Methinks She Doth Protest Too Much

Methinks She Doth Protest Too Much

 A line from William Shakespeare, referring to a woman who in her protests, revealed her hypocrisy and true intentions. Recently, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was called a f’ing b on the steps of the House of Representatives after a confrontation with Representative Yoho. I dislike the use of any profanity at all. In fact, it was with extreme reservation that I included two uses of the b word in my novel, that coming from two characters who were inherently evil, wicked and twisted.

AOC is right to be offended, and even yes, to call this out. However, coming from the state which is known nationwide as the place for which rude people and rude behavior is commonplace, even taken for granted, illustrates a point. 

It has allowed her to take the moral high ground in a rant before the House of Representatives. This same woman, who was so affected by speech that is considered common and even acceptable in New York, has used foul language to describe our President. Many times. As has Trump himself in referring to others. I dislike all uses of speech that put down and insult others because of the group they belong to. That is called labeling. Ideas, however, I feel are open to critical inspection and criticism. 

But it goes beyond just this. The extreme left has taken feelings and impositions and elevated them far beyond their importance. It has reached the point of self-justification of any idea, any thought, that reinforces a world view that removes God from any consideration- at all. It elevates the idea that replaces God with nature, sin with any disagreement with leftist dogma, and salvation with “wokeness.” 

Jesus dealt with Pharisees who displaced true relationship and worship of God with the traditions of men. His words were hardly reserved. I would contend that this new ideology, this new religion does the same. Jesus calls on me to love my enemies. Therefore, I must love all people as they are. Including AOC. Love does not mean failing to call out the lies and the work of the enemy of mankind for what they are and exposing them to the light of truth. 

I shall say a prayer for AOC today, asking God to move her heart that she may come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Should I ever be able to speak with her directly, I would address her with the gospel first and foremost. Aside from this, all other considerations pale in comparison, for one soul is worth the entire world, and more. 

Let God be true, and every man a liar. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI4ueUtkRQ0&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2dQRFbzMgcHsWejH81thArEONwHKNmC1F6NkQL50AuQGY4AXW18XwJZ8s

The Problem with Trump, and Other Stuff

The Problem with Trump, and Other Stuff

Our president has issues. Not just the self-centered ones. He has been very contentious with staff, and has had a line of people who have served with him only to be fired for one reason or another. Some have also resigned to seek other work. Further, he has been subject to a wide variety of leaks coming from within his administration, which have not helped his public image.

Now Trump has been right about a number of things, like it or not. He has been and is right about the “fake news,” the media which is clearly biased. I grew quite angry the other night when watching ABC News, as they lied over and over about the “peaceful demonstrators” who were in actuality throwing bricks at Park Security before they were cleared out before the president’s visit to the church. Further, Trump is condemned if he stays in the White House during civil turmoil, and condemned if he leaves. It is not very balanced coverage, quite frankly. 

Trump had been a master of the economy before the pandemic. The good he has done for all classes of people is being ignored and even downtrodden as people who seemingly live in a different world naysay, negate and even wish ill will on our president and our own country in an attempt to overthrow his tenure. One day they decry the president for wanting to open up the country, accusing him of murdering innocents by way of Covid, and the very next week they are in jubilation that droves of people are congregating in masses well beyond 100 or 1,000 people. 

While I strongly denounce and oppose any form of bigotry, slanted application of law, or personal slight or insult to *anyone* based on race or origin, I feel that to say “Unless you adopt our mindset as your own and walk in lockstep with our thoughts in every area regarding political correctness, you are a racist,” is bigoted in itself. “How dare you not denounce racism with my fervor? How dare you not speak out? How dare you not ignore the murders, fires, vandalism, riots and attacks on police in the name of righteousness?” That is essentially what I have been hearing from some friends and in the media. 

I have been reading. A lot. I have been seeking to understand. I have been open to hearing others and critically examining my own thoughts. What I am not open to is death, destruction and dismantling our country in the name of any cause. By anyone or for anyone. 

