Deep Thoughts

[theonlyrachel]

Or maybe not that deep, but some things I have been pondering.

I'm back in the office two days a week now. Kevin has a small rolling carryon bag that I have been using to tote my laptop back and forth. It's working well. I'm happy to be able to socialize with people again. Also, it gives me some new places to take my lunchtime walks.

The pain is

Comments

[theonlyrachel]

I think it's a certain type of bullying victim that is attracted to Trump. There are those who develop empathy when bullied and there are those who develop a hard shell and decide they want to take revenge on the world. I definitely know some people who are the latter. The funny thing is many of them have sought solace in religion and while religion can be a welcoming space for those who are in pain, religion can also be harsh to outsiders. Religion ought to teach people more empathy, but often gives them a sense of moral superiority and that sense of superiority gives them a reason to look down on and disparage others. If you are drawn to a traditional religion, you are probably attracted to authoritarianism, and thus attracted to an authoritarian strongman who will help you dispatch your enemies and make you feel good about putting other people down (or threatening to destroy them).

Also, some former bullied people are emotionally vulnerable and have low self-esteems, so they can easily fall prey to a strong personality who will make them feel protected.

This response is almost becoming it's own post! But I had another revelation as I write this. I was thinking about the way people who feel rejected by their peers will turn to religion. Often they will switch religions. The churches they attend don't satisfy them, so they fall prey to a different church. In the end, is it really different? Think of Catholics who become evangelical Protestants (like Mike Pence). Both religions will claim they are not the same and doctrinally very different. That is true. However, in the end, both religions are extremely authoritarian. Once and authoritarian, always an authoritarian. How many Catholics become Quakers?

[chocolate_frapp]

you make some excellent points. I am an atheist but I was brought up religious and one thing that made me walk away from religion was the authoritarianism.