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Extremism in all its forms
Apr 13, 2019 06:25:00   #
whitnebrat Loc: In the wilds of Oregon
 
The following screed is a product of yours truly, and nothing more. I expect that there will be dissent from all quarters on the ideas presented here … that's fine until you attempt to k**l the messenger, at which point we will probably cease to communicate.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extremism/fanaticism is a trait of human nature that is usually present in some form in all of us. It is the taking of an idea or ideology to its extreme edges. Sometimes it is internalized, other times it is blatantly exhibited. It is not restricted to religion, although these are the more visible forms of the trait.
Let me cite some examples:
In religion, there are Quakers, Mennonites, and Amish that stick to a form of pacifist principles, while on the other extreme, you have such groups as ISIS, Al Quaeda, and Hamas.
We have on another extreme, the agnostics and atheists who believe in no God, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, you have those who so fervently believe in their Supreme Being that they expend their entire life savings in the belief that the Apocalypse is coming in the next few days or years.
You have cults such as Jonestown.
You have the virulent strains of white nationalism/w***e s*******y as elevated to a state dogma in the N**is of Hitler's reign in Germany.
You have the followers of the Maharishi establishing a compound in Oregon, and the Mormon splinter groups such as Warren Jeffs living in compounds and practicing polygamy.
You have a******n rights believers that are willing to k**l doctors that they feel commit murder.

All of these examples are extremist in one form or another. They are the ultimate extension of a belief structure. Most people do not fall into this category (or maybe they do and don't show it). It's a trait present in all of us.

Many times it is exacerbated by economic conditions. The believers have nothing left to lose.
Many times it is belief in a promise of either enlightenment or the prospect of an eternal life if the adherent lives their life in compliance with the dogma of their belief structure.
Many times it is also blind ignorance of reality and a devotion to one particular individual.
The goal of the extremism is the achievement of their belief structure to the exclusion of all other points of view.

Mandated state religions are a prime example of this.
We had the Catholic Inquisition in Spain.
We had the Church of England splitting from the Catholic religion.
We had the Shinto controlled government of Japan prior to and during the Second World War.
We have the Shiite sect of Islam governing Iran.
We have the Z*****t Jews running the state of Israel.
We have the increasingly Muslim government of Indonesia.
We have the Wahab influenced Islamist governments in Brunei and Saudi Arabia.
In somewhat lesser forms, we have the Hindu adherents running most of India, while Sikh followers predominate in the Punjab region of the northwest.

I'm sure that I haven't even named all the major ones here.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have (until recently) the abolition of all religion in Russia (Russian Orthodox is now officially supported there) and Chinese suppression of all western religions.
On the cultist side, you have the state of North Korea, believing that their dictator is a God that cannot be disbelieved.
There is no one influence that can be identified as a prime mover to induce people to extremism, although religion seems to be as close as one can get to one. Greed and lust can also play a part in extremist practices of financial accumulation, political power and sexual deviance.

The Buddha seems to have had it right when he went from total wealth and status to asceticism and poverty, eventually winding up in the middle … rejecting both extremes and walking a path of moderation in all things.
That moderation and compromise is what is lacking in modern civilizations … not just here in the United States. Polarization and division never achieve their ends and purposes in the long term. It is time for more of us to recognize the reality of this and find a middle ground of tolerance and moderation before we self-destruct by internal strife and return to the caves from whence we came.

Reply
Apr 13, 2019 07:20:24   #
Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall
 
Good post...
Can't imagine shooting the messenger...
You are welcome to find sanctuary in my cave (bring booze..)

