When hate and intolerance is all you hear and read repeatedly, you start to imitate it. They’ve been indoctrinated. The only thing that will ever change their mind is the almighty dollar.
How much of hate, jealousy and fear of the "other" is just innate? How much is cultivated by parents and friends - let alone the "hate media"? Aren't we all products of some sort influences or actually "training"?
I grew up in a household where my folks judged people by their behavior - nothing else. Dad enjoyed mentoring an Indian (from India) co-worker. He loved telling us stories about this guy's adaptation to life in the US.
My folks never used the word God. They went to a church until they lost interest and my Mom's mobility became an issue. But there was no religious stuff at our table. Just a sense that fairness and equality were basic to living a good life.
Their best friends were pious Irish Catholics. Different politics. Drove different brands of cars. But they all loved each other.
I'm for any religion that teaches tolerance, the Golden Rule and welcoming the neighbor. Respect for the planet would help. I know there are people of faith who agree on these basics.
But at the risk of a gross sweeping generalization, churches and preachers have done as much damage as Rush Limbaugh and Fox "News". Too many Baptists teach hate. Too many Catholics have advocated for the death of mothers. Even Buddhists in Myanmar have performed genocide.
This evil has always been there. Donald Trump opened Pandoras Box and encouraged the worst in us. I don't believe in a Devil. But I might need to change my mind.
Perhaps they're similar to their followers and are in denial. But those in power tend to be narcissists as well as sociopaths. They believe their own lies; it's always the other who's at fault.
I don't engage with cultists directly on politics because, as most of us have found, it doesn't work, and sometimes seems to make them more resistant. Discussing side issues so that lines of communication remain open has, occasionally, enabled further conversation when they initiate it. It doesn't happen as often as I'd like, but this is a 'one at a time' situation.
.. persons’ ’experiences & related perceptions beget ‘opinion .. & eventually - beliefs.. or ‘trusts.
Now - when someone ain’t interested in ‘verifiable facts .. & prefers certain ‘flavours of reality - & it depends on the ‘topic & flavour just how ‘receptive.. or how much ‘energy might go into ‘accepting any update or different ‘perceptions, analysis or new discovery .. ?
My question is - Where is ‘any upside to engaging ? Like ‘ANY ? 🦎🏴☠️🧨
Thanks for weighing in, Thomas. I understand your position. If we are dealing with a cult, and I think that is the case, how do we crack that wall of "incommunication"?
This is ‘conundrum territory .. Have learned to avoid them when possible & back out ASAP upon Recognition… Tactical & unpredictable ‘strategic withdrawal.. lend no clues or ‘tells.. ‘leave them with no audience .. nada - ‘no sale
Crucially - in my experience - ‘let time into the equation (‘Lateral Solutions -‘problem solving - a la Edward De Bono) - letting ‘space’ into the equation is key as well - maybe the cult ‘loses steam’ or mebbe finds or ‘founds a new ‘religion or ‘koolaid
Abusive Environments - are clearly - escalating Problems
Bottom Line - I follow Exemplars .. & good things keep happening ..
Have been Employed & Deployed - ‘to run with the wolves.. Maximum Security the Drug Addicted the Emotionally Disturbed - sometimes all in one package..
Sometimes I suggest folks ‘self install mental tools to deploy as required. Kind of a ‘simple & polite - preventive deflection’ - almost ‘auto response’ & realistically one should be ‘shaping their exit plan if possible - to simply exit the company of such ignorant persons ! Where Is The Upside .. versus obvious Downside ?
.. no ‘wisdom involved - just ‘sharing my experiences .. & am a hunter & gatherer re ‘the experiences of others - especially the exemplars who’s ’experience & ‘ways of being’ I can add to my personal toolkit & even point out to others - as well worth trying !
But every ‘cult’ situation is ‘dynamic - takes place within ‘unique & ‘evolving - even ‘transient & shifting circumstance ..
Dangerous Times .. t’say th least eh ! Such is Life at Times !
Scary! I am beginning to see the infiltration of religious ?? comments in Substack on posts that have absolutely nothing to do with the topic of religion. Best not to engage.
I understand your viewpoint, Yvonne. I also feel that it is important for the MAGAs to know that they are not the dominant voice and that they are being manipulated by professionals. Peace to you. 🙏🏻
Thanks for your wisdom, Ann Great update from Ky. Perhaps when bad decisions come home to roost the cult cracks and they fall onto the hard pavement of facts.
Good points, Ann. Democrats have long stated that they only need to get the vote out to win elections. I guess tge GOP caught on. It is going to be a challenge. Good luck with the paper chase that you are on.
When hate and intolerance is all you hear and read repeatedly, you start to imitate it. They’ve been indoctrinated. The only thing that will ever change their mind is the almighty dollar.
Thank you, Carole. Maybe reading about cases of people that were retrieved from brainwashing might assist me.
More like hypnosis. Too bad you can’t snap your fingers to break the trance!
You are so right!
