L. J. Carber | + Follow Poet |
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When Reason Goes Out the Window

I find it curious that people will debate the nature of God, with one side saying it is irrelevant as He doesn't exist and the other sure they can pin down the nature, the complexity, of a Being so far beyond the comprehension of any human being (as my human reason tells me must be the case), yet they never seem to question how weird HUMAN nature is. Our country, which has produced in its relatively short history the best blueprint for human freedom that has ever existed in the world-- the U.S. Constitution-- is being riven by a wave of emotion-- on both sides of the political spectrum-- that appears to be throwing away not only reason but the essence of our freedom that millions of our forefathers died for in multiple wars. And most of us don't even seem to see it! 
Hitler came to power in part due to Dr. Goebbels, a true evil genius. Goebbels knew if you told people little lies, they wouldn't believe you but if you told them a BIG LIE, they would and the more outrageous the better. What is appalling is not that he told the people of the most advanced country the world had ever seen at the time (Germany led in science, medicine, technology, the arts, etc.) that Jews ate gentile children, the homosexuals could 'turn' heterosexuals, that Gypsies and Slavs were subhuman beasts, but that millions of people believed it!
This dehumanizing of the other is nothing new: the early Christians were fed to the lions,; later Christians in the  crusades massacred Muslims, Jews and other Christians; the glory of the French Revolution devolved into the Reign of Terror; perhaps a million women (and some men) were burned as witches in Europe and even in the U.S. at Salem, ALL killed based on unproven allegations. Atheist regimes have been no better: Stalin's show trials; Mao's purges in the Great Leap Forward; the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge.
Sadly it seems many--most?-Americans don't appreciate that our Constitution and Bill of Rights changed history by presuming innocence UNTIL proven guilty BEYOND a reasonable doubt, something new in history (under Napoleonic law you are presumed guilty until and unless you can prove your innocence, which means trying to prove a negative when the only evidence against you is an accusation.)
How far this will go in America I don't know, but history and human nature don't make me optimistic. If we go on like this, the innocent will suffer, either punished for crimes they did not do or not believed for victimization they suffered.

Copyright © L. J. Carber | Year Posted 2018

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Deb Radke Date: 11/30/2018 4:34:00 PM So well said! Yes, it occurs to me as well that the bigger and more profusely stated lies seem to garner the least amount of resistance. An apt description of current affairs in America. As in nazi Germany, an amazing number of people seem unconcerned. History forgotten is history repeated? One must wonder when, and how, it will end. Best wishes. Deb Login to Reply

Gershon Wolf Date: 10/19/2018 2:58:00 PM Just read this again. I like it even better than the first time around... That's always the sign of something written with wisdom. Excellent! ~ Gershon Login to Reply L. J. Carber Date: 10/19/2018 9:53:00 PM Thanks Gershon-- in talking with people, I'm continually amazed how easily logic goes out the window when strong emotions are involved-- just the time you would think reason is needed most--can't help but despair sometimes for the U.S.A.

Geoffrey Brewer Date: 10/8/2018 3:45:00 AM Hear hear! Amen! Len. Very well summarised. Sadly, a large minority, who think with their emotions rather than data and reason, would probably not get the point. You might like to consider my latest submission to the Soup - ‘Deceita Oh, what a circus!’ Login to Reply L. J. Carber Date: 10/9/2018 10:02:00 AM Thanks Geoff, I'll check it out

Gershon Wolf Date: 10/7/2018 12:19:00 PM Excellent analysis of why America is careening down the road for ruin. Kudos to you for having the guts to write it share it. Best wishes, Gershon Login to Reply L. J. Carber Date: 10/9/2018 10:02:00 AM Thanks Gershon-- ever feel like a voice in the wilderness?