It seems to me, in America at least, there's always someone who feels oppressed or that the threat of such oppression is looming on the horizon.
Take for example the "impending secularization/theocracy" fear. In the 1990s, many bible-belt Christians felt that certain "negative trends" were eating up their faith. They cowered before conspiracy theories involving large poweful government/multinational organizations controlled by (fill in blank). So they got organized to head-off this threat...
..which leads us into the reversal today. America is becoming a Theocracy, or so i've been warned on many occasions. The same types of fear have been expressed but with different actors/agents.
I have to ask now - what is there really to fear? Is every shift in opinion that contradicts a person's views cause for the declaration for the End? Do we overstate our own fears? Why always the sense of urgency?
2007-11-27 04:45:25 · 10 answers · asked by D.Chen 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For clarification - I am no stating that problems, however so conceived, do not exist.
What i am asking is why the amount of exaggeration, the blowing out of proportion, that only serves to feed a viscious cycle and confirm the other's fear?
(And yes, as a Buddhist, the recognition and breaking of a bad cycle of thought is quite important to me)
2007-11-27 04:46:12 · update #1
It's the philosophy that most Westerners don't realize color their daily lives based on historical dualistic thinking forced on Western civilization and just stuck. It's the dualism that feeds the ego monster and allows it to grow.
As a Westerner who has become Buddhist after years of studying other religions, and philosophies, even psychology is soaked in dualistic thinking that evolved from monotheistic sources.
Drama, ego, anger is all part of the delusions many of us are so used to thinking that to have it pointed out, like the nose on our face, is rather a stunning revelation. I'm grateful I had some karma enough to be exposed to and understand some of the Buddhadharma.
_()_
2007-11-27 04:56:59 · answer #1 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is simple.
East: Emphasis on social harmony. Politics/Business characterized by deals (even backdoor/backroom deals) to keep the peace.
Assumption: Everything has its place:
West: Emphasis on Truth. Heck i'll be honest with you, its more like "Being Right at all Cost" then Truth.
Politics/Business characterized through combative/argumentative emthods.
Assumption: Destroy the enemy before he destroys.
Different operating systems bud. You see things in Cycles that can be corrected.
For us, everything is a Crusade.
That and we're drama whores!
Of couse for the Xian, Jesus must be coming back must be right around the corner. Of couse for the Atheist, the Christians are just one inch away from tearing down civilization.
Otherwise - it would be boring. :P
2007-11-27 12:48:20 · answer #2 · answered by I C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its because we live in a free society that everyone has the right to complain about what they feel is wrong. some groups get more vocal and tend to dominate the conversation. In the case of this religious right they have become very vocal because they had a lot of power in the 50's and 60's but are now losing it and are struggling to maintain what they think they had.... they are fear mongers and in todays society people react to fear but unfortunately its not working very well, so they have become desperate and very nasty.
2007-11-27 12:54:26 · answer #3 · answered by Carl R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear Chen
You Just Have to Have Fear of God Almighty the Ultimate Creator and its Only Sustainer and Controller, then You will not have to fear His Creation, including Death.
One who has no fear of God Almighty will be afraid of many things other than God Almighty.
Once you Fear God Almighty, all your Dealings with Him and all the Human Beings including Animals and even Nature will be just and fair.
So, if every one of Us is Afraid of God Almighty then there shall be Perfect Peace and Harmoney Prevailing in this World.
2007-11-27 20:12:04 · answer #4 · answered by mohammad a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not feel threatened. Fear is a very powerful motivator. The best way to not be controlled by others is to have no fear.
2007-11-27 12:48:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, as FDR famously said, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Too bad people don't wish to learn from the past anymore...
2007-11-27 12:58:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
People react poorly when the illusionary worlds they create for themselves get shattered.
2007-11-27 12:52:21 · answer #7 · answered by chloevalkyrie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
EVERYONE? I'm someone and I am not scared. I have faith in God's protection and providence. He has promised to provide for and bless me. I believe in His promises, its part of my faith.
2007-11-27 12:50:39 · answer #8 · answered by rico3151 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
09-11-2001
Realizing that if nukes were available, they would have used nukes, not airplanes, since they don't care?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010911-16.html
2007-11-27 12:56:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I never feel threatend. Rejoice in the Lord always!
2007-11-27 12:48:57 · answer #10 · answered by Bride of Christ 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