The Traveling Prison

One of the most insidiously effective

aspects of religion and its control over

the general population is that it provides 

a means of keeping people in line that

they provide and maintain themselves.

Once a person has been indoctrinated 

into religion (the younger the better, so they

can utilize all the proper fear tactics and 

appeal to the desire to please authority

figures,) they carry the very message that is 

controlling them within their own mind.

It's an entirely cost-effective and results-oriented

means of keeping virtual shackles on the

imprisoned populace. The kicker? They

also believe that the shackles they now have--

which they don't even consider as such--were

entirely their own idea and choice!

So under the illusion of freedom--and being

approved of by their cosmic father figure--

people are kept in place by a system of

perpetual obedience and deference.

You don't have to have group think and

mob mentality to rehash the stories and 

rituals that will keep the sheep in check,

but they're available too.

But once you instill sufficient levels of

shame, guilt, body-consciousness, fear,

repression, and self-hate into folks, they

happily motor about their business oblivious

to the chains that now bind them.

Because when you sell a bill of goods

under the banner of being loved and 

accepted, of being part of something

bigger, of having a purpose and a place...

you really can get away with murder 

in the fine print.

____________

Father, Figured

It's not coincidence that the god concept (in the 
most popular, widespread religions and beliefs)
is crafted as male.

Products of masculinity-based cultures, the 
patriarchies of the past sought to instill continued
obedience. 

The traditionally masculine attributes of animosity,
ferociousness, possessiveness, dominance, aggression,
hawkishness, chaos-mindedness, pettiness, jealousy, 
and all the other egoistic, out of control, power-hungry
traits of 'god' originate in his creator, man.

Thus they are given a 'divine' blessing when god
exemplifies these behaviors and traits.

If anything is permissible in one's attempts to
advance the 'will of god,' then nothing can be
questioned.

Just look to the current G.O.P. politicians to 
see how the fixed notion of 'manly, righteous,
disaffected god' is used to promote and defend
all manner of heinous efforts.

Slip of the Eye (Not really!)

When I first glanced at this meme, I immediately

read it as "Religion", not "Racism."

Although truly, the two are so intermingled, that seems apt.

And the content makes as

much sense with either word, so...

***

Unlike Jesus, It Really Does Exist!

Funny how the partial interpretation of existing laws

and rights are used to support the religious in

their fervor to push their agenda, but the same

established laws are disregarded when it

comes time to protect the rights of opposition or

alternate beliefs!

Like any rights

(such as the freedom to practice religion,)

it can be taken away if it is abused.

Religious terrorism is not acceptable.

Religious indoctrination within society

is not acceptable.

Religion is a privilege, not an innate right.

Abuse it and lose it.

****

In Their Own Words

A powerfully frightening indictment on the indoctrination process used
on children in the evangelical movement.

Especially well done, particularly as the film-makers were far more
balanced in their approach than I could have been, and the effect is
that their loony B.S. comes across clearly without anyone confronting
or condemning them.

You'll see a lot of Bachmann-esque "crazed deer in the headlights" looks
and Romney-esque insolent-eyes mirrored in these lovelies.

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