Reply
Apr 13, 2019 07:34:24   #
Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas
 
whitnebrat wrote:
The following screed is a product of yours truly, and nothing more. I expect that there will be dissent from all quarters on the ideas presented here … that's fine until you attempt to k**l the messenger, at which point we will probably cease to communicate.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extremism/fanaticism is a trait of human nature that is usually present in some form in all of us. It is the taking of an idea or ideology to its extreme edges. Sometimes it is internalized, other times it is blatantly exhibited. It is not restricted to religion, although these are the more visible forms of the trait.
Let me cite some examples:
In religion, there are Quakers, Mennonites, and Amish that stick to a form of pacifist principles, while on the other extreme, you have such groups as ISIS, Al Quaeda, and Hamas.
We have on another extreme, the agnostics and atheists who believe in no God, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, you have those who so fervently believe in their Supreme Being that they expend their entire life savings in the belief that the Apocalypse is coming in the next few days or years.
You have cults such as Jonestown.
You have the virulent strains of white nationalism/w***e s*******y as elevated to a state dogma in the N**is of Hitler's reign in Germany.
You have the followers of the Maharishi establishing a compound in Oregon, and the Mormon splinter groups such as Warren Jeffs living in compounds and practicing polygamy.
You have a******n rights believers that are willing to k**l doctors that they feel commit murder.

All of these examples are extremist in one form or another. They are the ultimate extension of a belief structure. Most people do not fall into this category (or maybe they do and don't show it). It's a trait present in all of us.

Many times it is exacerbated by economic conditions. The believers have nothing left to lose.
Many times it is belief in a promise of either enlightenment or the prospect of an eternal life if the adherent lives their life in compliance with the dogma of their belief structure.
Many times it is also blind ignorance of reality and a devotion to one particular individual.
The goal of the extremism is the achievement of their belief structure to the exclusion of all other points of view.

Mandated state religions are a prime example of this.
We had the Catholic Inquisition in Spain.
We had the Church of England splitting from the Catholic religion.
We had the Shinto controlled government of Japan prior to and during the Second World War.
We have the Shiite sect of Islam governing Iran.
We have the Z*****t Jews running the state of Israel.
We have the increasingly Muslim government of Indonesia.
We have the Wahab influenced Islamist governments in Brunei and Saudi Arabia.
In somewhat lesser forms, we have the Hindu adherents running most of India, while Sikh followers predominate in the Punjab region of the northwest.

I'm sure that I haven't even named all the major ones here.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have (until recently) the abolition of all religion in Russia (Russian Orthodox is now officially supported there) and Chinese suppression of all western religions.
On the cultist side, you have the state of North Korea, believing that their dictator is a God that cannot be disbelieved.
There is no one influence that can be identified as a prime mover to induce people to extremism, although religion seems to be as close as one can get to one. Greed and lust can also play a part in extremist practices of financial accumulation, political power and sexual deviance.

The Buddha seems to have had it right when he went from total wealth and status to asceticism and poverty, eventually winding up in the middle … rejecting both extremes and walking a path of moderation in all things.
That moderation and compromise is what is lacking in modern civilizations … not just here in the United States. Polarization and division never achieve their ends and purposes in the long term. It is time for more of us to recognize the reality of this and find a middle ground of tolerance and moderation before we self-destruct by internal strife and return to the caves from whence we came.
The following screed is a product of yours truly, ... (show quote)


That was well worth reading.

I am surely guilty of extremism.

But I'm willing to lay down my sword if the other side is willing to reciprocate.

Reply
 
 
Apr 13, 2019 09:32:45   #
lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas
 
whitnebrat wrote:
The following screed is a product of yours truly, and nothing more. I expect that there will be dissent from all quarters on the ideas presented here … that's fine until you attempt to k**l the messenger, at which point we will probably cease to communicate.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extremism/fanaticism is a trait of human nature that is usually present in some form in all of us. It is the taking of an idea or ideology to its extreme edges. Sometimes it is internalized, other times it is blatantly exhibited. It is not restricted to religion, although these are the more visible forms of the trait.
Let me cite some examples:
In religion, there are Quakers, Mennonites, and Amish that stick to a form of pacifist principles, while on the other extreme, you have such groups as ISIS, Al Quaeda, and Hamas.
We have on another extreme, the agnostics and atheists who believe in no God, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, you have those who so fervently believe in their Supreme Being that they expend their entire life savings in the belief that the Apocalypse is coming in the next few days or years.
You have cults such as Jonestown.
You have the virulent strains of white nationalism/w***e s*******y as elevated to a state dogma in the N**is of Hitler's reign in Germany.
You have the followers of the Maharishi establishing a compound in Oregon, and the Mormon splinter groups such as Warren Jeffs living in compounds and practicing polygamy.
You have a******n rights believers that are willing to k**l doctors that they feel commit murder.