How much of hate, jealousy and fear of the "other" is just innate? How much is cultivated by parents and friends - let alone the "hate media"? Aren't we all products of some sort influences or actually "training"?
I grew up in a household where my folks judged people by their behavior - nothing else. Dad enjoyed mentoring an Indian (from India) co-worker. He loved telling us stories about this guy's adaptation to life in the US.
My folks never used the word God. They went to a church until they lost interest and my Mom's mobility became an issue. But there was no religious stuff at our table. Just a sense that fairness and equality were basic to living a good life.
Their best friends were pious Irish Catholics. Different politics. Drove different brands of cars. But they all loved each other.
I'm for any religion that teaches tolerance, the Golden Rule and welcoming the neighbor. Respect for the planet would help. I know there are people of faith who agree on these basics.
But at the risk of a gross sweeping generalization, churches and preachers have done as much damage as Rush Limbaugh and Fox "News". Too many Baptists teach hate. Too many Catholics have advocated for the death of mothers. Even Buddhists in Myanmar have performed genocide.
This evil has always been there. Donald Trump opened Pandoras Box and encouraged the worst in us. I don't believe in a Devil. But I might need to change my mind.
Thanks for contributing, Bill. Collectively many of us have provided the negative influences.
I'm still a work in progress.
We all are, or at least we ought to try to be.
I've learned not to engage them with facts and pertinent data. As they say, you can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink.
Thanks, Frederick. I wonder how those now in power process the facts of aggression against the nation if they are so closeminded.
Perhaps they're similar to their followers and are in denial. But those in power tend to be narcissists as well as sociopaths. They believe their own lies; it's always the other who's at fault.
Good questions. Wish I had an answer to them.
Thanks for your support, Scott.
I don't engage with cultists directly on politics because, as most of us have found, it doesn't work, and sometimes seems to make them more resistant. Discussing side issues so that lines of communication remain open has, occasionally, enabled further conversation when they initiate it. It doesn't happen as often as I'd like, but this is a 'one at a time' situation.
.. persons’ ’experiences & related perceptions beget ‘opinion .. & eventually - beliefs.. or ‘trusts.
Now - when someone ain’t interested in ‘verifiable facts .. & prefers certain ‘flavours of reality - & it depends on the ‘topic & flavour just how ‘receptive.. or how much ‘energy might go into ‘accepting any update or different ‘perceptions, analysis or new discovery .. ?
My question is - Where is ‘any upside to engaging ? Like ‘ANY ? 🦎🏴☠️🧨
Thanks for weighing in, Thomas. I understand your position. If we are dealing with a cult, and I think that is the case, how do we crack that wall of "incommunication"?
This is ‘conundrum territory .. Have learned to avoid them when possible & back out ASAP upon Recognition… Tactical & unpredictable ‘strategic withdrawal.. lend no clues or ‘tells.. ‘leave them with no audience .. nada - ‘no sale
Crucially - in my experience - ‘let time into the equation (‘Lateral Solutions -‘problem solving - a la Edward De Bono) - letting ‘space’ into the equation is key as well - maybe the cult ‘loses steam’ or mebbe finds or ‘founds a new ‘religion or ‘koolaid
Abusive Environments - are clearly - escalating Problems
Bottom Line - I follow Exemplars .. & good things keep happening ..
Have been Employed & Deployed - ‘to run with the wolves.. Maximum Security the Drug Addicted the Emotionally Disturbed - sometimes all in one package..
Sometimes I suggest folks ‘self install mental tools to deploy as required. Kind of a ‘simple & polite - preventive deflection’ - almost ‘auto response’ & realistically one should be ‘shaping their exit plan if possible - to simply exit the company of such ignorant persons ! Where Is The Upside .. versus obvious Downside ?
Thank you for your wisdom, Thomas. 🙏🏻
.. no ‘wisdom involved - just ‘sharing my experiences .. & am a hunter & gatherer re ‘the experiences of others - especially the exemplars who’s ’experience & ‘ways of being’ I can add to my personal toolkit & even point out to others - as well worth trying !
But every ‘cult’ situation is ‘dynamic - takes place within ‘unique & ‘evolving - even ‘transient & shifting circumstance ..
Dangerous Times .. t’say th least eh ! Such is Life at Times !
🦎🏴☠️🧨
Scary! I am beginning to see the infiltration of religious ?? comments in Substack on posts that have absolutely nothing to do with the topic of religion. Best not to engage.
I understand your viewpoint, Yvonne. I also feel that it is important for the MAGAs to know that they are not the dominant voice and that they are being manipulated by professionals. Peace to you. 🙏🏻
Agree!
Thanks for your wisdom, Ann Great update from Ky. Perhaps when bad decisions come home to roost the cult cracks and they fall onto the hard pavement of facts.
Good points, Ann. Democrats have long stated that they only need to get the vote out to win elections. I guess tge GOP caught on. It is going to be a challenge. Good luck with the paper chase that you are on.
I verify my voter registration monthly, just in case. We have to turn this around.