Eight Christians across the world are murdered every day because of their faith. Every. Single. Day. You can guess the source and location. Is there any cry, any voice, any thought of reason or compassion from those who are so vocal in their advocacy for others? The silence is deafening. 

But back to Trump. His problem, the one I named this column for is communication. Trump had the opportunity to invite civic leaders from cities and the African American community to the White House on the very first day of outrage and anger for the purpose of just plain listening. Not to speak to them. Not to oppose in any way. Just to listen. He should have requested national air time to address the nation on the very first night of unrest, and gone into it without a polished speech or teleprompter, just sharing his thoughts and feelings with the public about his feelings and our shared values to condemn senseless bigotry and violence, from any source. 

I would have applauded such a measure. Would the media have castigated him as a racist and urged no one to go? Without question. I think he should have made the effort anyway. There is no doubt he was angry about the riots, the destruction and fires that had been set. The Dems have been calling Trump a divider for his Rose Garden speech, for his remark about “dominating the streets.” They are right in this respect, in that his speech should have been much more affirming and validating for those who feel oppressed. What many do not see is that Trump’s dividing is not the only dividing that is going on. 

Also with regards to communication, about a month ago, Trump had an interaction with a reporter that did not show off his communication skills. From the Washington Post, May 12: “At a Rose Garden press briefing, CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang asked the president why he so frequently claims that the United States is doing “far better than any other country” at testing for coronavirus. “Why does that matter?” she asked. “Why is this a global competition to you if every day Americans are still losing their lives?”

Should I step into Trump’s shoes, I would have said “Please allow me to elaborate. What I meant when saying that is that I am very proud of our workers and industries who are laboring with great effort to produce as many tests as they can in order to save lives, which should be commended. This extends to everyone, including yourself and members of the press here who are self-isolating to prevent the spread of this pandemic.” 

Instead he had to rail against China, who is guilty of allowing the spread by ceasing regional air traffic from Wuhong while allowing international traffic to continue. That was clearly a calculated move. However, his response, “Go ask China” triggered the reporter’s sensibilities and she basically accused the president of racism. Not his finest moment. 

So, to those who inquire about my speaking out against racism, this is it. While my voice is small, my metaphorical pen is more pronounced. While I cannot say that I understand the black experience, I can say that I am strongly against any form of discrimination in law or society. To state that pointing out other problems and issues in our times takes away from the goal of removing racism is disingenuous. 

We are all just people. That’s it. We are not our culture, our race or our political affiliation. When we pass this earthly realm, we will not take any of those things with us. We are each individually responsible for our decisions, our actions and eventually, our destination. 

Let God be true and every man a liar.

G.Houtchens

Armchair coach

Amateur historian

UFOs What I Believe and Why

Above- UFO seen in China

UFOs What I Believe and Why

Some have inquired about my thoughts on UFOs. It is a subject I have been interested in for many decades. In that time I have done amateur research into the subject. Some sources of information have good reasoning for a basis of credibility and others are sheer crap. I myself was fooled once, many years ago, and since that time have had a higher standard and more skeptical attitude towards what sources I have any degree of trust.

That being said, I wanted to go into what sources I place the highest degree of confidence in, and why. I consider myself fortunate that I personally have never seen a UFO, nor do I desire to. I am convinced that there are greater forces that exist on this Earth than what we can see with our eyes.

I’ll start with a story that really happened to me. I’ll include a word of caution. If you know the man I refer to, please do not ask him about it or make any inquiries. Although I have made him anonymous, I’d like to protect my promise to him in spirit if not to the letter. 

I Was Confirmed

About 20 years ago, I had a conversation with a colleague that I was not expecting. This gentleman was a widely liked and respected member of the faculty at the school where I was employed. He was an excellent teacher with a dry wit, professional expertise in our field, and a volunteer at many charitable functions.

