The world we live in has become very external. People's appearance, possessions, wealth, prestige, fame and power seem to be the primary motivator in their existence. What happened to looking within? The irony is that because of our wealth and because of modern technology we finally have the luxury-at least in industrialized nations in the West-to have time to be more introspective. Unfortunately, it seems we have lost our internal balance and therefore endangered our collective well being. The initial unrest and rebellion that began in the 60's championing individual rights at the expense of the greater good was really an outgrowth of people lacking a fulfilling inner life and trying to find it in all the wrong places-drugs, unrestricted sex, violence-undoing anything that was deemed worthwhile to adults The 70's may have been even more damaging than the 60's as that was when rebellion became more institutionalized, meaning that basic definitions of appropriate behavior or even the basic building blocks of our society were mocked and became more pervasive throughout society rather than being restricted to a small group. Marriage was undermined by changes in divorce law, definitions of femininity and masculinity were confused(androgyny was heralded as the ideal), standards for mental health were radically altered, patriotism went underground, primary institutions that were the foundation of safety and morality were undermined-the military, police, service organizations such as Kiwanis, the Lions Club, churches and especially the nuclear family. Our society no longer wants to be limited by "the norms", rejecting the very things that have kept this country safe and stable for over 200 years. We are now controlled by the opinions of "the exceptions". In other words we are defined by how we feel rather than what makes logical sense. We are governed by individual bodily urges rather than by restraint and what makes sense for the group as a whole.
In my training as a social worker we were taught to look at and value the "Gestalt" or the wholeness of a person, family, community or society. While psychology focused on the individual, social work was supposed to be about considering the whole of life experience. Sadly, even my colleagues have abandoned their search for wholeness to their God of political correctness and their hesitancy to set boundaries. Having an internal life is what yields a satisfying external life. You cannot find fulfillment through ease, permissiveness, shallowness or self absorption. These only lead to greater yearnings and frustration. Wholeness comes from balance, honesty, work, discipline-the boring things your mother or grandmother told you when you were little.
So try sitting still, taking a deep breath, thinking about other people, avoiding rash decisions or new fangled solutions, resist the temptation to believe everything you hear, especially if it is from the news media-study it out in your own mind, use reason, the wisdom of the ages and maybe even try allowing spiritual influences to enter your consciousness-that is if you really want the truth and if you really want a happy, productive and satisfying life.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Deja Vu-King George III and the British Parliament Are Back
We are witnessing yet again how history repeats itself. What has been the number one complaint of citizens across cultures, eras, governing regimes? Unfair tax burdens. It is a sure sign of the ruling body being detached from the people they represent and of becoming too focused on their own needs for power and or riches when they keep demanding more money from their citizenry. It was fascinating watching a talk show a few weeks ago when the commentator asked a more left leaning participant at what percentage point was the tax burden too high-the man really struggled to give a number-finally he blurted out between 45-50%. What a distorted idea that people should expect to give away half of what they earn to their government especially in a free society where they choose the people to represent them. We expect despots and tyrants to economically and emotionally abuse the people in such a way but not in a free society. And just for your information we have reached that unacceptable level. If you combine all of the local, state and federal taxes, "fees" and "assessments"(other words for taxes) you are paying at least in that percentage bracket if not more. What do we do that is not taxed? We have slowly given away more and more and more until finally we have to stop the bleeding and say enough. It is not unreasonable to say we should not have to work to support the government. We are supposed to be working to suppport ourselves and our families.
The mainstream media in America continues to demonstrate their arrogance and bias by scorning the feelings of many Americans in their expression of disgust with our governments ever increasing fiscal irresponsibility. This all sounds hauntingly similar to the things King George and the House of Lords stated about those rabble rousing americans back in the late 1700's. The issue isn't the tea you idiots it is taxation without representation. And yes we are no longer being led by a government that listens to it's constituents. Americans did not elect Barack Obama to raise taxes, bail out banks, corporations and unions but to clean up the greed, graft and business as usual in Washington. Instead it seems that once elected President Obama has allowed Washington to influence him rather than vice versa.
As a nation we are still waiting for a leader-for a person with courage, convictions and integrity to help us navigate tough issues of foreign policy, social and moral disintegration and economic uncertainty. Unfortunately we erroneously believed in and elected an individual who has none of these characteristics even though we hoped that he did. I sincerely hope that voters will be a little more discriminating the next time around and believe what a person has done more than what they may APPEAR to be or what they might say. President Obama is being exactly what many of us feared he would be-an arrogant, leftist and naive man with delusions of grandeur.
So while President Obama sits up in his castle, entertaining dignitaries and enjoying the fruits of our labors with his lavish lifestyle we the the people will rise up and express ourselves like our forefathers did for what is right and good for our country. Kings and rulers come and go but this nation has stayed strong inspite of some of our leaders because we still work hard, pay taxes, go to church, help our neighbors and speak out when our government gets a little too out there. We have our finger on the pulse of what is really going on in this country and if you listen good things can happen. Or you can be like King George and his bloated advisors and assume you know better and wake up wondering what happened without you.
