Things I Think…
1. I have found thinking difficult during the pandemic stress…and I find myself wondering if there is any point in speaking anymore when the loudest voices I’m hearing are senselessly parroting conspiracy theories and faux persecution. My thoughts on conspiracy theories…
2. What is commonly called the “deep state” is actually the federal bureaucracy. Bureaucracy consists mainly of civil servants who keep all the massive numbers of federal projects actually working. Many of these organizations are a maze of constantly shifting rules and priorities that they manage to balance without us noticing. It is said that it takes years to learn to navigate most government entities and we should be grateful for their work. The “deep state” is exactly the same beast that you claimed was under your bed at night…grownups should be over such by now…
3. Very much like other bogey men, we can name the “deep state” but not identify it. It has become the fantasy dumping ground for all manner of evil and wickedness but without an actual face or motive other than being in opposition to whatever side we support. As long as we’re making it up as we go, we can also ascribe to it demonic qualities, mainly so we can declare ourselves on the side of righteous. This sort of thinking is why we can’t have nice things…
4. Having fantasy villains allows us to have fantasy heroes and fantastical solutions that have nothing to do with mundane plodding through and the work it takes to understand the issues and find real solutions. It’s nothing more than an eternal Avengers movie and we’re all waiting for Captain America to come and set things right. It’s your nightly adrenaline shot and we all feel better when we have someone to blame…but nothing really changes in real life…
5. This nonsense is propelled by binary thinking…good or bad, left or right, all is black and white. It’s the lazy thinking of simpletons. We live in an incredibly complex maze of powers in our societies and try to explain them with simplistic ways of thought. My guess is that won’t end well for any of us…
6. Because most of these theories are difficult, if not impossible to disprove due to the fact that they are made of whole cloth, they can be modified to meet the political and emotional needs of those spreading them. When we smear them with a veneer of “faith” then it becomes another method of spiritual abuse and another reason why Christianity is doing it’s best to become irrelevant to the greater culture…
7. On to other things…I reluctantly did church by Zoom Sunday and I’m glad I did. My folks didn’t need to hear my sermon, they needed to hear each other…
8. My fondest memories are of the time when the real dividing line was Mac vs. PC…
9. We are capable of caring about the economy, supporting each other, and fighting the plague at the same time. Failure to do any of those and simply try to find someone to blame for it all will ruin everything…
10. In conclusion, I don’t believe the world is run by a cabal of elite pedophiles, I don’t believe the “New World Order” is upon us, and Jesus isn’t coming back soon, mainly out of spite. I do believe we have a crisis that we can work our way out of together if we dispense with this stuff and start dealing with reality…
A toast to the spite of Jesus! Here! Here!
Have to laugh…tearing my hair out is too painful…
Good musings, Michael.
Thanks, bob1…
Mac.
Jim,
Yes.
I’ve been learning that politics has become a fool’s errand, at least to me. I have been very political in the past, lashing out every time some idio….I mean, some person posts some really stupid political crap on Facebook. I’ve just begun to discover that God’s Kingdom is not of this world (I know, you knew it all along ;)); I am learning that His kingdom is what I should be focused on, not the world’s garbage. It’s bringing about a real change in how I see everything. Frankly, I could care less even if there IS a conspiracy. After all, people do evil. Maybe there is. (I don’t really think so, but I digress). But to me, it doesn’t matter anymore. I want to focus on His Kingdom. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go post a divisive article on Facebook. On a Mac, of course. 😉
Mike,
You’ve chosen the better way…
Whether its a regional catastrophe, like the Deepwater Horizon or a major hurricane, or a national emergency, like a major war, or this current pandemic, the nation needs strong federal institutions (i.e., bureaucracy) to rally national resources, coordination and solutions. Piecemeal and patchwork local and state efforts are incredibly inefficient and often counterproductive.
Michael
Here you go having to speak truth, just when I was getting used to this tin foil hat protecting me from 5G… 😁
Having grown up with Pre-Trib Christianity ( and very fond of it) I think we are watching the complete collapse of this system. It was a nice try and had much commendable about it. It’s just that it’s inadequate to explain life in modern times, other then continuous warnings and fear. But, we can get fear any where.
It just another segment of the Church stuck in political corruption.
This was clearly not thought through. If the Church joins a polyamory marriage of political parties, corporations, major donors and idealogical promoters, you also assume their baggage. You have to fight whatever battles your partners get into, and its a new one all the time now.
Duane,
I thought Hilary stole your hat… 🙂
Duane, just don’t get caught with the mark of the convalescent plasma. 🙂
Ahh… focus, focus focus… … 🙅
I saw bigfoot go by my window last night
“This kind of thinking is why we can’t have nice things.” – from Michael’s article. I laughed very hard at this line, – it was so subtly funny, and so true. Thank you for a lighthearted comment in a serious article about division and polarization!
Pastor Dread saw Bigfoot? UH OH
I’ve seen some strange lights on the ridge above the river, but i’m not telling anyone… at my age theyd put me in the “home.”
He’s not Bigfoot. His name is Darryl. 😉
Deep state is REM cycle sleep.
“…and Jesus isn’t coming back soon, mainly out of spite…”
This comment actually kinda took me aside! Interesting take Michael. Seriously, and I know this may sound a bit too Evangelical/Fundamentalist, but I do think God laughs at our attempts at being smart/having it all figured out (see Tower of Babel), and changes things up to humble us.
But anyways, I like the blunt way you phrased it!
Dan,
I was being sarcastic…
#10 hit me like a warmth, sugary cup of coffee-ahhhh!
#1-#9
HOW do all these opinions cross your path?
It has to be mostly Facebook, I suspect.
If so, separate yourself from that world by “unfollow,” “unfriend” and “block” where needed.
ESPECIALLY the unfollow and unsubscribes of the world.
Just like you try to get off the phone with that obnoxious family member going off on stuff, step away.
If you can.
Similar advice if you read widely, and I know you do.
In these areas, I read widely enough to know the positions and what they believe is possible. But I don’t need to attend their various pep rallies.
Don’t know why I presume to “fix” your problem….
PC (sorry, not sorry)
Michael, may I please quote #9 on my FB?
CK,
Of course!