One of the "shocking" traits of so-called "psychopaths", and "serial killers" in particular, is the "casual" nature in which they commonly discuss their crimes. But, what about the casual and frequently even sarcastic nature that forensic psychologists, police, and other "criminal justice" workers use to discuss the lurid details of their jobs (but only when in the presence of other so-called "professionals" of course).
If they persistently only expressed their experience in the morose tones that they reserve for public displays then their entire existence would be morose and they'd soon become so depressed that they wouldn't want to live, much less do their job.
So, why should "psychopaths" and "serial killers" in particular, be any less adaptive to the reality of their circumstances? Yes, we killed, tortured, and even mutilated the bodies of other human beings. But, if we steeped ourselves in this morbid reality by constantly expressing the memories of events, as we are so often required to do by those who insist on hearing it all over and over in order to better judge (though never dare "understand" or "comprehend") what we have done, then we too would become so morose that we would scarcely want to live.
Of course, there are those who do adopt this contrite and unadaptive response, and we well know where they end up (hint: morgues and psych wards). But those of us who wish to survive, with our sanity that is, must adapt, just as anyone else would, not just we so-called "psychopaths" and "serial killers" in particular.
(J.D. 5-17-2014)
P.S. I should observe that perhaps this "adaptive" response to morbid realities is in fact psychotic. But, whatever it is, it is practiced in various ways by all humans, not just "psychopaths" (oh, and "serial killers" in particular); and that's my only point.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
The Gist of Christian Hypocrisy
Not all, but most Christian denominations teach (directly against what the Bible clearly says over and over) that we "sinners" have some form of free will, given us by God, though usually "limited" to some extent (these limitations are imposed purely for the purpose of resolving, superficially at best the numerous contradictions and enigmas that arise immediately when we claim to have any will at all, but as we will see in a moment, it is a thin veil indeed). They insist we have free will in order to explain their "worthiness" of salvation.
They will tell you that you must choose to believe that Jesus is your "personal Lord and savior", or you will be condemned for eternity in hell. Forget that this is not what their Bible teaches; at all! (I actually respect the Bible in the exact same sense that Mahatma Gandhi indicated he did when he was asked what he thought about Christianity and stated that he had no problem with Christianity, as taught in the Bible; it was the Christians he could do without). The contradiction comes when they turn right around and tell you that forgiveness is a free gift, offered to all men, women, and children, that must only be accepted in order to be invoked.
... IN ORDER TO BE INVOKED? Again, forget that this isn't what the Bible says either (i.e. forgiveness does not need to be invoked, it is granted to everyone whether they "accept it" or not). The problem is that if we have the ability to "invoke" God's forgiveness (e.g. by choosing what we believe), and even if that were the only free will choice we had at all (i.e. the most extreme limitation), then the so called "God" who gives us this choice has in fact established a condition on his "gift" of forgiveness by requiring that we believe in Him in order to receive it.
But isn't "believing in God" (specifically, "believing in Jesus", i.e. the so called Christian God) a high price? In order to hold this belief one must abandon and outright ignore all empirical experience, or any other evidence that contradicts what you are told to believe (by other people who are always eager to "interpret" the Bible for you, or even "speak to God" for you and tell you what He says). A high price indeed! In order to have this "forgiveness" and the "eternal salvation" that usually goes along with it, all you have to do is prove your "worthiness" by choosing to IGNORE the very Truth that Jesus Himself claimed to BE!
And THAT, is the very essence of the raw hypocrisy that must be embraced if you call yourself Christian (in particular a Christian that believes you have the ability to choose your fate in one way or another).
(Incidentally, the few Christian denominations that still adhere to the "no free will" - or, as they say, "One God, One Will" - position are the remnants of a great theological war that took place in the Middle Ages over whether or not men had free will at all. Unfortunately, the "deceiver" seems to have one that one).
