Posted by Sadie from D006139.N1.Vanderbilt.Edu (129.59.6.139) on Saturday, August 30, 2003 at 9:24PM :
In Reply to: Re: heheheheheheh posted by farid from ? (200.94.236.99) on Saturday, August 30, 2003 at 8:16PM :
Not everyone's an asshole, Farid.
& I'm not talking about everywhere, all the time, but about certain places, e.g. church or other organizations' functions, which one "chooses" to attend. One can avoid those things that cause one unnecessary interaction with assholes, but usually one isn't really given that choice by the institution. For instance, the problem with church is that it is something one is usually forced to accept at a young age.... & it is something that reinforces its importance in its members' minds, constantly ("you will go to hell if you don't believe in everything this church mandates"). I think a lot of people keep going to churches that they don't like because they feel like they HAVE to. It's also a reason why people continue to support certain ethnic organizations' activities - because they are not really choosing to, they are forced to by a system that perpetually reinforces its importance & negative consequences for not following instructions in the MINDS of those who "belong." These types of organizations (whether nationalist, racist, or religious) control the MINDS of their followers. & so, usually, the followers have a hard time "choosing" not to attend these organizations' functions.
Of course, there are assholes everywhere, but one doesn't HAVE to befriend every asshole that has ever existed & try to change him, does one? I mean, that's foolish - to see someone & say, "that person's an asshole, so I'm going to make him into a better person or try to change him." One can exercise some control over one's interactions with assholes, esp. those interactions that take place within the context of non-work related activities.
-- Sadie
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