The Benign Dictator
I've been thinking alot about I read when I was about 11 years old:"We don't know who we are until we see what we can do." I remember it having such an impact on me. What we can do depends on what we believe we can do, and our freedom to do it. Politically, I am a social democrat, inspired by notions of quasi-idealistic reform. I believe idealism is better than mere acceptance with a pragmatic this-is-as-good-as-it-gets mindset. Change, after all, should be inspired by dreaming of the impossible.
If we limit ourselves, then somewhere down the line, the people we eventually become will be shadows of what we really could be . So what grounds you? What makes you believe? What empowers you? What would make you rise up and give it your all? What would make you dare to fight against conformity?
I often meet benign dictators, be they circumstantial, or personified. People who make you see only as they do, and to react within their boxed expectations. Sometimes the dictators are Situations, likely to paralyse the thinking mind because of the blanket-acceptance inferred by societal and cultural dictations.
Just as we cannot cut our conscience to fit this year's fashions, I struggle to see how we can play to the rules of benign dictatorship. And yet, amazingly... so many of us, though outwardly against dictatorship and fascism; though able to immediately see the irony of President João Figueredo's quote.... so many of us... comply; with little or no resistance. Why is that?
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4 Comments:
'cause we're F*cking lazy that's why...
no it's 'cause we don't have the fear of the LORD, even though we may love Him dearly, desire to be with Him more nearly, want to see His heart more clearly... we don't fear Him as we should. If we did, much of the sin in the world would not happen, like the lack of crime in Japan - they have a deep fear (respect, not afraid of) of their government, police, authorities etc. so much so that the crime rate is rock bottom.
If we feared the LORD as we should, we'd be a heckuva lot wiser. Injustice would be a stench to our nose, as we learn what's on God's heart. It drives you to do something about it, as more of Him is deposited in you. If you don't have that, then why bother standing up for anything? You're just all talk... anyone can make up a policy or a doctrine but when it comes to standing up for it or against it, it largely turns out as babble from the proponent's mouth
Hnmmn. The fear of the Lord is imperative, I agree. But sometimes, when it comes down to miniscule, everyday decisions, why are people inclined to respond in automated, robotic ways? Doctrine and politics aside, a line seems to be drawn between the things that you can and cannot question.
That line is much defined by people and culture, by how society has changed and by much of what people have determined thru history and sociological evolution. And suddenly, it becomes THE NORM; it is something you have to accept or you risk social/cultural(or even family exclusion.) Sure, I agree about standing up against sin and how the fear of God motivates you to react with confidence.
But what about peer pressure? What about being afraid of what "the others" might think? What about the fear of failure? Who is "they" and what standards are we measuring ourselves up against, apart from those dictated by society and its pretentious NORM.
There is NO NORM. There is only, for want of a better word, a matrix. We live in a matrix of smokescreen and pretense, abiding by rules set by nobodies. Yet we succumb, and we plod on in it.
You can question anything you want, it's just that people are:
a) trying to keep the peace?
b) too lazy to argue?
c) afraid of confrontation?
d) not actually bothered because they deem the subject in question 'of little importance to the greater scheme of things'?
You are right about the line being defined by ppl and culture, but to be honest, I don't care. If something goes against your grain then you are being untrue to yourself and God in you. There is a case in point about keeping the peace though, because many things are of lesser importance (Matt 23:23).
If you are secure in God's love then 'peer pressure' or 'social norms' or 'the matrix' as you describe it should not be obstacles... does not God not give us everything we need to accomplish what He desires us to do? And has He not said 'we can do all things thru Christ who strengthens us'? There was an old song popular in the late 80s n early 90s 'Be bold, be strong, for the LORD your God is with you' and it was indeed a bold song.
'Draw near into God and He will draw near unto you', it is our choice how far we want to go with God, not His because He doesn't force us. However, if we have given our lives to Him, then he may have to discipline us at times, but He will never leave us or forsake us... and if God is for us, who can be against us??? NOBODY is the answer.
So quit plodding and live a risky and adventurous life of faith in something that can never let you down... hmmm come to think of it, it isn't really a risk if He can't let us down is it?
Read Romans 12... verse 2 is a cracker
;)
You seem to have misread or perhaps misperceived the purpose behind my blog entry. I was writing in particular regard to a recent incident, so the blog and my following comment does not not pertain to myself.
I was reflecting on a situation a friend of mine is facing. I thank you for your enthusiastic and very gung-ho entries, but your repeated references to God, and being bold and living in faith have no relevance in this particular situation as my friend is not a Christian. So although I share your points of view, I am not speaking from a Christian perspective. Merely commenting on how sometimes culture and tradition and pressure can trap us in a vicious circle of choicelessness because we have to be loyal to the things that bind us. Ultimately, I was reflecting on why we submit to some things and not others. Why, for example, we can willingly stand up and voice our convictions against allowing people to dictate what religion we pursue, as we profess the need for freedom of choice, and yet, when it comes to certain things like becoming a single parent by choice, we allow society and culture to dictate our decision making.
To be fair, unless you are Asian, you'll probably have no idea what I'm talking about. The taboo's and pressures set by Asian families are something that the Western world will only see snippets of; the risk of facing exclusion even from family, if you do not submit to certain protocols, is an ever present danger. I was coming from that point of view, and did not intend for this to turn into a discussion about God. I have personally faced many situations where cultural norms have left me with no say; no freedom to choose. Culture chooses for you. You abide, because you have to.
So you see, I reiterate: Doctrine and policy aside. It is hard to stand up against generations of cultural norm; even though personal liberties are at stake. But then again, you have to be Asian (potentially) to understand where I'm coming from.
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