I am perfect and I am the center of the universe

[info being]

Its easy to blame the media for the ignorance of the American people. Commercial media lies. Any serious intellectual understands this and there's no reason to argue this point. It is, therefore, tempting to theorize that, if there were a way to somehow "take back the media", establish investigative journalism practices, and pry news organizations away from the controlling hands of corrupt corporations, we'd be left with a healthy, thriving democracy of intelligent, involved citizens.

But it occurs to me that commercial media also tells the truth on occasion. Why is it that the truth doesn't "stick" like the lies do? Truth hurts. People don't want the truth. We want to be the center of our universe. We want validation. We want to feel good about ourselves. And we want to be perfect. For most people, anything that raises any self-doubt or guilt is to be ignored and ridiculed.

Advertisements tell us that we are center of the universe. Churches make us believe that God is concerned with each and every one of us and a Savior even died for us because we are so important. Religion compels people to change through the promise that, by changing, we will become righteous, pure, and perfect. When we are convinced that a religion is the path to perfection, or perhaps owning a specific car is the same, we are unlikely to listen to any idea that takes us off that course.

No amount of hard-hitting, truthful journalism will validate anyone or make anyone feel perfect and accepted. We already have plenty of largely-ignored non-commercial media that does a very good job. People don't listen because they don't want the guilt. They don't want to understand that their lifestyle directly impacts the misery of others.

What is needed is a sort of "religion of truth" that tells us that, only by living our lives in pursuit of truth...however raw and painful that truth is...we are perfect. Truth-seeking is, in truth, the closest thing I have to religion. Through truth-seeking, I can embrace my imperfection and at the same time see myself as more perfect.

- Another Dreamer (www.anotherdreamer.net)

[NMDemDist2]

1. a fascinating book "People of the Lie" by M Scott Peck

explains the right wing to a tee and fits into your thesis also

[info being]

2. Why is it that whenever I'm really proud of a post

Someone has to spoil it by saying that someone else already had this idea!

It really spoils my self-image of perfection and brilliance, you know:)

[NMDemDist2]

3. you misunderstand mon ami

it fits WITH your thesis, does not replace it LOL

[info being]

4. which means I'm smart. Oh, ok. Thanks.

[NMDemDist2]

6. smart and practically perfect in every way

ROFL :bounce:

[indigobusiness]

9. Peck is amazing.

He helps the dialog tremendously.

[ooglymoogly]

5. i am hypnotized by true speak

in the blather of lies

[Perky]

7. You are simply wrong about what Christianity teaches

"Churches make us believe that God is concerned with each and every one of us and a Savior even died for us because we are so important. Religion compels people to change through the promise that, by changing, we will become righteous, pure, and perfect."

No it doesn't

Authentic Christianity teach that we can not be good that we are powerless to become righteous.

That is what the Atonement is all about. There is nothing we can do to become rightoues in God's sight..but Christs who works in us and through us to accomplish His will in His timeing...anything other than that is rubbish,

[indigobusiness]

8. You've mischaracterized the ideal as much as some churches have.

Christ-conciousness is the ideal of the teachings, and is not unattainable.

sp

[Perky]

11. I never said itwas unattainable

[indigobusiness]

13. Well, I'm not sure how to translate this then:

"Authentic Christianity teach that we can not be good that we are powerless to become righteous."

[Perky]

16. we are powerless

It is by Christ and Christ alone that we overcome the world.....sorry I was not clearer

[indigobusiness]

18. Perhaps...

but Christ-conciousness goes by different names, in different cultures, yet the concept and meaning remains the same.

[info being]

10. Yeah, but still

I mean, THE SAVIOR died for you...that's pretty cool shit dude. For YOU.

[Perky]

12. He died for each of us

[Speed8098]

17. Do you believe everything........

I wonder, do you believe everything written in the Bible?

Remember, the Bible was written by human beings.

Religion, in my opinion, is a well crafted way to control the people.
It uses guilt over consequence.
It uses fear in place of intellect.

Do you think the second coming of a Messiah would be accepted as the second coming, or do you think the Messiah would be ostracized or institutionalized for being irrational?

I believe the latter.

[eridani]

14. Actually, I'm the center of the universe.

But you'll never hear me say that the universe has only one center.

[OxQQme]

15. We're ALL sinners

is what the belief seems to be.
"Eve" (women) are the downfall of 'man'.
"She" caused all this, "We're all sinners first, and have to have help to come up to a state of grace."
I'm not a believer, nor a dis-believer in a higher power.
Ancient history tells of a reverance of a feminine deity. She had many names through the milleniums from oldest writing up to Moses meeting up with Yahweh on that mountain, announcing to the 600 thousand male members of the tribes, from his fiery appearance, that 'I AM THE ONE AND ONLY. YOU SHALL FEAR ME AND HOLD ONLY ME AS YOUR GOD', in a voice that all heard. "WOMEN ARE SECOND CLASS. DO WITH THEM AS YOU WANT"
They didn't count women in the census's back then so it was probably double that number.
Because of women we're all born sinners and must struggle against our yearnings and desires.


WATTA CROCK'A CRAP

Oh, and by the way, the earth and all of us are only 10,000 years in existence. heh