Quote:
Originally Posted by Amos
Of course you and Ferd make loads of sense.
But you have to keep in mind the fact that it is immensely more satisfying to a bitter person to compare Apostolic preachers to a bunch of homosexual rapists.
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I don't think that the small group dynamics such as the one to which I referred can be compared to large scale enterprises like the Crusades, etc. This is more man-on-man; up close and in your face type of abuse. No doubt that the Crusades involved a lot of personal encounters and crimes - to say "the Crusades" or some of the other large scale dramas is not analogous.
On the point of my "bitterness" I would contend that such dismissals are frequently useful to those in power in order that they may continue the oppression. When I was still with the UPC and I spoke out about abuses the immediate response was that I must be "bitter." That seems to have become our catch phrase for dealing with unpleasant issues. We just say that the person who brings us the unpleasant news is "bitter" and we turn away.
The writer for the story at the start of this thread could be said to display bitterness by including graphic descriptions of the crime. Even the victim could be "bitter" for bringing the whole thing up. The one who posted the story may have done so out of "bitterness," why else would you bring it up? So it seems that there is a lot of "bitterness."
Meanwhile abusive systems remain in place. Sometimes things do come out into the open, but each time they do we are sure to hear that the ones shining the light on the abuse are "bitter."
Your frank dismissal shows me that you may have bitterness that you too are dealing with. As a fellow traveller I would like to encourage you. Speak out and reach out. Don't be satisfied with mere catch phrases. There is true progress that we can make if we honestly and completely open ourselves to Christ.
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