tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41121129139329015442024-03-14T02:33:32.966-04:00NarnianInsurgencyNARNIAN INSURGENCY -- A fortress for those who still hold to the truth of the Gospel, the sanctity of life, parental rights, traditional marriage, and absolute truth.Centaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-37586655234292470082016-10-13T12:15:00.001-04:002016-10-13T12:15:01.922-04:00Debunking the Issue: The Sanctity of the Supreme CourtHey Reader!<br />
<br />
I confess: I honestly didn't think I'd be returning to this blog, but recent events have required us to return to the Insurgency.<br />
<br />
We're not returning to fight - hopefully not yet. We return to prophesy - to foretell what will come for the things we prize: absolute truth, the sanctity of human life, the beautiful institution of marriage, and the rights of parents to make reasonable decisions for their children. And two persons are threatening what we hold dear.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.</div>
<br />
I won't relay to you how they came to be on the ballot. What scares me most (and the reason that I'm reigniting the Insurgency) is that we hear Christians in the streets proclaiming that we must support Mr. Trump to protect the Supreme Court from liberal judges.<br />
<br />
Today we return once again to debunk the issue.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Why the Supreme Court Matters</b></div>
<br />
Many people that I respect (and will continue to respect) say that if Ms. Clinton wins the presdiency, she will appoint liberal judges to the Supreme Court. Now this presumes that the US Senate confirms them (and it begs the question as to why we're not hearing more about the senate races this year, but I digress), but I grant them this: they're probably right.<br />
<br />
Of course, Pres. Reagan appointed four justices to the Supreme Court (all of them leaning conservative or on the conservative side of moderate), so even if Pres. Clinton got to appoint four justices to the Court, it wouldn't be the first time this has happened. Just the first time that conservatives have been on the other side of the appointments.<br />
<br />
Mr. Trump has created <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/09/23/donald-trump-campaign-releases-new-list-of-potential-supreme-court-picks/">a list of possible candidates</a> that are, all things considered, pretty conservative. Some of them (Sen. Mike Lee for example) are people that I may not personally agree with on all the issues (Sen. Lee is a Mormon, and I think that he is incorrect in his perception of Jesus of Nazareth), but I trust him: he does what he says he'll do. I don't require politicians to agree with me, but I do want to men and women in office that I can trust.<br />
<br />
So when a friend of mine says that they are concerned about Ms. Clinton becoming the president, I understand - after all, the Supreme Court of the United States is a pretty big deal, isn't it?<br />
<br />
Well...<br />
<br />
What if it's not? Hear me out.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Christian Witness in the 21st Century</b></div>
<br />
It is no shock to anyone that there are many people who have...less than supportive...things to say about Christians. They are portrayed as judgmental, condescending, and don't tip well at restaurants right after coming out of the Sunday morning service.<br />
<br />
And it's hard to say the media is biased when Christians support a man like Mr. Trump. A cursory glance around the internet will inform you of what he has said and done, and in the name of keeping this page out of the "R" ratings we will not indulge in details here.<br />
<br />
But it baffles me how Christians are adamantly defending his statements and actions. Excuses of, "well, it was just talk" (as if "talk" is excusable: the author of James would disagree). Proclamations that "he is a sinner" as an excuse for sin, as if repentance was not required. And this point deserves a bit more elaboration.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The "Repentance" of Mr. Trump</b></div>
<br />
Now in fairness, the man has <a href="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/statement-from-donald-j.-trump">issued an apology</a> for some of the things he has said. But anyone who had siblings growing up knows that just because someone says the word "sorry" (which, by the by, is not present in the apology) and the word "repentant" are not the same words. It takes one to know one, and I'll be the first to say that I wasn't always repentant when I said "sorry" as a child.<br />
<br />
But we can see this also from his actions. A man who is truly sorry for demeaning women, speaking with lewd words, and treating women like property to be abused and assaulted with impunity would (at the very least) close the strip casinos that he has made thousands of dollars from (and, just in case you were wondering, he was the first person to start one in the United States, just in case we forgot). He would speak with greater respect to people, and yet we see him speaking lewdly in both digital and personal venues constantly.<br />
<br />
We do not see a repentant man - we see a man who is making a political move as damage control. And it pains me to see people defending such a man while still flying the banner of "The Christian Right."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Impact: It Hurts Our Witness</b></div>
<br />
And this hurts our witness. I don't blame non-believers who look at this story and think that Christians are hypocritical. Because we are being hypocritical.<br />
<br />
If Former President Clinton had said these things, we'd be seeing Christians jumping up and down asking, "Hey: look at this man who demeans women! He is not fit to be president!" We know this because it happened in the 90s.<br />
<br />
I was only a boy, but I still remember asking my mom was adultery was, and the painful discussion that ensued afterwards as my parents helped to explain to me what had happened.<br />
<br />
But because we're afraid of Ms. Clinton, Christians across the country are willing to turn a blind eye. "Your vote doesn't mean you condone everything they say or do" they say, though it is precisely because of what Ms. Clinton says that they will not vote for her.<br />
<br />
I agree with Rev. Al Mohler: never before have I seen so many believers act so hypocritically because of politics.<br />
<br />
So what's the answer, Centaur? What do we do?<br />
<br />
We must learn to be okay with letting the Supreme Court go.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Reality of Persecution</b></div>
<br />
Let's be honest: what's the worst that can happen if Ms. Clinton wins? People claim we'll lose the First, Second, and Tenth Amendments. Sure - we'll grant that. Churches may be forced to perform marriages they don't approve of, create bathroom policies they don't want to make, and Christian folk may be asked to make cakes for weddings they don't approve of. Yes, let's grant those too.<br />
<br />
What do we have? A world similar to that of St. Paul, St. Peter, St. James - others who died in persecution because they loved Christ more than the laws of Rome. They faced great discomfort, were chased across the known world, <i>and were prosperous in spreading the Gospel because of their witness and testimony</i>.<br />
<br />
What we really have on our hands is a case of Christians wanting to avoid persecution. We are afraid that the comfort that we take from our laws will be stripped away, and people will take our money, our businesses, our homes, our jobs, our livelihoods, our freedom, our very lives - which is what's happening right now to our brothers and sisters overseas.<br />
<br />
We have a "cultural Christianity" in the United States where Christians tie their American freedoms to their Christian religion: they value their guns more than the doctrine of inerrancy. But for centuries the Church has thrived under the heel of persecution, and is the norm across the globe today.<br />
<br />
So I'll be bold and ask the question: "Is it bad if we should find ourselves in a state of persecution?" Is it bad for our witnesses if the "cultural Christians" who love the world more than Christ are weened from our ranks? Is it bad for our witness if people see a love that is stronger than hate finally spring from the Church?<br />
<br />
Is it so bad if we must become a people despised and rejected by men, marred beyond human likeness, as our Savior was?<br />
<br />
Do we really lose much if we lose the Supreme Court of the United States?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes we do. <i>And we must learn to count it all joy.</i></div>
<br />
And that is what the Insurgency will be: a place of joy for weary travelers who love our Maker above our freedoms, our testimony above our comfort, and the approval of our God over the approval of men.<br />
<br />
I understand if you don't agree with me. But allow me to be the prophet for a moment: a decision is coming for all of us, and it will soon be upon us. Give heed to how you will answer it.<br />
<br />
Watching the stars,<br />
<br />
Centaur<br />
<br />
"I watch the stars, for it is mine to watch." ~ Glenstorm, <i>Prince Caspian</i>Centaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-83673096265571731412014-09-23T17:42:00.001-04:002014-09-23T17:42:33.394-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: Osteen Theology and Right DoctrineHey Reader!<br />
<br />
So, I don't usually jump into confrontations like this (hence why it's been a while since I've posted anything here at the How), but after having several conversations with friends on this issue, it's time we finally took a stand against the liberal theology that has been coming from the Osteens. Lest someone (rightly) call us out here at the Insurgency for not standing for truth, we'd like to take a moment to investigate the dangers of theology not based on Scripture, and why as loving, kind Christians there is a place for proper criticism.<br />
<br />
Before jumping into any problems with theology, though, a few ground rules:<br />
<br />
1) There will be no name-calling in this post. Sure, technically the word "heretic" could be used a lot in this post, but I'm refraining from using it because I don't think it's helpful for what we're doing here. So I'm refraining. If you have something that would be accurate and true to share along this vein, please refrain as well - I want a civil conversation as we address this issue.<br />
<br />
2) If you post on this page, you'd better show up with a sword to a swordfight. If you don't have Scripture, solidly grounded, taking in the totality of Scripture into your understanding of a passage, you'd be wise to keep your comment to yourself. You're at the Forge, and sharp, strong weapons is what we specialize in. So be ye warned: solid analysis and exegesis, or expect incoming fire, :)<br />
<br />
So, with this in mind, I'd like to focus on three things in this post. First, why do we care so much about doctrine, and why would Centaur come out of a semi-comatose state to write on this blog (because I do owe you all an answer to that, :P ). Second, I'd like to take an in-depth look at the problems with Osteen Theology as expressed by Mr. and Mrs. Osteen, so that we're talking about what they have said, not someone else's paraphrasing or perspective on their theology (though there will be some of that brought in to facilitate a taste for some of the discussion going on in the greater intellectual community), and then I want to end by addressing perhaps the fundamental defense for their statements over the years: "We should love them, not criticize them," because this is a critical question for us to address here at the How - and arguably why this site exists in the first place.<br />
<br />
1. Why Good Doctrine Matters<br />
<br />
"Doctrine" is a word that has come under some fire in recent years - people don't like hearing the "D" word because it has come to take on the meaning of "dogmatic legalism" and a propensity to assume that doctrine is always defended in a hostile and "grumpy" manner. My hope in this post is to break that line of thinking in my defense of a core and critical component of Christianity: the upholding of sound doctrine grounded in truth.<br />
<br />
God is truth. God is love. And God is One, which means that in Him love and truth are never opposed to each other. So as we talk about the words and actions of persons - <i>especially persons who have accepted the call as a pastor</i> - there is a need for both love and truth to come together in our interactions with Christians and non-Christians. Having one and not the other is a bifurcation of truth, and not the truth that Christ has called us to share.<br />
<br />
And I want to spend some time at the beginning of this post to talk at length about the critical nature of Mr. Osteen's position as a pastor because it's an afterthought (or missing) from a lot of the articles on the Osteen controversy at present. As the pastor of a large church, Mr. Osteen has a strong platform to present the gospel to a lot of people (read: over 40,000 people at a time). And there is no doubt in my mind that people have been blessed by his ministry over the years (with the discussion of "being blessed" and "being filled with truth" being put aside for a moment). But as a pastor, per what Paul tells us consistently across Scripture, there is a higher calling placed on pastors than just blessing people through their teachings: they are called to carefully and faithfully present the Word.<br />
<br />
In 1 Timothy Chapter 3 and Titus Chapter 1, the Apostle Paul spends a good amount of time talking about the proper expectations for an elder/bishop/overseer/pastor (based on your translation). In 1 Timothy 3:2-7, Paul hits a number of the overall qualities in the person, and it is without doubt that some of these qualities are present in Mr. Osteen (and in Christians who are not pastors or elders). The questions that are currently being pressed in the media in regards to this list is Paul's command regarding being "able to teach," which is further elaborated on in Titus 1:9: "...holding fast the faithful Word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." (NKJV)<br />
<br />
One of the seminal arguments against the doctrine of the Osteens is their desire not to offend, convict, or exhort. And while on its own a lack of condemnation is not necessarily a sign of poor handling of the Word, when a pastor is constantly seen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOG7-PYqNvU">himming and hawing on points that the Bible is very clear on</a> because he "does not want to offend anybody," and sees his mission as purely "lifting up people's spirits," we have a problem, <i>because pastors are called to do more than just make people feel warm and special</i>. They are called to exhort (that is to say, to beseech, to urge, to plead, to make uncomfortable that they might grow in spiritual maturity) and to convict because they are in a place of spiritual authority and accountability. Pastors are used by God to keep the flock in the path of righteousness, and part of their role is keeping their parishioners accountable to walk in truth.<br />
<br />
As the son of a pastor (just like Mr. Osteen), one of the things that I appreciated most about my father's teaching on Sunday mornings was the fact that he cared enough about us - that is to say, that he loved us enough - to instruct us on how we should walk, both by reinforcing the need and desire for holiness (more on that in a bit), and also by drawing attention to sins that must be avoided that we might grow in spiritual maturity. My primary question for Mr. Osteen as I listen to his sermons (and even more so as I listen to his interviews) is how he expects to help people to grow if he never calls attention to their need to reject sin? He preaches a lot about God's love and forgiveness, but we never hear a word about what they should be forgiven from, let alone the need to turn from things that our flesh loves that are harmful to our spiritual growth.<br />
<br />
2. Osteen Theology: Liberal Theology in a New Light<br />
<br />
Mr. Osteen claims that he wants people to love God with all of their hearts, and yet he is very vague on what that means. This does not surprise us when we understand it within the greater context of liberal theology. Liberal theology uses the same words as traditional Christianity, and thus it sounds very similar. The distinguishing mark of liberalism, however, is the focus of the message.<br />
<br />
Liberal theology focuses on the actions (and reactions) of man. If people are offended by something, they avoid it. There is an unhealthy fear of man - a fear of how people might receive a doctrine, claim, or statement - that causes truth to be watered down, hidden away, or changed so as to make it more palatable to the audience, and thus it is not surprising when people claim that liberal theologians and pastors are "nice people" who are "<a href="http://www.charismanews.com/us/40377-the-joel-osteen-most-people-don-t-know">friends of sinners</a>."<br />
<br />
The Osteens fall into this category. One need only do a cursory glance of interviews with Mr. Osteen to find that it is very difficult to hear him take a stance on anything that might be construed as controversial, and the very manner in which he responds to questions makes you immediately question his firmness on anything else (I don't know whether it is the soft voice with the smooth smile and the slick hair or something else, but you just get that uneasy feeling...). The only things that he consistently returns to in his interviews and sermons is his personal goal of helping people feel more empowered to do good things, and the fact that God wants us to "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNeDpwwKD5A">live abundantly</a>." And how does he define this?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npzn1yuXcqY">Personal financial success</a>.</div>
<br />
When Mr. Osteen speaks of "believing" (and especially about "don't stop believing"), it always comes down to believing in your dreams, your desires, your endeavors - <i>never once do we see him encouraging people to submit to a plan <u>created by God</u></i>, a plan that all too often is different from what we desire in our flesh.<br />
<br />
