Friday, November 13, 2020

The Social/Political Gospel and Cults of Personality

America's Social/Political Gospels...


Are American Christians Embracing a Personality Cult with Donald Trump? 
Or are They Rejecting the Socialist Unification of Cultural, Religious and Political Power? 


photo source:https://www.nbcnews.com/video/trump-stands-in-front-of-st-john-s-church-holding-bible-after-threatening-military-action-against-protesters-84206661837
When I was a child, I watched Portland Wrestling every Saturday night on the television with my grandfather.

The broadcasts highlighted, "bigger than life," personalities who were transformed into Heroes and Anti-Heroes.

Years later, as an adult while working at my hospital, I was called to assist in a confrontation with one of these heroic personalities. He was easy to recognize by name and appearance and fortunately physical confrontation became unnecessary when he responded to problem solving. But I was saddened to see this childhood hero, reduced to a frightened elderly man.

What I had experienced as a child is called a, "cult of personality," which is similar to the, "cult of the leader."

My intention is to compare and quantify these two terms in regards to President Trump. The, "cult of the leader," refers to a political or military figure that authoritatively captures the venue of mass media, (keyword authoritatively). Both cult forms work through the creation of spectacle and insert disinformation or propaganda or even the disarming effects of the big lie to create an idealized, heroic, and even worshipful image or regime.

These, "Cults of the Leader," or the regimes they create exist in a climate of unquestioning flattery and praise, (keyword unquestioning), where acts of glorification through the arts and government-organized demonstrations and rallies of focused loyalty are mandatory and dissenters are punished. North Korea's Dictator Kim Jong-Hyun is this type of leader. 

Although the wrestling. "Cult of Personality," that I engaged in as a child, had it's distortions of reality. It was a harmless entertainment, tool used to create emotional engagement and excitement in the wrestling audience.

In the 2016 and 2020 Presidential elections, a similar technique occurred as Donald Trump personified himself, in a similar manner under the inspiration of the engaging and entertaining Jesse Ventura.

Jesse Ventura's entertaining," Persona," in Wrestling was also useful in Politicking. This strategy opened the door for him to successfully become a City Mayor and later, the Governor of the State of Minnesota.

Similar to Jesse... Trump's grandiose and engaging politicking style has also been successful and this success has also led to a, "Cult-Like," following. Although his presentation often seems extreme, he has not sought extremes in social or political change. He has not authoritatively taken charge of the government or media. On the contrary, his stance has been mostly Libertarian as he has demonstrated tolerance of opposing views and buffered changes on the social level. Consider for instance his being in support of conservative views on abortion and religious freedom and liberal views toward the Gay Community. (Have you heard his UN speech?) 

Instead of seizing power and increasing authoritarian Governmental control, Trump's focus has been on reducing the powers given to Governmental institutions. For these reasons, I believe that Trump has an unusual, "Cult of Personality following, but not a, Cult of the Leader," position. I also believe that the unified, intense opposition to his presence and actions by his opponents show a much larger, more pervasive and authoritarian, "Cult of the Leader," regime wrongly labeled as Liberal tolerance. 

In comparison, to Trump's, "Cult of Personality," the regimented effects found in the, "Cult of the Leader," (or regime of his opposition) are much more dangerous. 

Consider what occurred in Germany during the first half of the last century. The Nazi regime was not a harmless expression of freedom. It was founded on, and wrongly legitimized through a series of culture shaking,  misinterpreted scientific discoveries. With social emphasis focused on these, emerging "Evolutionary Interpretations," views of human existence changed as values clarification goals were promoted through the schools to support the racial advancement of select groups and subjugate and even exterminate those who were less valued by their culture. This was easily achieved through their educational system extending down to the youngest of students. 

Many aspects of this effort were applauded throughout German academia and among Progressive elites internationally. It became central in the culture, and Churches that embraced these values were labeled the, " Recognized Church," while dissenters were discounted and cancelled or even experienced death and persecution. In just eight years Nazi values progressed to dominate the entire nation and soon this Progressive Socialist Government ruled as central authority in all areas of German life. For the Progressives of that day, It was a miracle! As Germany finally had a (seemingly) cohesive society. 

