Do the Jews really run America?

[Rachel Foster]

Ah, well, I don't think that's restricted to Christians, although some faiths proselytize far less. (To become Jewish, in contrast, is far more difficult.) However, it is a human tendency to find reassurance when others share our beliefs. When dealing with something that is so absolutely an unknown, that need for reassurance can escalate.

The past decade has seen terror management theory enjoy some popularity in psych circles. Greenberg, Pyszczynski, Solomon, Veedr & Kirkland (1990), published "Three experiments [that] were conducted to test the hypothesis, derived from terror management theory, that reminding people of their mortality increases attraction to those who consensually validate their beliefs and decreases attraction to those who threaten their beliefs." There is support for this idea.

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Asher,

Doug, that is interesting! Do the sub group of Protestants defining themselves as "Christians" do so because of any shared distinguishing philosophy that is more likely to be absent from other Christian Faiths?

Typically, it seems that they are those who identify themselves as "evangelical Christians", although that self-designation seems to have an inconsistent and paradoxical definition. (We are not speaking here of the European use of "Evangelical", which of course is very nearly just a synonym for "Protestant", an etymological curiosity on its own.)

Of course, etymologically, "evangelical" would seem to suggest one who is very interested in spreading the "good news" of the central theme of the person's faith (in this case, the good news of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection). But the term as typically used here implies more than that, although exactly what isn't always clear (even among the adherents).

It often carries with it the concept of the importance of "spiritual rebirth", with the adherents often describing themselves as "born-again Christians". (How appropriate that I can have such a person give rebirth to my ailing transmission.)

Or is this an example of the "Philadelphia Mallet Rule". It's told that a Professor declared that once a stonehenge man invented a more perfect mallet, then everything within reach needed to be smashed with it.

I had never heard this wonderful metaphor before. It is very parallel to, but still slightly different from, one of my own favorites: "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Rachel,

Pyszczynski, Solomon, Veedr & Kirkland (1990), published "Three experiments [that] were conducted to test the hypothesis, derived from terror management theory, that reminding people of their mortality increases attraction to those who consensually validate their beliefs and decreases attraction to those who threaten their beliefs."

A fascinating thesis.

I like to think that increasing awareness of my own mortality has the opposite effect on me!

I follow the current controversies in The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Yesterday I read a wonderful phrase in an address by the Episcopal Bishop of Central Pennsylvania, speaking of the re-examination going on in that sphere, and the potential for a "re-alignment":

" "But such decision must be intentional, not precipitous,' Baxter said. 'I also believe that such decisions must be made through the theological and spiritual discernment of whole Church and not just the political work of the fearful uncertain or the angry certain.' " [Emphasis mine.]

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Nill Toulme]

"...the fearful uncertain or the angry certain."

That's a very nice turn of phrase.

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net

 

[Rachel Foster]

And, Doug....that's where possibly one might find a reason why there are so many different sects? One might gravitate to a group which is a better fit for one's needs for existential reassurance. Of course, the teachings affect those needs, which affect the teachings, which...

Chickens and eggs suddenly popped into mind. Perhaps a better term might be reciprocal determinism....Michael? Thoughts?

 

[Nill Toulme]

...or cognitive dissonance?

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net

 

[Nill Toulme]

Asher here's one apparently fairly knowledgeable and objective review of the book. Excerpt:

The Family may be the most important book written in a very long time about the intersection of religion and politics in America. It brings the Fellowship’s work out of the shadows and provides the kind of public accountability that heals spiritual wounds and keeps the republic strong.

But don’t take my word for it. Go buy the book. You won’t be sorry.​

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net

 

[Asher Kelman]

Lifting up skirts in OPF!

Ben, Nill, Dierk, Doug and everyone else,

At it’s best, beyond the thrills, photography can be a powerful social instrument in our lives. For this, we have to look beyond what we see. We must put aside layers of obfuscation to know what might be really going on!

This discussion is hard for some people since it improperly lifts up the dress of the prohibited and proprietary. We must expose what is really there beyond the satin, ribbons and bows. The latter, after all, detracts and distracts from our existential imperatives. The layers hide the accommodations that we’d rather not admit to ourselves.

So having this space in OPF to examine more than pictures, might encourage us to search further in what we photograph.

So thanks for sharing ideas in controversial areas so we can be informed and then challenge what is "definite", "improbable", "desirable", "dangerous "or even "impossible". More than that, we might then learn what is possible or what could and should be possible. If we can use this in our work just once in a while, then we might add great value to our photography.

Asher

 

[Rachel Foster]

I have a theory about why art exists. In fact, I'll go so far as to simply claim it's adaptive. My personal definition of art is that it must evoke emotion. This is necessary, but not sufficient, of course. I think that when art evokes emotion, it serves a purpose much like psychotherapy: It forces us to "feel" emotions we might otherwise prefer to keep locked away in what Freud might call the unconscious (or for those who don't buy that idea, some level of sub-awareness). It forces us to feel those emotions, process them somewhat, and perhaps even give us a new framework for that processing.

Discrimination is an emotional topic. That would make it appropriate to discuss in an artistic milieu, I think.

 

[Dierk Haasis]

Asher, can't we just shoot them all and let god sort them out?

If there is a god - any - all win, the faithful because they are were they belong [yup, the ambiguity is intentional], the rest because we may have a chance of a little bit of peace. If there is no supernatural higher authority [let's leave Superman out of this, yeah?!] those left still win - and the others don't really lose since the outcome for them is the same, just quicker.

The shootings in turn can be shot [with a camera!], maiing this discussion fully appropriate to this forum. Oh, and I see the whole project as Action Art ...







In memory of one of the greatest, George Carlin. Telling the truth almost always is funny.

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Rachel,

Discrimination is an emotional topic. That would make it appropriate to discuss in an artistic milieu, I think.

A good observation, and thanks for your other useful comments in this thread.

I hope this thread wasn't about discrimination (in the adverse sense of the term) - if so, I missed it. Maybe I am too insensitive.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Rachel Foster]

Oh, I was responding to the charge that Jewish people have undue (and evil?) influence. That's anti-Semitism and the danger is that racism (or even ethnocentrism) leads to discriminatory behavior. In fact, attitudes alone are not a problem; it's that the attitudes affect behavior that is the problem.

I'm most concerned in how people are treated. Unfair treatment always gets my hackles up regardless of who the unfairly-treated group is.

Sorry, I tend to get on a soapbox about these issues. I'm very, very passionate about these things. Now, where is Rocinante? I heard there's a windmill down the road....

 

[Doug Kerr]

The Great White (!) Way

Last night, Carla and I saw a Production of "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. It is a delightful musical comedy very loosely based on the film, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".

The Knights Who Say Ni (to give their initial short name) have challenged Arthur, among other things (along with delivering to them a shrubbery), to produce a musical on Broadway. His colleague Sir Robin, expresses his skepticism in a song, "You Won't Succeed on Broadway", the premise of which is captured in its opening stanza:

In any great adventure,
that you don't want to lose,
victory depends upon
the people that you choose.
So, listen, Arthur darling,
closely to this news:
We won't succeed on Broadway,
If you don't have any Jews.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Asher Kelman]

I'd add to that, it's unlikely you'll get a picture finished without the really talented set designers!

Asher