# Opinions or beliefs that you suspect some people secretly hold **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 15, 2016, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396 "2016-06-15T03:48:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/1 "2016-06-15T03:48:28Z")
This forum is mostly about our own opinions, but now it’s time to opine about other people’s opinions (I’m referring mainly to groups of people, not specific individuals): I’m about to come across as a sour, cynical person, so here goes… 😃😛 \*\* 1#. \*\*I believe that a substantial number of people - on the political right and left - secretly desire eugenics-based population reduction. I don’t mean that they want genocide of the “Shove them in a gas chamber with Zyklon B” variety so much as I mean that if they had a magic button that would make “undesirable” people in the world disappear, they’d press it. So, for instance, some liberals would push a button to make conservatives, pro-lifers, creationists, MRAs, etc. disappear, while some conservatives would push a button to make liberals, gays, pro-choicers, blacks, etc. disappear. And some liberals \*and \*conservatives would push a button to make Down Syndrome or low-IQ or ugly people disappear. \*\*2#. \*\* I believe that a substantial number of people care more about animals than humans, and would save an animal life over a human life, or even many human lives. \*\*3#. \*\* I believe that a substantial number of people would prefer tyranny over democracy if that tyranny were to their political liking - namely, that some conservatives hanker for a right-wing regime and some liberals hanker for a left-wing regime. \*\*4#. \*\* I believe that many people on the right and left who call for “equality” don’t really want equality - they want \*supremacy \*for their faction/group over other factions/groups. What beliefs or opinions do you think some people hold in secret, but are not willing to state publicly? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/2 "2016-06-15T08:14:02Z")
I believe that most people are significantly more racist than they’re willing to publicly admit. And I believe that a significant number of people would commit all sorts of wrongdoings, if they knew with certainty they’d never be caught. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/3 "2016-06-15T10:16:13Z")
I suspect the number of “butts in pews” on Sunday far exceeds the number of real believers. No way to prove this, but I’d wager that for a significant number of people, religion is a real life version of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Disclaimer: Atheist here - No dog in this fight. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/4 "2016-06-15T10:59:53Z")
I believe there is a rather large number of “Christians” out there that don’t actually believe in God or Jesus Christ. There are a shit ton of people lying about not having unprotected sex. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/5 "2016-06-15T11:03:00Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > I suspect the number of “butts in pews” on Sunday far exceeds the number of real believers. No way to prove this, but I’d wager that for a significant number of people, religion is a real life version of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” > Disclaimer: Atheist here - No dog in this fight. I missed this post before I posted mine. Well said. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/6 "2016-06-15T11:17:08Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I believe there is a rather large number of “Christians” out there that don’t actually believe in God or Jesus Christ. I guess because I’m open about my atheistic views, many people have confided in me that they attend church out of habit, because they don’t want to displease relatives, or because they have no other social life. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/7 "2016-06-15T11:21:46Z")
I must be an optimist, as I believe that almost everyone is actually trying their best to make this a better world for themselves and their children. I also believe that different idea of what constitutes “a better world” or what actions should be taken to reach these goals are what cause most conflicts. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/8 "2016-06-15T11:42:39Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > There are a shit ton of people lying about not having unprotected sex. And there are a shitload of “straight” men having gay sex, protected or un-. And some of them eagerly suck dick and take it up the ass . . . yet will not kiss, because that would make them gay. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/9 "2016-06-15T11:59:32Z")
I suspect the number of Trump supporters out there is higher than the ones that will admit it. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/10 "2016-06-15T13:14:04Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > I must be an optimist, as I believe that almost everyone is actually trying their best to make this a better world for themselves and their children. > > I also believe that different idea of what constitutes “a better world” or what actions should be taken to reach these goals are what cause most conflicts. Agreed on both points. I also think that of those who are not trying to make this a better world, most are not trying to do anything at all. Not evil, but indifferent. And I think a large amount of the indifference is attributable to hopelessness, not a cavalier mindset. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/11 "2016-06-15T13:24:42Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > I must be an optimist, as I believe that almost everyone is actually trying their best to make this a better world for themselves and their children. > > I also believe that different idea of what constitutes “a better world” or what actions should be taken to reach these goals are what cause most conflicts. Yup. Most people are well-intentioned. Or in the very least, casually self-interested. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/12 "2016-06-15T13:43:30Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > \*\*3#. \*\* I believe that a substantial number of people would prefer tyranny over democracy if that tyranny were to their political liking - namely, that some conservatives hanker for a right-wing regime and some liberals hanker for a left-wing regime. That isn’t exactly a secret, but many of those people don’t realize they’re talking about tyranny. The smartest ones understand it once you explain it slowly; some still manage not to get it after a whole Sesame Street episode on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/13 "2016-06-15T14:16:59Z")