But back to the original question. How is all of  the current emphasis on Trump and Trumpism being experienced by Christians? Are the thousands of predominantly Christian rural communities across America united in a desire to dominate and oppress those who disagree with them through the oppressive strength of an authoritative dominating leader? Are they seeking to centralizr power under the government? 

Or are they along with vast numbers of nonreligious Americans seeking to avoid being dominated by an imposing culture of radicle change?  Are they hoping to stop this advancement and return to the American values that they love and understand?

In watching the brief informative videos below, consider how the perceived needs and fears of Germany's people were shaped to motivate German Citizens to adapt to the Nazi Narrative. An exclusive and pervasive narrative that was so contrary to the values they had held just one generation before. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y81-SzkwwhU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHERiyU7jcM



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7awpjXrWls




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFkb7vYZp8U

Unfortunately a more comprehensive video on the politics of religion in Germany was removed from youtub. It is still available  at https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x79b28o.

A  central figure presented in that video is Gerhard Kittel, chosen due to his disciplined scholarly influence and fluctuating compromises with the evolving positions held by Germany's, "Recognized Church", as compared to Bonhoeffer's, "Confessing Church." Kittel is also described in the brief video below and the groups are described briefly in the  second video below.


The Strange Story of Gerhard Kittel


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHMFiConJ1A




Two Kingdoms in the Third Reich - Professor Alec Ryrie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEdnwpo28NM

For a fuller understanding, I do encourage vieing the original 56 minute video at https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x79b28o. 


And now after considering these lessons from history. What do you think? Are American Christians embracing a, "Cult of the Leader," with Donald Trump as in the Pro Hitler German-Christian Movement? 

Or: 
Is Trump's, politicking, "Persona," more of an entertainment feature that crudely engages America's audiences. Is the support of Americas conservatives and libertarians more like the1934 Confessing Church who opposed the takeover of their Government, Religion and Culture by a progressively Socialist regime? A takeover accomplished through censorship, discriminatory laws and social practices. One that seized their Sources of industry, Healthcare, Education and  regulatory institutions to create Governmental Centralized Control? Are these libertarians and conservative Christians joined with Trump in a progressive take over? 

Or:
Is theirs's an effort of resistance against a Progressive, "Cult of the Leader," (regime) that has already captured much of what I listed above and is tightening their grip with each advancement? 


Also consider this short eyewitness account..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOlxAFm25lg&list=PLc7nB8Z7S2L9GQlR3fYnbWBRejFm6cyHt&index=3

Were they welcoming Hitler as a leader? Or embracing the promises of what was to come with the progressive social changes demanded by his regime?

For a less serious comparison, consider leadership styles in the Presidency at my other blog at: 

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Wednesday, June 24, 2020

CONTROLLING THE NARRATIVE...

Controlling the Narrative.

An updated reposting from my November 2016 post

The moral outrage of prejudice is like staring so intently at our assumptions that we cannot examine our beliefs.
We close our eyes, our minds and our hearts to accepting truthful perspective.

Lessons from one of History's most significant Riots of "Moral Outrage."

Original date of the Kristallnacht, "Night of Broken Glass 
(against perceived Jewish abuse after the assassination of Ernst vom Rath)
Date: November 9-10, 1938  
Location: across all of Germany, Austria, and occupied Europe.


A quote from the Kristallnacht  Holocaust Encyclopedia, found at: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/kristallnacht.

"A Turning Point


The events of Kristallnacht represented one of the most important turning points in National Socialist antisemitic policy. Historians have noted that after the pogrom, anti-Jewish policy was concentrated more and more concretely into the hands of the SS. Moreover, the passivity with which most German civilians responded to the violence signaled to the Nazi regime that the German public was prepared for more radical measures. "   (emphasis added)

Among them the refusal of insurance companies to pay for reparations from the riots and the purging of the Reichstag of those holding politically incorrect views. 
See Monument below.


