Really good post, lydon. I believe we're under the influence of somebody or something all of the time:

Having been in a position of influence over young minds, I can assure you that the things I taught and the views I held made a difference in many lives. I shudder to think of the impact of terrorist teaching - it's bad enough when older adults - people with life experience and fully developed minds are exposed to radical ideas in mosques.

It all comes down to authority - Who is your authority? That's basically what the Pharisees said to Jesus - on what basis are you holding these views - is it your own ideas, or the ideas of a recognized teacher, or do you have a higher authority? How do you know what is real or fake - just your opinion?

Yes, freedom allows us to choose but we must be careful what we hear and what we allow into our lives.