So hats off to all you tea party attendees and the next focus should be boycotting CNBC, CBS, CNN and whoever else refuses to show respect for those of us who are the backbone of this country. If you can't report NEWS then we won't watch and you too seem to have forgotten an old adage-don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Freedom is our country's defining characteristic and out of control taxation is one of the main culprits in restricting our choices. This is about much more than money but about individual rights and responsibilities. No one prospers under a system of entitlements and restricted freedom. We will all lose regardless of what elitist pundits and white tower intellectuals claim. The proof is in the history books-no civilization has prospered when you have taken power from the people and given it too the government-fasicm, socialism, marxism, communism, dictatorships have all been different versions of the same misguided notion-that a handful of people know better than the people as a whole. To stay strong as a country and as individuals we have to return to basic principles of hard work, sacrifice, honesty, responsibility and championing freedom. (See a previous post)
The mainstream media in America continues to demonstrate their arrogance and bias by scorning the feelings of many Americans in their expression of disgust with our governments ever increasing fiscal irresponsibility. This all sounds hauntingly similar to the things King George and the House of Lords stated about those rabble rousing americans back in the late 1700's. The issue isn't the tea you idiots it is taxation without representation. And yes we are no longer being led by a government that listens to it's constituents. Americans did not elect Barack Obama to raise taxes, bail out banks, corporations and unions but to clean up the greed, graft and business as usual in Washington. Instead it seems that once elected President Obama has allowed Washington to influence him rather than vice versa.
As a nation we are still waiting for a leader-for a person with courage, convictions and integrity to help us navigate tough issues of foreign policy, social and moral disintegration and economic uncertainty. Unfortunately we erroneously believed in and elected an individual who has none of these characteristics even though we hoped that he did. I sincerely hope that voters will be a little more discriminating the next time around and believe what a person has done more than what they may APPEAR to be or what they might say. President Obama is being exactly what many of us feared he would be-an arrogant, leftist and naive man with delusions of grandeur.
So while President Obama sits up in his castle, entertaining dignitaries and enjoying the fruits of our labors with his lavish lifestyle we the the people will rise up and express ourselves like our forefathers did for what is right and good for our country. Kings and rulers come and go but this nation has stayed strong inspite of some of our leaders because we still work hard, pay taxes, go to church, help our neighbors and speak out when our government gets a little too out there. We have our finger on the pulse of what is really going on in this country and if you listen good things can happen. Or you can be like King George and his bloated advisors and assume you know better and wake up wondering what happened without you.
So hats off to all you tea party attendees and the next focus should be boycotting CNBC, CBS, CNN and whoever else refuses to show respect for those of us who are the backbone of this country. If you can't report NEWS then we won't watch and you too seem to have forgotten an old adage-don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Freedom is our country's defining characteristic and out of control taxation is one of the main culprits in restricting our choices. This is about much more than money but about individual rights and responsibilities. No one prospers under a system of entitlements and restricted freedom. We will all lose regardless of what elitist pundits and white tower intellectuals claim. The proof is in the history books-no civilization has prospered when you have taken power from the people and given it too the government-fasicm, socialism, marxism, communism, dictatorships have all been different versions of the same misguided notion-that a handful of people know better than the people as a whole. To stay strong as a country and as individuals we have to return to basic principles of hard work, sacrifice, honesty, responsibility and championing freedom. (See a previous post)
Friday, March 6, 2009
Using Your Mental Energy to the Fullest
Just a quick post to encourage everyone to really pay attention to the nature of their thoughts. It is very easy in a time of uncertainty and frustration to become focused on external ideas and have those literally "fill our minds". One of the awesome things about our brains is that they will respond to direction and can become very powerful tools in helping us be more productive and happy.
Decide to select out ideas that are positive, productive, and purposeful. There are many things going on in the world right now and while it is important to be informed and involved it is also important to hold on to a comprehensive picture of our world which includes many good things. It is our positive focus that gives us the energy and determination to deal with the negative forces in our lives.
Remember whatever you pay attention to is what you will become. You are a sum total of your thoughts. Whatever cognitions you allow to rest in your mind trigger your feelings and behavior. You can't focus on doom and gloom and feel good. Unfortunately, for most of us it is easier to flow to a place of negativity and anxiety. That is where overriding your natural impulse by consciously deciding to put different thoughts in your mind can lead you to very different results. Choosing to be mindful will definitely improve your life experience and your mental health! As my niece once said, think about "rainbows and ponies" and while that may seem silly there was a lot of wisdom in that idea. By the way yesterday I really did notice two rainbows during an otherwise very stressful day. I'm sure glad my niece had planted that idea in the garden of my mind. Take time to plant some other good thoughts for others and yourselves.
Decide to select out ideas that are positive, productive, and purposeful. There are many things going on in the world right now and while it is important to be informed and involved it is also important to hold on to a comprehensive picture of our world which includes many good things. It is our positive focus that gives us the energy and determination to deal with the negative forces in our lives.
