Mark Dohle
Well-Known Member
Deep Doodoo
I do not know what it is like in Europe at this time. But in the United States we are in deep doodoo, (I know we can’t say ****). There is a lot of screaming, not much listening, a growing contempt between those who disagree, and this transgender movement is really causing a lot of rifts in our culture at this time. Which is only one issue, and not even the main one. I do believe that contempt is the first step towards physical violence, and in fact, it seems like the United States is becoming psychotic, myopic, and more prone to language that will only lead us faster into a violent period where there could be outright civil war. Some think we are near that stage already.
Those on the fringe of any group cause a great deal of trouble. I think they believe that negative attention is better than none. Also, the less we listen to each other, the more strident those will become who feel that they are being discounted….and in their rage, become discounters themselves. A strange state of affairs.
In our retreat house, we have some fluid gender people come here for a retreat. They are quiet, respectful, loving, kind, and all they want is to be accepted and welcomed and be allowed to be in silence…. which we do. They don’t scream, or demand, they are simply retreatants, people. I don’t always understand everyone who comes here, yet they all seem to be able to live and work together. I call a man who is more womanlike than man and dresses in such a way that points to the fact that he feels like a woman inside, I will call him, Mrs., or Ms., can’t keep up with all the alt-genders designations out there at this time. I do believe that there are those who are confused about what they are. Men, and women, feeling that they do not fit into society’s two sexes. I have no idea where this is leading. However, to belittle them, to try to silence them, is wrong, and dangerous. How healthy it is for them, or for our society, will simply have to play itself out.
As for as I am concerned, in society, there is a broad spectrum of behaviors that are acceptable, in that they do not cause people to be confused, in how they are to talk to this, or that individual. On a one, to one, basis it is important how we treat each other. What is shown on YouTube, is not always helpful. Since, again, it is those on the fringe who get the attention. Many of whom, I believe, or in deep pain, so to make fun, or to belittle them, is not the logical, or even loving thing to do. Take love out of it, people should be respected, and left alone, unless they are causing harm, to themselves, or others.
The political climate is, of course, a great concern for everyone, but there seems to be no way to get around this split in the country. It has been building for years and could be coming close to a major breakdown of our society……perhaps I am being too negative. Yet, history is filled with societies that have collapsed, why should we be any different?
I do not think the LGBT grouping is a threat to our society. It is how we listen to them, which will decide that. The real problem, a very dangerous one is the political divide, which scares me. There is a reason we have the cliché: “Don’t argue about religion or politics”.
