About 68% of values drawn from a normal distribution are within one standard deviation σ away from the mean; about 95% of the values lie within two standard deviations; and about 99.7% are within three standard deviations. This fact is known as the 68-95-99.7 (empirical) rule, or the 3-sigma rule.
Take vegetarianism, for example. It's been estimated that approximately 10% of the world's population are vegetarians. Put another way, meat-eaters outnumber vegetarians 9 to 1.
What are the chances that vegetarians can convince the rest of the world to become vegetarians? not so much.
Likewise, it's been estimated that 10% of the world's population follow sharia law.
get the point?
We would do well to consider how our beliefs and views compare with others. Is our view "mainstream"? or are we on the outer extremes of the "mainstream"?
While it's perfectly OK to be true to our own beliefs and views, whatever they may be (provided they're not illegal, immoral or unjust), if our beliefs and views are on the outer extreme of the mainstream, then we may want to take that into account before trying to ram our beliefs and views down other peoples' throats.
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