Remember whatever you pay attention to is what you will become. You are a sum total of your thoughts. Whatever cognitions you allow to rest in your mind trigger your feelings and behavior. You can't focus on doom and gloom and feel good. Unfortunately, for most of us it is easier to flow to a place of negativity and anxiety. That is where overriding your natural impulse by consciously deciding to put different thoughts in your mind can lead you to very different results. Choosing to be mindful will definitely improve your life experience and your mental health! As my niece once said, think about "rainbows and ponies" and while that may seem silly there was a lot of wisdom in that idea. By the way yesterday I really did notice two rainbows during an otherwise very stressful day. I'm sure glad my niece had planted that idea in the garden of my mind. Take time to plant some other good thoughts for others and yourselves.
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Forgotten Virtues
One of the basic principles you learn in Economics 101 is that there is no such thing as a free lunch. This idea has truth not just in the field of economics but also relating to our physical, emotional. spiritual and social selves. Anything of value requires the expenditure of effort, a conscious, determined action towards a desired goal. Since the focus of this blog is mental health I will focus on how our societies' arrogant assumption that there is a newer, easier way to approach life has led to worsening emotional health for individuals and for our society as a whole.
Whether we like it or not we are subject to certain physical laws. One of the core laws of our world is the Second Law of Thermodynamics which in essence states that everything flows to a state of disorganization or chaos unless otherwise acted upon. Translated that means that to stay strong mentally, physically, spiritually,etc. that you cannot remain in a state of passivity or inactivity. Staying at a state of equilibrium let alone improving requires effort. For example, we realize that to strengthen muscles they need resistance or to experience some level of opposition. Without that "stretching" which also involves some level of physical discomfort or pain the muscles get weaker, they atrophy. We see this with intellectual functioning-the old adage use it or lose it is universally understood to be true. It is fascinating to me that we somehow suspend this concept when it comes to emotional or spiritual health. People assume that these areas of their lives should be about avoiding pain and involving minimal if any effort. That emotional and spiritual well being should just naturally happen and not involve any effort on their part.
How do people grow emotionally? By having to face difficult situations and figure out their own solutions. By having to learn how to be patient, using mental discipline to overcome natural impulses. By learning how to sacrifice-doing what is good for the group as a whole rather than for their own well being. By learning how to think independently and critically rather than passively believing whatever they hear or see. By learning emotional and spiritual self reliance. All of these things are harder than what our society is promoting as desirable-namely instant gratification, sexual and financial irresponsibility, having it all, choosing to marry or have children when or if it is convenient or comfortable, or lately even redefining things so that it fits what you want rather than you fitting in with societal norms. Obscenity has become commonplace, vulgarity is the language of the day, materialism is the driving force and more recently now even removing our ability to use our creativity, intelligence, stamina and resourcefulness to solve difficult financial problems. If the government or the media decide things for us and seek to take away every opportunity to struggle and be tested then how can we stay strong? In a family if you want to raise strong, responsible children you don't do things for them you let them learn by doing, by having to struggle and overcome, by having to go without. You love them and encourage them but you don't coddle them or do it for them-that weakens not only their intellectual and physical selves it atrophies their soul. They can then have zero self confidence, no empathy for others, no ability to problem solve and will be a drain on the family rather than a contributor. We see this happening with many families now and against all reason we know are considering doing the exact same thing but on a much larger scale. Now our country is going to become the great enabler and we will undo all the great qualities that have kept this country strong. Our country has undergone many different kinds of crises in its over 200 hundred year existence-natural disasters, wars, economic difficulties, moral strife and yet we have risen above all of them due to the strength of the individual members of our society. The government is there to strengthen and assist it's citizens not vice versa. Countries that have allowed their governing entities to control them have become weaker on every level-England, the USSR, Cuba, Venezuela, etc. have not benefited from straying from the basic laws of physics, which some would say are God's laws. Removing the tension from our lives by trying to make things pain free only creates a different kind of pain-a longer lasting, insidiously slow path towards destruction-from the inside out. People need to be free to act for themselves, to make their own choices, to learn their own lessons, to use their own money, time and intellect. Freedom to exercise their natural abilities is what is best for individuals, families and societies. History has demonstrated repeatedly that there is not a better way to happiness and well being than hard work, self restraint, sacrifice, sharing, cooperating, living in traditional families, being actively involved in a religion and living under a system of government that fosters individual freedom.
Remember someone pays for lunch-it just who gets to decide who pays?
Whether we like it or not we are subject to certain physical laws. One of the core laws of our world is the Second Law of Thermodynamics which in essence states that everything flows to a state of disorganization or chaos unless otherwise acted upon. Translated that means that to stay strong mentally, physically, spiritually,etc. that you cannot remain in a state of passivity or inactivity. Staying at a state of equilibrium let alone improving requires effort. For example, we realize that to strengthen muscles they need resistance or to experience some level of opposition. Without that "stretching" which also involves some level of physical discomfort or pain the muscles get weaker, they atrophy. We see this with intellectual functioning-the old adage use it or lose it is universally understood to be true. It is fascinating to me that we somehow suspend this concept when it comes to emotional or spiritual health. People assume that these areas of their lives should be about avoiding pain and involving minimal if any effort. That emotional and spiritual well being should just naturally happen and not involve any effort on their part.