Why do we not see this? Because it's offensive to say things like, "you need to lay aside what you desire in your flesh - your desire to rise in the company, your hopes for a higher income, your wish to get a new car - and instead pursue the things <i>He</i> desires, which do not always come with greater prosperity here on earth." Does God grant blessings to His people down here? Of course He does. Are some of those blessings poverty (as a means of learning greater trust in God's ability to sustain us), weakness (that we might better understand our need for God's strength to get us through the day), and rejection (because "the world was not worthy of them")? Of course they are. But these blessings are completely glossed over by Mr. Osteen - almost as if they are not the promises of Scripture. <br />
<br />
<i>And that, my friend and reader, is the heart of liberal theology</i>. Suffering for Christ is downplayed in the name of prosperity and success, even though suffering for Christ is one of the most helpful spiritual disciplines we can ever experience. And this makes sense, because liberal theology has a focus on us, rather than a focus on holiness.<br />
<br />
And that's the crux of my disagreement with Mr. Osteen: we see him constantly encouraging people to pursue <i>their dreams</i>, but we never see him encouraging his followers to pursue <i>holiness</i>.<br />
<br />
3. Love Endures All Things: Why Respectful Criticism Shows God's Love<br />
<br />
Let's make sure one thing is clear before we go any further: it is our desire here at the How to pay as much respect to people as we can when we criticize them. I've been on the brunt end of hurtful, hateful criticism in my time, and I don't like it any more than the next person. But let's also make sure this is clear: believing that Christians "should not judge," even under the guise of, "I leave that up to God," inasmuch as it causes Christians to water down Scripture's teachings about things that are clearly opposed to God's holiness and commands in Scripture, is a wrong approach to "Christian love." To believe that "love" means "never causing someone to be uneasy with error in their life" is to misunderstand both what God's love is as well as the nature of sin. <br />
<br />
Sin loves comfort - it doesn't want the soul to grow, to move, to change, because to do so would risk the chance that the person might realize the ugliness of sin and the goodness of holiness. And any time that a Christian - and especially a pastor - is uncomfortable with making people uncomfortable in their lifestyles, their desires, and their understanding of sin, you can wager quite successfully that you're hearing liberal theology.<br />
<br />
The Bible means too much to us to let it be used incorrectly - we don't often come out on topics like this, but this is important enough to take a stand, and we hope that you will stand with us.<br />
<br />
Watching the skies,<br />
<br />
Centaur<br />
<br />
"Will they follow me?" ~ High King Peter<br />
"To the death." ~ OreiusCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-87471970483765252102013-04-09T11:46:00.000-04:002013-04-09T11:46:14.516-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: Do Children Belong to Families?Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
I saw this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=N3qtpdSQox0">video</a> of MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry, who articulates in no uncertain terms, where the secular and liberal left is moving. In our country and others, this mindset is pervading the culture and mindset of those who will be the future leaders of the world. Listen in to what she has to say:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We have never invested as much in public education as we should have because we've always had kind of a private notion of children: your kids are your's, and totally your responsibility. We haven't had a very collective notion of 'these are our children.' So part of it is we have to break through our kind of private idea that kids belong to their parents, or kids belong to their families, and recognize that kids belong to whole communities. Once it's everyone's responsibility, and not just the household's, then we start making better investments.</blockquote>
<br />
I cannot stress this enough: the time has come for us to act. Never before has the opposition been this overt about its message. Glenstorm the Centaur once remarked, "The time is right," and we can see signs in our culture similar to the ones he saw that night. If we will not stem the tide that is coming, we will fall.<br />
<br />
Wherever you are in the world, I encourage you to get involved in protecting parental rights in your nation: we need all the help we can get.<br />
<br />
Watching the stars,<br />
<br />
Centaur<br />
<br />
"We watch the skies for the great tides of evil or change that are sometimes marked there." ~ Firenze, <i>Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix</i>Centaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-57075104447499101492013-03-10T20:31:00.001-04:002013-03-10T20:31:33.957-04:00Part III: Dementia<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
Synopsis: Dr. Redd and his assistant, Fred Forge, encounter a patient battling schizophrenia.</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<b>Dementia</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">This is the office of Dr. John Redd, M.T. How may I
help you?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I'm Daniel, and I need help; we've been to several
doctors, but none of their medications work. A friend told me to see
Dr. Redd.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Alright, Dearie: let's setup an appointment for you
for this morning.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred walked down a white hallway to a thin white door
with a keycard swipe and took a seat next to John in the small
control room with four viewscreens.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Redd, there's a visitor for you, and boy does he
seem nervous!”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Fred, you can call me 'John,' you know,” he replied
with a chuckle.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">If it's all the same to you, I think I'll call you
'Sir,'” Fred answered with a smile. “But seriously, have you
ever seen someone more nervous?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I don't think he's nervous,” John replied. “Study
him intently for the next minute: I'll place the time on Screen
Four,” he said, setting the computerized stopwatch for 0:60. As
the time ran down, Fred wrote his observations on a flowpad, every
now and then looking away, as if to think about what he saw:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Fidgety. Muttering. Constantly distracted.
Distrusting. Short attention span</i>. <i>Well-kept.</i> </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Well, he's obviously mentally unstable,” Fred
replied, as the timer read 0:13, “I think you should take him
through the white hallway to the Johnson Room, like you did with Matt
Black.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Because his condition is similar?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred nodded.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I disagree,” John replied. “You see, in Matt's
case, his mind was unstable due to fear of something he did not
understand. This man appears to be agitated by his inability to
solve a problem – namely, that problem,” John added, pointing to
the screen, as the man spoke sullenly to himself, first looking this
way, then that.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Schizophrenia.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Precisely. I'll go out to greet him to get a feel
for his trust and willingness to cooperate, while you setup the
Richardson Room. Oh,” John added as he prepared to leave, “and
put up the Dresden picture, along with the Chariot Heroes picture.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Yes sir,” Fred replied, “but what does that have
to do with schizophrenia?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Nothing,” John replied, “but it will lead
perfectly into the means of recovery. What do we know about him?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">His name is Daniel Green, and he's a sophomore at
Marsden College. He claims to have been on various medications on
and off for at least five years--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Then what we're seeing could be a conglomeration of
the trauma he sustained from his medications, in addition to his
other problem. That's good to know. Alright: I'll greet him, you
stand ready in the room, and when we're done, I expect my coffee to
be ready.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">You know you're not supposed to have two cups –
wife's orders,” Fred smirked.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Now how did you know I had a cup already?” John
said with a laugh.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">The stain behind your tie,” Fred replied with a
smile. “I had some downtime during those 47 seconds.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Good morning, Dan,” John said as he entered the
receptionist area.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Redd,” Daniel replied, standing to shake the
doctor's hand, “A friend recommended you to me. He said you could
help me cope with some of my...eccentricities.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Well, Mr. Green,” John replied with a low chuckle
and a knowing smile, “I can't do that: teaching you to <i>cope</i>
with something that's bothering you is not my style. I would prefer
to help you <i>overcome</i> your obstacles, so that your mind can be
renewed.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Yes! That's exactly what I want!” Dan replied
eagerly.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Excellent! Then follow me,” John said, heading to
a black door off of the receptionist area, and taking out a set of
keys with nine brass keys and one red key. He sorted through the
keys for a little while, selected a brass key, and with a
<i>twist-click-creak</i>, he stepped through the door.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The hallway was dark, but one could make out the form of
two doors to their right, and one door at the end of the short
hallway. John walked up to the final door and opened it, ushering
his guest into a small room with soft orange wallpaper, and two
pictures on the wall. On the far wall, immediately apparent to the
visitor, was a picture of a burning warehouse with planes flying
overhead. To his right, Daniel could see a picture of a young man
and a young woman in their teens riding in a chariot with their hands
clasped and raised. In the middle of the room was a thin pine table
with reclining chairs on either side, and on the table sat a black
box. John motioned for Dan to take the closest chair, facing both
the Dresden Picture and the Chariot Heroes Picture.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Are you going to begin asking me questions now, Dr.
Redd?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">No, not exactly,” John replied. “You see, I'm
not a psychologist or psychiatrist, Dan. I'm not going to ask you
questions and give you a diagnosis, or hand you a canister of pills.
I don't want to dissect you: I want to dialogue with you.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dan's face contorted in confusion. What did he mean?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I'll explain with an example, Dan. If I wanted to
train you to become, say, an accountant: would it be best for me to
start by giving you a quiz on your ability to add, subtract, and
label particular expenses, or would it be wiser to discuss the
different aspects of the company, your background knowledge and past
experience, and why each part of the company exists as it does, so
that you will be more familiar with the different expenses and
subdivisions you will work with on a daily basis? One approach looks
into the details of your performance, while the other paints a
picture of you for me to examine, study, and help you to modify. The
first approach teaches you to cope: you are given a standard set of
questions by a professional, who then makes a diagnosis and labels
the problem for you – in this case, schizophrenia. My approach
gives me a strong sense of who you are and what you should be, so
that I can help you move forward. Does that make sense?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dan nodded. “So, what do I have to do, then, if
you're not going to ask me questions?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">It's quite simple, actually: on your part, I need you
to fall asleep.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And with that, John rose from his seat, placed his hands
on the black box, and slowly lifted the lid. The lights in the room
dimmed as he opened it, and the harsh, dissonant sound of a heavy
metal tune streamed from the box.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Nice work with the lights there, Fred,” John
whispered.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">How is it that he didn't even notice me in the room?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">You weren't in plain view, and his eyes were drawn
toward the pictures. Humanity has a tendency to miss things when
they're distracted toward colorful, provoking images. Politicians
use this frequently in their work too, if you hadn't noticed,” John
said with a low chuckle as he took his seat in the empty chair.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Sir, aren't you going to stand by the box to talk to
him?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Take the lead on this one: start by addressing him,
talk with him for a little, and then I'll enter and introduce you.
You've seen me do this several times, so now it's your turn to try.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">But what if I mess up?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">We'll wake him up, tell him it was a dream, and start
again,” John replied quietly with a smile. “Place yourself in
his position, be ready with the siren and bomb sounds, and when
you're set to proceed, talk to him. Engage, move at his pace, and
whatever you do, don't be afraid to dream.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When Dan opened his eyes, the midnight sky above him was
lit up by a haze of reddened smoke, rising from the buildings that
encircled him. It was only then that he began to hear the flames
raging in the buildings around him, and the jolting <i>boom-boom</i>
of fresh explosions all around him. Above the haze he could hear
aircraft and the steady, searing screech of falling payloads toward
the town. He got up quickly, staggering around the city square in
fear, trying desperately to find some form of cover.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Let's head toward the factory,” said a young,
assuring voice behind him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Who are you?” Dan said, noticing the man behind
him. “What's happening here?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Your mind is under siege, Dan,” replied a calm,
steady voice behind him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Redd!” Dan replied, “Where are we? Are we
dreaming?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">You're in Dresden, Germany, Dan,” John replied.
“The city is under bombardment, and will soon be leveled in the
wake of an invading army. Come,” he added, pointing to the factory
behind them, “the factory's reinforced steel will provide us with
greater cover.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Is this how you plan to fix my mind?” Dan said in
bewilderment and fear.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I intend to discover the source of the problem, Dan,
and Fred is here to help me. Mr. Green, I'd like to introduce you to
Fred Forge, my assistant.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Pleased to meet you,” Dan said, shaking his hand.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">We'd really like to meet <i>your</i> friend, Dan, if
he's here,” John replied. “I think he'd enjoy the shelter of the
factory, too.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Oh, you mean Leonard? He's a bit shy--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">But we're in your mind, Dan: he's here somewhere.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Right: well, I don't see him around anywhere--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Don't worry: I'm sure he'll find us.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I never had many friends growing up,” Dan said,
after they reached the shelter of the factory, “I was always the
last kid picked for sports, was never invited to people's birthday
parties, and was generally regarded as 'odd' by basically everyone.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">So that's how you met Leonard?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Yep,” Dan replied cheerfully, “He was always
there, willing to talk to me, encouraging me to do this or that,
though sometimes he yelled at me and ordered me around.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Do you ever tell him not to order you around?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I can't talk to Leonard like that: it would hurt his
feelings, and I don't want that—”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">But he's taking advantage of you,” Fred replied.
“He's enslaving you--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">No, you don't understand,” Leonard said firmly.
“He really cares about me, and wants to be my friend....”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Fred,” John whispered, taking Fred by the shoulder.
Both were standing by the box now. “I think we should let that
line of thought go for now.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">But he needs to hear it,” Fred replied. “He's
being enslaved to this idea, and it's not healthy for him--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Yes, he is: but we want him to let go of Leonard
naturally, not under compulsion. If only Leonard would show up, we'd
have something to work wi--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Shhh!” Fred said with an urgent finger to his lips.
