Theos-Talk Archives (June 1998 Message tt00061)

Paul:
<snip>
>Thoa, you're right about freedom, and in this case I'm not
>miserable about anything other than the prospect of bashing by a
>new kind of fundamentalists, which might not even happen.  But
>when you say "you're the creator of your own prison" I can't help
>thinking that anyone who writes about a subject that some people
>hold sacred is thereby creating a kind of prison for
>him/herself, IF s/he has any interest in "belonging" to that
>group.  The very people you most want to accept and appreciate your work
>are the most likely to throw it in your face and call it crap,
>unless it conforms 100% to their belief system.
<snip>

That's so true!  The people or group you want to belong to the most is also
your jailer.  I'm very good at detecting jailers and their manipulative
methods.  This came from my experiences with parents, educational
institutions, spiritual groups, martial arts groups, and corporations.
They all have their standards by which to measure you by.  They all have
their traditions by which they demand you follow by.  They all oppose you
when you decided to do things differently.  And they all tell you that the
opposition is for YOUR welfare.  Well, you know what?  I tried to do things
differently, and the world didn't crumble.

Chin up, Paul.  Everything's going to be A-okay.

Thoa :o)