Are some beliefs more powerful than others? Absolutely. There are three different levels of certainty: opinion, belief, and conviction. Opinions can be shifted easily, as they are based on transitory perceptions. Beliefs are much stronger because they're based either on many experiences or on experiences with more emotion attached to them. It's still possible to destabilize this certainty with new questions. A conviction, on the other hand, is buttressed by such high emotional intensity that the person holding it not only feels certain, but can actually become enraged and/or blinded to any rational discussion if the conviction is even questioned.

Convictions can be incredibly empowering or unbelievably destructive. Which of your beliefs are opinions? Which do you feel more strongly about? Do any of them approach the level of conviction?