The sleeping Dan had silently whispered a word, and then turned his
head quickly from left to right, looking around himself in the dream.
Then his face smiled and looked straight ahead again, whispering the
word:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Dan</i>.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Leonard was sitting on an old desk, with one leg up on
the desk, the other dangling off of it idly, with his body hunched
over his elevated leg, embracing it in a bear hug. He looked a lot
like Dan, though his grin was more mischievous, and like the faint
beard on his chin and cheekbones, it never left his face.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Leonard,” John said, in his usual low, calm, yet
commanding voice, “My name is--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Dr. John Redd,” Leonard interrupted. “Yes, I
know who you are.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I'd like to know more about you,” John replied.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">You can ask me anything you wish,” Leonard replied
slyly, jumping off of the desk, “...if you can catch me!”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And with that, Leonard took off running down one of the
hallways. Dan tore off after him, shouting, “Leonard, he's just
trying to help us!”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">No! He's trying to shut me out of your mind, Dan!”
Leonard shouted. “He's just like all of the other ones we've
seen!”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Leonard,” John shouted, as he ran after the two of
them, his voice still commanding and deep, but no longer calm, “I
know what the other doctors did to you: they tried to convince Dan
that you are a problem – something to be avoided--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">And you want to do the same thing,” Leonard
shouted.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">No, I don't: I want Dan to approach you on your own
terms, and to see you as you are, not as what someone else says you
are.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">John paused: Leonard had disappeared as he turned the
corner, and was nowhere to be found. Dan was puffing hard and on the
verge of breaking down in front of him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Where do we turn now?” Fred asked quietly.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">If Dan goes through too much more trauma, he's going
to wake up screaming, and attempt to bolt out of the room,” John
whispered. “We need to find a way to get him to reject Leonard on
his own terms, before his natural inclination to defend him kicks
in.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">What do you suggest?” Fred whispered back.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">We need to change our location: let's put him in a
place where he will think less of himself, and more about the truth.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dan could hear the sound of the bombs dropping on the
city, and suddenly felt the factory shake and quiver under a direct
hit.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">The city is coming down, Dr. Redd!” Dan cried in
fear. “We must escape!”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">There is only one place that the bombers would not
hit in this town,” John replied. “They won't bomb the cathedral,
just up the road from here.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Take me there,” Dan replied weakly, shivering and
quaking in fear and hysterics.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As they entered the cathedral, they were greeted by a
gangly young man, sitting on the back of the front pew, smiling and
holding his leg.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Leonard,” John started softly.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Nope! I don't want to talk to you!” He said
playfully, and took off toward the door that led to the bell tower.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Leonard!” Dan pleaded as he took off after him,
tears almost welling up in his eyes.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Dan, let him go,” Fred said softly, taking him by
the shoulder.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Stop it! Just stop it!” Dan said, breaking down in
front of the altar. “Dr. Redd,” Dan said, sobbing, “why are
you doing this? Stop making him run away. Can't you just leave us
alone?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Dan,” John replied, returning to his calm voice, “I
need your help. I want you to describe Leonard to me: just give me a
list of adjectives that best describe him, so that I can distinguish
him from you. I need to know why he's attracted to you, and why
you're attracted to him.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Well,” Dan began, still sobbing and breathing hard,
“He--” Dan began, but then trailed off to silence. Dan attempted
a few more times to come up with an adjective, then threw his hands
up in frustration. “I can't think of any.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Because he has no character, Dan,” John replied.
“He has no objective form. What he embodies for you is your desire
for a companion and friend, and – at times – an image of those
who take advantage of your softspoken, unassertive nature.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dan was really crying now. “So what do I do? I'm not
strong enough to tell him to leave, but I can't keep going on like
this forever.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Leave it here,” Fred interrupted. “Leave it
right here, at the altar, and a stronger Man will take it from
there.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred looked up at the cross at the front of the
cathedral, and the Man that was hanging on it, with nails in His
hands and feet. His head was bowed to His chest, weighed down by
searing pain, a broken heart, and hopeless abandonment – not unlike
the broken man that was now weeping at the foot of the altar. Dan
was filled with the unbelief and skepticism of a broken man who is
bewildered by promising news.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">But what if He doesn't want to take it?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">He already has.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">And what if I can't let him go?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">That's a battle you will constantly fight,” Fred
said hopefully, “but one that you can win.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">This doesn't change the fact that I feel alone,”
Dan said between sniffles.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">He's ready to change that, too,” John proposed.
“And you'll find that He's a much more reliable friend than
Leonard.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Is it really that easy?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">There's only one way to find out.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">How are you this morning?” John asked the young man
in the hospital bed.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I'm doing much better,” Dan replied. “What did
you do to me?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I didn't do anything: I helped you face your fears.
That's all.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">John,” Fred said as they returned to the waiting
room, “did that job count as hazard pay?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Definitely hazard pay,” John replied with a low
chuckle, “and do me a favor: get rid of that Dresden picture.”</span></div>
Centaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-50053071746344993952013-01-25T10:47:00.000-05:002013-01-25T10:47:50.497-05:00The Centaur Scrolls: The Removal of "Gender Rolls" in ToysDear Reader,<br />
<br />
So, I've been thinking about this article for some time now, but after confirming what the Atlantic reports about our favorite country to discuss on this blog - Sweden - I'm becoming more and more convinced that the "tolerance" agenda that is spreading in other countries is getting out of hand, and extending into areas that, frankly, no government should be entering.<br />
<br />
I was reading an <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2012/12/you-can-give-a-boy-a-doll-but-you-cant-make-him-play-with-it/265977/">article</a> in the Atlantic entitled, "You Can Give a Boy a Doll, But You Can't Make Him Play With It," discussing the swath of gender-neutral reforms going through Sweden's toy/entertainment industry. Looking at what the Swedish Green Party promotes as its "model school," Christina Sommers looks at how the school views its students. There are no "boys" and "girls" at this school: there are "buddies" and "friends." She goes on to mention that this preschool threw out all of their toy cars because the boys favored them over the other toys. So, to curb the increase in favoritism toward toys by a gender, they threw them out.<br />
<br />
<i>*Blink Blink*</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Now, regardless of what you think about government involvement in conditioning children, we can all agree that the Atlantic is hardly what we would describe as a "conservative fortress" or homestead for traditional family values. With Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as its founders, and James Bennet (New York Times, News & Observer, New Republic) as its current editor, this is hardly the "born in the red" conservative crew that is razzed by the intellectual community as standing against "progress" and "children's rights" in the debate over government involvement in the lives of children. This is one of the reasons that this article stood out to me - it's not from the stereotyped base of support for the arguments found on this blog.<br />
<br />
What is more, Mrs. Sommers goes on to describe the greater problem:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Few would deny that parents and teachers should expose children to a wide range of toys and play activities. But what the Swedes are now doing in some of their classrooms goes far beyond encouraging children to experiment with different toys and play styles—they are </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">requiring</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> it. And toy companies who resist the gender neutrality mandate face official censure. Is this kind of social engineering worth it? Is it even ethical? (Emphasis in original)</span></blockquote>
Her point is not only valid, but critical to our understanding of the internationalist agenda: to what extent can government involvement step in to "solve societal problems"? Are there lines, and if so, where are they drawn?<br />
<br />
Sweden's approach so far has been complete micromanagement of both companies (products, advertising, aims and goals, etc.) and children (what they play with, what they favor when choosing to play, etc.). As the poster child for the international agenda, this raises flags for all of us in the States who are hearing that there will be "no ramifications" and "no effect" by giving in to the mindset through treaties, statutory laws, and school regulations. Are these academically honest - let alone morally honest - claims?<br />
<br />
I will not continue to elaborate here; you need merely read the Centaur Scrolls to find my opinion on that score. What I will conclude with here, though, is (ironically) the end of the article: there is hope for those of us who believe in letting kids be kids, and leaving government micromanaging out of it. The government-approved toy catalog "will almost certainly disappear in a few years, once parents who buy from it realize their kids don't want these toys"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> (Sommers, citing Prof. David Geary). </span>Time alone will tell what will happen in that country, but that is not the question for us today. The question for us is whether we will properly discern what the aim of this mindset and mentality is, and whether we will allow it to enter our culture, wherever that may be.<br />
<br />
Vigilance is the price of freedom - stand fast, friends,<br />
<br />
Watching the stars,<br />
<br />
Centaur<br />
<br />
"I set myself against what is lurking in this forest, Bane - yes, with humans alongside me if I must." ~ Firenze, <i>Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone</i>Centaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-21432491255589880152013-01-17T22:42:00.002-05:002013-01-31T22:53:06.473-05:00Part II: Catharsis<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Synopsis: Dr. John Redd is referred by a former patient, Matt Black, to a friend who needs help dealing with anger, hatred, and a broken friendship.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<b>Catharsis</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I’m here to see Dr. Redd,” a young man asked.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Do you have an appointment?” an elderly woman
replied.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">No, but a friend of mine said Dr. Redd could help
me.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">We have a number of people here to see Dr. Redd
today, but he seems to be free for the next hour. Your name?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Fred; Fred Forge.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred turned toward the waiting room, looking for an
empty chair. The waiting room was a perfect square with about twenty
chairs set around the walls of the room, with endtables in three of
its four corners. The corner without the endtable was situated near
the reception desk, with an opaque glass door between the wall and
the desk, with a sign on it that read, “John Redd, M.T.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Against the far wall, a brown-haired woman in a purple
dress was reading “Goodnight Moon” to the two children on either
side of her. Two girls about Fred’s age were sitting near her,
painting their fingernails, deeply engrossed in a
<i>whisper-giggle-whisper-giggle </i>conversation, and by the wall
nearest him, an older man in a technician suit was dozing softly in
his chair.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred took a seat near the elderly man, and nervously
looked around the room. His friend Matt had shared with him how Dr.
Redd used “unconventional techniques” to fix a relationship
problem with his girlfriend, Melanie. “It may hurt a little,”
Matt had explained, “but it <i>works</i>: he gets to the heart of
the problem without digging into your past like most psychologists.”
Fred had listened to Matt’s story--what he saw, what he did, and
how Dr. Redd had done it--and he was skeptical and fearful of meeting
this man.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His thoughts were interrupted by a middle-aged gentleman
with graying hair and a steady gaze entering from the glass door.
Though his hair color was changing, it was obvious from his form that
he was still very strong, well within his prime. His grey eyes
rested on the young man, who stood to meet him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Fred, I’m John Redd,” he said, walking forward
and extending his hand, “I understand one of my patients
recommended me to you. How can I help you?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Redd,” Fred replied, “I've had a ‘falling
out’ with a friend of mine. I need your help.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Come with me,” John replied, walking toward the
entry door. Fred hadn’t realized that there was another door, a
black door, near the entrance. As Dr. Redd stood near the black door
rummaging through his key ring, Fred asked, “Aren’t we going to
walk down the white hallway with the fluorescent overhead lights?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">As I told your friend,” John replied, placing a key
in the lock, “there are many ways to enter the mind, and thus there
are many ways to enter my office.” And with a <i>twist-click-creak</i>,
the door opened, and John motioned for him to enter.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The door opened to a small room with two reclining
chairs, situated around a brown oak table, and on the table was a
black box. On the wall nearest him, he saw a picture of two Greek
soldiers with spears and shields fighting a gigantic boar. On the
far wall there was a black picture frame with an impressionist-style
painting of a forest in the Rhine river valley. And in the corner,
on a small endtable, there was a dark blue glass vase with a single
orange rose in it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Take a seat,” John said, calm and assuring. “I
need to know a little more about your friendship before we begin.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Matt said that you don't delve into your patient's
past,” Fred said warily.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I don't,” John replied, seating himself in the
other recliner, “I want to know about your <i>present</i> mental
situation. What you used to think about him isn’t as important as
your opinion of him now. Who he was and what he now is will converge
at truth, so the past will be discovered in due time. Thus, I have a
few preliminary questions. First, what is your friend's name?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Grant,” Fred replied smugly.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">And when I say, ‘Grant,’ are you led toward anger
or hatred?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Aren't they basically the same thing?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Not at all," John replied, leaning forward in
his recliner. “To feel anger toward a person is to desire justice
for a wrong; 'hate' is to desire pain and torment on another person
in order to satisfy <i>my</i> desire for gratification. With anger a
standard (either proper or improper) of justice is vindicated, while
hatred vindicates my personal desire for revenge, which may be
excessive for the crime committed. So when you think of Grant, do
you feel hatred, or anger?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Anger,” Fred replied, “for a past wrong.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Well then, let's examine this past wrong,” John
said, rising from the recliner and placing his hands on the black
box. “Are you ready?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Aren't you going to turn out the lights?” Fred
asked.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Would you like them out?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I'll concentrate and sleep better if they are.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Then I'll turn them out for you,” he said, walking
over to the light switch.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As he clicked the switch off, all of the light in the
room disappeared in a soup of darkness. Fred expected to hear Dr.
