THE REBEL- Interesting thread. I've always enjoyed studying psychology and the mind. What makes people tick- so to speak. I'll give a stab at your first A. , B. & C. questions. Then I'll give my opinion on your second batch of A., B. & C. questions. I'll answer as honestly as I can at this stage in my life at age 56.
Your first 3 questions first :
A ) How much do I now know who " I am " ? I know myself a hell of a lot better than I did growing up in a mind control cult called Jehovah's Witnesses - that's for sure ! In the 13 years since 2003 when I exited my mind is more free thinking, I have better critical thinking skills that I didn't have 13 years ago - and I'm a much more laid back, chill person and less judgmental than I was as a JW. I'm actually fun to be around now and have made some great unconditional friends. I'm a fair individual who stands up for justice and the oppressed. And music has become an even larger part of my life - music heals , playing it on an instrument, singing it, and listening to musically talented artists. It feeds my soul. It's " who I am ". Family that loves each other is everything to me now. I'm close to all my ex-JW or non-JW family - much more so than the judgmental JW family I had. It's who I am. But I'll be there for the JW family if they choose to exit the cult.
B ) Is our biological sexual persuasion to be judged to be judged by other people's " I am " ? No, of course not. Unless that biological " sexual persuasion " involves criminal child molestation or abusing farm animals or any animals or being abusive to midgets like Peter Dinkley - but I digress.
I feel that a person's sexual persuasion is a personal thing, homosexuality is fine, straight is fine , bi-sexual is fine - it's a personal thing determined biologically most probably since our birth. People get way too hung up on sex in a " puritanical " way in our society- no thanks to all the control and pressure that organized religion brings on people in various society's.
C ) How many of our political and religious beliefs are influenced by other people's " I am " ? FAR too many people's views are influenced by other people's " I am " - in my opinion. People need to learn to think for themselves critically instead of being led like sheep to the slaughter mentally and psychologically . In our society people are way too often like flocks of geese that fly south for the winter in formation - just because everybody else's " I am " tells them to do so. If you don't believe me- just look at our political process of who is voting for who in our presidential elections. It's a joke. How many people support Trump or Clinton - yet their character ( or lack thereof in Trump ) or possible crimes they've committed in their past ( in Clinton's case ) don't seem to matter to much of our population. It tells you all you need to know about much of the population's own " I am ". They have no soul, no compass of right or wrong.
And as far as religious beliefs ? Religion in general has caused so much division , wars, and prejudice in this world - millions of people have died needlessly defending idiotic religious beliefs that harm themselves and other people. And once again- people DO NOT THINK with their minds. They just follow along like sheep to the slaughter. It's like wrestling with pigs in the mud when we follow unscrupulous religions that are unethical. The " pigs " or religious leaders like it - they are corrupt - and then we get muddy as well being in their mire like victims of the Stockholm Syndrome. Many people in religion are like this - they want to be led and they really don't care who leads them- they just don't want to think for themselves. It takes too much effort.
Now for your 2nd batch of questions :
A ) Who are you ? I'm Flipper, can't give my real name right here on this confidential board as I still have JW relatives who would shun me or cut me out of my possible inheritance if I identified myself.
B ) Why do you believe as you do ? I have ethics I feel that are fair, just, and reasonable. I respect others rights to believe as they do- but to not push their politics, religion on me or force me to lose my freedom of mind and decision. I treat others as I would want to be treated. I think peace will at least HELP all of us exist a little easier on this planet - so I sing about fairness, justice, and acceptance in a lot of the songs I write. And yet I feel it's important to expose criminal behavior within politics, religious groups , and others who abuse power in order to take over the human race. So my beliefs are balanced with a love of justice - yet also accepting people for what they are.
I realize it's not my place to change the entire planet- but if I can give a little light and a little love to people each day in my own geographical area or friends here and elsewhere, my family, wife - then I feel I can bring good effects to various life situations with many people. You know- spread good vibes and bring a positive vibration each day to the planet. Kind of how I roll when waking up each day. I try to dwell on the positive, eliminate the negative as much as possible. I cannot totally eliminate negative- it's part of life- but at least minimize it. Basically my views.
C ) Why do you think it important other people Believe what you believe ? I don't think that it's important for other people to believe what I believe. They can believe whatever they want to believe. I do think that I try to facilitate peace in many ways- I think everybody should pursue peace- but everybody has their own way to pursue it. I think the human race is capable of many great things - but all people being clones of one another is not a good way to do it. All people being controlled into one belief - is not a good thing. I believe that many good people on this planet can and will accomplish pursuing peace in various different ways- the variety of ideas, input, and views of different humans is what makes the world interesting and go around.
These things may not ever be accomplished by large governmental or religious leaders - due to stubborn love of power, greed, and money- but I feel each of us can be who we want to be and promote peace in our own little area of earth each day ! And THAT is the beauty of it- world leaders cannot control our mind, love for each other - if we don't allow them to . Kind of my world view. But I respect others world views too- as long as they don't abuse, kill. or maim other innocent people