No it's not a stone bicycle rack.

While in Germany years earlier, when we visited to reunite with my birth family. We also visited the Reichstag building in Berlin, (comparable to our Senate). In front of the building is a very small, very unusual monument. It was created to recognize the 96 members of the German congress who spoke out against the Nazi narrative. The Reichstag is where they unsuccessfully challenged the edicts followed by the newly formed, "Ministry of Information." Through the, Ministry, the Nazi narrative was advanced throughout the German culture and into the German public school system. It was celebrated by many, especially those in Hitler's Youth Corp. Large portions of this Nazi narrative were also incorporated into many of Germany's churches due to it's seeming popularity and to avoid future discrimination. 

Each slate slab in the monument represents one politician, with his name, his political party, and the date and location of his death. Most died while imprisoned in concentration camps.

This monument is small in size and easy to disregard, like the effect of their voices, even as it occupies a place of honor in front of the Reichstag building.

The video below presents an eyewitness account from the perspective of a ten year old girl who experienced the narrative of the day. She lived in Austria and describes her excitement with the promises of a central planned Socialist State and the powerful cultural changes that came during the annexation of Austria.

Kitty Werthmann

---------------------------------------------
A CRISIS IN MY HOME TOWN
ON AN ANNIVERSARY OF EVIL


A similar event, in the style of the Kristrallnacht  uprising occurred in our 2016 (Post Election Riots of Moral Outrage) 
Date: November 9,10,11,12, 2016 
Location: Portland, Oregon and across the USA. 

Earlier that November I had visited Israel with my son and his fiance'. Here I am at Israel's Holocaust Museum, #YadVashem Memorial.


At YadVashem I was graphically reintroduced to #Kristallnacht, or the, "Night of Broken Glass," and all that came with it. My experience motivated my original post in November of 2016.

Three days after returning home from my Israel trip a youth led movement eventually became much like a "(k)ristallnacht." It was taking place at the city where I worked. At first it took the form of a regular protest as it started with youthful protesters marching, which...




 quickly turned too.

A narrative of violent intimidation which continued for days. 

So what makes these events similar?

It was on Kristallnacht in 1938 that Germany's youth rose up and acted out the #politicallycorrect teachings championed in their schools.

It was on Kristallnacht in 1938 that the German Youth Corp forcefully implemented the Progressive ideals of their time by moving beyond acts of subtle discrimination to acts of violent intimidation. 




The link below is to a well detailed article on European and American #Progressive social philosophy during the preware period including how these views even extended into California State Supreme Court decisions and were later used as a defense in the Nuremberg Trials by Nazi war criminals.

September 2003

The Horrifying American Roots of Nazi Eugenics

Historians/History
tags: Holocaust
 by Edwin Black
Edwin Black is the author of "IBM and the Holocaust" and "War Against the Weak: Eugenics and America's Campaign to Create a Master Race,"  from which the following article is drawn.

Click Link below (not picture) to see article. 
http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/1796


These progressive values were also foundational in the implementation of many of America's social and health care policies. Policies that many in our black community find discriminatory and offensive. 
Read more at: 

Black Pastors Ask Smithsonian to Remove Bust of Planned Parenthood Founder

By Penny Starr | August 7, 2015 | 4:14pm EDT
 
Click Link below,(not picture) to see article.
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/penny-starr/black-pastors-ask-smithsonian-remove-bust-planned-parenthood-founder

It was on Kristallnacht in 1938 that the press and political leadership of Germany accelerated the seeming explosion of "spontaneous, retaliatory" violence and destruction into the streets of occupied Europe. 

 Earlier they had endorsed acts of discrimination. But now widespread physical violence and destruction were seen as heroic acts of the people's will. This allowed them to move forward to eventually seize all Jewish property. It created the sanction for indiscriminate public executions and progressed their cause toward eventual mass genocide. 