Redd carefully and slowly walk back to the table, groping in the
darkness that had instantly descended upon them. But to his
amazement, John walked steadily--almost quickly--back to his place
next to the table, and Fred could hear the keys rustling as they were
removed from his pocket. A <i>twist-click-creak</i>, and the black
box was unlocked. And as the lid rose, a soft electronica song began
to play, filling the room with the complex yet soothing melody of the
synthesizer.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Dream, Fred.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred found himself flat on his back--or, at least, as
flat as one can be while lying on a large tree root. He lay on the
fringe of a small clearing, and above his head, he could see the
large, shady branches of an oak tree. Everywhere around him was the
varied sounds of what appeared to be an infinite forest. He slowly
sat up, expecting at any moment for John to appear behind him, as he
appeared to Matt in the bright hallway.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But he never appeared. In fact, nothing in sight
appeared to stir or move. Yet everything about him--even the air he
breathed--seemed to thrum in restless agitation, as if it was
watching him, or something else, with weary and wary expectation. He
debated for a moment whether he should explore the dark unknown
around him, or whether he should stay where he was, avoiding
potential dangers. In the end, he compromised by climbing a banyan
tree nearby, hoping for a better vantage point.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">From the higher elevation, Fred noticed that while he
could hear birds chirping and calling, all of them were hidden from
view. The patches of light that hit the forest floor seemed like
daisies on a grave, sparse but consistent across the landscape. He
could hear the sound of running water, but he could not see it. Fred
began to wonder why everything was hidden from sight but present in
sound – and it frightened him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Matt mentioned that animals and places act
differently in the dream,” Fred mused quietly to himself, “and
that there is something to be gained from each peculiarity. I
wonder--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred’s thoughts were shattered as a loud, piercing
grunt and snarl erupted deeper in the wood. Fred clung to the tree
in horror as a massive boar, about ten feet tall, came barreling
through the underbrush, tearing deep, long gashes in the oak trees
with its large tusks as it charged into the clearing near the banyan
tree.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The beast sniffed the earth where Fred awoke with his
large snout, followed a low, deep growl. It reared its head as if to
sniff the air, scanning the trees above him with two large nostrils
and two small eyes. Fred's grip on the tree trunk rose with his
fixation on the boar, terrified of what would happen to him if the
boar discovered where he was.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Their eyes met.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The boar bellowed a guttural scream of fury, and charged
the banyan tree full-speed. Fred, looking down at the earth below
him, noticed that there was a patch of moss and loam at the base of
the tree directly below him. It was now or never. He let go.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Crash</i>.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred hit the ground just before the impact, the roots
and trunk of the banyan tree quivering and snapping before the
juggernaut. Fred took off into the unknown, spotting a large, thick
oak tree that might withstand the fury of the boar. At its base, he
caught a glint of light from the sun above, and rushed to it to find
a spear and shield partially covered with a leather covering.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As the large, black creature searched the ground for a
trace of Fred, the young man looked for a branch or eye-hole that
would allow him to climb the tree.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">It's too high,” a familiar voice said from behind
him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Redd,” Fred said in a panic, “How do we get
away from it?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I thought you came to confront your problem,” Dr.
Redd inquired.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I thought you meant my anger toward Grant, not a boar
with primal fury!”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">From the other side of the clearing, they heard a shout from a lone warrior, armed with a spear and shield, charging
the beast. Fred started walking forward in bewilderment, which was
stopped by a strong hand gripping his shoulder.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Why is Grant here?” Fred asked in furious
amazement, freeing his shoulder from John’s grip with an angry
jerk. “This is <i>my</i> mind’s world, isn’t it?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Of course,” John replied. “Grant is one of your
closest friends, isn’t he?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Well, before Michelle, yeah. But since he stole her
from me, I’ve hated him: whenever I see him--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Hate</i> him, Fred?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred was quiet for a moment, but hot anger still blazed
in his eyes as he looked into the calm green pair that studied him</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I don’t know, alright? Seeing him fight bravely
against this frightful thing makes the hairs on my back bristle, and
my heart beats furiously and vengefully--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Like a wild boar?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred swallowed hard. He didn’t want to admit it. But
there it was, standing before him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Like a boar,” Fred replied slowly, “<i>exactly</i>
like a boar.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Are you going to help him,” John asked, his calm
face turning suddenly stern. “Or are you going to leave him to
die?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred looked at the struggle--if it could be called a
struggle. The boar was beating its tusks against Grant’s shield,
flinging him back several feet on each attempt. Within a minute, his
back would be against a tree, and the mauling process would begin.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I think I’ll enjoy this,” Fred began, and then
suddenly cut himself off. He turned back toward John in shock, bowed
his head, and added, “Why did I let that out? I don’t usually
say things like that--”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Because we're in your mind, Fred: what you think is
apparent here. There's no softening or camouflaging your thoughts in
your mind, Fred. <i>That’s</i> why I work here: my patients can’t
use pretenses and manners to mitigate their responses to my
questions.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">So you’re interrogating me by looking around my
mind?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Precisely,” John replied, “though I can also ask
you questions directly: are you <i>sure</i> that you only feel anger
toward Grant, or is it hate?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred dropped his head again. “You’ve already seen
that it’s hate, haven’t you?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I haven’t seen you charge that boar to save him
yet,” John replied, his voice once again resuming its calm and
assuring tone. “That would answer the question.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred looked over the embankment. Grant’s shield was
shattered on the ground, and he was staggering against a large oak
tree, desperately struggling to ward off the monstrous beast with his
spear. His heart sank: <i>why couldn’t the beast just jump and
lunge at him? Why couldn’t it just finish him off?</i>”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He checked himself. This is hate. This must be
stopped. Wishing evil upon his friend was wrong, regardless of the
fact that he stole Michelle. <i>But I don’t feel like helping him</i>,
his mind seemed to say. <i>You don’t defend your enemy</i>. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I don’t care,” Fred said aloud, responding to his
thoughts, “we’re going to save Grant.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He crawled up the embankment, raised his shield and
spear, and charged at the beast. As he thrust his spear at its side,
it glanced off of its scaly, bristling body with a sharp ping. It
was only then, as he stood up-close-and-personal with the beast, that
he noticed that it had scales under its thick bristles, instead of
flesh. The beast turned and thrust its massive head into Fred’s
shield. The impact flung him a few yards away, and the beast
prepared to charge him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Then Fred heard something strange: the steady
<i>tack-tack-tack</i> of gunfire, and the beast wheeled around to
charge its new attacker. John stood about sixty feet away near a
large oak tree with an MP5 machine gun in his hands. Fred wondered
where he found that, but his head rang louder than the bullets being
fired into the iron beast, so his questions died away.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The boar charged John, roaring with anger. Dropping his
firearm, John spread his hands in front of him, as if picturing the
dimensions of a large, flat object. Almost instantly, John was
hidden from Fred’s sight by a brick wall, at first cartoon-like,
but then real and solid. The boar charged the wall, tearing it to
pieces, but tripping over the shards of brick and mortar. Fred
turned to see John shouldering Grant's weary body, and bolted with
him toward the embankment.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">How did you do that?” Fred asked in amazement.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Not now,” John replied. “Get behind the
embankment.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As they climbed to safety, Fred’s exasperated voice
rose above the sound of John’s now-drawn Glock pistol, “How am I
supposed to kill the boar, if I can't puncture it with my spear?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Castor and Pollux didn’t kill the Calydonian Boar,”
John replied, replacing his cartridge. “The princess Atalanta did.
But the brothers didn't let their desire for personal glory get in
the way of protecting each other, despite their intense desire to be
the victor of the hunt. You have a choice, Fred,” John said,
looking him in the eyes, “either to let her go and forgive your
friend, or to attempt to win the conquest, and risk the safety of
your friendship.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The boar turned.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">And choose quickly,” he added in a hurry, clicking
his pistol from “Semi” to “Auto.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The boar charged, foam falling from its mouth. Fred
grabbed his spear, and as he jumped over the earthen wall, he let out
a scream of anger and determination as he charged his fears.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Beast,” Fred shouted, “This must stop! Michelle
is gone: no matter what happens to Grant, Michelle is gone. To hold
onto this hate will only destroy us, and if that's what it comes down
to, I'd rather die as a man, than live as a monster in my hate.
Prepare to die,” he shouted, as he hefted his spear to strike, the
beast only meters from him now.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Zing</i>.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">An arrow struck the boar behind the ear, turning his
course just beyond Fred's body. Fred rolled to the side to avoid the
brute's massive bulk, the piercing squeal of the boar ringing through
the forest. To his left, Fred heard the beat of hooves against the
uneven earth, with a young woman dressed in dark blue on horseback.
As the boar retreated, the Amazon continued to assault the boar.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Michelle,” Fred said, dazed by the sudden change in
events.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Shall we pursue her?” John asked, looking into the
distance, but honed on Fred's response.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">No. She's gone – and I need to let her ride on
without me.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Then sleep in peace, Fred,” John replied with a
smile.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When Fred awoke, he was in the recliner with the lights
turned on. He rose slowly, looking for the doctor, and still taking
in everything that had happened in his dreams. As he entered the
lobby, he saw Dr. Redd sitting next to the woman in the purple dress,
reading “The Ugly Duckling” to the small children on their laps.
The two girls were done painting their nails, and were talking
together until he entered the room. John put down the book, and rose
to greet him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Fred, I'd like you to meet my family,” John said,
pointing to everyone in the room.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fred nodded toward everyone generally with a shy “Hi,”
and then gave John a probing look, full of the questions that he
wanted to ask him, but didn't know how to express.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I know you have questions, Fred,” John said, “and
I'd love to chat with you about them. You have a wonderful mind,
son, and a better heart behind it.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Well, thank you, sir,” Fred replied, “but what
exactly did you have in mind?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Well, I could always use an assistant,” John
answered with a smile, “if you're game.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As Fred thought about the proposition, one of the girls
met his gaze, smiled, and then returned to talking with her sister.
He looked back at John.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.38in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Tell me more.”</span></div>
Centaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-37896737289712579682012-10-08T14:30:00.001-04:002012-10-08T14:41:32.501-04:00Part I: ParanoiaSynopsis: A patient comes to Dr. Redd with an uncommon mental state known as Sleep Paralysis. Dr. Redd works with Matt on confronting the issues at the heart of the matter.
</br>
</br>
<b> Paranoia </b>
</br>
</br>
“Excuse me, I’m looking for Dr. John Redd. I’m Matt Black.”
</br>
</br>
The receptionist pressed the intercom and said in her grandmotherly voice, “Dr. Redd, there’s a Mr. Black here to see you. No appointment scheduled.”
</br>
</br>
“I’ll be there.”
</br>
</br>
The woman motioned toward the chairs in the waiting room. The young man turned and walked toward the nearest chair, wringing his hands in nervous anticipation. His blonde hair was disheveled and dirty from days without proper care. His eyes had large, black bags under them from lack of sleep and numerous treatments, and his bottom lip was cracked and a little too purple from constant nervous biting. He was dressed in blue jeans and a plain, wrinkled, gray shirt. He sat coiled up on the chair, like a rattlesnake with a drug addiction.
</br>
</br>
John entered and stopped in the door, scanning the empty waiting room with a thoughtful, proud air. His green eyes settled on Matt, and the lips within the confines of his small, gray, goatee tightened slightly. He walked over to the young man, whose gaze was fixed on the acclaimed Mental Technician.
</br>
</br>
“What can I do for you?” John said calmly.
</br>
</br>
“Sir, I’ve seen many psychologists and therapists, but no one has been able to discover what is wrong with me,” the man’s quivering lips said between pleading eyes.
</br>
</br>
“Well,” John replied with a slight chuckle, “I'm not technically a psychologist. What’s tormenting you?”
</br>
</br>
“That’s the problem,” the young man said, “I don’t really know what’s bothering me. My dreams are haunted by Something, and when I wake up, I can’t remember what I dreamed about--but I’m agitated from it all day.”
</br>
</br>
John just looked at him, saying nothing with his eyes or mouth.
</br>
</br>
“Can you help me?” Matt asked pitifully.
</br>
</br>
John looked at him with a long, discerning look. He had never seen a patient quite like this before: one who could not even diagnose his own torment, let alone the cause of his torment. He briefly wondered if the man even had a mental problem, even though the symptoms glared at him like an evil stepmother from a fairy tale. There was only one way to know.
</br>
</br>
“Follow me,” John replied.
</br>
</br>
The two walked down a long corridor with white walls and fluorescent lights, with a light blue wooden door at the end. The buzzing of the lights and the glare from the walls made the journey a living hell for Matt, whose nerves were already tottering. His agitation was clear as he looked up into the face of the tall man that walked beside him. To Matt’s surprise, John’s eyes were gently closed.
</br>
</br>
“What are you doing?” Matt asked in surprise.
</br>
</br>
“Counting steps.”
</br>
</br>
“What does that do?”
</br>
</br>
“It helps me remember this hallway better.”
</br>
</br>
“Why would you want to remember this hallway?”
</br>
</br>
“You’ll see,” was his short, calm reply.
</br>
</br>
“They say that you’re the best psychologist that ever lived,” Matt remarked awkwardly, trying desperately to calm himself in that long, blaring hallway. “They say you never fail.”
</br>
</br>
Silence.
</br>
</br>
They approached the light blue door, and John reached into his left suit jacket pocket, his eyes still closed, and pulled out a set of keys. On the keyring were ten brass keys, all the same length, with no distinguishing features. Next to the brass keys there was a red key, smaller than the others. John held the keys in his hands, feeling them gently and meaningfully with his fingers. Matt watched in mild skepticism, wondering which of the two of them was mentally ill. Next to this man, he suddenly felt normal--or, at least, understandable by the public at large. But his thoughts were cut short, when John suddenly selected the fourth key from the red key, and placed it in the lock. Twist, click, creak, and the door was open.