At the time my interest with UFOs was known among the faculty. In jest to poke fun at myself I even made a folded tin foil hat I wore around the school for half a day. I was a science teacher, and felt that skepticism was important. Still do. However, I could not put aside the nagging idea that many details of UFO encounters would be repeated over and over again across the world.

This colleague whom I will call James invited me to his room one day after school. I stopped by thinking it would be school related. I was not expecting the discussion that would follow.

James stated in a quiet voice “Glenn, as you might know, you are known around the school as the UFO nut. Well, they are all wrong and you are right.” (His words)

  

I leaned forward in the chair on the other side of his desk and scrunched up my eyebrows. Was I hearing this correctly?

James continued. “What I am about to share with you is personal and private. If I am asked about it, I will deny any knowledge that this conversation took place. I trust you will not share this.”

“Of course,” I replied.

“Okay then. When I was very young, about 9 years old, my brother and I saw an extraterrestrial vehicle. It was very large and cigar shaped. It was hovering just above the dirt road about 50 feet ahead of us. We just came upon it through some trees. There was no sound that would give it away. We approached it until we were very close, and that was the last thing I remembered about the encounter. My brother has refused to discuss the incident since that day. I can’t say that I blame him.”

I asked for some clarifying details. James responded “It was about the size of a blimp, but cigar shaped. It was clearly made of metal, and hovered about 10 feet off the ground.”

I left his room that day feeling wonder and curiosity. Certainly, there seems to be more to this phenomenon than meets the eye. I feel 95% of the stuff that is pumped out by UFO-related media, such as TV shows is pure crap. The rest merits consideration. While science is great for testing objective conditions and properties in experiments that can be measured with the five senses and repeated, it is not good at all for measuring objects which do not sit still and do not adhere to the laws of physics and aerodynamics. They have been recorded on Navy FLIR cameras. 

Science researchers are not ready to give the phenomenon the credit and acceptability it needs for study. Indeed, any mention gets pilots grounded, military personnel passed over for promotion, and university staff blacklisted. Ego and establishment it seems, trumps even filmed proof. 

Now, onto the examination of accounts and eye witnesses. I find the story of Bob Lazar to be the most interesting and reputable. 

Bob Lazar

One can find a lot of information on Bob Lazar’s claims on the internet. One of the reasons I view them with consideration is that his story has not changed one iota in many decades. Some have tried to trip him up, but he always denies anything other than his original story. 

So what are his claims? That the facilities for studying alien craft and for attempting to replicate their abilities are separate facilities in Area 51 and that they are highly compartmentalized. His description of the badges used to access facilities on the base are accurate. He has described the kitchen facilities and mess hall at Area 51 correctly as well, and this has been confirmed.

Lazar further makes some remarkable claims about how gravitational waves may be produced and controlled, and that the power necessary for producing this effect is gained from breaking down a stable isotope of element 115. 

One thing I did not know until very recently was that Lazar, back in the early 90s, refers to Project Looking Glass, which surprised me. I had heard about this from another source, but had not placed much weight behind the fantastic claims that Project Looking Glass makes. More about that later.

To his detriment, Lazar lied about his credentials. While he claims records have gone missing since he made public his expose’, some records have turned up in the form of printed sources which could not be erased after the fact. His tax form from the Office of Naval Intelligence shows he was involved. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B074PBCQ46/ref=atv_hm_hom_1_c_iEgOEZ_2_5?fbclid=IwAR28N-wkRIUpuDWyaYMUqVnj-wQ6gYqChfqjNMx0YExgrBcd-xombuM5tAI

Steven Greer

It is my opinion that Dr. Greer gets it about 80% right. What he gets wrong however, he gets very wrong.

Dr. Greer certainly has some credentials. He has briefed the director of the CIA at one point, and numerous other government officials. This is without question, as he has the paperwork to document and back up these meetings and their purpose. So what does Steven Greer have to say?

He states that there is a small part of government associated with the military and private industry that keeps UFO technology secret. It was this group that Eisenhower was warning about, Greer states, in his warning about the military industrial complex. This was affirmed by the dying man, whom I will address shortly.