While visiting Israel, our Israeli guide reported that He had grandparents who survived the Holocaust and became the sole representative of their two families. Both were widowed as a result of the genocide. They met and married on a kibbutz after fleeing to Israel. He and his family continue to live on a kibbutz.

Like the progressive leader in Germany in 1938, our presiding President, in 2016, President Obama, took a position of passive understanding and acceptance of the riots in hopes to avoid escalation. The State Governor of Oregon went even farther to offer condolences. 



 TWO YEARS EARLIER.... With Malheur, this same Governor, Kate Brown was not so amicable to protesters who challenged her values. It was on Wed, Jan 21st, 2016 that Governor Kate Brown demanded an end to the protest at Malheur Wildlife Refuge, ending the nonviolent phase stating... “This SPECTACLE of LAWLESSNESS must end! ... I WILL NOT STOP INSISTING that Federal Officials ENFORCE THE LAW!”


Within three days a key spokesperson from the group would be dead. See story in the (link) below.
https://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/gov-brown-appeals-to-obama-for-resolution-to-malheur-occupation/
News | An Occupation In Eastern Oregon

Gov. Brown Appeals To Obama For Resolution To Malheur Occupation

by   OPB Jan. 21, 2016 10:45 a.m. | Updated: May 17, 2018 2:01 p.m.
Read more from this article including copies of the letters sent to Lynch and Commey at link above.


Click Link below to see complete playlist of related stories in the sequence of events as occurred at the Malheur Protest.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc7nB8Z7S2L8Ek0zx2hxj1IoNh-K0z6bC

A Comparison of Protests
 and Governmental Responses

This reaction of government leadership to pardon and condone overt acts of violence and anarchist destruction, while harshly punishing more subtle expressions of resistance, protest and negotiation is appalling. In looking at the two groups, What patterns do you see that cause you concern? 

Personally...

Although these men, expressing their grievances at the refuge posed a potential threat by openly brandishing firearms. Their pattern of action was consistently non threatening. This can be clearly seen in the sequence of videos in the playlist created from varied sources.  

The only casualty was one of failed police protocol much like the death of Mr Floyd. 

The Malheur Protesters presented themselves as strong, but refused to threaten or act destructively in a way that would cause intimidation or fear. 

 (irresponsible destructive acts did occur in the privacy of the wildlife refuge however and consequences were levied against perpetrators in the form of fines after the protest ended.)

The State and Federal Government response however failed. It failed by escalating this case, even as happened with George Floyd. But here the prejudice of administrative power is shown in an unprovoked homicidal confrontation with Federal and State Police ordered by the Governor that ended the life of Mr. Finicum. 


This reaction of government leadership to pardon and condone overt acts of violence and destruction in the anarchist riots, while harshly punishing more subtle expressions of power is appalling.

 Our Constitution guarantees our right to both bear arms in a nonthreatening manner and redress our government with our grievance through petition and protests. This group did both as well as actively lessening their intimidation by conducting their protests away from population centers.   

In 2016, I wrote that, "We need to exercise caution or we may find ourselves continuing down the road laid by Germany’s Brown Shirts." (Are we already too late?) The petri dish where destructive groups like anarchists, Nazis, the Taliban, and the KKK  gain their power is in the fear that mob action creates. 

The augar that feeds them is the division and lack of civil discipline, #WeThePeople," exhibit.

Street protest is our LAST, not first mode of communication because of the volatility and confusion it creates by manipulating the generalities of it's message. It becomes necessary only when other means fail, but the disruption creates confusion and wastes valuable resources by placing huge expense on local communities. 

The Post-Election actions of November 9 -11,


And these most recent...
 Post George Floyd death/ Black Lives Matter, (Riots of Moral Outrage)  once again in the (k)ristrallnacht (style)
Date: May 25- to date June 23, 2020  
Location: Portland, Oregon and across the GLOBE.
These are acts of social destruction. They are the opposite of productive civil disobedience because their message has been hijacked.