</br>
</br>
“Welcome to my laboratory,” John said, opening his eyes, and inviting his guest in with a wave of his arm. Matt entered, and found himself in a dark blue room which was strikingly bare. In the corner there was a wall-mounted lamp, the only light in the room, next to a small Christmas tree, decorated with tinsel and glass balls, but no lights. There were no windows and no other doors, and there was nothing on the walls save a picture of a lovely woman in a dark purple dress with dark brown hair, pale skin, a small red smile, and an overpowering gaze. In the center of the room, there were two brown reclining chairs facing each other, with a small, white wooden table in between. And on the table, there was a black box, no bigger than a standard briefcase.
</br>
</br>
“This is a laboratory?” Matt asked, obviously disappointed.
</br>
</br>
“For my mind, yes,” John replied. “Have a seat.”
</br>
</br>
Matt took the closest chair, and opened the recliner. As John took his seat, he leaned forward, with his elbows resting on his knees, and stared at Matt.
</br>
</br>
“For the next three hours, you and I will be embarking on a journey to discover what is wrong with your mind,” he said calmly. “But before we do, I need to know one thing: are you playing a game with me, or do you really need the assistance of a mental technician?”
</br>
</br>
“A mental technician?” Matt asked, completely confused.
</br>
</br>
“Yes, that’s what I do,” John replied. “I don’t bring up memories or feelings from your subconscious, like the phonies you’ve already seen: I fix how your mind works. I return it to a proper state of mind. So what I need to know,” he said calmly, as he blinked, “is whether you are really sick, or whether you are pulling my leg. Because if you are pretending,” he added as he sat back in his chair, “this journey could be very painful for you, emotionally and psychologically.”
</br>
</br>
“This is real, sir,” Matt said, his face now completely white.
</br>
</br>
“Then relax,” John said, standing up, and placing his hands on the black box. “Are you familiar with hypnosis?” As Matt nodded, John continued, “Because I don’t use it. I don’t believe in drugs, sedatives, or tricks because it creates a false sleep; the mind is not working properly. I need the mind intact and in its proper working state in order to repair it. So, please, sit back and relax,” he said, standing up and walking over to the wall light, “this will not take long.”
</br>
</br>
“Do we have to turn out the lights?” Matt asked in a frantic voice.
</br>
</br>
“No,” John replied, “we can leave it on, if it will keep you calm.”
</br>
</br>
“And does that picture need to stay on the wall?” Matt asked, as he returned the intense gaze of the woman in the picture.
</br>
</br>
“Yes, the picture must stay. But you need not face that wall.”
</br>
</br>
Matt rotated his chair as John dimmed the light, leaving just enough light to make out objects, but not enough to discern color or texture. The entire room seemed to blur together as John walked over to the black box. Matt could hear the jingle of the key set, and saw John place a small key in the box. Twist, click, creak, and the box was open.
</br>
</br>
From the box came the sound of soft, soothing music, like a music box activated by the raising of its lid. Matt wondered what was in the box, but he could not see anything due to the low light and his slowly lowering eyelids. His thoughts began to drift as John took his seat, saying calmly, “Dream.”
</br>
</br>
* * *
</br>
</br>
Matt found himself in the white hallway with fluorescent lights which they had walked through just minutes before, but there was no wooden door. In fact, there was no door--nothing existed, save the glaring walls and the buzzing lights. The buzz was louder and the lights were brighter, placing all of Matt‘s nerves on edge in panicked agitation.
</br>
</br>
“Good morning, Mr. Black,” came a deep voice behind him.
</br>
</br>
Matt turned, startled, to see John standing behind him in a Kevlar vest, heavy boots, dark cargo pants, black gloves, and a utility belt with magazines, pouches, and a pistol at his left side. It was only then that Matt noticed the sling and pistol pouch over John’s left breast, holding yet another firearm. John still looked at him with the same calm, quiet look.
</br>
</br>
“What are you doing?” Matt asked in bewilderment.
</br>
</br>
“What color is my shirt?”
</br>
</br>
“What?”
</br>
</br>
“What color is my shirt?” John asked again. Matt hadn’t even thought about the color of John’s shirt up until that point. The rest of the gear had distracted him from noticing it. He thought that he had caught a glimpse of it when he first turned around, but now, as he looked, John’s large arms appeared to be bare.
</br>
</br>
“You don’t have one,” Matt said.
</br>
</br>
“Do I not? I remember wearing one--”
</br>
</br>
“I don’t care,” Matt said, bordering on screaming, “I can’t concentrate in this environment, and I don’t remember you having a shirt on, and I don’t remember it’s color, and you’re just playing with my mind,” he said, bitter and obstinate to the technician’s questions.
</br>
</br>
“Be still,” John replied, still calm. “Calm down--”
</br>
</br>
“I won’t calm down!” Matt shouted, running toward John, grabbing him by the arm holes of his vest, “And I won’t answer your questions!”
</br>
</br>
“Calm yourself,” John replied, as Matt started pushing him toward the wall.
</br>
</br>
“No! And you can shoot me for all I care!”
</br>
</br>
Matt pushed him up against the wall, but to his great surprise, John went through the wall as if it was made of gelatin. Matt stepped back in shock.
</br>
</br>
“Did you think the wall was solid?” John asked, still hidden from view by the opaque white wall.
</br>
</br>
Matt stared stupidly, confused and agitated. He said nothing.
</br>
</br>
“Of course you didn’t,” John’s voice continued, “because you weren’t concentrating on the hallway. I know this hallway very well--its consistency, its solidity, its feel--not just its appearance. As we walked through the hallway a few minutes ago, you didn’t concentrate on the door until you were right in front of it. You didn’t notice anything about the walls, only the agitation that they gave you from light reflecting from the buzzing lights. Now concentrate,” John said, stepping back through the wall, “what color is my shirt?”
</br>
</br>
As Matt looked at him intently, he began to notice a sleeve on John’s left arm. It didn’t surprise him: it could have been there all along--perhaps rolled up at one point. But it was definitely there. It was a dark blue.
</br>
</br>
“This image--this room--is new in your memory, Matt,” John said, still calm, “which is why it is the first thing that comes to mind. As we journey farther back into your memory, I will need you to focus when I order you. If you do not concentrate, I cannot see what we are working with, and I cannot repair it.”
</br>
</br>
Matt nodded in agreement, and sat down on the floor, exhausted and ashamed of his outburst. But as he sat down, the white corridor had vanished, and he found himself seated on a patch of grass, with a sunset of orange, purple, and red flames in the background. At the bottom of the hill was a small forest of evergreen trees, and behind him was a large mountain, robed in purple in the fading light.
</br>
</br>
“Where are we now?” Matt asked, as he turned to John, who still stood next to him.
</br>
</br>
“We’re still in your mind, Matt,” John said. “Your mind was agitated when we changed settings, sending us closer to the source. I chose the hallway because I knew that it would agitate you. I could have taken you to the room through another way, if I thought it better. But from hereon out, you're navigating our journey. Where we go will depend entirely on your state of mind. So tell me,” John said, kneeling down next to Matt, “where shall we go next?”
</br>
</br>
Matt looked at the sunset, then at the mountain. The mountain sent a shudder down his back, with its lofty peak, its imposing figure, and its fading light.
</br>
</br>
“If you fear the mountain,” John said, noting his shudder, “we should investigate it.”
</br>
</br>
Matt got up with difficulty, beginning to wonder what he would find on the mountain, if it was in fact the home of his fears. He walked beside John, who walked as he had in that hallway, only this time his eyes were open, and scanning the surrounding area like a wary deer. As they reached the base of the mountain, Matt turned to the technician and asked, “If my fear is up there, can it hurt me?”
</br>
</br>
“It’s been tearing you apart,” John replied calmly, “and I cannot say how strong, cunning, or large it is, because you haven’t told me anything about it. I need you to tell me what you see.”
</br>
</br>
And with that, they trekked up the mountain along the dirt road that wound around the mountainside. Matt was at his wit’s end, wondering if he should have drafted his will before visiting John’s office that morning. John was still calm, though very alert. As they turned a bend in the road, they found themselves at a circular landing on the side of the mountain, with four white, ancient pillars situated around the clearing, as if to keep watch over the hallowed ground. John softly drew the pistol at his left hip, and kept it at his side as he scanned the landing.
</br>
</br>
Matt moved to the center of the landing, and from above he heard a blood-curling screech. As he looked up in fright, a large Red Hawk came into sight, darting toward him and swooping down the mountain slope at full speed. As Matt fell to his knees to avoid the bird, the hawk released another piercing screech and then disappeared. As he slowly rose, Matt heard the sound of beating hooves coming from the next bend in the road, and a black horse came into view, flaring and flagging as if from a long journey. On its back there was a woman wearing a purple dress riding side-saddle, who looked at Matt with a piercing gaze. Her blond, blowing hair and light skin in the fading light made her face look violent and quaking, like a coming storm. She dismounted the horse, and started to walk toward the two men.
</br>
</br>
“Matt,” she said, with a soft, almost whining voice, “Why didn’t you come back for me?”
</br>
</br>
“Melanie,” he said softly, “I didn’t mean to--”
</br>
</br>
“You just left me there,” she said, staring deep into his quaking eyes. “You didn’t even give me a second thought. You just ran away.”
</br>
</br>
“No,” Matt replied quickly, “I’ve thought about you every day--”
</br>
</br>
“Because I haunt your dreams, Matt,” she said, her soft voice suddenly becoming angry and defensive, “and I’ll keep torturing you, Matt, until you curse the day you met me.”
</br>
</br>
And with a shriek, the girl before his eyes quickly changed. Her skin became a pale green, leathery and cracked, and her long, soft arms grew grotesquely thin, with claw-like fingers spread wide like a lion preparing to grab its prey. Her mouth was filled with fangs that drooled danger, and her eyes blared red in the coming dusk.
</br>
</br>
“Shoot her!” Matt called to John, crawling on his back to escape the monster before him.
</br>
</br>
“Concentrate!” John replied, his voice earnest and harsh, no longer calm. “Concentrate: is this her, or is this a construction of your mind? Is this the real Melanie, or is this the result of your bitterness and fear? Concentrate: think of her consistency, her solidity, her feel, not just her appearance. Shape her hopes, her aspirations, her dreams, her joys, her emotions--everything. Concentrate, Matt.”
</br>
</br>
Matt closed his eyes, expecting the monster to grab him by the throat at any moment. It never came. He concentrated on the days they had spent together: how she took his order at the diner, then the first time he asked her out, then the shopping trip at the outdoor mall that landed them under an arch to avoid the rain. Then their senior prom, a few months ago, where he got the call that his mother was hit by a drunk adolescent driver, and was in the ICU. He had left quickly--left without Melanie--and had never seen her since. Behind his closed eyelids he started to weep, wishing that he had told her why he left. And when he opened his eyes, he looked around, and saw a very different woman standing above him.
</br>
</br>
“Good morning, Mr. Black,” the receptionist said in a cheery, grandmotherly voice as she placed a tray on his endtable. Matt found himself in a queen-sized bed in what looked like a hospital room. As he rubbed his eyes, the elderly figure added, “Oh, you have a visitor.”
</br>
</br>
And as she stepped out, a girl his age with blond hair and thin, soft arms slowly entered.
</br>
</br>
“I heard you were here,” she said.
</br>
</br>
“I’m alright, Melanie,” he replied, “I have some explaining to do.”
</br>
</br>
The receptionist closed the door, and the rest of the conversation was lost.
</br>
</br>
“How is he this morning?” John asked her.
</br>
</br>
“He seems to be doing quite well; that crazed look is gone from his eye.”
</br>
</br>
“I suspect it is,” John replied. “No charge, I think: this one’s on the house.”Centaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-51610174395566073392012-10-02T22:57:00.000-04:002012-10-02T22:58:28.608-04:00A Bend in the Road: Fiction WritingDear Reader,
</br>
</br>
So, I've been thinking for a while about how to revitalize the How: I've been lacking the time to devote to a number of my projects, and with other exciting things coming down the pike, I've decided that I'm going to expand the content on this site to include other projects that I'm working on that will still assist in the mission of the Insurgency: to provide a bastion of hope on topics that are being assaulted from all sides today.
</br>
</br>
Lucy Montgomery talks about the uncertainty of life, and how it can paralyze people when they are looking for direction (not unlike my thoughts for this blog). But I love her optimistic take on such situations:
</br>
</br>
<blockquote>Anne's horizons had closed in since the night she had sat there after coming home from Queen's; but if the path set before her feet was to be narrow she knew that flowers of quiet happiness would bloom along it. The joy of sincere work and worthy aspiration and congenial friendship were to be hers; nothing could rob her of her birthright of fancy or her ideal world of dreams. And there was always the bend in the road!
</br>
</br>
"God's in His heaven; all's right with the world," Anne whispered softly.
</br>
~ Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, Chapter XXXVIII</blockquote>
</br>
</br>
I think a bend in the road is exactly what the How needs: a new direction, one that may lead back to the road I initially set for it, but one that will help it to embrace a larger group of people, fill more needs for the readership, and stay up with some of the exciting things that God has placed before me, and on my heart.
</br>
</br>
One of the things I'll be doing is including some of my work in creative writing. I'm currently working on a sci-fi futuristic novel, a series of short stories (3000 words or less) on a new theory for psychology (one articulated and formulated from a Christian perspective, not a Freudian or Jungian perspective), and a number of fairy tales, all of which I'd like to place on this blog (if for no other reason than archiving for future use). I may also include a number of artwork pieces I'm designing to accompany what I'm discussing in the stories, but we'll see about that - I'm not much of an artist, :P
</br>
</br>
I'm really excited about what the next few posts could hold; as I travel for a living, writing in airports is a constant part of life, and there's a good amount of stimulation that comes from seeing people when their defenses are down, and they are being real with each other - and what better place than an airport to find those kinds of people?
