Ah. Sport, Politics and Religion.
We have been advised not to talk about religion or politics, or even sport sometimes, in a social setting so casually. People can get mad at you so easily when these topics are involved.
A common thread among the three? All of them are designed to divide people. They effectively segregate people, instantly. When we talk about them, we set ourselves up in a situation in which we must choose.
Our team vs their team.
Our party vs their party.
Our religion vs their religion.
The situation implies "us OR them". After the choice, we are now us friends or them enemies. Not all see it as "us AND them". Only few claim independence from the confrontational Us/Them dichotomy. However, the choosing majority won't let off the refusing-to-choose crowds so easily. Undecided, indifferent, uninterested, agnostics, atheist.......why do these words always carry a hint of negative connotation?
Yet, they (Sport, Politics and Religion) are so popular. A reason may be that they can give you instant friends in this uncaring world. When you are feeling you are alone, weak, helpless and nobody, living in cold darkness, it is very tempting to have "friends". The many "friends" are huge incentive. Wear dark red and go to OU football game. Say "Vote for Romney".Walk in to a Christian church and proclaim "I am Christian". You get half-a-stadiumful, forty-something-percents of the nation of, and a churchful (and indirectly more) of "friends".
From the eyes of this incentive theory, no wonder after some crisis people tend to go church/temple/shrine. When we are scared, we want assurance and peace in mind. Having many "friends" appeal to our primal instincts for self preservation. Many birds flock together so that their chance of survival goes up. Or so they think.
Yet, this divisional mindset can be very harmful. They come with a price. A lot of people have died because of Religion and Politics. A few even for sport. Everyone knows how nasty "They" can be.
However,.......
So many people are committed to their choices. I don't think they would want to change that, and I won't even bother trying to change them here. I say, suit yourself.
But for a few people who are tired of the choice-oriented mindset and people, I present a few advice I came across while I read books.
First, you can question the "friend" incentive. The perceived "Friends". Are they really "friends"? When the game is over, we go home. The election is over and it turns quieter until next political event comes up. A bunch of people saying nice comforting things to each other....how will that help you, seriously, in a real spiritual sense or in your personal growth? Oftentimes, the nice words from "friends" lull you into inner doldrums and prevent you from digging yourself actively into deeper self, where a lot of religions say the God is.
And, you can question the choice-oriented mindset. A branch of Buddhism suggests to be free from the choice-oriented mindset. For example, read "A Still Forest Pool".
The choices can lead to attachments, which bind your mind, your spirit, and therefore you. The change in mindset leads to "enlightenment".
This is so alien way of thinking from Western success principles and make-it-happen attitude. Yet it works for some if you seek.
I wouldn't say I am enlightened or free from choices and attachments. On the contrary, I enjoy choices and attachments to some extent. I have my own belief and moral system I like to adhere. I may not like it if I am forced to replace them.
I used to think theology is a biggest waste of time, because it leads to nowhere. There are many explanations given, yet too many are just assertions or quotations and not answers. I am luckier than ancient-medieval theologians who were bound to their time, though. I am better informed with all books from all over the world across time, and the internet resources that connect them and allow me to compare them.
This today's blog entry is just a note. I don't think I can make a big clever statement today. But I feel like I would enjoy chewing and comparing these various thoughts over time.
We are debating whether we go to Tulsa for Oktoberfest, or stay in OKC and go dance in the evening.