All of these examples are extremist in one form or another. They are the ultimate extension of a belief structure. Most people do not fall into this category (or maybe they do and don't show it). It's a trait present in all of us.

Many times it is exacerbated by economic conditions. The believers have nothing left to lose.
Many times it is belief in a promise of either enlightenment or the prospect of an eternal life if the adherent lives their life in compliance with the dogma of their belief structure.
Many times it is also blind ignorance of reality and a devotion to one particular individual.
The goal of the extremism is the achievement of their belief structure to the exclusion of all other points of view.

Mandated state religions are a prime example of this.
We had the Catholic Inquisition in Spain.
We had the Church of England splitting from the Catholic religion.
We had the Shinto controlled government of Japan prior to and during the Second World War.
We have the Shiite sect of Islam governing Iran.
We have the Z*****t Jews running the state of Israel.
We have the increasingly Muslim government of Indonesia.
We have the Wahab influenced Islamist governments in Brunei and Saudi Arabia.
In somewhat lesser forms, we have the Hindu adherents running most of India, while Sikh followers predominate in the Punjab region of the northwest.

I'm sure that I haven't even named all the major ones here.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have (until recently) the abolition of all religion in Russia (Russian Orthodox is now officially supported there) and Chinese suppression of all western religions.
On the cultist side, you have the state of North Korea, believing that their dictator is a God that cannot be disbelieved.
There is no one influence that can be identified as a prime mover to induce people to extremism, although religion seems to be as close as one can get to one. Greed and lust can also play a part in extremist practices of financial accumulation, political power and sexual deviance.

The Buddha seems to have had it right when he went from total wealth and status to asceticism and poverty, eventually winding up in the middle … rejecting both extremes and walking a path of moderation in all things.
That moderation and compromise is what is lacking in modern civilizations … not just here in the United States. Polarization and division never achieve their ends and purposes in the long term. It is time for more of us to recognize the reality of this and find a middle ground of tolerance and moderation before we self-destruct by internal strife and return to the caves from whence we came.
The following screed is a product of yours truly, ... (show quote)


This is very true. Ever seen a sports team and/or their fans disappointed because they only won by one point? They may not voice their disappointment, but it's there. The companion to extremism is exceptional-ism, which drives us to believe that we are, in a way, our OWN God. Many believe that the "original sin" of Adam and Eve was disobedience by eating of the forbidden fruit, and while certainly true, we overlook the rhetoric Satan used to talk them into that disobedience - "God doesn't want you to eat from the tree of knowledge, because he knows that it would elevate you to be equal with him".

Humans don't like the middle of the road or moderation, as they become just like everyone else. Imagine the giddiness of a NFL team winning the Super bowl with a score of 42 - 0, compared to that same team winning with a score of 42 -41. We love claiming "landslide" victories at the polls, even when the v**e count has only a 10% difference. Why do we do this? We don't like the idea of anyone being..............almost as good as we are, almost as popular, or near us in any fashion.

America must be #1 in all things, even though #'s 2 through wh**ever can be just as successful and their people just as prosperous and happy. We consider 2nd place losers, when in reality, being #1 might not be the best thing. Exceptional-ism..................our s**t don't stink.

