Abuse: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Abuse, like charity, begins at home.  From the beginning, culture and civilization have been about occupation and entitlement.  Control and power. 

From the perspective of those who are entitled, the problems begin when those they wish to control do not go along with the perceived power and perceived entitlement.

Derrick Jensen, author of Endgame, summarizes the root of all evil.

It all comes down to perceived entitlement...Entitlement is the abuser’s belief that he has a special status and that it provides him with exclusive rights and privileges that do not apply to his partner.  The attitudes that drive abuse can largely be summarized in this one word.

The world is merely a reflection of the inner workings of beliefs perpetuated in families, cultures, and communities everywhere.

For years, I’ve not only been fascinated by those who seek power and control through war and claim God as their motivator and leader, but equally, by atheists who fall for this claim of a manipulative, skilled abuser. 

At odds in the ring?  The controller, the occupier, the entitled, the “believer” vs the atheist.  Fighting for God or against God?  “God starts more wars than anyone or thing.”  Really?

This is the same logic and brain-washing accomplished by all abusers.

  

When all else fails, blame God?  The occupations continue.  In fact, they grow.  Land ravaged.  Human rights violations and atrocities occurring practically unwatched and virtually ignored.  Neglect, abuse, horror flourishing.  

Atheists blaming, in fact, reflecting, exactly what the abusers have manipulated and orchestrated.  Essentially, buying into the brain-washing.  

Abusers change the game and they do it better than anyone.  Parasites and predators.  Diverting with words and smokescreens   Abusers accomplish this in their sleep.

Words are there to protect the perpetrator.  Actions must be the focus.  Like occupation of a country, the entitled will provide rhetoric, change the story, blame anyone or thing (obviously), to act.  Stealth attacks through incessant, hypnotic ramblings and encouraging friendly fire.  Control, domination and power are the goals.  

The irony is that while believers and non-believers fall for the same scapegoat, abusers provide a reason to in-fight while they continue raping and pillaging.  It’s what abusers do.  The abuse continues.  Abusers skillfully manipulate reality and we find that we blame anyone nearby.  

Essentially, abusers encourage uncertainty and instability.  They have followers doubt their own sanity and memories.  It’s a cruel irony.  The sane and sympathetic are anxious, uncertain, seeking leadership, and may succumb to being lost.  Abusers give a subtle mission to the prey and victims they wish to make accomplices:  find a “reason” for the chaos and turmoil.  Place blame.  It keeps everyone busy while the abusive occupy, take, and control more.

In the world of warfare, believers and non alike blame God?  I’m pretty sure that whether you follow a preacher or not, you may want to consider who everyone is following?  Abuse is not isolated and with our help and submission, the abusers have made it almost invisible.

What do you think?

Prejudice? Read the label...

It SAYS "Chunky", but buyer beware?

Chunky or creamy?  Which one are you?  Maybe, you can swing either way?

Me?  I'm a chunky.  Or...no peanut butter at all, thank you.  Ya.  Pretty uptight and inflexible, I know. I guess we all have our "things".

I've been thinking a lot about judgment lately, and then, this peanut butter dropped into my shopping basket.  All of the sayings and deep thoughts came to mind.   "Judging a book by its cover", "leaping to conclusions", "buyer beware", "not getting what you pay for", "buying what you're selling me"...and, ultimately, prejudice and first impressions fused together in my now, favorite jar of all time.  Here she is!  Chunky Peanut Spread?

I ask...do YOU see a single, precious nut chunk in there?  

Me?  I didn't see a one.  My son (a chunky young man himself -- very thin, but a Chunky Man) was much more inquisitive and open-minded.  He looked very closely and gave an additional test.  He raised the jar to his NOSE, and he smelled the peanut butter.  As a peanut butter connoisseur, and he is (well-initiated to the nuances of good peanut butter I may add), he said, "this is DEFINITELY chunky". Whoa.  Texture is not everything!

We have a split home.  Three chunky.  Three creamy.  So, this was easy.  We grabbed a "creamy jar" to compare.  We unscrewed the creamy and sure enough he was right!  Even without the chunks, chunky and creamy SMELL vastly different!!

You can read the label and feel deceived.  Duped.  Short-changed.  Maybe you even feel like the victim of a terrible lie.  Betrayed.  You can return to the store and insist on a replacement.  "Chunky!  I bought Chunky!"  You can write the company a note and hope for a crate of pure, unadulterated Chunky Spread in return for their negligence.  Shoot.  You could call a lawyer.  

Me?  Somehow, I loved this crazy jar.  If it was possible, I would have kept this jar forever.  A piece of art.  I'd call it "People Butter" and rest it in a very special spot.

The outside may lead to a certain determination or hasty conclusion, but remember it's all about what's INside.  And, even upon closer inspection,  peering into the "jar of People Butter", there may be some truth to what the label said all along.

For me, one thing IS for sure.  When I see Chunky Peanut Butter Spread...when I "buy what you're selling"...when you're advertising "chunky" all over?  

You better have the nuts.