I use to wonder, "what's up with the old generation's worship of authority?" It didn't seem to matter if the authority was lording over their health, money, freedom, children, religion. . .etc. they have this subconscious belief that they are inept and not able to get second opinions, question or choose their own destiny. (Not that they were likely to be consistent with following it, but they thought that they should nonetheless. )
It amazes me time and time again, not only how this older generation often has no apparent ability to trust themselves to be able to think independently of authority, but how they belittle those who would think for themselves, and call them "proud" or "arrogant" for it!
To me, questioning authority was always about clarifying, or making sure I wasn't doing wrong, or believing wrong, and as it takes confidence and conviction to do that, at first I naively thought everyone was (or should be) doing it. Sadly It was rare even in my crowd, but it's spread like wildfire with the internet and information now.
As for these older people who didn't grow up with it though, I think I know the root of their problem; they have been told their whole life that they have no education, no control, and thus no responsibility to change anything; they are consequently equal to slaves, because of their limiting beliefs about themselves!
It amazes me time and time again, not only how this older generation often has no apparent ability to trust themselves to be able to think independently of authority, but how they belittle those who would think for themselves, and call them "proud" or "arrogant" for it! To me, questioning authority was always about clarifying, or making sure I wasn't doing wrong, or believing wrong, and as it takes confidence and conviction to do that, at first I naively thought everyone was (or should be) doing it. Sadly It was rare even in my crowd, but it's spread like wildfire with the internet and information now.
As for these older people who didn't grow up with it though, I think I know the root of their problem; they have been told their whole life that they have no education, no control, and thus no responsibility to change anything; they are consequently equal to slaves, because of their limiting beliefs about themselves!
"As long as one chooses to assign responsibility for creation, existence and personal accountability for one’s own thoughts and actions to others, one is a slave."
All religions proudly claim how humble it is to believe God created the world, and that they need to be forever indebted to him for that, and/or some form of salvation from a mythical curse or the like. Some even admit to being a "bond servant of Jesus Christ".
I can see a parallel here to the descendants of the slaves here in the south. (Sorry if this comes across racist as I'm just stating the facts here, I don't feel it is.)The blacks in general seem to show signs of low self esteem and consequently are unmotivated to want a higher education. Furthermore, they seem not to question or think for themselves as much. (Which is evident to me by the very low rate of blacks opting for natural or home births in the area, even though they would be completely covered by the State.)
Their families consist of mostly single Moms, who are miserable being so, consequently often abusing their kids because of it. . . commonly losing them to child protective services.
Most of the descendants of the demeaned slave men had poor depressed examples to follow, and still act like slaves. . .taking no responsibility for themselves in general. Often taking out their frustrations in aggression towards the more resilient and strong willed woman folk. This irresponsibility and consequent even lower self esteem seems to be seen in the southern black obesity rates, abortion rates, poverty rates, divorce rates, and numbers of them incarcerated. Just as in Africa, the rate of blacks who are religious in America is high as well.
Is there a connection, with this slave mentality leading to another slave mentality? A black drunk I talked to admitted a belief in God, and said that he stays drunk on purpose, not to drown out his problems, (as we presumed) but because he was afraid to see what God will do to him next! In other words, he wouldn't be a drunk if he didn't believe in God cursing his life.
Of course this only becomes a problem for the poor, as the rich are more likely to brag how much they are blessed of God, and make the poor even more depressed, believing that God must hate them.
So, black people aside, how is it that the slaves of religion are affected by that mentality you ask? The way I see it from my Fundamental background, those slaves are much less motivated to be eco friendly, as the world will only be burned anyhow. They are waiting for a new Heaven and a new Earth to come with the return of their Savior. They also often have many more children then the rest of us, purely because of their beliefs. . . whether or not they can afford it, or handle it.
Add to the large families, being taught to give 10% or more of their income to the church, and often being pressured to make the man be the sole provider. . . they are often poorer then the average non- believer.
Also, because many religious people are taught that you cannot truly help anyone, unless you rescue their soul from Hell first, they are less motivated to do much that is purely humanitarian, and doesn't mainly focus on pushing their religion's agenda.
In other words, a belief in any higher power = no motivation for anything worthwhile in life, minus putting on an act of perfection, so others will see your testimony and want to have what you have!
Religious people are in a holding pattern, and simply need to get past this life looking good, so that they will get to live happily in the next. So to waste away their life in servitude or misery is fine, because they have a hope for eternal bliss. . .!
Their families consist of mostly single Moms, who are miserable being so, consequently often abusing their kids because of it. . . commonly losing them to child protective services.
Most of the descendants of the demeaned slave men had poor depressed examples to follow, and still act like slaves. . .taking no responsibility for themselves in general. Often taking out their frustrations in aggression towards the more resilient and strong willed woman folk. This irresponsibility and consequent even lower self esteem seems to be seen in the southern black obesity rates, abortion rates, poverty rates, divorce rates, and numbers of them incarcerated. Just as in Africa, the rate of blacks who are religious in America is high as well.
Is there a connection, with this slave mentality leading to another slave mentality? A black drunk I talked to admitted a belief in God, and said that he stays drunk on purpose, not to drown out his problems, (as we presumed) but because he was afraid to see what God will do to him next! In other words, he wouldn't be a drunk if he didn't believe in God cursing his life.