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</br>
Looking forward to sharing some adventures with you,
</br>
</br>
Keep watching the stars,
</br>
</br>
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-62021901767080572372012-05-17T15:32:00.001-04:002013-01-25T10:51:47.999-05:00Homosexuality and HIVDear Reader,<br />
<br />
I was chatting with a friend of mine (we'll call him Mark) who remarked, off-hand, that he didn't think that homosexuality was that damaging of an issue, and thus as Christians we should not be vocal on preventing homosexuality. As we talked, I remember hearing from somewhere that homosexuality placed men at greater risk of contracting HIV, but I could not remember a citation off the top of my head (for a researcher, this is painful, btw). So over the following posts, I am beginning my cataloging of some of my findings for a future article on the topic.<br />
<br />
First of all, I decided to go to one of the most qualified sources (and usually anti-whatever-my-position-is sources) available: the American Medical Association. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), for all of the bad press I may give it every now and then, is actually a fantastic collection of articles, studies, and informative materials that will keep you up-to-speed on what is going on in your world in the realm of human health and treatment. They had an <a href="http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=192919">article</a> from 2000 regarding a study on internet sexual solicitation and the rise in HIV, which I found fascinating because it included whether the individual was heterosexual or homosexual in their study and analysis.<br />
<br />
According to the article summary, "internet seekers were more likely to be men (P<.001) and homosexual (P<.001)," along several other indicators that those who seek partners via the internet 1) are homosexual, and 2) are HIV positive. Now, this by no means indicates that those who are homosexuals are the same people who contribute to a higher number of people who are HIV positive, but it raises eyebrows as to whether this is purely coincidence or not -- and this type of research is what I will be honing in on in the coming weeks.<br />
<br />
Final aim: truly understand what the dangers are that face homosexual couples beyond the soul ramifications that come from the act. Until further research comes, I remain,<br />
<br />
Watching the stars,<br />
<br />
Centaur<br />
<br />
"I watch the stars, for it is mine to watch, as it is your's, Badger, to remember." ~ GlenstormCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-27581609947270860152012-05-11T15:10:00.001-04:002013-01-25T10:49:36.870-05:00The Return: Welcome Back to the Insurgency!Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
Wow, it's been a while since I've posted! Life has changed a lot in the past few years, and now that things are finally settling down, I'm picking up some new topics to assist the old ones. As was originally envisioned for the Insurgency, the plan was to build a resource collection of defenses for absolute truth, the strength and truth of the Gospel, parental rights, traditional marriage, etc., and I find myself now with an opportunity to pursue these interests to the full.<br />
<br />
I will also probably be stocking the How with other random projects I'm working on, like some short stories and other pieces of fiction that I'm writing, as well as other random pieces that could use storing here. In any event, if you see a number of highly unrelated topics and articles coming up on the page, just know that this is intentional.<br />
<br />
It's good to be back -- now to set the place in order,<br />
<br />
Watching the stars,<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-55420299546820203862010-10-27T11:32:00.002-04:002010-10-27T11:32:51.680-04:00The Truth about Abstinence EducationReader,<br />
<br />
I found this <a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/02/evidence-on-the-effectiveness-of-abstinence-education-an-update">article</a> in my research for the set of Centaur Scrolls articles I'm working on right now which shows the results of over 20 studies on abstinence education. There are hundreds of abstinence education programs across the country, and this research paper discusses a number of them, giving both national and specific results on abstinence education. From it you should see the effectiveness and utility to society that comes from such forms of education.<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-82077255757929897892010-10-26T17:00:00.000-04:002012-10-08T14:41:57.948-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: Same-Sex Marriage and the FamilyReader,<br />
<br />
I’ve discussed parental rights at length on this blog, but there is one side of parenting which I have refrained from discussing: what the proper setup for parenting should be. For those of you who know me, you know that I support traditional marriage, and that I also believe that the Parental Rights Amendment, though it does not define “parent,” should be used to help us return to a proper understanding of marriage. So I will pose to you the question: “Is traditional marriage necessary?” What are the consequences of not upholding traditional marriage?<br />
<br />
There is a danger to those who enter a same-sex relationship. According to the research conducted by Patricia Tjaden and Nancy Thoennes with the US Department of Justice, same-sex cohabitants are at a significantly greater risk of domestic violence and abuse from their partner than their heterosexual counterparts. They <a href="http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/181867.htm">note</a> that “among women, 39.2% of the same-sex cohabitants and 21.7 of the opposite-sex cohabitants reported being raped, physically assaulted, and/or stalked by a marital/cohabiting partner at some time in their lifetime.” For men, “15.4% of same-sex cohabiting men reported being raped, physically assaulted and/or stalked by a male partner,” while only “10.8% reported such violence by a female partner.”<br />
<br />
These numbers are not just unique to the United States; other countries are experiencing the same phenomenon. According to a <a href="http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-570-x/85-570-x2006001-eng.pdf">study</a> conducted by the General Social Survey in Canada, same-sex partners were twice as likely as their heterosexual counterparts to be the victims of spousal violence. Same-sex marriage is not conducive to a good home environment.<br />
<br />
The United Kingdom, which is also highly accepting of LGBT individuals, <a href="http://www.lgbtlabour.org.uk/domesticviolencelabourlist">reports</a> even higher rates of domestic violence (1 in 3 partners). Is this a lifestyle we want to promote? It should be quite obvious that same-sex marriage and traditional marriage are not equally viable options; there is a world of difference between the two.<br />
<br />
In the next article, I want to investigate further this idea of domestic violence. <br />
<br />
Until then, I invite you to continue to<br />
<br />
Watch the stars,<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-77352500404516676172010-10-26T15:39:00.000-04:002012-10-08T14:41:57.944-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: Sexual Freedom and Its Dangers, Part IIIReader,<br />
<br />
In the late 1800s and the early 1900s, the United States restricted the ability of children to work, and made education available and mandatory for children under the age of sixteen. The act brought hope to Europeans, who saw America as the land of opportunity where education and social improvement was possible. And no one, I believe, will challenge that this was a positive improvement in our society.<br />
<br />
Education today, however, has dramatically changed in nature. Instead of being the tool for improving their integration into our society, today’s curriculum is being guided by an agenda which attacks the very foundation of our society: the family. Research <a href="http://www.missionislam.com/homed/sexeducation.htm">suggests</a> that our children are being trained to live as independent, individualistic machines, programmed to march in lockstep with the dictates of foreign entities in the name of “globalization” and “being a world citizen.” Sexual education programs are one of the ways in which this agenda is accomplished.<br />
<br />
What do I mean by “sex education”? First, let us not speak of programs around the world which protect Muslim girls from sexual slavery in a harem, or programs in Africa which warn girls and boys about the dangers of sexual slavery and the like. These situations do not assist us in bringing clarity to the situation. I want to confine our discussion to the curriculum used in the United States to teach middle-, high-, and in some cases elementary-aged children about reproductive services, and how unhealthy these “services” really are.<br />
<br />
Providing useful information to the next generation is not a crime. But this proposition requires us to answer two fundamental questions: 1) <i>Who</i> should teach children about sexual health, and 2) <i>What</i> should they be taught? For thousands of years, parents have fulfilled the teaching aspect of these propositions. Yet in recent years, there has been a trend away from parental guidance toward school “professionals” to teach sexuality. What is the difference? <i>Parents offer the information out of love, while professionals offer it out of interest</i>.<br />
<br />
What do I mean by this? <i>Parents have the incentive to offer the soundest advice to their children, because these are their children</i>. While health professionals in schools are certainly not conniving, evil creatures who seek to poison, steal, kill, and destroy, they have an agenda behind what they teach. And that has consequences.<br />
<br />
One of the gravest consequences is that important sexual health information is noticeably absent from the curriculum. It almost goes without saying that sex education encourages earlier sexual activity. Current science is discovering that when children learn about sex at earlier ages, they tend to become sexually active earlier. This becomes a problem when children are taught about sex <a href="http://www.heritage.org/Research/Lecture/Youre-Teaching-My-Child-What-The-Truth-About-Sex-Education">without being told important health facts</a>, such as the increased vulnerability of girls to HPV and HIV before their bodies have fully matured. Sex education supporters are hurting young people; they are doing them no favor.<br />
<br />
These courses often stand opposed to the will of parents because sex ed encourages irresponsible behavior through the use of technology. Even though abstinence, the most prescribed form of education by parents, has a significantly better success rating at avoiding harmful diseases, unwanted pregnancies, and future health problems, schools present abstinence as only one of many acceptable choices. A <a href="http://www.missionislam.com/homed/sexeducation.htm">ninth-grade textbook</a> tells students, “Testing your ability to function sexually and to give pleasure to another person may be less threatening in early teens with people of your own sex,” and that “You may come to the conclusion that growing up means rejecting the values of your parents.” And sex education proponents wonder why people like me are upset, :)<br />
<br />
My row with this textbook is not so much the words on the page (though I do take issue with them), so much as what is <i>not</i> said on the page. Dr. Miriam Grossman’s research in the field, <a href="http://www.heritage.org/Research/Lecture/Youre-Teaching-My-Child-What-The-Truth-About-Sex-Education">released recently</a>, indicates that homosexual relations—-or any form of sexual relations during your early teens, for that matter—-are not “less threatening” from a health standpoint, and individuals who engage in these activities have a higher chance of developing cancer and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).<br />
<br />
Furthermore, students were encouraged <a href="http://www.missionislam.com/homed/sexeducation.htm">not to take this book home</a>, but to leave it in their lockers. Why? <i>Because the teachers knew that parents would not approve</i>. If this information is really best for the student and backed by clinical evidence proven in the field, why are they hiding it? Why didn’t the school officials talk about this with parents at a teacher-parent meeting to make sure that the parents were educated? <i>Because the research to back it up doesn’t exist</i>.<br />
<br />
Some may object, “But can’t our children opt out of sex education programs in their curriculum?” While schools may give that option, courts have split on whether or not parental permission is required for such teaching to occur. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals <a href="http://www.schoolandstate.org/circuitcourt.htm">wrote</a> in <i>Fields v. Palmdale School District</i> in 2005 that “once parents make the choice as to which school their children will attend . . . their fundamental right to control the education of their children is, at the least, substantially diminished,” <a href="http://www.schoolandstate.org/circuitcourt.htm">and that</a> “While parents may have a fundamental right to decide whether to send their child to a public school, they do not have a fundamental right generally to direct how a public school teaches their child.”<br />
<br />
Opposing sex education is not “pulling the wool over your child’s eyes,” but rather an age-old principle of allowing parents—who know their child best—to determine when they learn about a very important part of life. Parents need to maintain their right in this area of our society without interference from the government, “professionals,” or others who would strive to take their place.<br />
<br />
Watching the stars,<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-3728369809495064462010-10-25T16:56:00.000-04:002012-10-08T14:41:57.931-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: Sexual Freedom and Its Dangers, Part IIReader,<br />
<br />
The following article will address the misconception that sex education and the “sexual freedom” which it fosters by examining this <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/apr/28/sex-education-faith-schools">article</a> from the Guardian.<br />
<br />
In the United Kingdom, the External Steering Group released a report stating that the wellbeing of a child improved through sex and relationship education (SRE) taught at school. Mr. Andrew Copson, writing in the Guardian, amazingly turned to Article 13 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child as the basis for why children should receive such education. <br />
<br />
It is important to note that Mr. Copson ties this right to the CRC. First, this indicates a direct tie to the document which I have been fighting for a while now. Second and more importantly, the CRC only applies to those under the age of eighteen (except in Scotland, where it applies until the age of 21). This is the age group that Mr. Copson is targeting. Keep this in mind.<br />
<br />
Mr. Andrew Copson and other sex ed supporters are doing these children no favor. Mr. Copson <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/apr/28/sex-education-faith-schools">states</a> that “young people want this education, they need it, it is their right to have it, and if we withhold it from them on grounds of our own ideologies, we will only be doing harm.” Amazingly, those who claim to “place the child . . . at the center of our thinking” as he does in his article in the Guardian, are not fighting for children: they are merely fighting for <i>their</i> ideology.<br />
<br />
The true advocate for the child is the parent. Not only do children of all ages (even through their teen years) generally trust their parents and respect their opinion (there's an article <a href="http://www.theledger.com/article/20070821/NEWS/708210372?p=1&tc=pg">here</a>), parents are infinitely more qualified to make decisions than a bureaucrat behind a desk thousands of miles away. The sexual freedom that Mr. Copson argues for, as future articles will show, is harmful to their personal health and wellbeing, especially at the age that Mr. Copson supports such intercourse and education. Do your research, Mr. Copson.<br />
<br />
Seek the truth, find it, and defend it to the death,<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-71654010038004118102010-10-25T11:56:00.000-04:002012-10-08T14:41:57.939-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: Sexual Freedom and Its DangersReader,<br />
<br />
I started working on a project about four weeks ago (since before my last post) on the dangers of sexual freedom, especially among young people, and why parents should be involved in helping their children through these difficult decisions. This research, however, led to a number of other documents and stories which expanded the scope of the project so much that I have seriously considered writing a book about them. For the now, I will be writing a series of articles on a number of different subjects, so keep your eyes out.<br />
<br />
To whet your appetite, look at this <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1744542/pdf/v078p00352.pdf">article</a> written by Mr. K Edgardh, reprinted by NCBI. The article mentions the sexual freedom of the Swedes: sex education since the 1950s, abortion on demand since 1975, age of consent at 15, easy access to contraceptives, and "during the past 20 years, approximately 70% of all teenage pregnancies have been terminated by an abortion," with about 90% of those abortions at the request of a 15- or 16-year-old.<br />
<br />
The article goes on to show how these risky behaviors are affecting the rest of society, and the personal health of those that engage in it. This is where America is heading: if we don't rein in the mindset of "children should be able to determine what is in their best interest without Mom and Dad's approval," they will be hurt--badly.<br />
