One of my biggest beliefs came from Star Trek : IDIC, or Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. The idea that one homogeneous whole is not only undesirable but simply wrong has shaped damn near everything about me. It may seem sad, but the science fiction I consumed as a kid shaped the person I am today
I'm not a conspiracy theorist by any means, but I do think everyone should read The Creature from Jekyll Island. While I don't think it's 100% correct, it does bring up some very relevant points.
Worked in a Waffle House 28 years ago. Never had a murder, but did have a rape, beating, two football fan crashouts and a drunk guy yelling at the menu for being disrespectful to his invisible wife. Gods I will never unsee any of that. Worse, I never got tipped. Layer moved to a more dangerous gig : Steak N Shake cook.
Two things the Church is against. I'll keep my Happy Heathery, thankee