Theos-Talk Archives (February 1998 Message tt00121)

Bjorn:

It was touching to read the "A Sweet Tale of Love" story that
you posted. It tells of the importance of caring for someone as
a person, regardless of how they appear. It doesn't matter how
old, well-dressed, attractive, etc. that the other is, so much
as the heart/mind sharing that grows between the two.

Apart from the traditional reading of the story, though, I'm
left with an odd feeling about what happened. At one level, it
still says that young, attractive women are a prize that people
with good hearts will one day attain, if they prove themselves
caring enough. The idea that a woman in her 40's that wears old
hats is a big disappointment that only the most self-sacrificing
people would be drawn towards is awful.

Communicating on the Internet, we make friends in much the same
way that the soldier in your story did -- without seeing or
knowing our Internet friends in person. It doesn't matter how
old, healthy, well-dressed, attractive, wealthy, etc. that our
friends are -- we can still be the best of friends. In fact,
the lack of physical contact allows us to come to know each
other without the usual prejudices that we may have been brought
up with keeping us apart. These prejudices may activate
unconsciously, but with no cues, they lay dormant. We get to
know each other on a heart/mind basis, and the external attributes
of personality don't get in the way. We have, in effect, an
excellent opportunity to practice Universal Brotherhood.

-- Eldon