What would happen to a person if he discovered that everything he believed in turned out to be a sham?

Question

To be more specific, here is a typical example of what I am talking about.

Grown up believing one thing, that he has a set role to play in life. Upon reaching adulthood, he plays that role, acting as a representative for the community he grew up in. (in any capacity you like) Suddenly, one day he meets people who proved to him that all his beliefs and convictions were based on a lie, that the beloved community he grew up in actually robbed him of a lot. He didn't know, but he was living a lie, a lie of the community's making, that the community was responsible for a lot of unhappiness and suffering? Just an example.

Answer 1

He would change his beliefs and move on :P

Answer 2

Ask George Bush, he should know

Answer 3

That would shatter all his beliefs and he will have to start anew with a new set...That is sometimes called growing up and gaining experience!

Answer 4

I suppose, in a way that everything we believe in is a 'sham', simply because one day we are all going to leave it all behind - that's a certainty.

Just try to be happy and make the most out of life while you've got it !

Answer 5

Go with the flow or go crazy, I'd guess.

Answer 6

The person matures and becomes an adult.

Answer 7

I changed my beliefs to fit what I knew. No, it wasn't as simple or as easy as it sounds, but it was easier than moping about for the rest of my life, talking about how I'd been 'duped" all this time. No reason for bitterness - my folks thought they were teaching me the 'only' right path.

Was this prompted by the Truman Show?  

Answer 8

In My case, I'd be relieved. It's win win.

Answer 9

Turn in to me, I guess.

Answer 10

Let me guess:  you grew up as a Republican or a Democrat.  And now, realizing that most of what they believe is ignorance, you discovered the Libertarian party and your figurative eyes have been opened!   Congratulations partner, welcome to a life of common sense!

Answer 11

After the initial shock of it all, the world gets turned upside down.  He will probably rebel against that community and it's values for a while.  Eventually he will come to peace with it and move on.  I think it's like the stages of grief.  

Answer 12

It happens when you become an adult.  It's sad, it's like we were lied to all of our childhood.

Answer 13

There was a book out years ago called something like "when the opposite of everything you believed is true". I think it depends on what we grew up around but most of what we learned is wrong....I believed death was a horrible thing & learned it was just our society...we will say "I am sorry" I had to make my own card for someone whose son died because the cards were all sympathy cards...I wrote something about knowing it is all in perfect divine right order...we all are going to die so why should we act like it is so shocking? I had a 20 year old son that died & it taught me more than most people will ever learn in their life time...I thought parents were supposed to die before their kids. That is such a harmful belief. I have another son & we are so close because I don't treat him as if he is going to outlive me. We appreicate each moment...I actaully have made a career at helping people to look at what they believe & see if they want to keep that belief or get rid of it & maybe replace it with a better belief. So I could write a book on all the garbage people carry around in their minds. ...So what would happen is they might resist change at first but after they see things getting better they would love it...I started out as a personal organizer. Then & I loved it. People at times became emotional when they had to get rid of something they held on to for a long time. Then I wanted to work at home so I started working just on the mind not the physical manifestations of the mind...It is such a rewarding experience....Cleaning the clutter out from the mind can be hard to do for a person on their own but it can be done. I help people by holding them accountable to get it done. I also help them through the emotions that come up but this shows they are really healing. So it can be very hard especially if someone faces this discovery on their own but it they can get through it is the most rewarding thing they will do.