HOME | POLITICS | SPORTS | LIFE | SCI/TECH | OPEDS | HELPFUL TIPS
|
Nov. 30, 2005 One of the many social/psychological diseases, illnesses, dysfunctions of whatever synonym you might wish to use that has infected a large portion of the American culture is that of "crusadership mentality". Currently this mentality has been demonstrating itself in the well known Natalee Holloway case particularly with regard to the often intemperate reactions of Beth Holloway/Twitty and recently with Alabama Governor Bob Riley. This article does not intend on addressing the issue of crusadership mentality solely regarding the Natalee Holloway case this case is relevant in light of the discussions revolving around it because it provides a far more prescriptive application to a social disorder at large. Cruadership mentality should be pretty safely defined but the sake of those who may not be sure or with malice might want to seek to misapply my explanation I will provide a working definition. Starting in late 1000 and lasting about 400 years the crusades were a religious response from the Catholic church and the church controlled government to the what was perceived as Mohammedan despotism. It was either convert or be killed. It was a license to murder and commit general mayhem in the name of a very righteous cause which included the forgery of God's name on its declaration. Thus a working definition can be deduced and should be able to be deduced by an average and honest intellect. Such a mentality is not satisfied with the response of others, the consideration of others, even a genuine hearing and deliberation by others concerning one's new found or possibly quite aged righteous cause but insists on instant and complete capitulation and utter submission to the crusade, and the attempt to right a wrong. There is no middle ground. There is no place for concession on the crusader's part. He or she is the most right and in fact the righteous one and for anyone to suggest otherwise is almost blasphemous (though they will never admit the blasphemy that has occurred is a challenged to their unconscious self-perceived divinity). But even if one comes to the point of bowing and acknowledging the concerns of the crusader and their legitimacy to whatever degree, this is never enough. The diseased one expects much much more. Your life and priorities must now be rearranged so as to reflect their values, their morality, their priorities and their life. It is not just cooperation but complete obedience and subjugation that is demanded and when the acquiescence isn't forthcoming the most righteous crusader recoils in shock and dismay only to return with weapons of destruction used to either intimidate into submission their objection of pursuit or obliterate them having concluded that their existence, their worth, their value as a being and their right to their life are all non-sequitur in light of the crusader's most divine and righteous cause.. And this is the method of madness now employed not only by Holloway/Twitty, their blind supporters, the Governor of Alabama but in general much of the method of our American culture. In fact I find it hilarious as I read Meri Ulrich's new founded crusade and call for a boycott against Dr. Phil (Phil McGraw) who himself supported and crusades for a boycott against Aruba. It is as if all the children found an object to hate and then realized there are more objects to hate among themselves. It is almost cartoonish to read and watch. But the Holloway/Twitty method is not new and no one is saying it is. It simply needs to be identified for what it is. It is either you give me what I want or I will destroy not only you but your loved ones, your friends and your entire society if that is what it takes until you convert. Intimidation and threats of destruction are the modus operandi and why? Because these types always set themselves far above the rest of the world imagining that in their stupidity and moral deprivation others are so very misguided they, the crusaders, are the saviors of the world coming to rescue us all from ignorance, laziness, lack of concern and a lack of genuine character and personal values. They are sick with self-righteousness. It never ends and never will. They will press onward and upward until the very self-condemning cause for their self-loathing is silenced (that is they hope) by the masses of supporters validating and justifying their actions, attitudes and wake of destruction or attempted destruction. Our society has become this way. On television today our culture embraces screaming matches by conservatives and liberals alike on all issues. If someone's cause and concern isn't paid attention to the motto is "let's hurt them". There no longer is a personal tolerance or acceptance of the uncontrollable and those things which we cannot always have. It is either my way or else. Betty Broderick lives in far too many souls these days and sadly such an attitude and approach toward dealing with issues and conflicts is promoted and celebrated by the pseudo-intellectuals that have invaded broadcasted discussions. But hell, maybe it has always been this way and I am simply dreaming but I don't believe that is the case. Often on a smaller scale each one of us has been subject to such mini-crusades. If you have ever participated in any live discussion groups or posted in groups, had live discussions at work, in social circles, at church, or anywhere you have regular contacts with some issue coming up inevitably you have met a crusader who targeted you. And instinctively you either avoided them or foolishly became entangled with them and discovered that behind your back they summon their minuscule powers of social destruction by doing whatever is necessary to minimize you in the eyes of those with whom you and the crusader have formed a circle of associates. Why is this? Because in some form or fashion you exists as a threat to them and they cannot live in a world where they are not so fully embraced so as to see you constantly and completely acknowledged their rightness, their superiority in understanding and addressing whatever issue has arisen between the two of you. And crusaders recruit. Boy do crusaders recruit. And who do they recruit? They recruit the gullible, the naive, those who themselves might benefit from this crusade. And clearly this is what the Holloway/Twitty people have done. They are the master manipulators. But par for the course what happens? Their supporters are now mad at Dr. Phil because magically he is the manipulator and they were duped. Never mind these people have refused to be forthcoming with all they claim to know. Never mind they have refused to temper their responses or provide evidence of any claims. They are crusaders after all and have a moral crusade therefore in your shame you actually dare to ask questions. You are ripe for conversion or destruction in their mind. Ask Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Micheal Moore, and the rest of the extremist crusaders of the world. But this is the way of the world any more. Cruaders never concede faults or admit errors, after all they are the righteous often of course claiming and feigning to be the most humble and victimized. My only hope for you and always myself is that none of us are the subject of someone with a crusadership mentality steering their ship. Yes their are relevant issues and important concerns and some indeed warrant strong reactions and responses but when everyone everywhere demands acquiescence to their hurt, their loss, their need from all around we have only reduced our society to a world of babies crying in cribs seeing who can scream the loudest until the next baby learns to scream even louder. ------------ About the author: Guy Arthur Thomas was born as an Air Force brat and raised mostly in South Carolina. He has traveled and lived in the Middle East and the Pacific Islands but makes his home in Virginia. Guy has a Bachelor's degree in Biblical studies and enjoys social, political and religious discussions. Email: Guyarthurthomas@yahoo.com Tell your friends about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