Greer states that the “visitors,” as he calls them, have mastered DNA manipulation to such an extent that they can create biological constructs, artificial beings. He states that some UFOs are even sentient to a degree and have a certain amount of awareness. 

Greer states the visitors are concerned about humanity and our war-like ways. He states that with the ability to access great technological power, this is a concern because this technology, if used in the wrong way and in the wrong hands, could literally destroy the world. This is the reason for the cover up, along with energy and economic concerns.  

What Greer gets wrong in my opinion is about the future of humanity. Greer advocates for a spiritual mind changing evolution of humanity in order to communicate with the visitors. He advocates the practice of remote viewing and certain kinds of eastern meditation. I disagree on two counts. First, this practice has the possibility of opening spiritual doors. I am firmly convinced there is a spirit realm which is not understood completely by us, with our very limited 5 senses. When one starts dabbling in this practice, one cannot know what doors are opened or what consequences result.

For example, an incident from 1991, from the US Army’s Stargate Project, which was the government’s remote viewing program (not to be confused with the TV show.) One viewer was tasked (without knowing the objective- all they are given are some numbers which correspond to a hidden case file at another location) with remote viewing an installation on the far side of the moon. When his presence was detected by the “visitors” who were there, he realized he was trespassing and received a very bad reaction, with many eyes and minds focused on him. Remote viewing is not something to mess around with. 

Further, in his attempt to force his brand of evolution on humanity, Greer throws the baby out with the bathwater.  There is something special about being human. The ability to love, to give, to experience the wonder and pain that is life. I emphasized this in my novel. One does not need to be like the visitors in order to communicate with them. We should cherish our humanity which is a gift from God.

https://www.amazon.com/Unacknowledged-Expose-Worlds-Greatest-Secret/dp/1943957045/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=steven+greer&qid=1591811450&s=books&sr=1-2

The Rendlesham Forest Incident

Colonel Charles Halt wrote a memorandum after the incident which was conveniently “lost” after he forwarded it up the chain of command. If not for a carbon for the copy of the memo which was found later, the entire incident would have been covered up. 

There are two witnesses, young E-2s, security officers, who also report an entirely separate incident during the nights of encounters that make the sightings and evidence more solid to me. Evidence remains of pictures and indentations in the ground where a craft had landed. These were preserved with plaster-of-paris. 

The Rendlesham Forest Incident is well documented, and you can look up the information for yourself. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendlesham_Forest_incident

Richard Doty

I find his interview with Steven Greer fascinating. Richard Doty worked for decades with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. His interview resonates with me as being genuine. There are several instances where Doty refuses to answer Greer’s questions, citing his oath to national security. In one instance, Greer tricks Doty into answering one of the questions he previously refused to answer. This is a tactic used for criminal investigations, and I find Doty’s demeanor to be truthful.

The contents of this interview are also remarkable. Because I see this interview as being strait forward, honest, and believable, this is the link I will cite to go with the article. Other links will follow. Definitely worth a watch, if you are going to look up anything as a result of this article.

Richard Doty’s Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShZMgbXNSBs

Dan Burisch

The claims of Dan Burisch to me, are less valid than others I have cited above. Complicating matters is his self-congratulatory and bragging demeanor, which leads one to think he might have been exaggerating parts of his account (like a certain politician we might know of.) 

