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Willing Victims
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Willing Victims It is common in this day and age to hear people claim they are being victimized by one group or another. We often hear calls for more of something we perceive will cure what ails us. Society sends conflicting messages ... that of victimization and one of strength. We are told we can do anything if only we ascribe to a certain set of behaviors. We are encouraged to believe positive affirmations like "A positive mental attitude is an irresistible force that knows no such thing as an immovable body" (Napoleon Hill). We spend thousands of dollars on seminars that promise to change our lives forever. One seminar promises "Immediately Begin Creating Wealth, Relationships, Dreams into Realities". (I originally had a link to the site ... why am I not surprised that their link is no longer active?!) The message of the world is one of "do, be, have" and your dreams will come true. This message is promoted by hundreds of self help books, tapes and seminars. It is the hope that causes people to sign up for pyramid marketing schemes It has even invaded evangelical circles, promoted by those who preach a gospel that seeks to validate the self help message as being Biblically sound. The other side of this message is that of victimization. We hear messages every day that seek to justify negative behavior as the result of being victims of society. We are told that the poor are the victims of the rich and women have been victimized by a patriarchal religious society. (See Note 1) We are told that terrorism is the result of oppressive politics, governments and religions. We are told that we are not to blame, that we were forced into such behaviors by circumstances. It may be comforting to be the willing victim, but is it honest? Can we really say that we did not make choices all the way through our lives that got us to where we are? Did we consistently take the easier path rather than the right path? How many of us have the courage to stand against something we know is wrong? Do we even accept that the choices we make today have consequences? With all these conflicting messages, is it any wonder that people try desperately to find the magic formula ... the secret that will lead to success and personal happiness? A popular series of advertisements on television feature a magic lamp and a business genie with a tag line that says "there is no genie". There is no genie, no secret formula and no positive affirmation guaranteed to change your life. We are a seeking people, often willing to undergo strenuous regimens to secure what we seek. So where do we look next? I would be the last to say that attitude in not important. We can seek to be happy in this present time. We should be grateful for the blessings we enjoy. In looking at many of the choices that mark my life, it would be comforting to blame someone or something. Comforting, but futile. It would be nice, but dishonest to say I was forced to make those choices. Changing the pattern of my choices required me to replace many of the paradigms that ruled my life and look hard at who I am and who I want to be. It forced me to realize that I can only change the world one person at a time, and even those efforts will not be successful as often as not. Do I like that? No, sometimes I find it discouraging. In the end, I must be true to myself, and that means I keep trying, even when a sane person would throw in the towel.. Note 1: I hesitate to give publicity to statements such as those espoused in this article. Sadly, it is a message being accepted by many who don't take the time to study and ask questions of teachers qualified to explain the message. Who is author of this message? What is the source of the author's theological training? I would ask these questions of anyone making such empirical statements. But my first step on reading such a message would be to check the sources, if any for myself. Artistry Discuss your views in The Forums at Xisti.com. Not registered? Click on the Register Now icon in the left column to join the community. |
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