Legal Definitions - belief-cluster

A belief-cluster is a group of ideas or opinions that seem to be connected when considered together in reference to a specific subject. This term is often used in critical legal studies to describe a set of beliefs that are not necessarily related, but appear to be when discussing a particular topic, such as racism, sexism, or religious intolerance.

• A belief-cluster about racism might include ideas such as the belief that people of different races should not marry, that certain races are inherently superior to others, and that affirmative action is unfair.
• A belief-cluster about sexism might include ideas such as the belief that women are not as capable as men in certain fields, that women should not be in positions of power, and that women are responsible for their own sexual assault.
• A belief-cluster about religious intolerance might include ideas such as the belief that one religion is the only true religion, that people of other religions are going to hell, and that people of certain religions are more likely to commit acts of terrorism.

These examples illustrate how a belief-cluster can include a variety of ideas that are not necessarily related, but are often discussed together in reference to a particular topic. By understanding the different beliefs that make up a belief-cluster, we can better understand the complexity of issues such as racism, sexism, and religious intolerance.