Quote:
Originally Posted by scott snedeker
I have to admit to my own aquiescence to "slum thinking" in my pursuit of nonviolence. … I will focus my awareness on my "slum Thinking" today and let go of some of it.
Anyone else recognize this within?
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Absolutely!
I am constantly challenging myself to be non-violent of tongue when dealing with anti-gay activists, online or in person.
Some of them are just ignorant or unaware of our challenges with the anti-gay industry. So -- through much practice (much thanks to SoulForce) -- I’ve been able to minimize my pre-judgment of others. I still have a long way to go, and it’s painful to look inside and see the ugliness within (unwarranted sense of superiority, AKA pride), but if it means not projecting my past negative experiences onto that person, I feel confident that my response to them will be as accurate and effective as possible.
However, if they cannot be reached with logic or reasoning, I indulge in my enjoyment of mocking. And yes, that’s pride too, but at that point, I’m mostly speaking to the “moveable middle” that may be reading the exchange.
Satire can be a very effective and easily memorable means of illustrating the ridiculousness of their anti-gay arguments.
When I have the presence of mind to do so, I pray for my “enemies,” and make it a point to visualize their faces and confront the demons inside me that would wish them ill will.
Even though those times are few and far between, the memory of seeing their humanity remains, and makes it that much easier to treat, and think of them as moral equals.
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I’m glad you brought it up, Scott. Thank you.
-Patrick