Reply
Apr 13, 2019 10:30:57   #
slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas
 
whitnebrat wrote:
The following screed is a product of yours truly, and nothing more. I expect that there will be dissent from all quarters on the ideas presented here … that's fine until you attempt to k**l the messenger, at which point we will probably cease to communicate.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extremism/fanaticism is a trait of human nature that is usually present in some form in all of us. It is the taking of an idea or ideology to its extreme edges. Sometimes it is internalized, other times it is blatantly exhibited. It is not restricted to religion, although these are the more visible forms of the trait.
Let me cite some examples:
In religion, there are Quakers, Mennonites, and Amish that stick to a form of pacifist principles, while on the other extreme, you have such groups as ISIS, Al Quaeda, and Hamas.
We have on another extreme, the agnostics and atheists who believe in no God, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, you have those who so fervently believe in their Supreme Being that they expend their entire life savings in the belief that the Apocalypse is coming in the next few days or years.
You have cults such as Jonestown.
You have the virulent strains of white nationalism/w***e s*******y as elevated to a state dogma in the N**is of Hitler's reign in Germany.
You have the followers of the Maharishi establishing a compound in Oregon, and the Mormon splinter groups such as Warren Jeffs living in compounds and practicing polygamy.
You have a******n rights believers that are willing to k**l doctors that they feel commit murder.

All of these examples are extremist in one form or another. They are the ultimate extension of a belief structure. Most people do not fall into this category (or maybe they do and don't show it). It's a trait present in all of us.

Many times it is exacerbated by economic conditions. The believers have nothing left to lose.
Many times it is belief in a promise of either enlightenment or the prospect of an eternal life if the adherent lives their life in compliance with the dogma of their belief structure.
Many times it is also blind ignorance of reality and a devotion to one particular individual.
The goal of the extremism is the achievement of their belief structure to the exclusion of all other points of view.

Mandated state religions are a prime example of this.
We had the Catholic Inquisition in Spain.
We had the Church of England splitting from the Catholic religion.
We had the Shinto controlled government of Japan prior to and during the Second World War.
We have the Shiite sect of Islam governing Iran.
We have the Z*****t Jews running the state of Israel.
We have the increasingly Muslim government of Indonesia.
We have the Wahab influenced Islamist governments in Brunei and Saudi Arabia.
In somewhat lesser forms, we have the Hindu adherents running most of India, while Sikh followers predominate in the Punjab region of the northwest.

I'm sure that I haven't even named all the major ones here.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have (until recently) the abolition of all religion in Russia (Russian Orthodox is now officially supported there) and Chinese suppression of all western religions.
On the cultist side, you have the state of North Korea, believing that their dictator is a God that cannot be disbelieved.
There is no one influence that can be identified as a prime mover to induce people to extremism, although religion seems to be as close as one can get to one. Greed and lust can also play a part in extremist practices of financial accumulation, political power and sexual deviance.

The Buddha seems to have had it right when he went from total wealth and status to asceticism and poverty, eventually winding up in the middle … rejecting both extremes and walking a path of moderation in all things.
That moderation and compromise is what is lacking in modern civilizations … not just here in the United States. Polarization and division never achieve their ends and purposes in the long term. It is time for more of us to recognize the reality of this and find a middle ground of tolerance and moderation before we self-destruct by internal strife and return to the caves from whence we came.
The following screed is a product of yours truly, ... (show quote)

These comments are yet further examples of your posts bearing quality of thought. It also reminds me of a quote attributed to Dwight D. Eisenhower:

"I despise people who go to the gutter on either right or the left and hurl rocks at those in the center."

Reply
Apr 13, 2019 10:51:56   #
Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall
 
slatten49 wrote:
These comments are yet further examples of your posts bearing quality of thought. It also reminds me of a quote attributed to Dwight D. Eisenhower:

"I despise people who go to the gutter on either right or the left and hurl rocks at those in the center."


My cave has room for you as well...
Bring the rations (you have two right?)
Try to plump them up first...

Reply
Apr 13, 2019 10:57:53   #
whitnebrat Loc: In the wilds of Oregon
 
Many thanks to all of you for your comments ... especially lpnmajor, whose annex to my post gives added depth and meaning.

Reply
 
 
Apr 13, 2019 11:12:06   #
slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas
 
Canuckus Deploracus wrote:
My cave has room for you as well...
Bring the rations (you have two right?)
Try to plump them up first...