How do people grow emotionally? By having to face difficult situations and figure out their own solutions. By having to learn how to be patient, using mental discipline to overcome natural impulses. By learning how to sacrifice-doing what is good for the group as a whole rather than for their own well being. By learning how to think independently and critically rather than passively believing whatever they hear or see. By learning emotional and spiritual self reliance. All of these things are harder than what our society is promoting as desirable-namely instant gratification, sexual and financial irresponsibility, having it all, choosing to marry or have children when or if it is convenient or comfortable, or lately even redefining things so that it fits what you want rather than you fitting in with societal norms. Obscenity has become commonplace, vulgarity is the language of the day, materialism is the driving force and more recently now even removing our ability to use our creativity, intelligence, stamina and resourcefulness to solve difficult financial problems. If the government or the media decide things for us and seek to take away every opportunity to struggle and be tested then how can we stay strong? In a family if you want to raise strong, responsible children you don't do things for them you let them learn by doing, by having to struggle and overcome, by having to go without. You love them and encourage them but you don't coddle them or do it for them-that weakens not only their intellectual and physical selves it atrophies their soul. They can then have zero self confidence, no empathy for others, no ability to problem solve and will be a drain on the family rather than a contributor. We see this happening with many families now and against all reason we know are considering doing the exact same thing but on a much larger scale. Now our country is going to become the great enabler and we will undo all the great qualities that have kept this country strong. Our country has undergone many different kinds of crises in its over 200 hundred year existence-natural disasters, wars, economic difficulties, moral strife and yet we have risen above all of them due to the strength of the individual members of our society. The government is there to strengthen and assist it's citizens not vice versa. Countries that have allowed their governing entities to control them have become weaker on every level-England, the USSR, Cuba, Venezuela, etc. have not benefited from straying from the basic laws of physics, which some would say are God's laws. Removing the tension from our lives by trying to make things pain free only creates a different kind of pain-a longer lasting, insidiously slow path towards destruction-from the inside out. People need to be free to act for themselves, to make their own choices, to learn their own lessons, to use their own money, time and intellect. Freedom to exercise their natural abilities is what is best for individuals, families and societies. History has demonstrated repeatedly that there is not a better way to happiness and well being than hard work, self restraint, sacrifice, sharing, cooperating, living in traditional families, being actively involved in a religion and living under a system of government that fosters individual freedom.
Remember someone pays for lunch-it just who gets to decide who pays?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
National Mental Health Alert-Our collective sanity challenged by the media
Watching the political events of the last two years I have become increasingly concerned about the lack of our collective mental health. As a nation we have become borderline(a personality disorder that sends chills down the backs of most therapists). We cannot handle stress of any kind, once disappointed we demonize the perceived source of our pain, we take no responsibility for our situations, our moods swing from one end of the spectrum to the other without sufficient cause, we look for quick fixes through drugs,mindless entertainment, we have no internal source of strength nor the ability to self regulate relying on external sources for solutions,and we are ultimately emotion driven abandoning any pretense at logic. Has anyone been concerned at the extreme hatred for President Bush that swung to the almost messianic worship of President Obama? Is there a logical foundation for either expression? Is any one person so powerful that they could warrant either of these responses?
The immense disdain for President Bush really symbolizes a primitive, immature need for a scapegoat for all the negatives of the last 8 years from natural disasters to economic meltdowns, to global warming (which may not exist anyway). Somehow he became the lightning rod for all the combined psychological pain from the left-the narcissistic wound they suffered back in 2000 when Al Gore barely lost the election. That psychological trauma was re-experienced in 2004 when the democrats lost yet again and it has been a borderline rampage ever since. The media is at the forefront of this extreme behavior fomenting both a crazed dislike for President Bush on the one hand while cultivating an equally illogical adoration for President Obama. The psychoanalysts should be having a hey day with this stuff. In true borderline fashion the hatred is then replaced by the need for an idealized figure-enter Barack Obama-a man who found himself, or maybe with some help made himself ,the perfect storm into which he could sail through cleanly to the Presidency. Is it not disturbing or upsetting on some level to think that the most important job in the land is so readily given away without proof of competency other than some one's ability to appear a certain way? I am reminded of the Emperor's New Clothes. Metaphorically speaking he may really be spiritually, emotionally and intellectually "naked". What person shops for a church ? Don't you belong to a church whose doctrines and teachings you think come from God-does this change from city to city? Or again further evidence of an empty suit. Just because everyone, i.e. the media, thinks President Obama is intelligent, caring, patient, kind, empathic and going to fix all of our social, economic and political ills does not mean this is true. It merely means we all have an extreme case of mis-attribution. I believe President Obama has the most intense case of this disorder arrogantly assuming that he is the answer to all our problems and comparing himself to Lincoln, Washington and the like-(does the name Rasputin mean anything to anyone?) These men were great because they were humble, because their character became evident through the trials they faced. If Barack Obama had great character he would not need or want to be self promoting; 1.by authoring two books about himself and 2)before he had really accomplished anything in life. His one book would more accurately be entitled "The Audacity". In addition, if he were truly a great man he would never have sought the office he presently holds realizing that a relatively young,inexperienced person such as himself would not be able to do as good a job as someone with more experience and character that can only come with living a certain amount of time. However, his life has not ever been about realism. It has been about getting bumped to the front of the line, about his pain, his ideas-ultimately about him. Really the man he most reminds me of in terms of historical figures are people such as Napoleon or Alexander Hamilton if you want an American example.
