalize those who differ in faith, gender, or lifestyle—often creating “in-groups” and “out-groups,” divisions that can lead to conflict.
Religious beliefs have even impacted scientific understanding. They also shape attitudes toward issues like evolution, sexuality, and reproductive rights. Policies based on religious ideology sometimes sideline scientific evidence and can adversely affect public health, education, and personal freedoms. In this way, ideology-driven policies can create a discriminated society where personal beliefs limit public access to unbiased information, hindering progress and marginalizing communities that hold different views.
Moreover, social movements, like any other ideology, also have the power to shape culture and policy. While movements advocating for civil rights, environmental justice, and gender equality have brought about positive change, in extreme cases, they are susceptible to bias when ideology goes unchecked. Within these movements, certain voices can dominate, sometimes sidelining marginalized perspectives—loss of track of the ideology and taking precedence over the movement’s mission, leading to policies that fail to address the root of societal issues.
In this light, when beliefs are held as absolute truths, they prevent open-mindedness, inhibit the kind of critical thinking necessary for positive change, and become the lens through which people interpret new information, leading to confirmation bias—a tendency to favor information that aligns with pre-existing beliefs.
So, how can society move beyond the limitations imposed by unquestioned ideologies?
“Belief, Bias & Racism” delves deeply into this very question. It examines the ways in which belief systems, whether rooted in politics, religion, or social movements, shape society for better or worse.
Through compelling examples ranging from Brexit’s social and economic aftermath to the biases that permeate policing, it argues that unchecked beliefs can distort policy and reinforce discrimination. It critically examines how political ideologies, religious dogmas, and even the lure of conspiracy theories contribute to institutional corruption, classism, and racism, often leaving lasting scars on marginalized communities.
Belief, Bias & Racism challenge us to confront these hidden forces, urging us to question the validity and impact of the ideologies that govern our lives. When the manipulation that frequently underlies social and political beliefs is exposed, it becomes a potent call to consciousness and introspection.
For those ready to look beyond surface narratives and examine the root causes of inequality, this book sheds light on the invisible powers that shape our world. It inspires a re-evaluation of deeply held assumptions and the courage to ask, “Is this belief justified, or does it serve a hidden agenda?”
Get your copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/106870344X.