Burisch’s claim to fame is his account of working with the visitor known as J-Rod, a name given this being by those who were part of the program. While Burisch’s insights are interesting, what gave me a pause was that Burisch was the original source from which I heard about Project Looking Glass, a device which, by manipulating gravity waves (and as we know, space-time is closely associated with gravity,) allows one to “see” into possible threads of the future and the past. That Lazar also mentioned Project Looking Glass has me giving new consideration to Burisch’s story, although still with skepticism.

https://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/dan_burisch/esp_dan_burisch_1b.htm?fbclid=IwAR1vXt9NdXaPhundBkyJvdlK7x-2YdcQ-yuKAOfYaqq2DeN1ReLJ3M2Qe9g

Dying Man’s testimony

A former CIA agent who joined the army in 1958, sees fit to reveal all he knew about UFOs and his brief, personal interaction with Eisenhower. Eisenhower’s reaction, as related by this man who has *nothing* to lose, smacks of truth. “You tell whoever is in charge (of Area 51) to get to Washington next week or I am going to mobilize the first army from Colorado, and we are going to smash that place wide open.” Interestingly, he corroborates Bob Lazar’s story regarding area S-4. Also briefly discusses different types of Grays, as postulated by Dan Burisch. Absolutely worth a look, although I disliked that the video was cut/edited at certain points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaqZLaNcBmQ

I could go on and on beyond these citations. The video evidence of UFOs, as recently affirmed by the Pentagon as true. The hundreds of instances of corroborated, multiple witness accounts, over many years, both with and without physical traces left behind. 

In the end, I suppose that one might say that whatever one’s beliefs are, they will continue to tend to believe whatever validates their world view, regardless of evidence, testimony and proof which is offered. 

I recently saw a UFO program on TV and it made me livid with the continuous speculative and misleading, unanswered questions. Actually yelled at the TV at one point- “No!” The UFO community, by and large, should be considered skeptically, as Richard Doty affirms. 

As for me, I will keep my eyes to the sky. Not looking for UFOs or evidence, mind you, but to the Lord of Hosts who made us all, and His son. Our Maker, Creator, and Redeemer, to whom we owe honor and glory and love for He first made and loved us. There are truths we do not understand. For now we see through a glass darkly, but then, face to face. 

The Borg Spirit

The Borg Spirit

“Resistance is futile.”

This article went a much different way in hindsight than I expected it to. It was in retrospect, after sharing with my online bible study, that I began to have illumination. You see, rationalism and logic should not be my go to’s. I should not depend on them or fall back on reasoning as my defense. Because I think my view might be in error or have a less legitimate foundation of thought? No. Because I might be outnumbered in certain forums of public opinion? No. Because of the militancy of those who hold different or even faulty views? No.

The Lord of Hosts made me. Jesus, God’s very son, bought me, with his life. He is my life, and I am His. God is my strong tower, and it is to Him I must look for my defense in all things. Indeed, not just look, but to enter the tower and reside there.

Is there a place for reason, rationalism and logic? Yes, without question. However, my defense is not my own. It is the Lord’s. I should not lean on my own very limited understanding. There are both spiritual issues and spiritual forces at work in this world, of this I am more than certain. These are entirely dismissed and discounted by those who sneer at the existence of God and proclaim science and humanism as the ultimate source of moral and intellectual authority. I’m no Francis Schaeffer, and his calling to the intellectuals is not mine.

That being said, I have decided not to engage in further fruitless discussions with those who insist on cloaking themselves in a self-righteous cause. People seek meaning, and in the absence of God, they attempt to fill a God shaped hole in our hearts with other things. I remember learning that from Bob Becknell as a teenager. It rings true today more than ever.

In reading Proverbs 18 today, I was struck by the importance of spiritual discernment. That being said, below is the discussion that started my considerations, and led to my thoughts and resolution on the matter.

This discussion emphasizes the idea of groupthink. That an entire generation can adopt an ideology which casts hatred against any who do not share it. It is one that plays the martyr and falsely equivocates any disagreement in thought as a heinous sin.

The conversation was brought back to mind with today’s bible reading from Ephesians 4. Ephesians 4:2-3 ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The spirit shown below did not originate from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 7:6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

[Thread starts, posted by a friend named Danny. All names have been changed from the original post.]

Headline: Scottsdale councilman shares false info claiming COVID-19 means 'Chinese Originating' virus

Glenn: While I don't think it is racist to refer to a virus by its place of origin, I do dislike it when politicians -on both sides- skew ideas to cause bias. (laughing mocking responses/emojis)

Connor: Fun fact: the first known case of "Spanish" flu was reported in Kansas in 1918. It became associated with Spain because, as a neutral power in WWI, their national media was the only one not being heavily censored.