<br />
More on the way,<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-31993114692455284752010-09-28T16:50:00.001-04:002010-09-28T16:54:00.512-04:00Who Determines What Your Children Eat?Reader,<br />
<br />
I found a really cool <a href="http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/habits.html#">article</a> about how family meals--and family involvement in planning and preparing meals--helps children stay healthy and avoid dangerous behaviors. I found this very interesting, and wanted to pass it along to you.<br />
<br />
To briefly summarize, parents have an amazing impact on how their children eat. Thus their outlook on food, their choice of diet, etc. will affect their children. It also mentions, however, how sharing family meals decreases substantially the chance of using illicit drugs, gang activity, and smoking. I've mentioned this before (you can read it <a href="http://narnianinsurgency.blogspot.com/2010/07/centaur-scrolls-importance-of-family.html">here</a>), so feel free to brush up on that article for more information. But all of this raises the question, "If we want to provide the best environment for our children, how should we be eating?"<br />
<br />
Do we need to cut out all hamburgers? No, I don't think so. But emphasizing the importance of also eating healthy foods as part of a balanced, healthy diet should also be present. And that's not asking too much, is it?<br />
<br />
Let's set a good example for them, shall we?<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-68084379650434079762010-09-27T19:20:00.000-04:002010-09-27T19:20:30.322-04:00What Is Your Doctor Asking Your Child?Reader,<br />
<br />
When your child goes to the doctor, there's usually a time when you are asked to step out of the room. At some medical institutions, a questionnaire of some sort is then given to your child.<br />
<br />
I want to say upfront that these questionnaires are not inherently evil. They were not (I hope) designed by someone who hates the family and wants to see the privacy and realm of the American family destroyed. That said, there are some aspects of these questionnaires which make me wary.<br />
<br />
Here's a good example: a <a href="http://www.uvpediatrics.com/Docs/GAPS15-21Eng.pdf">survey</a> from Utah Valley Pediatrics, which is used across the country (a friend of mine in Pennsylvania showed it to me). The purpose of the surveys, according to its creators, is to help to address problems with domestic violence, low self-esteem, ADHD, etc. They have a number of <a href="http://www.uvpediatrics.com/health-topics/stage.php">surveys</a> and <a href="http://www.uvpediatrics.com/health-topics/stage.php">guides</a> for parents also available at their website.<br />
<br />
What worries me about this questionnaire, designed for children ages 14 and up, is that it asks questions related to personal health, hygiene, and psychological development, but also intrudes into other areas which are not strictly the realm of doctors--in fact, there is little a doctor could do to help in some of these areas.<br />
<br />
For example, why do they ask, "Are your grades this year worse than last year?" While I can understand wanting to feel for low self-esteem, there are other places where they do that effectively. Why is this so necessary?<br />
<br />
They ask questions like, "Do you or anyone you live with have a gun, rifle, or other firearm," and ask in the same question, "Are you worried about violence or your safety?" Again, I can see a feasible example of where this could be important, but why include the question regarding gun possession, as if there was an automatic connection between the two?<br />
<br />
I am afraid that questionnaires like this, administered to children generally instead of upon suspicion of abuse or the like, are being used in a way that conflicts with parental rights. This must change.<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-4648464372731122882010-09-04T14:43:00.000-04:002010-09-04T14:43:43.205-04:00Threat of the CRC ArticleReader,<br />
<br />
Check out this <a href="http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.2220/pub_detail.asp">article</a> from FamilySecurityMatters.Org. It's a very good analysis of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), including talking points from Phyllis Schafly of Eagle Forum.<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-60118518235274860042010-09-03T10:09:00.001-04:002012-10-08T14:41:57.933-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: Parental Rights and International LawReader,<br />
<br />
I’ve often mentioned international law on this blog, but I want to spend a little more time discussing some of its finer points. This article will be rather long, somewhat tedious (unless you enjoy this stuff, in which case I say, more power to you), and very dry. But it is important to fully understand the threats facing parental rights today.<br />
<br />
International agreements and treaties threaten to tell us as Americans how we should rule our country. While many see treaties as harmless documents purporting altruism and goodwill, the truth is that with each treaty comes an obligation to enforce it in our nation. Dr. Michael P. Farris, who holds a J.D. from Gonzaga University, and is pursuing an LLM in international law from the University of London, <a href="http://www.parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={2B53865E-A8C1-4FE6-AF67-08789FBE3C0A}&DE=">writes</a> that “under the most basic rule of international law, every nation that becomes a party to a treaty is obligated to perform the duties that it assumes under the terms of the treaty. Moreover, under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, every treaty is superior to all internal law—including the nation’s constitution—with one important exception.” We will address the exception in a moment. But first, there is a critical element of international law which must be understood in order to aptly understand this exception.<br />
<br />
When America supports a treaty, we are noting supporting a fixed document. When we sign a treaty, we agree to uphold not only the text and meaning of the treaty when we signed it, but also any additional amendments and new meanings which may follow. Treaties today are not strict documents agreed to by other nations, but conventions—groups of individuals who determine the meaning and extent of the treaty—which routinely expand in their scope and demands over the course of time.<br />
<br />
While international agreements have a role—and an important role—in our world, <i>this should not include taking away the ability of state lawmakers to make decisions on family law</i>. When we sign a treaty, <b>we give a portion of our legislative power to a group of foreigners who have probably never studied our constitutional law, possibly never visited our shores, and most certainly have not studied our state child protection laws</b>. The child protection laws on the books in the fifty states are exceptional at providing protection for children. Signing a treaty, rightly understood, is a <i>huge</i> concession of state legislative power to a foreign entity.<br />
<br />
So what is the exception? A nation may sign a treaty with any number of Reservations, Understandings, or Declarations (RUDs), which may exempt, clarify the interpretation of the article from the perspective of the signatory state, and affirm important principles which may apply to the treaty in question. The difficulty with RUDs, however, is twofold. <br />
<br />
First, nations are consistently pressured to remove RUDs at the expense of local legislators. Once the treaty is signed, a 2/3 majority of a legislative body is not required to approve of a rescinding order for an RUD; all that is required is the executive’s signature. Thus, the ability to make laws transfers from the legislative to the executive.<br />
<br />
The second dilemma is that RUDs are not always recognized in international law. The International Court of Justice is not required to honor an RUD. <a href="http://www.jus.uio.no/lm/un.law.of.treaties.convention.1969/19.html">According to</a> Article 19 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, “A State may, when signing, ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to a treaty, formulate a reservation unless . . . the reservation is incompatible with the object and purpose of the treaty.” Prof. Louis Henkin, in the American Journal of International Law, notes that since all reservations are designed as opt-out statements for specific clauses of a treaty, all reservations, at least to some extent, are “incompatible with the object and purpose of the treaty,” since “the object and purpose of the human rights conventions, it would seem, are to promote respect for human rights by having countries—mutually—assume legal obligations to respect and ensure recognized rights in accordance with international standards” (Louis Henkin, <i>U.S. Ratification of Human Rights Conventions: The Ghost of Senator Bricker</i>, The American Journal of International Law, Vol 89 No 2, 343-344 (Apr. 1995)). While we certainly should respect and ensure recognized rights, an international agreement which can change from year to year without legislative approval is not the way to accomplish this aim. That is the role of our elected representatives.<br />
<br />
So what is the solution? How do we both respect the rights of states to set child protection laws, while meeting the domestic threats to parental rights? The answer is an amendment to the US Constitution. According to the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, the Constitution stands on equal footing with treaties. In the realm of international law, however, a provision in the Constitution which expressly touches on a subject of customary international law is considered to be overriding and preeminent. In effect, the Amendment would serve as the ultimate reservation on any treaty regarding parental rights.<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-39536593299243503632010-09-03T10:01:00.002-04:002010-09-03T10:03:01.016-04:00Scotland: Free Expression on the InternetReader,<br />
<br />
Here's an <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=198585">article</a> I found today on WorldNet Daily; it's a shocking article, although we here at the Insurgency have seen it coming for quite some time. In Scotland, <i>the internet filters in Scotland on school grounds are being lifted, so that now children can view sexually explicit material on the internet while at school</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>But this is not all</b>: the article continues:<br />
<br />
"It was uncovered a few months ago that Scottish children as young as 11 were being taken on outings to various "health" clinics <i>where they were being given instruction in abortion, contraception and homosexuality by other students as young as 14</i>."<br />
<br />
Now, religious conviction regarding marriage and family planning aside, why are eleven-year-olds being taught this information? And why are fourteen-year-olds involved in the teaching? Something is wrong here!<br />
<br />
I wish that I could say that this is all, but the article continues:<br />
<br />
"Health officials in the Southampton area also recently created Charlie Condom, a character who promotes condoms to 13-year-olds."<br />
<br />
Why use cartoon characters? Because they appeal to <i>young</i> audiences.<br />
<br />
Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean that I'm not being followed; <i>something is wrong here</i>. The internationalist agenda is targeting a young audience with a message, primarily because they know that they cannot win the older generations who know the truth. So they turn to education.<br />
<br />
Is this what we want in our country? Will we only be reactionary, or will we take an active role in defending our country? Visit <a href="www.parentalrights.org">www.parentalrights.org</a> today, and get involved in protecting our nation <b>now</b>.<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-80445119261744604022010-09-03T09:48:00.000-04:002012-10-08T14:42:41.795-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: The Legal Argument for Parental Rights, Part IVReader,<br />
<br />
This post will tell of the blow that swiftly and deftly sliced the ancient pillars which protected parental rights in our legal system. I’m no “tree hugger,” but the cutting of these ancient towers down brought me sorrow.<br />
<br />
In the year 2000, the traditional defense of parental rights disappeared. In <i>Troxel v. Granville</i>, the Supreme Court demonstrated that it was completely confused on the standard of protection for parental rights. Three points display the confusion well.<br />
<br />
First, the Court was dramatically <a href="http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=000&invol=99-138">fragmented</a> in its decision. In no less than <i>six</i> different opinions, the Court turned to almost every possible standard for measuring parental rights under the sun. No more than four justices agreed on any one decision, making it a plurality decision.<br />
<br />
Second, the long train of parental rights protection which we have previously discussed was noted, mentioned, but not followed by five of the six opinions. Only Justice Clarence <a href="http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=000&invol=99-138">Thomas</a> turned to <i>Meyer et al.</i> in making his decision.<br />
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How did this happen? We don’t know. But we are already seeing its effects.<br />
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The indecision of the court has led to lower court decisions which threaten the longstanding tradition of protecting parental rights. In <i>Blair v. Badenhope</i>, 77 S.W.3d 137 (2002), the Tennessee Supreme Court <a href="http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/geninfo/Publications/CourtImprovement/JudicialAcademy/Blair%20v%20Badenhope.pdf">refused</a> to use the strict scrutiny test for its decision on denying a parent custody of his child. Not only did they refuse to use the strict scrutiny test, <i>they didn’t even mention it</i>! Where did this freedom come from? The Court refused to use it in <i>Troxel</i>.<br />
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In 2005, the Maryland Supreme Court also <a href="http://www.lexisone.com/lx1/caselaw/freecaselaw?action=OCLGetCaseDetail&format=FULL&sourceID=bdiicb&searchTerm=eGYX.Wdca.aadj.ecfX&searchFlag=y&l1loc=FCLOW">refused</a> to use strict scrutiny for parental rights, even though they cite <i>Troxel</i> where it defends parental rights as a fundamental right. What this indicates is that <i>even if parental rights are viewed as fundamental, they may not receive the legal protection due a fundamental right</i>. The protection we have enjoyed for so long is fading fast. Case in point: we cannot rely on the courts for the protection and preservation of parental rights.<br />
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So what is the solution? How do we both respect the rights of states to set child protection laws, while meeting the domestic threats to parental rights? The answer is an amendment to the US Constitution. Judges within our nation are under oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, meaning that they must consult a <a href="http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:hj42ih.txt.pdf">Parental Rights Amendment</a> as a preliminary and primary resource for their analysis. The Amendment’s <a href="http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:hj42ih.txt.pdf">text</a> would solve the confusion of the Supreme Court in <i>Troxel</i>, and return us to the proper standard for protection found in <i>Yoder</i>, <i>Pierce</i>, <i>Meyer</i>, <i>Prince</i>, and <i>Sherbert</i> among others. The rights of parents are protected, while the rights of the government to intervene in cases of child abuse and child neglect are still upheld.<br />
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Q.E.D.,<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-29647424059751097622010-09-02T16:45:00.000-04:002012-10-08T14:42:41.792-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: The Legal Argument for Parental Rights, Part IIIReader,<br />
<br />
In a previous post, I demonstrated the past precedent for parental rights, up until 1972. There are a number of other useful cases (<i>Prince v. Massachusetts</i>, <i>Quilloin v. Walcott</i>, and <i>Santosky v. Kramer</i> among others) that were mentioned subsequently, but <i>Meyer</i>, <i>Pierce</i>, and <i>Yoder</i> summarize the issue succinctly.<br />
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What I didn’t mention in those cases, however, was the standard of review for rights that are fundamental in nature, such as parental rights. I want to take some time now to do that.<br />
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In <i>Wisconsin v. Yoder</i>, Justice Burger draws on the principle which has provided the protection for parental rights over the centuries: the standard of protection for fundamental rights. Citing back to <i>Sherbert v. Verner</i> in 1963, <i>Prince v. Massachusetts</i> in 1944, and other cases, Justice Burger <a href="http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=406&invol=205">writes</a> that only “those interests of the highest order and those not otherwise served” are compelling enough to justify limiting a fundamental right.<br />
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What does this phrase, “[government] interests of the highest order and those not otherwise served,” mean?<br />
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First, it is very specific. In order for the government to have a “compelling governmental interest of the highest order,” the government must prove that there is a situation which threatens an important government priority. This “compelling governmental interest” is not defined as “a whim of the government,” or “a passing fancy in domestic policy.” A “compelling governmental interest” must be a fundamental function of government essential to its role as governor.<br />