So beware President Obama because the people may act like they love you now but once you have let them down, which you most certainly will because you are just a man and a rather ordinary one at that, then you too will experience the vitriol and venom that results from unrealistic hopes and wants dashed and drowned in the realities of adult life. Borderlines only get better with very long term, intensive treatment and unfortunately our society has yet to clue into the degree of it's dysfunction. So our collective society left untreated will only continue to unravel and you too will experience the pathology unleashed on President Bush. The problem exists in the lack of emotional and spiritual stability in many of the people in our society and especially in the psyche of our media.
And President Bush I would like to apologize for the really bad behavior of many of my fellow citizens. While it is true you too may not have been the person best suited for the Presidency-actually name the person that was other than Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. At least you were honest and had no pretense. You were ironically a lot more humble than your detractors like to characterize you and you did what was best for the country. You kept us safe and gave us a long period of unprecedented prosperity. You are not to blame for Katrina, terrorism, the conflict in the Middle East or the only person responsible for the economic mess we are in. You and your wife handled yourselves with decorum and grace under very difficult circumstances and we thank you for your service.
The immense disdain for President Bush really symbolizes a primitive, immature need for a scapegoat for all the negatives of the last 8 years from natural disasters to economic meltdowns, to global warming (which may not exist anyway). Somehow he became the lightning rod for all the combined psychological pain from the left-the narcissistic wound they suffered back in 2000 when Al Gore barely lost the election. That psychological trauma was re-experienced in 2004 when the democrats lost yet again and it has been a borderline rampage ever since. The media is at the forefront of this extreme behavior fomenting both a crazed dislike for President Bush on the one hand while cultivating an equally illogical adoration for President Obama. The psychoanalysts should be having a hey day with this stuff. In true borderline fashion the hatred is then replaced by the need for an idealized figure-enter Barack Obama-a man who found himself, or maybe with some help made himself ,the perfect storm into which he could sail through cleanly to the Presidency. Is it not disturbing or upsetting on some level to think that the most important job in the land is so readily given away without proof of competency other than some one's ability to appear a certain way? I am reminded of the Emperor's New Clothes. Metaphorically speaking he may really be spiritually, emotionally and intellectually "naked". What person shops for a church ? Don't you belong to a church whose doctrines and teachings you think come from God-does this change from city to city? Or again further evidence of an empty suit. Just because everyone, i.e. the media, thinks President Obama is intelligent, caring, patient, kind, empathic and going to fix all of our social, economic and political ills does not mean this is true. It merely means we all have an extreme case of mis-attribution. I believe President Obama has the most intense case of this disorder arrogantly assuming that he is the answer to all our problems and comparing himself to Lincoln, Washington and the like-(does the name Rasputin mean anything to anyone?) These men were great because they were humble, because their character became evident through the trials they faced. If Barack Obama had great character he would not need or want to be self promoting; 1.by authoring two books about himself and 2)before he had really accomplished anything in life. His one book would more accurately be entitled "The Audacity". In addition, if he were truly a great man he would never have sought the office he presently holds realizing that a relatively young,inexperienced person such as himself would not be able to do as good a job as someone with more experience and character that can only come with living a certain amount of time. However, his life has not ever been about realism. It has been about getting bumped to the front of the line, about his pain, his ideas-ultimately about him. Really the man he most reminds me of in terms of historical figures are people such as Napoleon or Alexander Hamilton if you want an American example.
So beware President Obama because the people may act like they love you now but once you have let them down, which you most certainly will because you are just a man and a rather ordinary one at that, then you too will experience the vitriol and venom that results from unrealistic hopes and wants dashed and drowned in the realities of adult life. Borderlines only get better with very long term, intensive treatment and unfortunately our society has yet to clue into the degree of it's dysfunction. So our collective society left untreated will only continue to unravel and you too will experience the pathology unleashed on President Bush. The problem exists in the lack of emotional and spiritual stability in many of the people in our society and especially in the psyche of our media.
And President Bush I would like to apologize for the really bad behavior of many of my fellow citizens. While it is true you too may not have been the person best suited for the Presidency-actually name the person that was other than Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. At least you were honest and had no pretense. You were ironically a lot more humble than your detractors like to characterize you and you did what was best for the country. You kept us safe and gave us a long period of unprecedented prosperity. You are not to blame for Katrina, terrorism, the conflict in the Middle East or the only person responsible for the economic mess we are in. You and your wife handled yourselves with decorum and grace under very difficult circumstances and we thank you for your service.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Please Identify Yourself!