You don't add fuel to a hijacked plane. 

You dump the fuel.


The protesters are being played as pawns by the Anarchists and the very Media that promotes and profits off the negative and divisive aspects of the the chaos they create. How?...  By fostering a media market where truly informative content doesn't sell.

It continuously rewards hyperbole and outrage with the spotlight of their attention. We have relinquished the reigns of journalistic research and discipline to the profiteers and gossips. 
We have failed to create a thirst for wisdom and perspective among, "We The People."

For those with a genuine desire to improve America, we would accomplish far more by volunteering in our communities, writing our representatives and working to benefit those living in our homes. 
Home is where values are traditionally taught through modeling and precept.

Following is an excellent article on who holds power over shaping the lives of our children. It was written in response to the complaint of President Trump being a compromised moral example to their children.

Titled:  Don’t give Trump so much credit, America



 With the rejection of the traditional Judaeo-Christian family and it's values, the modern nuclear family is being reshaped along media induced progressive guidelines in much the same way as happened in Pre-War Germany.
In 2016:  I wrote that, 
"In time we will find out if we are going to have a similar outcome."  (to the changes experience in Pre-War Germany)

I only hope that here in 2020 it is not too late. 


Or like so many others we may soon find that the anarchist in charge no longer favor protests.


Youth uprisings after anarchist control. It really didn't seem that bad at the start. It's really not that bad, No not really


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Thursday, June 11, 2020

Informational Ecosystems and Fake News

Destroying Our Informational Ecosystem
What makes Fake News Fake?

1. Overwhelming repetition of select info that displaces higher priority information for the gain of special interests groups to distract the public from being truly informed in a timely manner.

2. Exaggerated or minimized content through omission or skewed emphasis to mislead the public and advance the agenda of a special interest.

3. The manipulated polarizing of opposing points of view to opposing consensuses as accelerations in social media sharing and reaction are used to push social division and reduce the communication of collaborative compromise.
The use of social media peaked during the 2016 election and for the first time its true destructive power was realized as external operatives used it to divide Americans against each other. The details of this ongoing form of intrusive manipulation were examined and reported on by the journalists of  PBS' Frontline. 

These broadcasts are listed below. 
They are VERY INFORMATIVE. 

"The Facebook Dilemma" parts 1and 2
and can be viewed by clicking the windows.

See Part 1 The Facebook Dilemma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T48KFiHwexM

See Part 2 The Facebook Dilemma
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuA4qxPbpQE

They describe RUSSIAN SPONSORED INVOLVEMENT in our election and Russian social media influence across the globe. These actions have led to frequent social disruptions and even murder as clandestine news sources controlled through Russian influence foment biased reactions and division.

(Some very clear examples are presented on Part 2 at minute 8:50-10:55 and 13:10-14:20 AND ESPECIALLY 20:30-26:20 where Russian sponsored operatives CREATED multiple OPPOSITION GROUPS on facebook and other platforms here in the US and organized OPPOSING PROTEST EVENTS in our cities, some of which were very destructive and violent.

You can also see how our Senate wrongly addressed Russian involvement with the pre-election Trump team on the CSPAN recording of Senate hearings from June 3. 2020.

Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein testifies on Crossfire Hurricane Investigation

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbvXIi7hV5I


In The Facebook Dilemma, investigators discovered thousands of instances where Russian operatives created division and discord among the American people by promoting very polarized and inflammatory websites and creating facebook-groups along with inflammatory posts for group followers to share. Their goal, to divide and paralyze America and destroy America's influence by crippling her system of Government.


Consider what you share. 

 It seems that many of the fake sites don't even try to hide it anymore. Before you share, check who sent it and who their friends are. Check the site it came from. And most of all, check the intent. 
Are you really so driven that you 
are willing to be used by known 
enemies intent on destroying
 our nation?