Tamara: Also what he said was "Hate to break it to all the *morons* who call themselves journalists but". Dangerous for a politician to spread mistrust of the media, and to be so wrong AND disrespectful while doing it is not a fit public servant.

Glenn: I agree here. While many journalists bait Trump into over-hyped reactions in order to generate news and further a biased agenda (on both sides) he should not stoop to playing into the get back game. While his anger towards the media (I feel) is justified, his reaction is not. There are better ways to deal with media questions than name calling.

Annie: it’s inarguably racist and inexcusably ignorant to refer to a virus by its “originating” country. The country where a virus is first identified tells you absolutely nothing about the virus itself and is meaningless beyond sewing racist discord.

Annie: It’s a reporter’s job to ask hard questions. Being pressed by white house correspondents on his outright lies is hardly “baiting.” They would not be doing their job if they were not pressing the PRESIDENT about PRESIDENTIAL POLICY. He has relentlessly attacked journalists, magazines, news papers and abused his power to assuage his ego.

Glenn: Okay I edited that last comment because it was not nice. I apologize, Annie. However, this is the reason why I don't like arguing with PC wokeness. It's sheer baloney imo.

Annie: if you consider frank discussion of racism “PC wokeness” and call facts baloney, you need to sit with your entitlement to niceties. No one owes you “nice” in response harmful conduct or in the pointing out of harmful conduct. Integrity requires a person being accountable for their actions and accepting responsibility. Refusing to do so by deflecting to PC wokeness, which implies the act of someone calling out your harm is somehow the greater problem, is incompatible with taking responsibility for your hurtful actions.

Glenn: Political correctness... facts... no, it’s a philosophy, a flawed one, imo. My hurtful actions and harmful conduct- okay, we are done here. Ideas must always be open to critical thinking. People, less so. The concept of a person having a line of thought or an opinion is not a hurtful act. Rather, I would say refusing to allow any "diversity" in thought is rather isolationist and against the ideology which you claim to promote.

By the way, when you use the term racist, you are wrong. Racism refers to eugenics in that some races are inherently superior to others, as espoused by the Nazis. What you refer to is bigotry. Look it up.

Annie, painting a really bad world situation as much worse than it may possibly be in the future in order to influence public opinion is not presidential policy. It's spin.

When I tried to agree towards the top of the thread, people laughed. I thought I was being rather neutral about it. Danny, I'm sorry. Tried to make it work, but your small gang of rather intolerant friends won't even allow for the slightest of deviations from "approved thought."

I don't accept certain philosophical ideas just because they are approved and demanded by the masses.

Danny: no Glenn it is not. Look I have family members who have been the object of racist behavior because of the origin nonsense. It is time that the president be held accountable for encouraging and enabling racist behaviors. Glenn. I see the effects of the white privilege everyday. Seriously, dude get a clue. Tell me how you approach is so different from the story of the good Samaritan... specifically the non-Samaritans.

Danny: Those who you are calling intolerant on a regular basis work to help "unto the least of them" on a regular basis.

Danny: Tell me Glenn how big is that beam in your eye?

Glenn: Danny, I'll reply to this once, then stop. I'm sorry your relatives have been subject to any bad, angry or bigoted behavior. At all. This discussion must strike a sore point with you. And for that I apologize.

Your feelings and those of your friends here are not invalid. I'll be honest. I don't feel the phrase "chinese virus" has the weight of other slurs that are used derogatorily against people because of bigoted prejudices.

I did not use the word intolerant until I began to be attacked, over and over again, just because of what I think. You may notice these attacks continue below.