I have actually been working on a posting about sexual development but it is going to take a little more research before I am ready to post it so I thought I would write a few quick ideas about the importance of our individual and collective identities.
How we choose to think about ourselves and specifically the words we use to describe ourselves are core to how we then behave. There is an important word in that last sentence-choose. You are not born with an identity-you are born with characteristics, predispositions, possible preferences but how you exhibit these involves choice. Some of us are certainly more aware or mindful of the choices we are making but nonetheless we do decide what we are going to pay attention to, what we are going to believe and what we will then do.
One of my major concerns about our society is the tremendous pressure for individuals to identify themselves by their sexuality. You see this specifically with the same gender movement. In times past people would predominantly identify themselves by their ethnicity, their gender, their religious affiliation, their level of education, their occupation, their degree of wealth, their geographic origins, their age, their interests, etc. Depending on the label identified with a person would then engage in behaviors that supported or promoted that identity. For example, if someone viewed their main identity as being a baseball player that would probably be the phrase they would use first if asked to describe themselves. Much of their conversation would revolve around baseball. They would wear baseball jerseys and probably a baseball hat. They would spend a great deal of time playing, watching or coaching baseball. Choosing that identity brings with it a whole host of related thoughts, feelings and behaviors which if that were a person's only identity would be limiting but certainly not destructive to society as a whole.
Most people do not rely solely on one aspect of themselves to form their identity. Someone might say that they are an educated female who is Catholic and is a Bostonian. Having multiple areas of focus allows a person more freedom of choice in subsequent behaviors and evidences a more well rounded approach to life. These individuals usually have varied friends to meet their varied interests and they are capable of understanding different viewpoints because they have different perspectives from their different identifying characteristics.
Each of our identifying characteristics carries with it certain expectations and perceptions. We do not have to follow those expectations but many people allow labels to dictate who they will be. This was very evident in our last election. People who primarily identified themselves by their African American ethnicity overwhelmingly followed certain voting patterns-over 90% voted for Barack Obama and a very high percentage voted for Prop 8. For whatever reason this cohort has a more rigid identity with higher behavioral pressures and expectations. There is tremendous pressure in the black community to stick to these expectations which if violated leads to ridicule and being ostracized. Unfortunately, many of these characteristics have been the very things that have kept the black community and black individuals from progressing academically, financially, etc.
Some of the things we choose as identifiers are conditions such as our age, gender or ethnicity and others are choices that we make such as our educational level or our religious affiliation. Nonetheless the power lies not in the source of our identifying characteristic but the degree to which we identify with it.
One of my major concerns about the homosexual movement is that 1. they want your sexuality to be your primary identity and 2. they have a very narrow definition for what it means to have same gender attraction(Gay or Lesbian), multiple gender attraction(Bisexual) or to be a cross dresser/confused gender identity(Transgender). Our sexuality is just one of many aspects of our being and I don't think the most important one. Going back to earlier statements if we primarily identify by our sexual selves that means our dress, thoughts, feelings and behaviors will all tend to support and promote that identity. The friends we make, the careers we choose, the activities we engage in will all flow from our sexual world view. There is some truth to all stereotypes and we certainly see the limitations of focusing your physical and mental and spiritual energy on sexuality. Just like having baseball as your primary identity can be limiting so can having your sexual behavior as an identity. People that are heterosexual in their orientation do not typically have that as a conscious part of their identity. They don't vote based on their being heterosexual, dress heterosexually, listen to certain music or vacation in certain heterosexual hot spots. They are free to choose a variety of behaviors based on the different parts of their personality and selves that they choose to focus on and magnify. They are more free to expand their understanding of themselves and not fit into narrow expectations that ironically are pushed by the very group trying to "free" them-the gay activists.
There is less freedom of choice in the same gender lifestyle, less self awareness, and less for society to reap from these individuals because they insulate and set themselves up in an adversarial position with the rest of society. It becomes us versus them. Conflict, misunderstanding, and anger have been the fruits of the same gender movement. Our society does not need further divisions and subgroups but rather attempts to unify and find common ground. Really the same gender movement is about individual wants, power and attention. This sounds similar to what has kept the black community stagnant for over 40 years. Actually the black community has not stood still but has continued to deteriorate. The only individuals who have succeeded have broken free from their "black" identity. Why would individuals want to follow a similar strategy with their sexuality? Why put yourself in a narrow box especially when that identity is frequently based on faulty assumptions, i.e. that you were born that way?
Obsessing on sexual things has been destructive for our society and for individuals. Let us return to a more rational and spiritual focus to define who we are. This country was based on basic spiritual truths to define who we are and what is expected of us. Let us not forsake the sacrifices of men and women who evidenced far more wisdom than we have seen in years. Having their primary identities be about spiritual things led to the development of the finest country ever in the history of the world. Let the results speak for themselves.
How we choose to think about ourselves and specifically the words we use to describe ourselves are core to how we then behave. There is an important word in that last sentence-choose. You are not born with an identity-you are born with characteristics, predispositions, possible preferences but how you exhibit these involves choice. Some of us are certainly more aware or mindful of the choices we are making but nonetheless we do decide what we are going to pay attention to, what we are going to believe and what we will then do.