Today, with the sudden eruption of these (well organized?) protests and riots, it seems apparent that something similar is happening. But this time, is it the Russians? Or are other actors involved? I guess only time will tell. But it is very obvious to anyone on line that the volume of divisive social media is accelerating and that much of it fits one of the FAKE categories. 

So how does on line media compare with Broadcast News? 
Is the News presented through our broadcast media also FAKE?

Consider how these questions apply?
1. Is it balanced, presenting the interests of multiple sides in the topics or conflict it covers?

2. Is it adequate in depth to clearly present a clear picture complete with opposing perspectives?

3. Is it distributed in a way that informs audiences with accurate and timely information, or is it marketed to provide little actual information and keep you emotionally hooked to maximize the gains of special interests or commercial sponsors?

 Consider the emotionally charged coverage of the Covid 19 Pandemic, and the death of  George Floyd in the hands of easily distracted, poorly trained police officers and the intensely motivating coverage of Black Lives Matter response. 

May 29, 2020, Portland Oregon





Unlike historical events, organized and directed by known leaders,  who has organized these events? Have these organizers acknowledged that ignoring the "Stay At Home Order" and calling the Black Community to march would expose them and their families to the destruction of the pandemic.

It is no secret that our black population ranks near the top in vulnerability! Second only to our elderly. 

In actuality; could this march of seeming solidarity be an act of kindness, or a kiss of death? Have theses marches initiate real action to find real solutions or are they an offering of guilt and ease like the donations of Small-Pox contaminated blankets to American Indian populations during the Small-Pox pandemic?

Time will certainly tell, but my questions is. Will THE NEWS? 
  
My son and daughter in law have maintained distancing from both sets of parents through the pandemic to protect us and her parent.

 Doesn't our black community deserve as much? Why don't these organizers, and who are they.

Recently a spokesperson from Portland's OHSU describing the protests stated that she was not concerned over the possibility of  exposure because the protesters were wearing masks. Really? Look at the pictures. This type of statement is typical of the FAKE News we are so often faced with.  

To solve real social problems we have to look beyond our prejudices and consider real solutions. Soothing our racial consciences through overt gestures of solidarity, and knee-jerk reactions against police in general are not real solutions. If we have a problem with our police then we have to examine our methods of policing.  

Beyond all of the social disturbance, I would like see reporting on the general public's response to these disruptions. Before the riots and protests end and we move on to other things, I would like to hear police leadership express their concerns and hopes for change. 

 I want to hear how they feel about having their experienced leadership replaced through political gesture and how they believe these action will affect all of our futures.

 I want to hear about the history of changes that our police have already experienced and hear officers share their best strategies for effective community policing. I want them to tell me what real police professionalism looks like, how bad cops should be dealt with and how to avoid them when hiring.

Before the protests end, perhaps the news teams should ride along and present their stories and the challenges they face as well as the  victims of violence and the business owners who have suffered loss.

In my opinion, the one sided narrative presented during the vast majority of our news coverage puts much of it in the FAKE CATEGORY, especially when it is panders to special interest sponsors and select groups.

 I would certainly watch more on the TV special coverage if stories were presented in greater depth. 

 But what I see plays only to my morbid curiosity. I do not want to watch for hours waiting to see another person be assaulted or a shop owner's building be destroyed. This form of coverage does not address my sense of reason.

Today, many express a narrative of anger toward our political system, saying it does nothing but put our country up for sale to the rich as the highest bidders buy government influence. 

 But I see a far more powerful form of influence manipulation. The manipulation of our public through these many forms of FAKE media. It seems that we have been trained like circus animals to welcome it. 

As to bribes and contribution misconduct in Congress, they can be corrected through legal action. But how do we correct a social addiction to media sensationalism and pandering?  



Whether you agree with my thoughts or not; 

Please DO TAKE THE TIME TO VIEW 
the PBS FRONTLINE links. 
They are repeated below.

