Who is the Author of your Beliefs?

Throughout the Cayce readings, he tells us that we need to be not only aware of what our beliefs are, but where they came from. It appears that most of the time this question is asked in relation to an ideal.

As we decide what our opinions are on societal issues like the death penalty, abortion, gay marriage, or justifying our religious faith, we are advised to understand whether our beliefs are spiritually-based or ego-based (simply to make us feel good or important). If the basis is spiritual, they are constructive.

 This advice on knowing the source of beliefs is in many of the readings, but here are a few:

Reading 2002-1:

21. Study then thine own self, in relationship to that thou dost set as thine ideal. Know in WHOM as well as in what ye believe. When ye say, when ye give expression as to a belief or a conviction, know WHO is the author of same and as to whether that author has in his own experience made same practical in a material world, - and if it is constructive.

Reading 2995-1:

6. Hence the first injunction to the entity is to analyze self. What does the mind of this entity hold as its ideal in the spiritual world? What is the source of the entity's information? Who is the author of same? Is the author of thy faith, of thy belief, able to keep that ye commit unto it against any experience, be it spiritual, mental or material? Whoever is the author must himself have experienced spiritual, mental and material life. This must of itself, then, be the author of life, it must be the builder of mind as well as of material things.

Reading 254-101:

3. As has been so oft indicated for all, first know in what and in Whom you have believed. When you say you believe this or that, know Who is the author, Who is the finisher of same.
4. And unless its source is of such a nature that it is in keeping with Him that is the Author of Life itself, reject same! For these must be as the principles of Life itself!

Reading 303-39:

5. This does not necessarily mean to become indifferent, but in the physical and in the mental and in the spiritual, there is required first the SURETY within self. Know not only what ye believe but Who is the author of same; not because, merely, this or that may have been said by this or that person, but - according to the true spiritual law - because "My Spirit beareth witness with thy spirit - where two shall agree as concerning anything, they shall ask my Father in heaven and He will do it, that I may be glorified."

Reading 1499-1:

13. Hence all the more there is the necessity that the entity within self find what is its ideal. Not only in what it may believe, as for moral, religious, social or business associations and activities, but as to WHO is the author of such a choice. Is it founded in a growth from within as of a spiritual nature, or is it founded in self-indulgence or self-gratification, or self-glorification?

Reading 1523-1:

12. This does not indicate, then, that the entity is to become long-faced, morose or goody-goody as might be termed. But know in what and in WHOM ye believe; and then act, in thy associations with others, in such a way and manner that thy good purpose, thy desires, thy goodness may not be evilspoken of - or that there is never a question within thy own individuality, thy own conscience, as to whether the choice thou hast taken in thy activities is a thing to be questioned.
13. For if ye know in Whom and in what ye believe, then ye may give - in thy manifested activity - a constructive influence ever.
22. The entity being grounded and founded, though, in that which must be the criterion of the entity - Know in Whom and in what ye have believed, and that it, the belief, is founded in a spiritual import - then the strength of the promises in the Creative Forces, or God, will be able to keep thee in thy disturbing periods.
65. Hence turmoils were caused; and all the more reason why it is necessary in the present to hold to that which has been indicated: Know in what ye believe and WHO is the author of same!