One of my major concerns about our society is the tremendous pressure for individuals to identify themselves by their sexuality. You see this specifically with the same gender movement. In times past people would predominantly identify themselves by their ethnicity, their gender, their religious affiliation, their level of education, their occupation, their degree of wealth, their geographic origins, their age, their interests, etc. Depending on the label identified with a person would then engage in behaviors that supported or promoted that identity. For example, if someone viewed their main identity as being a baseball player that would probably be the phrase they would use first if asked to describe themselves. Much of their conversation would revolve around baseball. They would wear baseball jerseys and probably a baseball hat. They would spend a great deal of time playing, watching or coaching baseball. Choosing that identity brings with it a whole host of related thoughts, feelings and behaviors which if that were a person's only identity would be limiting but certainly not destructive to society as a whole.
Most people do not rely solely on one aspect of themselves to form their identity. Someone might say that they are an educated female who is Catholic and is a Bostonian. Having multiple areas of focus allows a person more freedom of choice in subsequent behaviors and evidences a more well rounded approach to life. These individuals usually have varied friends to meet their varied interests and they are capable of understanding different viewpoints because they have different perspectives from their different identifying characteristics.
Each of our identifying characteristics carries with it certain expectations and perceptions. We do not have to follow those expectations but many people allow labels to dictate who they will be. This was very evident in our last election. People who primarily identified themselves by their African American ethnicity overwhelmingly followed certain voting patterns-over 90% voted for Barack Obama and a very high percentage voted for Prop 8. For whatever reason this cohort has a more rigid identity with higher behavioral pressures and expectations. There is tremendous pressure in the black community to stick to these expectations which if violated leads to ridicule and being ostracized. Unfortunately, many of these characteristics have been the very things that have kept the black community and black individuals from progressing academically, financially, etc.
Some of the things we choose as identifiers are conditions such as our age, gender or ethnicity and others are choices that we make such as our educational level or our religious affiliation. Nonetheless the power lies not in the source of our identifying characteristic but the degree to which we identify with it.
One of my major concerns about the homosexual movement is that 1. they want your sexuality to be your primary identity and 2. they have a very narrow definition for what it means to have same gender attraction(Gay or Lesbian), multiple gender attraction(Bisexual) or to be a cross dresser/confused gender identity(Transgender). Our sexuality is just one of many aspects of our being and I don't think the most important one. Going back to earlier statements if we primarily identify by our sexual selves that means our dress, thoughts, feelings and behaviors will all tend to support and promote that identity. The friends we make, the careers we choose, the activities we engage in will all flow from our sexual world view. There is some truth to all stereotypes and we certainly see the limitations of focusing your physical and mental and spiritual energy on sexuality. Just like having baseball as your primary identity can be limiting so can having your sexual behavior as an identity. People that are heterosexual in their orientation do not typically have that as a conscious part of their identity. They don't vote based on their being heterosexual, dress heterosexually, listen to certain music or vacation in certain heterosexual hot spots. They are free to choose a variety of behaviors based on the different parts of their personality and selves that they choose to focus on and magnify. They are more free to expand their understanding of themselves and not fit into narrow expectations that ironically are pushed by the very group trying to "free" them-the gay activists.
There is less freedom of choice in the same gender lifestyle, less self awareness, and less for society to reap from these individuals because they insulate and set themselves up in an adversarial position with the rest of society. It becomes us versus them. Conflict, misunderstanding, and anger have been the fruits of the same gender movement. Our society does not need further divisions and subgroups but rather attempts to unify and find common ground. Really the same gender movement is about individual wants, power and attention. This sounds similar to what has kept the black community stagnant for over 40 years. Actually the black community has not stood still but has continued to deteriorate. The only individuals who have succeeded have broken free from their "black" identity. Why would individuals want to follow a similar strategy with their sexuality? Why put yourself in a narrow box especially when that identity is frequently based on faulty assumptions, i.e. that you were born that way?
Obsessing on sexual things has been destructive for our society and for individuals. Let us return to a more rational and spiritual focus to define who we are. This country was based on basic spiritual truths to define who we are and what is expected of us. Let us not forsake the sacrifices of men and women who evidenced far more wisdom than we have seen in years. Having their primary identities be about spiritual things led to the development of the finest country ever in the history of the world. Let the results speak for themselves.
Friday, November 14, 2008
What Does Science Say?
The following is an article I sent to the Ventura County Star in response to an article in the Tuesday, November 11, 2008 edition, page B7 entitled, "Civil Rights not won at ballot box" by Jerry Clifford. See VenturaCounty Star.com
We are lucky to live in an era where so much is being discovered about our minds and bodies. Unfortunately, oftentimes scientific inquiry is driven by political expediency and so it becomes difficult for the general public to know what to believe. Complicated data are reduced to sound bites that often bear little resemblance to the conclusion of the actual research being reported on. Information about same gender attraction has been caught in the throes of this war of words, trying to sway the public’s opinion towards a notion of biological inevitability. However, this viewpoint is inconsistent with other scientific evidence.