"The Facebook Dilemma" part 1 
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T48KFiHwexM

 "The Facebook Dilemma" part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuA4qxPbpQE

They are VERY INFORMATIVE and describe much of what we are seeing around us. Especially Part 2 at minute 8:50-10:55 and 13:10-14:20 AND ESPECIALLY 20:30-26:20 

Whether we are being influenced by the Russians or it is coming from other sources, it appears to be having the same effect in dividing our population into parties of shame and blame. 

To prosper, we have to find genuine way to work together for the good of our communities and country. This is not an easy thing. It does not occur through gesture alone as my recent Go-Fund-Me page created to help my Afro-American neighbor revealed.

 Although racism was not been mentioned in the list of problems he has reported to me, lack of acceptance and the subsequent complaints from neighbors were.

This neighbor is the only black person in our neighborhood. He  recently experienced an eviction after the complete destruction of his property. After a long battle with the Vancouver building department and courts he was forced to allow his property to be abated. That is to have everything removed from the property.

 For some time, his peculiarities were unacceptable to some of his neighbors and complaint driven code violations procedures were finalized by a kitchen fire that resulted in his property being condemned and eventually bulldozed. 

 During the abatement process however, the actions of the City employees and the Police Officer present clearly demonstrated the themes of human respect and self restraint, as can be seen in the video below.  



CREATING HOMELESSNESS (part 1) A NOT SO BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FltqCvgBWM


CREATING HOMELESSNESS (part 2) 
Destruction and Hopes for Collaboration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktv9PNC6GGM

But the crowds of seemingly sympathetic respondents on Facebook did almost nothing to actually help my friend and the fund created to assist him rebuild did not grow. 

Over a period of two moths the a GO-Fund-ME page only received one pledge other than the original contribution that I made. Was this lack of support due to racism? Or was it a lack of acceptance for other reasons? 

Reguardless, When it comes to real action, gestures of sympathy online or even huge marches sponsored by (?) just don't cut it.

At this time of intense emotionalism and false assumptions of  social progress we need to stop ourselves and take a deep breathe. 

We need to open our eyes fully and engage our brains and relearn how to actually value each other. 

We all differ in many ways. But that does not mean that any of us deserve punishment or discrimination. We need to look at the cost of our biases and move beyond them. 

This is especially true for our African American neighbors who may be suffering greatly. And it is also true for our police officers who are also suffering. 


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Saturday, June 6, 2020

Changing Culture and PC Religion

The Death Of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Pushed Me To Join a Politically Active Temple.


Consider this writer and her point of view, her sense of dedication, and sense of allegiance to the causes of her peers. This rendering has been edited slightly. The original can be seen by clicking the link located at the end of this post. One should NOT ASSUME that, "The Temple," referred to through out the article is a Jewish Temple.

Members of my Temple do not believe in the supernatural or superstition. In the same way that some Unitarians and some Jews do not believe in God, members in my Temple are not worshipers, most are atheists. They are not affiliated in any way with the Church. Instead, my Temple stands as a symbol of resistance and rebellion against injustices. 

Just like other faiths, my Temple has a code that their members believe in deeply and use to guide their lives. These Seven Fundamental Tenets include that “one should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason,” that “the struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions,” and that “one’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.” 

When Justice Ginsburg’s death suddenly made combating the threats to reproductive rights and a government free from religious interference more urgent, I knew it was time to join them and support their conceptual and legal battles. 

Even before Ginsburg’s death, the Supreme Court was unwilling to provide adequate protection for a woman’s right to choose and to control her body. The court was unwilling to keep church and state separate. Now, without her voice of reason on the court ― let alone her vote ― Roe v. Wade is in imminent danger of being overturned not based on legal arguments or scientific reasoning, but because of religious objections to what is a safe and necessary procedure for the women who seek it out after discussion with their physician. Ginsburg’s replacement is all but certain to be vehemently anti-choice, with one of the top contenders belonging to a sect that actually used the term “handmaid” to refer to some women until the popularity of the TV series “The Handmaid’s Tale” gave the term negative connotations. 

