(02-23-2023, 01:19 PM)NYC4jags Wrote: Childhood indoctrination was 100% conservative-christian-bible-thumping-vengeful-god-will-smite-thee-for-thine-sins garbage.
I only came away impressed by the Jesus bits. He was cool. I dug his basic decency and unconditional compassion.
Selflessness.
The rest was all fear-laden tripe. No way to live, waiting on eternal damnation and a lightning bolt from the heavens to strike you down to the flames unless you beg forgiveness incessantly for being human.
Luckily my pops set a very christ-like example for me and my brother.
He talked the talk and walked the walk 99.9% of the time, which is more than I can say for most church folk I've known.
So, I was fortunate to grow up around a practical example of someone just being a good person. Even if I didn't believe everything he did.
I also grew up around lots of racism and had to make the conscious decision to not adopt or normalize it at a young age.
What a strange thing to go through as a kid. Having to reconcile that 70% of the adults in your life are seeing the world all [BLEEP] up. Pointless hate. It still baffles me. This was also one of the early clues that the church was full of [BLEEP]. Tons of outward racists there every Sunday.
Ultimately - for me - it just comes down to trying to find balance between being compassionate for others and doing whatever you can to help people, but knowing where to draw the line and look out for oneself.
I reckon where we choose to draw that line is one of the things that makes us attracted to different sorts of political policy. It's a wide spectrum.
Lots of conservatives these days seem to take on a "survival of the fittest" mentality and let the weak be damned.
I just tend to be more compassionate for folks who struggle through little or no fault of their own.
Hard for me to stomach folks who don't give a [BLEEP] about anyone but those in their own little microcosm of existence.
If I had to pick one thing that reaffirmed my own inclinations toward a progressive mindset, it would be travel.
Seeing the world gives you new perspective. You realize that many of the institutions and methodologies you grew up with are merely one way of doing things among a broad horizon of possibilities. And you also realize that the human spirit is the same every where - and it is coursing through the veins of good people, bad people, and all those in between on every continent. We are all the same in so many ways.
Anyway, I'm an opinionated prick and and I know that about myself.
I've come to accept it as long as I keep trying to do good things for friends, family, and strangers in my day to day however I can.
Anyhoo - there's your libtard drive-by for the month.
Cheers.
Marty, I broke the [BLEEP] out of my arm patting my elitist back on this one.
Like many previous comments on this topic, your "take" on this was interesting and enlightening. You were very fortunate to have a parent who set such a positive example. While my dad was far from perfect (who is?), I believe he was a great role model in the ways which count the most. He always went out of his way to help others and also possessed the compassion you spoke of. I'd like to believe that these positive traits "rubbed off" on me. One area in which we are not alike is in our political beliefs. My dad loved Rush Limbaugh and often spoke of his extreme dislike (bordering on hatred) of Democrats. While I consider myself a moderate, I tend to be more like my mother (left of center) when it comes to "social" issues.
The vast majority of people on this site clearly lean to the right. I rarely take offense for things they say unless it is personal and meant to offend others. A small minority of people fit this category.
I am of the belief that while I differ politically from them, the vast majority are good people who try to make a positive difference in this world.
There is no doubt that our beliefs and values have come mostly from our parents. We typically either share these same beliefs or go in the entirely opposite direction. I realize that I was extremely fortunate to grow up in a middle class family with parents who taught me to respect others despite whatever differences (race, religion, socioeconomic status, etc.) that we had. I have no doubt that the primary reason for racism, anti-semitism or any other hatreds stem from a feeling of inadequacy and the need to feel "better" than others. Life certainly can be "easier" for those who see everything in black and white and this "laziness" also contributes to prejudice.
I am grateful for "Duval Pride" as it gives me an opportunity to share my thoughts on the Jaguars to other diehard fans. There is no doubt that "misery loves company" and those on this forum understand this better than most. This is also my favorite place to learn more about my favorite team, especially when compared to local media.