In the last ten years neuroscience has made incredible discoveries. My opinion is that this research has been more objective since it has not been for the purpose of supporting a specific political agenda as in the case of research on homosexuality. What scientists overwhelmingly agree on is that the human mind is much more plastic (malleable) than had previously been believed and that humans are capable of learning throughout their life span. How wonderful to realize that we have amazing capacities to influence our own thinking, feeling and behaving. We are not bound by our biology but can choose to maximize or minimize whatever genetic predispositions we may have-whether they are physical, emotional or intellectual. You can improve your coordination, increase your I.Q., alleviate most depressive symptoms, overcome the ravages of strokes, learn to speak a new language after 50, etc. It is widely held that every aspect of being human involves nature and nurture. So even though they have found a gene for racism, and for most everything else by the way, no one is making the claim that people are justified in acting on those predispositions The same gender movement would have you believe that your sexuality is the ONLY part of your humanness that is beyond your control-that you are “born that way”.
In a recent article in this paper Dr. Clifford cites one study done in 1993 by Dean Hamer. Dr. Hamer is someone with same gender attraction and his study was on self reported same gender men. However, rather than citing the researchers own opinion he cites the conclusion picked up by the news media-that “genetics plays a significant role in determining homosexuality”. Let me quote Dr. Hamer in his own conclusion “...”suggesting the possibility of sex linked transmission in a portion of the population,”at least one subtype of male sexual orientation is genetically influenced.” Hardly a ringing endorsement for a gay gene. A study done by Dr. Rice trying to replicate Hamer’s findings, found “ our study was larger than that of Hamer et al, we certainly had adequate power to detect a genetic effect as large as reported in that study. Nonetheless our data do not support the presence of a gene of large effect influencing sexual orientation…”
It would appear that all human behavior is influenced genetically. But exactly how is still not understood. The same gender movement has researched every possible angle to prove sexual orientation is not a choice and so far the findings show correlations, descriptions but not causation. So it is inaccurate and misleading to use science to bolster claims for equal rights. It would be more honest to say this is something the same gender movement really wants but not something they are owed or should be granted based on their biology. There is insufficient evidence for the claim that homosexuality is a condition but lots of evidence for the argument that homosexuality is like all other human behaviors a complex interplay between biology and environment.
We are lucky to live in an era where so much is being discovered about our minds and bodies. Unfortunately, oftentimes scientific inquiry is driven by political expediency and so it becomes difficult for the general public to know what to believe. Complicated data are reduced to sound bites that often bear little resemblance to the conclusion of the actual research being reported on. Information about same gender attraction has been caught in the throes of this war of words, trying to sway the public’s opinion towards a notion of biological inevitability. However, this viewpoint is inconsistent with other scientific evidence.
In the last ten years neuroscience has made incredible discoveries. My opinion is that this research has been more objective since it has not been for the purpose of supporting a specific political agenda as in the case of research on homosexuality. What scientists overwhelmingly agree on is that the human mind is much more plastic (malleable) than had previously been believed and that humans are capable of learning throughout their life span. How wonderful to realize that we have amazing capacities to influence our own thinking, feeling and behaving. We are not bound by our biology but can choose to maximize or minimize whatever genetic predispositions we may have-whether they are physical, emotional or intellectual. You can improve your coordination, increase your I.Q., alleviate most depressive symptoms, overcome the ravages of strokes, learn to speak a new language after 50, etc. It is widely held that every aspect of being human involves nature and nurture. So even though they have found a gene for racism, and for most everything else by the way, no one is making the claim that people are justified in acting on those predispositions The same gender movement would have you believe that your sexuality is the ONLY part of your humanness that is beyond your control-that you are “born that way”.
In a recent article in this paper Dr. Clifford cites one study done in 1993 by Dean Hamer. Dr. Hamer is someone with same gender attraction and his study was on self reported same gender men. However, rather than citing the researchers own opinion he cites the conclusion picked up by the news media-that “genetics plays a significant role in determining homosexuality”. Let me quote Dr. Hamer in his own conclusion “...”suggesting the possibility of sex linked transmission in a portion of the population,”at least one subtype of male sexual orientation is genetically influenced.” Hardly a ringing endorsement for a gay gene. A study done by Dr. Rice trying to replicate Hamer’s findings, found “ our study was larger than that of Hamer et al, we certainly had adequate power to detect a genetic effect as large as reported in that study. Nonetheless our data do not support the presence of a gene of large effect influencing sexual orientation…”
It would appear that all human behavior is influenced genetically. But exactly how is still not understood. The same gender movement has researched every possible angle to prove sexual orientation is not a choice and so far the findings show correlations, descriptions but not causation. So it is inaccurate and misleading to use science to bolster claims for equal rights. It would be more honest to say this is something the same gender movement really wants but not something they are owed or should be granted based on their biology. There is insufficient evidence for the claim that homosexuality is a condition but lots of evidence for the argument that homosexuality is like all other human behaviors a complex interplay between biology and environment.
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