Americans only please!!! How does it feel to be Romanian?

Question

Please, if you're not an American, don't answer!!! I'm only interested in American opinions on this subject. Really.

In 1989, the Romanian dictator Ceaucescu was killed during a revolution. As we all know, Romania is still struggling with the newly found freedom. Freedom is a weird thing, when you've never been used to it.

So, Americans, can you please tell me how it feels to be a Romanian? How does a now 70 year old Romanian handle a life of oppression and only the last 18 years of this newly found freedom?

Oh, by the way, I just read a question that said literally:
"Christians, is homosexuality a choice?".
Do you think that question is just as silly as the one I am asking now?

Answer 1

I'm not American...
so perhaps you would want to disregard my answer. But I sort of had to.

I don't really understand your question - are you indeed being ironic about people who have never been in somebody's shoes but who have strong opinions about that somebody, or about those who accuse other people for things they are not responsible of? If it's the second, then I agree that lots of social phenomena have strong causal relations to the history - but we should be really careful with rejecting guilt, or we might turn up with concluding that neither were the Nazis responsible for what they did, since it had not been properly a choice...

Otherwise however, I couldn't agree with you more on this. Even though the population of Romania isn't composed only of 70 years old :), the young ones had still no other teachers than the old ones, and the vicious circle could go on forever.
But I could tell you how it feels like to be a Romanian: sometimes a little discriminated (especially if in contact with people from more civilized countries, and if a little shy oneself :) ), quite often outraged by the political and social things that happen inside your country, sometimes dizzy in front of the whole development of the civilisation that takes place in the Western World, dizzy of all those freedoms one has to know about and come to terms with, often incapable to understand what is an insurance, sometimes even a bank account, and perhaps frustrated because of this,... but quite often so free without all those invisible strings that a civilization at its peak attaches to every single individual...

So there is freedom, and there is freedom :).

Answer 2

Do you have something in your heart for 'My Romania'? I know the song, but have not heard it for 45 years!

I think every man has something for the soil he was born on, despite any trials and troubles that take place. That is the way we are, or should be.

You are right about freedom being a big change. Some who spend years in prison have trouble adjusting once they get out. I cannot really answer your question except to say that freedom is more than being set loose.

Freedom is not only the ability to move about; but a 'Virtue' you must find inside yourself. According to our Constitution; liberty comes from God. So true freedom is a gift from above. Maybe there isn't much you can do with it at this point -- but I certainly suggest you enjoy it.

Romania has a history of many great men of faith, two already noted here. I would look deep into their lives; and I would take a walk every morning and sing 'My Romania' at the top of my lungs.

Answer 3

I think I get what you're saying, and I agree to a point.

I don't know what it's like to be Romanian. I do know what it's like to suddenly have freedom after being oppressed. I can sympathize with what it must be like. I can read about it and compare it to experiences I have had. I can read the research about the affects of that type scenario and give you my opinion.

But I can't know what it's like to be Romanian.

I can read about human development and sexual development and form an opinion about homosexuality. From what I've learned in a university that is very supportive of homosexuality, the jury is still out on whether it is nature or nurture. My sociology professor was mildly anti-Christian, but even he said the science is too new to say definitively that it's biological or environmental. Or both.

This is likely more about me than anyone would ever need to know, but I think I did make the choice in my sexuality. In our culture, women are sex objects. I find many women sexually attractive, but I wouldn't _have sex_ with them. Not every impulse needs to be pursued.

I find men sexually attractive. Men other than my husband. But I choose to be sexually active only with him. It's a choice.

Does that make me homosexual? Or bisexual? I don't think so. I'm perfectly happy living with my heterosexual monogamous relationship.

I have been at a place in my life where my convictions led me to be celibate. It's not that I lost sexual impulses, but that I made the choice not to act on them. That was a very difficult choice to live. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Since I've never acted on any sexual impulse other than heterosexual, I concede that I don't know what it's like to _be_ homosexual. I also concede that just because I am happy with the balance of my sexuality and my religious convictions, that doesn't mean that it's a simple choice or that because I did it, anyone can. I have no sense of "living a lie." But I have heard of homosexual people who have had that feeling. I don't know what lies at the heart of the difference.

My question to you, though, is whether a Romanian would be the only acceptable person to know how to transition between oppression and freedom?

I have never experienced being Romanian. Does that mean that any remedy I have learned for dealing with transition would not apply to Romanians?

Answer 4

The best Americans to answer your question are those of us who live in Romania, not in the USA.

We can't know how something feels, unless we are experiencing the troubles your People is suffering.

However, I feel sad that my Romanian friends are struggling so much today, as before the fall of communism.

Answer 5

lol yes it is as silly......they're asking people who have never actually experience it themselves and expect an accurate answer. How do heterosexual christians know whether it is a choice to be homosexual! Just as how the hell do I know how does it feel to be Romanian :D

Answer 6

I have no idea. I've never felt a Romanian.

Answer 7

Markyyy,I understand that I am bypassing the point of your question...but..

I happen to support a ministry that provides much relief to a large orphanage in Romania as well as building small homes and providing families with food,clothing and cows(for milk).
If interested..the name of the ministry is "Hand of Help"...(they are the real deal)..I knew the founder of the ministry :Dimitru Duduman

I also knew the founder of another ministry,Richard Wurmbrand,who spent 14 years in Romanian prisons under both Nazi and communist occupied Romania(Ceaucesu)
He was tortured in horrible ways as much as 17 hours a day,for his faith in Christ...he chose to not deny his Savior,though it would have meant immediate release.
If so inclined,check out his book "Tortured for Christ"...He is listed in Foxx's 2nd book of Martyrs..and founded an orginization known as "The Voice of the Martyrs"


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Answer 8

Do not ask us Americans; we are disobeying presently (by in large) Christ' 'two or more witnesses' principle (Matt. 18:16) which is where freedom comes from!!!

Answer 9

I think Romanian girls are hot !

Answer 10

What comes after Super-Duper Hero? Would it be unseemly if I suggested putting a cherry on top?!

Great question, natch!