Of course this only becomes a problem for the poor, as the rich are more likely to brag how much they are blessed of God, and make the poor even more depressed, believing that God must hate them.
So, black people aside, how is it that the slaves of religion are affected by that mentality you ask? The way I see it from my Fundamental background, those slaves are much less motivated to be eco friendly, as the world will only be burned anyhow. They are waiting for a new Heaven and a new Earth to come with the return of their Savior. They also often have many more children then the rest of us, purely because of their beliefs. . . whether or not they can afford it, or handle it.
Add to the large families, being taught to give 10% or more of their income to the church, and often being pressured to make the man be the sole provider. . . they are often poorer then the average non- believer.
Also, because many religious people are taught that you cannot truly help anyone, unless you rescue their soul from Hell first, they are less motivated to do much that is purely humanitarian, and doesn't mainly focus on pushing their religion's agenda.
In other words, a belief in any higher power = no motivation for anything worthwhile in life, minus putting on an act of perfection, so others will see your testimony and want to have what you have!
Religious people are in a holding pattern, and simply need to get past this life looking good, so that they will get to live happily in the next. So to waste away their life in servitude or misery is fine, because they have a hope for eternal bliss. . .!
When people don't treat them well in this life, or they are bombarded by the inevitable, occasional natural catastrophe or self induced trouble, it's always excused away as "Satan and his demons", even though God is suppose to be taking care of his children and in control of everything. (If it's happening to someone else mind you, they will claim it's God's judgment on them for some unknown and unconfessed sin, like Job had right. . .? )
If God is in control of everything, like religious people claim, we need not get involved in politics or trying to actively help to change our world. . .because "All things work together for good. . ." right? And whether or not it makes sense to our fallible minds, that should be expected, because "God's ways are higher then our ways." (Or so they claim.)
The belief that creation is "cursed" could get you out of taking responsibility for your health, or looking good, as our genes and everything is getting worse anyways, according to the Bible, so to try to hide that is almost dishonest or proud. (Of course, "good Christians" can turn it around and say that if you don't take pride in your appearance and heath, you aren't taking care of your "Temple", or being a good testimony. . .)
If you are a religious parent who has angry, bitter or rebellious children and/or teens, it is because of their sinful nature and rebellion from God, and not because of controlling or abusive parenting on your part, as psychology would lead us to believe.
And if your child is "unruly" and rebellious, (or doesn't stay in the faith) you don't have to leave the ministry as the Bible teaches in 1 Tim. 3, (and as you may have even taught before you had kids) because they are of the age of accountability and also have free choice. . .so that rule only apparently applies to little kids in the mind of the irresponsible religious person? (Or as "God" promises, they will come back soon because they believe they trained them up in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord", so it's just a matter of time anyways.)
And if your child is "unruly" and rebellious, (or doesn't stay in the faith) you don't have to leave the ministry as the Bible teaches in 1 Tim. 3, (and as you may have even taught before you had kids) because they are of the age of accountability and also have free choice. . .so that rule only apparently applies to little kids in the mind of the irresponsible religious person? (Or as "God" promises, they will come back soon because they believe they trained them up in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord", so it's just a matter of time anyways.)
Oh, and you are honored if you are suffering "persecution" for your "faith", as that apparently means that you are living "godly in Christ Jesus". So you are suddenly not accountable if your actions render you unaccepted by society. Who cares then if you are a pushy, preachy, judgmental or even aggressive jerk. . .as the Bible predicted how unpopular those beliefs would make you!
All these things and more show how religion creates a helpless slave mentality, that causes a lack of responsibility for ones own actions. Sadly, religion grows kids into big kids, dependent on their "Heavenly Father", not responsible adults. (A big kid mentality comes because of a big kid's version of an invisible friend, God.)
Another tell-tale sign that others see in this generation, (obvious to my generation and younger) is an insecurity and a lack of self esteem with the inability to be wrong. Or at least for them to admit it, to their "underlings". This very thought was brought up very well in a song I just watched from the play, "The King and I" from over 50 years ago! (Quite progressive thinking for it's time!)
It went like this:
It went like this:
"When my father was a king
He was a king who knew exactly what he knew,And his brain was not a thing
Forever swinging to and fro and fro and to.
Shall I, then be like my father
And be willfully unmovable and strong?
Or is it better to be right?...
Or am I right when I believe I may be wrong?"
Then later it went on to say:
"And it puzzled me to learn
That tho' a man may be in doubt of what he know,
Very quickly he will fight...
He'll fight to prove that what he does not know is so!"
Very quickly he will fight...
He'll fight to prove that what he does not know is so!"
Again that brought me back to many experiences with pastors, professors, doctors, dentists, government workers. . .pretty much anyone who was an authority in my life. It's not that we shouldn't submit to them, if it's right or a logical cause. . .(I'm actually a stickler for rules in many ways, you can just ask my family!) But, when the rules seem to be wrong, are unbendable and the authority will not even listen to respectful questions to clarify, (without getting defensive) . . .then there's a problem!
When the authority's best defense is, "because I said so", and the treatment of their underlings is demeaning, well then, you can guess that the authority is acting "under the influence". . .of religion.
When the authority's best defense is, "because I said so", and the treatment of their underlings is demeaning, well then, you can guess that the authority is acting "under the influence". . .of religion.
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