Challenging Assumptions - What and How?

As human beings born and raised in a society we are bound by assumptions, prejudices and the values of our forefathers, family and peers.
Most of us do not realize that the way we think, decide and act upon all matters (whether trivial or complex) are heavily influenced by:

1. The morals and the value system of our parents.
2. The peer environment that we had been exposed to as kids.
3. The religion we believe in just because we were born in a family that practices that religion.
4. The culture of the community/nation we were born in.

Some people would say that the above mentioned factors are what define us as an individual.

I happen to have a different view on the same:                                                                                                

I believe that all the above factors do not define you or me as an individual. Rather, these influences change a kid's beliefs to align them with that of a group, society or cult.
Original and free thinking is severely impacted by the way we are raised and the education system we have been exposed to.

For example, a kid born and raised in a terrorist outfit would probably hate the western world all his life without even questioning the beliefs and education he was imparted.

While the above is a more extreme example, it does clarify that the way you and me have been schooled and raised, trains and conditions us to be a part of "The Group" rather than promoting free will and original thinking.

Most of the stuff we like, the choices we make, our likes and dislikes are actually not what you or me could really call "My Preferences". These "preferences" were formed of time and influenced by the moral and the value system we were exposed to.

The icing on the cake is when we realize that we never had the independence or the discretion to choose this system of morals, values and religion by ourselves. This is what we were taught and always believed in. Some of the most important beliefs we live and swear by were never chosen or questioned by us!!

This is what I like to do:

Being naked. Yes… being naked!

We are not naked when we take of our clothes. We would still be wearing our assumptions. beliefs, faith, religion, morals and values.

If you could take these off for an hour and spend that hour thinking like a free man who is unaffected by any external influences and uses logic and rational approach to think for himself/herself, take decisions by self and not succumb to peer, family or societal pressures.
Then, you would have the satisfaction of living life at your own terms and making your decisions.

Remember… Challenge Assumptions!!