Do I have to

Reply
Apr 14, 2019 15:01:44   #
badbobby Loc: texas
 
whitnebrat wrote:
The following screed is a product of yours truly, and nothing more. I expect that there will be dissent from all quarters on the ideas presented here … that's fine until you attempt to k**l the messenger, at which point we will probably cease to communicate.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extremism/fanaticism is a trait of human nature that is usually present in some form in all of us. It is the taking of an idea or ideology to its extreme edges. Sometimes it is internalized, other times it is blatantly exhibited. It is not restricted to religion, although these are the more visible forms of the trait.
Let me cite some examples:
In religion, there are Quakers, Mennonites, and Amish that stick to a form of pacifist principles, while on the other extreme, you have such groups as ISIS, Al Quaeda, and Hamas.
We have on another extreme, the agnostics and atheists who believe in no God, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, you have those who so fervently believe in their Supreme Being that they expend their entire life savings in the belief that the Apocalypse is coming in the next few days or years.
You have cults such as Jonestown.
You have the virulent strains of white nationalism/w***e s*******y as elevated to a state dogma in the N**is of Hitler's reign in Germany.
You have the followers of the Maharishi establishing a compound in Oregon, and the Mormon splinter groups such as Warren Jeffs living in compounds and practicing polygamy.
You have a******n rights believers that are willing to k**l doctors that they feel commit murder.

All of these examples are extremist in one form or another. They are the ultimate extension of a belief structure. Most people do not fall into this category (or maybe they do and don't show it). It's a trait present in all of us.

Many times it is exacerbated by economic conditions. The believers have nothing left to lose.
Many times it is belief in a promise of either enlightenment or the prospect of an eternal life if the adherent lives their life in compliance with the dogma of their belief structure.
Many times it is also blind ignorance of reality and a devotion to one particular individual.
The goal of the extremism is the achievement of their belief structure to the exclusion of all other points of view.

Mandated state religions are a prime example of this.
We had the Catholic Inquisition in Spain.
We had the Church of England splitting from the Catholic religion.
We had the Shinto controlled government of Japan prior to and during the Second World War.
We have the Shiite sect of Islam governing Iran.
We have the Z*****t Jews running the state of Israel.
We have the increasingly Muslim government of Indonesia.
We have the Wahab influenced Islamist governments in Brunei and Saudi Arabia.
In somewhat lesser forms, we have the Hindu adherents running most of India, while Sikh followers predominate in the Punjab region of the northwest.

I'm sure that I haven't even named all the major ones here.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have (until recently) the abolition of all religion in Russia (Russian Orthodox is now officially supported there) and Chinese suppression of all western religions.
On the cultist side, you have the state of North Korea, believing that their dictator is a God that cannot be disbelieved.
There is no one influence that can be identified as a prime mover to induce people to extremism, although religion seems to be as close as one can get to one. Greed and lust can also play a part in extremist practices of financial accumulation, political power and sexual deviance.

The Buddha seems to have had it right when he went from total wealth and status to asceticism and poverty, eventually winding up in the middle … rejecting both extremes and walking a path of moderation in all things.
That moderation and compromise is what is lacking in modern civilizations … not just here in the United States. Polarization and division never achieve their ends and purposes in the long term. It is time for more of us to recognize the reality of this and find a middle ground of tolerance and moderation before we self-destruct by internal strife and return to the caves from whence we came.
The following screed is a product of yours truly, ... (show quote)


hi Brat
good to see you on OPP
Everyone may not agree with you
but you're making it rather hard to disagree
And as usual your hard hitting posts at least get people thinking


Reply
Apr 14, 2019 20:58:12   #
whitnebrat Loc: In the wilds of Oregon
 
badbobby wrote:
hi Brat
good to see you on OPP
Everyone may not agree with you
but you're making it rather hard to disagree
And as usual your hard hitting posts at least get people thinking


<Bowing and scraping in utmost humilitude>
Thankee, Bobby .... Ah appreciate...

Reply
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