I believe that people, when they are in the minority, believe that there are a larger number people “on their side” who are afraid to admit it then there actually are. This is true from the most raging skinheads to the “from each according to ability, for each according to need” communists. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/14 "2016-06-15T14:20:07Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > I believe that people, when they are in the minority, believe that there are a larger number people “on their side” who are afraid to admit it then there actually are. This is true from the most raging skinheads to the “from each according to ability, for each according to need” communists. It’s odd because I’ve seen that in action, but for me? I usually feel that when I’m not in the mainstream, I’m alone. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/15 "2016-06-15T14:48:52Z")
Man, I ain’t touching this with a 10-foot pole! ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/16 "2016-06-15T15:38:53Z")
I believe that people who avoid going to the doctor and avoid preventative testing also hold the metaphysical belief that truth is subjective, whether they are conscious of having that position or not. I believe that there are white men who, when put into a room with men of non-white ethnicity and women of all ethnicities, would believe that they are the only fully human being in a room full of animals. I believe this to be the reason behind intractable racism and sexism. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/17 "2016-06-15T16:03:56Z")
I think most people are racist to a degree that impact their everyday decisions. Not just “everyone’s a little bit racist”, but everyone’s racist where they’ll hold on to their purse tighter near certain people, or not buy from a country because they think its cheap, or don’t eat at some restaurants because they don’t think those people clean. I think a significant number of religious people don’t actually believe the shit they hear in church or synagogue or temple, but mob mentality is hard to go against and being in an area where such thoughts are prevalent radicalizes you. That’s why I think the best way for the West to de-radicalize the Middle East is not with bombs or wars or bribes, but to flood them with our Hollywood culture so that people know there’s an alternative. As much as conservatives like to rail against Hollywood here at home, abroad it is our most potent recruitment tool. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/18 "2016-06-15T16:12:09Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > I suspect the number of “butts in pews” on Sunday far exceeds the number of real believers. No way to prove this, but I’d wager that for a significant number of people, religion is a real life version of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” > Disclaimer: Atheist here - No dog in this fight. Oh, I definitely know that, and I’m Christian. There are also a lot of people who do it to impress the neighbors, or to see and be seen (although maybe not as much of that now as in past generations). For that matter, whenever I see a roomful of people facing Mecca, I always wonder how many of them really believe in what they’re doing, and how many of them are doing it for the reasons other people have mentioned in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/19 "2016-06-15T16:43:44Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > I believe that people, when they are in the minority, believe that there are a larger number people “on their side” who are afraid to admit it then there actually are. This is true from the most raging skinheads to the “from each according to ability, for each according to need” communists. **raises hand** Guilty as charged, your honor. You’d think I’d be acclimated to it by now, but I keep expecting other people to see individual matters the same way I do, despite the fact that at the very same time I expect to be an exception, an unusual outlier, when it comes to comparing overall worldviews. Honestly, I think it is something all humans do. Insofar as we think we are people with fully functional minds, we expect that whatever makes sense to us makes sense, period, and we expect the people around us to reach similar conclusions. And for most people in most circumstances, yeah, they do indeed get that regular confirmation, and take it for granted. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396/20 "2016-06-15T16:55:41Z")
Whether along those lines or otherwise, I believe most people either • think that pretty much everyone except them has life figured out, and that they alone are faking it, and must continue to fake it lest folks realize that they don’t understand a lot of critical things about life and how to live it; or • have come to believe that no one, themselves included, has ever made any semblance of sense of life, that no one believes otherwise (even delusionally) and that therefore everyone is totally faking it [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-or-beliefs-that-you-suspect-some-people-secretly-hold/757396.md?page=2)