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A compelling interest “not otherwise served” is an interest which can only be accomplished by limiting the right. This is important: <i>if there is another means of accomplishing the task at hand, the government is obligated to pursue that alternate option instead of limiting the fundamental right</i>. This was the standard for restricting parental rights laid out in <i>Yoder</i>.<br />
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A case study is helpful in understanding this otherwise vague and abstract theory. In the case of parental rights, child abuse and child neglect have routinely been upheld as compelling interests of the highest order (protecting citizens) not otherwise served (the only way to protect the victim is to remove him/her from the home environment, and specifically from the abusive parent). All that is required for law enforcement to rightly limit parental rights is to have proof of abuse—the usual requirement for removal of a child from his home.<br />
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We uphold state child protection laws with this standard already; the only thing that changes under the Amendment are cases involving the prosecution of parents in which no evidence of child abuse exists, and those parents shouldn’t be tried for abuse in the first place.<br />
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The important thing to realize about strict scrutiny test is that by 1972, parental rights were very well-protected. They looked as if they would never need further defense, since they were adequately defended by both the Supreme Court and state lawmakers. The next article will tell you how all of that changed.<br />
<br />
CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-89292249463744373202010-09-02T09:19:00.001-04:002012-10-08T14:42:41.802-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: The Legal Argument for Parental Rights, Part IIReader,<br />
<br />
In the last scroll I wrote to you about the precedent of the Court up through its 1972 decision in <i>Wisconsin v. Yoder</i>. Now I want to take you from 1972 up until the turn of the century, so that you will catch a glimpse of just how often the Court had protected parental rights (since we will not examine every case that they ruled in favor of parental rights). This will set us up nicely for the shocking truth in the next article, regarding the dramatic and abrupt turn away from protecting parental rights in <i>Troxel v. Granville</i>.<br />
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In 1978, the Supreme Court in <i>Quilloin v. Walcott</i> upheld its decision in <i>Prince v. Massachusetts</i> (1944), where they <a href="http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?navby=case&court=us&vol=321&invol=158#166">stated</a> that “It is cardinal with us that the custody, care and nurture of the child reside first in the parents.” Both <i>Prince</i> and <i>Quilloin</i> tied back to Meyer and Pierce, which were discussed in the last scroll. The <i>Quilloin</i> decision followed on the heels of <i>Smith v. Organization of Foster Families</i> in 1977, where the Court <a href="http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?navby=case&court=us&vol=431&invol=816#845">stated</a> that “the liberty interest in family privacy has its source, and its contours are ordinarily to be sought, not in state law, but in intrinsic human rights.”<br />
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The 1980s saw even greater protection for parental rights. Citing back to <i>Stanley v. Illinois</i>, in <i>Lassiter v. Dept. of Social Services</i> in 1981, the Court <a href="http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=452&invol=18">held</a> that “this Court's decisions have by now made plain . . . that a parent's desire for and right to ‘the companionship, care, custody, and management of his or her children’ is an important interest that ‘undeniably warrants deference and, absent a powerful countervailing interest, protection.’” In 1982, Justice Blackmun <a href="http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=455&invol=745">described</a> parental rights as constituting a “fundamental liberty interest” in <i>Santosky v. Kramer</i>, and that these rights have a “critical need for procedural protections” because of this liberty interest. And again, both <i>Lassiter</i> and <i>Santosky</i> ties back to Meyer and Pierce.<br />
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In <i>M.L.B. v. SL.J.</i> in 1996, the Court also defended the rights of parents, <a href="http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=000&invol=u20047">stating</a> that “choices about marriage, family life, and the upbringing of children are among associational rights this Court has ranked as ‘of basic importance in our society,’” <a href="http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=case&court=us&vol=401&invol=371">tying back</a> to <i>Boddie v. Connecticut</i> in 1971. In all of these cases, parental rights were protected as fundamental rights.<br />
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Now, I know that there were a lot of cases suddenly thrust upon you, so this is what I want you to take away: there is a longstanding, highly respected history for the protection of parental rights dating back to two central cases: <i>Meyer</i> and <i>Pierce</i>. When the Supreme Court (or any lower court) faces a question regarding how much protection should be given to parental rights, there is a long tradition of protection which should not be ignored. For over seventy years, the Court was very clear on the standard for parental rights were: it’s a fundamental right, deserving strict scrutiny (which we will discuss later).<br />
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Why did I take all of this time laying out the issue? There are myriad cases which were not addressed in this or the preceding article – why do we write so much about it? <i>Because everything changed in the year 2000, and no one knows why.</i> But that is a discussion for another day.<br />
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CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-88456044127902457152010-08-30T11:49:00.000-04:002012-10-08T14:42:41.801-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: The Legal Argument for Parental Rights, Part IReader,<br />
<br />
The following set of articles will build the legal case for passing an amendment to the US Constitution to protect parental rights. Much has already been said about why the <a href="http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:hj42ih.txt.pdf">Parental Rights Amendment</a> for the preservation of our country’s heritage and traditions (for more information on it, visit <a href="www.parentalrights.org">www.parentalrights.org</a>, and find out how you can get involved). But I want to take time now to discuss the legal background and ramifications of passing—and not passing—the Parental Rights Amendment.<br />
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The rights of parents to direct the upbringing of their children have been protected by state and federal law for centuries, finding protection in state statutory laws, state constitutions, family court rulings, and the Supreme Court of the United States. But in recent years, there has been a trend in restricting the rights of parents without sufficient justification and evidence for proving that the parents are not acting in the best interest of the child. Over the next few articles, we will examine the threat to parental rights in two realms: domestic and foreign. Here, however, I want to focus on the legal precedent which has been set regarding parental rights.<br />
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Parents have traditionally been given the benefit of the doubt in raising their children. In <i>Meyer v. Nebraska</i> in 1923, the Court upheld the rights of parents to choose subjects of study for their child. Citing back to cases decided in 1884 and beyond, Justice McReynolds <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0262_0390_ZO.html">wrote</a> that “it is the <b>natural duty</b> of the parent to give his children education suitable to their station in life,” and that “[the teacher’s] right thus to teach and the right of parents to engage him so to instruct their children . . . are within the liberty of the [First] Amendment.” <br />
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In 1925, the Court expanded on what was entailed in this “natural duty.” In <i>Pierce v. Society of Sisters</i>, Justice McReynolds <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0268_0510_ZO.html">held</a> that “<i>the child is not the mere creature of the State</i>; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, <b>coupled with the high duty</b>, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” Notice that this is not just a grant of power to parents. There is an <b>obligation</b> which comes with the “natural duty,” here recognized as a “high duty,” of parents: they must prepare the child for additional obligations. The right of parents to raise their children has a <i>forward</i> focus: it prepares the next generation to participate in our democracy, our society, and their future.<br />
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Justice Burger’s decision in <i>Wisconsin v. Yoder</i> in 1972 mentions this passage from <i>Pierce</i>, where he <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0406_0205_ZO.html">wrote</a>: “The history and culture of Western civilization reflect a strong tradition of parental concern for the nurture and upbringing of their children. This primary role of the parents in the upbringing of their children is <i>now established beyond debate as an enduring American tradition.</i>” He uses this opportunity, however, to <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0406_0205_ZO.html">clarify</a> what these “additional obligations” are in <i>Pierce</i>: “the duty to prepare the child for ‘additional obligations,’ referred to by the Court, must be read to include the inculcation of moral standards, religious beliefs, and elements of good citizenship.” <i>That’s</i> what we are protecting when we protect parental rights.<br />
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Notice: parental rights are <i>always</i> tied to a significant benefit to society. Parents raise their children so that they will be better equipped for later on in life. While there are exceptions to this rule, this is the norm--and the vast majority of cases support this. If you disagree, fine: but realize that this is how the system works, and that parents are reliable in the main. And that is now “established beyond debate as an enduring American tradition.”<br />
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More to come,<br />
<br />
Centaur<br />
<br />
"I watch the stars, for it is mine to watch, as it is your's, Badger, to remember." -- GlenstormCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112112913932901544.post-87367726502193434472010-08-27T16:04:00.001-04:002012-10-08T14:42:41.798-04:00The Centaur Scrolls: Parents v. The Gangs and CultsGang activity is exceedingly harmful to youth. Once a young person enters the gang ring, there are few opportunities to leave it. The gang leader <a href="http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1564&context=extensionhist">becomes a father</a> to those within the gang, providing protection from rival gangs, a sense of belonging, and a feeling of importance and increased self-esteem. Adolescents who enter gangs tend to have other socio-economic factors which drive them toward gang involvement, but a breakdown in the parent-child relationship is a critical reason to join—everyone needs to feel loved and wanted.<br /><br />Parental involvement and monitoring in a child’s life has been widely recognized as an integral factor in preventing gang involvement. Dr. Phelan Wyrick, the Gang Program Coordinator for the (OJJDP), and Dr. James Howell, the Adjunct Researcher for the National Youth Gang Center, <a href="http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/203555/jj3.html">recognize</a> the parent-child relationship as “likely to have the greatest impact” in dealing with children involved in gangs.<br /><br />Wyrick and Howell also advocate the use of after-school programs and probation periods to assist in rehabilitation, but they specifically <a href="http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/203555/jj3.html">note</a> the power and importance of preserving and improving the parent-child relationship as key to success. Citing four academic studies taken over the past fifteen years, Wyrick and Howell <a href="http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/203555/jj3.html">state</a> that “poor family management, including poor parental supervision (monitoring) and control of children, has been shown to be a strong predictor of gang membership.” Parents must take the lead in raising their children; the strength of that relationship is integral to ensuring the best interest of the child.<br /><br />One commentator <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-19494-Broward-County-Parenting-Teens-Examiner~y2010m2d24-Florida-Gang-Reduction-Building-a-strategy-to-reduce-gangs-in-Florida">claims</a> that “parents play a pivotal role in keeping young people out of gangs,” and that “parents can protect their children from gang activity through taking positive actions, such as monitoring their children's activities, fostering close relationships with them, and using positive discipline strategies.” What parents think, say, and demonstrate to adolescents is a powerful message with a profound impact. While we generally think that parents lose their influence over their children during their teen years, <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/31304.php">research indicates</a> that the opposite is true. Parents have a profound impact on their children’s lives, guiding and directing their growth.<br /><br />Closely tied to this issue is another destructive community which easily entraps adolescents: cults. One of the tactics cult leaders use to gain control over their followers is to <a href="http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?id=597&rc=1&list=multi">alienate cult members from their parents and family members</a>. This creates an isolation which drives members toward the cult leader as their new “father.” Some cults will <a href="http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?id=597&rc=1&list=multi">split up families within the cult</a>, forcing children to live with other parents, and even at times forcing spouses to split and live with other people, in order to centralize power within the cult leader. This has a devastating effect on the psyche and personal growth of the child.<br /><br />But the damage doesn’t end there: families coming from cults have difficulties in their interaction with each other. One commentator <a href="http://www.freeminds.org/psychology/cults/reflections-on-marriage-and-children-after-the-cult.html">notes</a> that “post-cult marital pairs often view each other in the way they viewed the cult leader,” and that conflict within the family may be dealt with by “projecting uncomfortable or unacceptable feelings onto their partners.” The danger of treating your partner like the cult leader is that suspicion of motives and manipulation becomes commonplace within the marriage, making it significantly more difficult for spouses to work out their problems without putting on a façade with their partner. Family interaction is destroyed.<br /><br />Life is highly regulated by the cult leader—so much so that “married couples may feel that it is best to <a href="http://www.freeminds.org/psychology/cults/reflections-on-marriage-and-children-after-the-cult.html">hide their positive feelings while in the cult</a>, because true affection between members can be perceived as a threat to the power of the cult leader.” Even the rights of parents to raise their children as they see fit is regulated by the cult leader. The cult leader’s manipulation and example permeate all of life, regulating every personal interaction of the cult members in order to preserve his power. Families are completely destroyed.<br /><br />Organizations that rescue individuals from cults highly <a href="http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_articles/kandel_randy_litigating_cultrelated_custody.htm">recommend</a> that parents become actively involved in helping their children recognize the dangers and appeals of cultic practices. While parental actions may not be perfect in keeping young people from joining cultic groups, it does significantly decrease the risk of entering such practices. There is a reason why cult leaders attempt to appear to their followers like a parent: the position of a parent in the life of a young person is powerful, and its power should be protected and preserved in the hands of the right people—his loving parents.<br /><br />Preserving the parent-child relationship without government intervention is critical to attaining success in a number of societal ills regarding children. In recognition of this fact, the <a href="http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:hj42ih.txt.pdf">Parental Rights Amendment</a> was proposed to forever protect the rights of parents to direct the upbringing of their children. By supporting the rights of parents to raise their children in a responsible way, we can fight the social evils caused by groups which attempt to replace the love of parents with a group leader.<br /><br />CentaurCentaurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864036616223908725noreply@blogger.com0