Belief is a word to describe an image we have of the world, for which we do not necessarily have evidence. As such, a belief is helpful in filling in the gaps for whatever unknowns we have in our mental map for navigating the world.
I see no value in keeping an error on a map when we finally do get new evidence that our previous image (belief) was inaccurate.
We make decisions aided by information. But at the heart of our decisions, there is a leap, a jump into the unknown based on a vision we hold dear. Oaths are born of this commitment to vision. Which is why marriages are meant to last not only "though better", but also "through worse"... despite an abundance of negative stimuli, we cling to a vision of something more.
Just as beliefs can change, so can vision. And when this happens, I think it is not only excusable, but crucial for the person to rescind their oath, out of respect to the rest of the Organization whose vision is no longer shared.
The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
The realist adjusts the sails.
- William Arthur Ward
