The Devil We All Know

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

–Martin Luther King Jr.

How authority responded…

But Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man!

How could he be associated with the Devil?!

Because dear reader – the authorities of Alabama didn’t take too kindly to human beings wanting to share drinking fountains and space with their fellow brothers and sisters.

Thus the Civil Rights Movement represented a threat to an abusive and completely dysfunctional state of what seemingly passed as order.

Justice?

Freedom?

Equality?

Unity?

My oh my how wretched it must be to create such an environment that welcomes all, irrespective of the differences each individual piece carries as its own.

 Authority wasn’t the only force to lose its marbles because the citizenry followed in suit.

Men and women of all ages and backgrounds, actively working to keep each other down.

It makes no sense!!!

For we all have blood coursing through our veins, air that fills our lungs, and electrical impulses that convey messages via neuronal frameworks.

Yet we’re supposed to believe in separation?

We’re supposed to sit back and take the abuse – the message that our lives are only valued if they adhere to the doctrines carved in stone?

Because as soon as one steps out of line, they quickly don the mantle of a societal outcast!

Authority will go out of its way to keep its followers blind and naked on the farm because otherwise it wouldn’t have followers to uphold its power.

For power cannot be taken – only offered through subjugation.

The devil is very real, although it always takes the form one would least expect.

A protector? A parent? A government? A church?

A haven that depicted itself as the only way to freedom and prosperity.

Though one must only sacrifice their identity in order to conform to the mold offered by the authoritative figure in question.

Hitler Youth Choir

And what are the Nazis best known for?

Oh that’s right, they systematically murdered 20 Million human beings who were different enough to “justify” robbing them of the life they were given.

Would you honestly want an authoritative force like that to indoctrinate children?

I mean, that’s how they were so effective in carrying out their plans.

That is to program human beings to accept abuse as justice and separation as equality.

Talk about lacking empathy…

How about these guys?

Well he seems friendly!

Jesus is a pretty cool guy, so these guys don’t seem too bad…

Uhhh – what’s with the burning cross?

Jesus! Are you kidding me right now?

Surely other Christian movements aren’t as violent…

Okay then…

It’s a sure bet those kids don’t understand the messages written on those poster boards, but it’s even more likely their home life is preparing them to adopt those incredibly yucky beliefs.

Now is this Jehova’s fault? The work of the Devil? The evils of abuse?

This author places the blame on the adults who should know better than to raise their kids on hate and discrimination.

Why?

Because we all have something to bring the table.

We can either create a life worth living or we can equally produce a living Hell on Mother Earth.

It’s all a choice between fear and love.

But humanity needs to scrutinize authority and systems alike because they don’t always produce things that benefit our species as a whole.

In fact, the past is riddled with abuse and trauma since our ancestors were anything but kind to each other.

Nowadays we can choose to carry their legacy, or drop it altogether to create something new.

Something that encourages the growth and development of every sentient life form here on Mother Earth, and the universe at large.

Now is this author suggesting that one revoke their religious card on the grounds that hate can be preached from the pulpit?

Of course not!

Why?

It’s YOUR body, YOUR temple, and thus YOUR choice.

I.e. if your boat floats, then let it float.

But only expect the best for yourself and everyone else who lives.

Don’t accept abuse – either within or without.

To do so is to deny your life’s value.

Ladies and gents – we are powerful, beautiful, extraordinary…

Many Blessings!

Featured Image: Seattle Times