Thanks for the thoughtful response @robertandrew!

Much of what I believe-- across the board-- is the result of personal study and observation. Very little was passed along to me; I was not substantially indoctrinated into any particular beliefs. My parents were primarily conservative but in no way religious. Any identification I have with a preset religious or political doctrine is mostly coincidental... but I do tend to believe in "possibilities."

I would say that I am guided by a sort of "selfish altruism;" that is, I seek whatever path seems to be of the greatest benefit to both the "WE" and "ME" at the same time... losely based in a "do no harm" core.