Oh I had a great many misconceptions as a child, and probably still do today without realizing it.
Some examples include, at different stages of childhood:
- The word "robber" is spelled beginning with a silent "w."
- Stuffed animals and some toys have feelings, souls, etc.
- Covering oneself with a quilt wards off monsters at night.
- Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers was quality television programming.
- If I was kind to animals they would never try to hurt me.
- Streaking and wallowing in pools of mud are cool weekend activities.
- Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, ghosts, and souls exist.
- Killing trees, wetland reeds, chipmunks, etc. is harmless fun.
- Daycare providers are allowed to force-feed soap or pepper corns as a punishment for kids.
- The word "gazebo" is properly pronounced "gaes-bow."
- Tapioca is a fish egg product.
- Most children are evil and corrupt, rotten to their cores.
- People can be neatly categorized as either good or evil.
- The forces of evil are much stronger than those of good in our world.
- God can be bargained with in conversation or in prayer.
- God will make me to suffer eternally in Hell for not being unquestioningly obedient.
- English, literature, art, math, P.E., and foreign language classes are a waste of time.
- Fishing is completely humane so long as it is catch-and-release.
- It is not important to have any friends.
- Education is about becoming smart and work is about doing something good with ones time.
- Religion has nothing positive to contribute to society.
- Imperialism is necessary to civilize the People, both locally and abroad.
- Executing oppressors and killing those who ever assisted them is just.
- I'd be denied work, jailed, shot, or involuntarily committed if the state learned I am socialist.
- I'd be involuntarily committed and subjected to extreme treatments for being depressed if others knew.
- The United States is an evil empire that must be destroyed for the good of humanity.
- People would be far better off if the Soviets had taken over the world.
- My political opponents are delusional, ignorant, stupid, and/or vicious.
- Most truth claims and moral judgements can be objectively proven to be either correct or false.
Dude, do you just write this stuff down as you go through life?