With regard to the story of the good Samaritan. To compare not holding a philosophical view and demanding conformity in all thought is not the same as leaving people on the side of the road to die. I dedicated my life to helping children. You have dedicated yours as a therapist to helping people who need serious help, which is admirable. If your friends here that criticized and attacked me work to help the least of them on a regular basis, I think that is wonderful, honestly.

I think there is danger in this new philosophy that has risen in my adult life that demands ideological conformity.

But more than any of this, regardless of what one thinks of the president or any political idea, I think it’s important that we all work to try to get along more. The epidemic that is raging across the world should get the center of our attention. I am concerned about the human toll and loss of life that is occurring. Toward that end, I have sequestered and isolated in place since the beginning of the month and will continue, probably past the recommended guidelines

Danny: Man... you don't get it, by choosing to not see that this behavior encourages racism. Because it is a type of racism.

Danny: Considering the good Samaritan. The point I am making is. You are the one who is walking by a problem staying oh because I don't think it is a problem it must not be a problem.

Sam: He could politely ask the virus if it speaks Chinese and find out. Just make sure to lean in very close, as the virus is hard of hearing.

Danny: hehehe killing it Sammy

[via instant message]

Glenn: Hi Danny.

I have been giving the conversation that happened on your thread a lot of thought.

A lot.

I’ve been trying to see from your point of view. Been trying to wrestle with it. Certainly, issues of grievance (with regards to bigotry,) especially when one has been personally affected causes feelings of animosity and resentment. I suppose that extends to anyone who supports said bigotry. I do not.

I think that by enforcing a “I hate this, therefore you must hate it too” view goes too far. For example, I view drug smugglers of narcotics as modern day slavers. This includes the “pain clinics” who push the drugs. I despise the practice. Yet there are many who consider drug sellers to be convicted of victimless crimes. I strongly disagree. Yet, I don’t call out, belittle or make fun of those with a different opinion.

In the post made by Sam, he made a joke out of my catching the coronovirus. You supported this jest. Good one, haha. Maybe this was done out of anger towards me. I don’t know. Regardless, friends don’t make jokes of other friends catching this horrible, horrible disease. That was totally uncool.

Therefore, in the interests of getting along and making peace, I am going to unfriend you. I truly wish you and your family well in this difficult time of world crisis.

Danny: Dude you are missing the point. Hear the Samaritan reference. If you need to unfriend because you got called out on passive bigotry, ok. I think you are a nice guy. But my friends tell me when I miss something. That is the difference between a friend and a yes man.

Glenn: Danny, I don't mind debate. Indeed, I like to get alternative views because that way I can make better decisions about what I believe and why. Rather, I didn't like the name calling and ganging up. Did not like getting made fun of. And I think the joke about my getting the virus is what tipped me over.

I don't like getting people upset. I thought I was being nice by trying to approve of some things at the top of the post. Your other posts, some of which I disagree with, I don't bother to comment on. After all, everyone is entitled to an opinion, right?

So, I think it would be good if we just let it be. I really, honestly don't want to antagonize anyone, especially with this great issue hanging over all our heads. I think that were I to post on any more of your topics, your buds would jump in and call me a racist, even if said comment were benign. So, I wish you well. I hope that in the future people will be more willing to understand one another. You did tell me years ago you would read A Golconda Story. I hope someday that you do, and when you do, you enjoy it. Kindly, Glenn

[End discussion]

The spirit in which these attacks were made was not the Holy Spirit. Rather, it is the groupthink. The one that replaces God with nature, and demands conformity. The one that hates God and Christians for what they represent and for perceived slights.

The concept was further reinforced for me with today’s reading by verse 14. Ephesians 4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting….

Now that being said, I ask the question “what if?” What of there was a world wide event, one that was devastating? One that reinforced the idea of groupthink physically? How would that look? “How dare you Christians group together?  How dare you form a church? How dare you hug one another?”

Now, don’t get me wrong. I think that for now, it is very important we follow the social isolation and washing guidelines. I’m doing it myself. However, I am concerned for the lasting consequences of the physical requirements of groupthink and what they portend.