All religions that do not use abusive child rearing and punitive social controls are dwindling in numbers of adherents.
A religion that does not use them will not last. Thus it is a feature of the phenomenon we call religion, it is as essential as reproduction to a biological species.
There is quite a lot wrong with religion. It is inherently stultifying to follow it, regardless of flavor.
The purpose of a system is what it does. Religious systems make people easy to control and that control is used by charlatans, swindlers and perverts for personal enrichment.
They, all of them, use abusive child rearing techniques and punitive social controls to reduce the chances a person will break away later in life. There is nothing good about this. A few adherents may keep some independent moral judgment but that can be allowed as long as the mass is kept under control.
But they only think of themselves as decent. Religious thought stunts one’s ability to make moral decisions in changing circumstances.
Sure, my pa is ‘decent’ and considered very kind by most, but he uses his religion to keep from having to learn to deal with his gay and trans offspring in a humane manner. His religion is explicitly harmful on those subjects even though he is otherwise mild mannered and ‘nice’.
Religion makes followers into lesser, less-flexible versions of themselves. This is not a good outcome.
You certainly didn’t see an amoeba brain. They are single cells. I wonder if you heard about the efforts to do the same thing with a nematode?
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/watershed-map-north-america
This is a watershed map of North America that expresses your point visually. Every colored area is drained by a different major river system. The Central Valley and urban centers of socal draw heavily from the Colorado watershed which would otherwise drain naturally into the sea of cortez in Baja Mexico.
It’s a sticky wicket once you think these things through.
And I have! It will result in snapping the USA nearly in half.
If this movement has any ground game, they may send a volunteer to your home at a time of your choosing to collect your signatures. Let’s say you had a small gathering of like minded friends? They would be there before the Domino’s guy.
Serious petition movements have a volunteer system set up where they mobilize passionate people with flexible schedules (i.e. usually adorable old ladies or the funemployed). They have to have a website with contact info.
I think it would be a very interesting national debate if this got traction, perhaps even a productive one.
Sorry California, you will have to negotiate with Colorado and Arizona for your water. So basically you have to take us with you.
Capitalism has never been healthier. This IS Capitalism, not an anomaly.
The Sacklers need an attitude adjustment.
It is what it is, I am sure we can all agree on that.
But has anyone ever stopped to ask what ‘it’ is, like, really?
Unfortunately I think it is now necessary to think of such things if only to inoculate ourselves against the numbness that follows horror. They escalate in shocking steps as an intentional strategy to stun healthy people into inaction.
At least for me personally, I have chosen not to spend the next 4 years in a state of emotional shock. I get it, they are callous monsters. I won’t let them distract me from working with every remaining sane person in my life to destroy them.
I loved the policy post. We need that discussion.
We also need clear messaging. I mean, the recent unpleasantness of the election should have taught us all that having acceptable policy proposals doesn't matter unless the messaging is solid too.
You can surely see from my recent posts and comments what I favor.
I want to tap into the righteous anger we can suddenly talk about during this news cycle. Our message crosses political divides and the many false divisions we are burdened with.
So let's talk messaging strategy. Otherwise, our policy discussion will be as ineffective as most progressive efforts to date. We need to learn the hard lesson the right has taught us and use emotion effectively.
I will come right out and say that leading in our messaging with policy proposals is a losing proposition. It doesn't work. The hardest thing for a wonk to realize is that most people aren't emotionally moved by marginal tax rate discussions, even though that is an extremely effective policy tool to limit the power of the rich.
So we need parallel efforts here:
Are we wanking online here, or are we starting something?
Aside from the fact it was a zoom meeting of almost 100 people mostly over 60, it was alright.
I should edit my title: What sort of personal demons drive a person to participate in party politics?
You don’t need a degree or a certification to be a journalist. You are taking a flimsy norm that is on shaky ground anyway and elevating it to some higher status.
Journalists can use definitive language and protect themselves with adjectives like ‘alleged’.
Choosing ‘controversial gesture’ instead of ‘alleged nazi salute’ is an intentional choice and a cowardly one.