(J.D. 3-28-2014)
They will tell you that you must choose to believe that Jesus is your "personal Lord and savior", or you will be condemned for eternity in hell. Forget that this is not what their Bible teaches; at all! (I actually respect the Bible in the exact same sense that Mahatma Gandhi indicated he did when he was asked what he thought about Christianity and stated that he had no problem with Christianity, as taught in the Bible; it was the Christians he could do without). The contradiction comes when they turn right around and tell you that forgiveness is a free gift, offered to all men, women, and children, that must only be accepted in order to be invoked.
... IN ORDER TO BE INVOKED? Again, forget that this isn't what the Bible says either (i.e. forgiveness does not need to be invoked, it is granted to everyone whether they "accept it" or not). The problem is that if we have the ability to "invoke" God's forgiveness (e.g. by choosing what we believe), and even if that were the only free will choice we had at all (i.e. the most extreme limitation), then the so called "God" who gives us this choice has in fact established a condition on his "gift" of forgiveness by requiring that we believe in Him in order to receive it.
But isn't "believing in God" (specifically, "believing in Jesus", i.e. the so called Christian God) a high price? In order to hold this belief one must abandon and outright ignore all empirical experience, or any other evidence that contradicts what you are told to believe (by other people who are always eager to "interpret" the Bible for you, or even "speak to God" for you and tell you what He says). A high price indeed! In order to have this "forgiveness" and the "eternal salvation" that usually goes along with it, all you have to do is prove your "worthiness" by choosing to IGNORE the very Truth that Jesus Himself claimed to BE!
And THAT, is the very essence of the raw hypocrisy that must be embraced if you call yourself Christian (in particular a Christian that believes you have the ability to choose your fate in one way or another).
(Incidentally, the few Christian denominations that still adhere to the "no free will" - or, as they say, "One God, One Will" - position are the remnants of a great theological war that took place in the Middle Ages over whether or not men had free will at all. Unfortunately, the "deceiver" seems to have one that one).
(J.D. 3-28-2014)
It's Not About Me Anymore
One of the first things I told Shasta (the eight year old girl I had kidnapped, raped and intended to kill, but took home before surrendering to the police instead) after I had the epiphany that made me stop wanting to hurt everyone who ever hurt me - namely society in general - was, "It's not about me anymore."
I told her that right after I had picked her up and was carrying her back to the stolen Jeep so I could drive her home. But what exactly does that mean? Or, at least, what did I mean? Well, the answer seems so obvious to me that it has taken this long (almost ten years) for me to realize that it's not obvious to everyone; so let me explain.
Most people will tell you, if asked, that they realize they are not the center of the world, but few people actually realize that not only are they not the center of the world, but they aren't even the center of their OWN world! It's one of hardest things for a human being to realize because 99.9 percent of everything we experience is egocentric. How can we even begin to understand that the story of our lives ISN'T about us when the only central character we ever experience IS us? Anyone who has ever experienced a pure experiential bond (a.k.a. True Love) with another person has a powerful clue; and anyone who has experienced that same kind of bond with the Universe itself knows well the answer!
(J.D. 4-18-2014)
I told her that right after I had picked her up and was carrying her back to the stolen Jeep so I could drive her home. But what exactly does that mean? Or, at least, what did I mean? Well, the answer seems so obvious to me that it has taken this long (almost ten years) for me to realize that it's not obvious to everyone; so let me explain.
Most people will tell you, if asked, that they realize they are not the center of the world, but few people actually realize that not only are they not the center of the world, but they aren't even the center of their OWN world! It's one of hardest things for a human being to realize because 99.9 percent of everything we experience is egocentric. How can we even begin to understand that the story of our lives ISN'T about us when the only central character we ever experience IS us? Anyone who has ever experienced a pure experiential bond (a.k.a. True Love) with another person has a powerful clue; and anyone who has experienced that same kind of bond with the Universe itself knows well the answer!
(J.D. 4-18-2014)
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