Reading through the Seven Tenets, I was struck by how closely they aligned with the unwritten code I had used to try to guide my own life for several years. I realized, happily, that these were my people and had been for several years without my even knowing it. 

In the hours after Justice Ginsburg’s death, I sat wondering what the future would hold for my daughters. Their ability to live in a country where the religious beliefs of others would not play a role in their right to assert autonomy over their own bodies was suddenly, starkly, in danger. Traditional means of keeping abortion safe and legal seemed woefully inadequate to protect the rights that women in the generation before me had fought so hard to secure. 

Almost immediately I found strength in the my Temple’s efforts to turn religious arguments on their head by pushing for religious liberty for their members on an equal basis with believers in the dominant Christian faiths. And this is not just a theoretical push. The temple has launched campaigns and filed lawsuits to compel the government to do this in matters ranging from exemptions from legal mandates to cover birth control to the ability to display religious symbols in government buildings or allow religious clubs in public schools. By pointing out instances where the government has favored Christian rhetoric ― and filing legal challenges to stop it ― members from my Temple have transformed belief into action and has demonstrated what freedom fighting truly looks like. 

Our Temple members hope to appear before the Supreme Court in a case challenging a Missouri abortion law that requires those seeking to terminate their pregnancy to first receive materials asserting that their abortion would end the life of a separate, unique person. The temple argues that these materials violate the deeply held religious beliefs of one of our Temple members regarding bodily autonomy and scientifically reasonable personal choice. The argument that our Temple is using is the same one the Supreme Court effectively endorsed in the Hobby Lobby birth control case, for which Justice Ginsburg wrote the dissent ― that no one should have to follow a law that violates their deeply held religious beliefs. If a Christian should not have to do so based on their religion, members from my Temple should not have to either. This is what equality under the law means on a fundamental level and my Temple stands as a symbol of resistance and rebellion against tyranny. 

This is the organization I want to have standing up for my rights and for my daughters’. While I support more mainstream groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Church and State, my research has shown that the my Temple is truly in line with my beliefs about protecting our First Amendment rights and fighting laws that promote or are based on religious doctrine and that it is willing to use radical, creative and yet legally sound strategies to make its case. 

I was able to become a mother when I wanted on my own terms. Throughout my pregnancy, I had access to scientifically accurate information and the ability to make informed choices with my doctor. While I never had an abortion, I want the same opportunities to choose for my own daughters. I am far from certain these rights will exist 10 years from now when they may be deciding when, how or even whether to start their own families. 

We need creative, resolute thinkers who are willing to stand up for what they believe in and take concrete action to do so, and the members of my Temple are those kind of people. I am proud to now count myself among their ranks. 

There is a real chance that the Supreme Court will be lost for a generation or more to justices appointed for their religious beliefs rather than a deep understanding of the Constitution or a desire for justice to be carried out on an impartial basis. Because of this, I believe that the strength of those in my Temple ― and its members’ dedication to fighting for true freedom ― represents our best, last defense against anti-choice lawmakers who are seeking to assert power over women’s bodies and take away our right to choose. 

Everyone who cares about women having autonomy over their bodies should care about efforts to use religion to chip away at this right. We need to think outside the box to challenge what is coming and what is already here. The members of my Temple are already doing that, and by becoming a member, I believe I have joined a community of people who will stop at nothing to safeguard my family’s rights ― and all of our rights ― when they are at their most vulnerable. 

Jamie Smith is an attorney and mother who cares about civil rights. She can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com. 


Now consider your own point of view, your own sense of dedication, and sense of allegiance to the causes and strategies that you share with your peers and consider the original content in the article below.
see original un-revised article at 

the photo source, and a very informative article on RGB's history and social activism through judicial action (not related to religion). 

As a Point of Contrast

Now consider a broadly traditionally Christian view on most of theses same topics as summarized in this very short video below.


"The Image of God"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-rzM5EojJY

I end with and nature video I created




Time to Lapse 
 




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