Websters
definition of Meme: An idea, behavior, style or usage that spreads from person
to person within a culture.
A meme is a belief that we are taught, either on purpose (say in school) or by osmosis (cultural, things we just seem to understand). We are exposed to all manner of ideas (memes) every day through various media, the internet or even an overheard conversation. A meme is more than say an old wives tale that is passed down from generation to generation, they are also complex concepts about certain attitudes or behaviors.
Our attitudes about all subjects are influenced by memes. This is how a whole culture can hold a completely ridiculous prejudice against another one. For example, (leaving anything recent alone) the dislike for the German people in general after WW2 was palpable. I still remember having conversations with a few family friends who lived through that era. The generalizations they made about them were filled with venom. An entire nation was blamed for the actions of a few. We see this happening over and over again. Eventually, time moves on and the hatred lessons. Old concepts are exchanged for new ones.
Most of the time we believe these memes without stopping to consider if we even agree with the concept or belief. Have you ever had a belief you have held for many years and then one day realized that it makes no sense at all. I have. I often, never even thought to question the belief until I spoke it out loud and then it occurred to me how ridiculous it actually was.
How many of our current non accepting views are just old memes that we never stopped to think about before?
Is it possible that we can change the world by simply and honestly asking ourselves if we agree or not?
Possibly.
I also was bon into the Catholic Church, I hated everything that palce stood for. It wasn't long before I was given my wish and moved over to public school. Here I gained freedom, reputation, and an Idenity that was as far away from God as the East is from the West. It was here that I found a cycle of horror, and drug abuse. At 37 I was in jail hopeless, looking at ten years FLAT! It was at this time I questioned God. God! my life has been nothing but hardship, sorrow, and pain! I don't believe you because you have never loved me, if fact I dont think you exist! I said right here right now God! You either do or you don't, you either can or you can't! My life changed from that very day. So don't tell me there is no God.
ReplyDeleteGeoffrey I never said there was no God. I also never said that I hated the Catholic school or the Church. All I said was that I questions what they taught me until I understood what they meant and then at that point I decided for myself if I believed them or not. This is something that I recommend we all do. Question everything until we understand. How can you make a choice without understanding?
DeleteCan you see God? A lot of people say NO. Can you see God's works. Absolutely. Can you question God? Definitely. One learns through questions. The way to knowledge is answers, and the way to get answers is to ask questions.
ReplyDeleteI, too, was raised Catholic. Still am. I go to church every Sunday - an act I perform to keep the peace in my family. I believe standing in a Church does not make you holy any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
A couple decades ago, I was really doubting the validity of Church. I skipped when I could and lied about going. But you can't lie to God.
One Sunday in particular, I took a ride to a local State Park near Pittsburgh. I had been to this park many times. I wondered down the same path that I always went down. It was called the Ferncliff Trail. As I walked, I came to a clearing that I had never noticed before. The trees surrounded me, but had no branches below 50 feet. The sun worked its way through the canopy, and it lit up hundreds if not thousands of little fern plants, none more than a foot tall. I am convinced I saw GOD in that clearing that day. I have returned to that trail many times since, and I have never been able to find that clearing again.
Yeah??? So??????
No matter how big the obstacles around you, no matter how small you are, God will light up what he wants you to see. He will give you that memory, and then not allow you or anyone else to ever see the real thing again.
Back on topic here....
My world changed that day. Why? I was lying to others telling them I was in Church, and I swear God showed himself to me. If I had actually gone to Church, I would have never had that vision. So, follow your heart. Don't do what others say, do what God says.
I always think of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies when I think of politics. All the athletes celebrate each other. Iraqis walk with Americans, and together they walk with Brazilians, and Peruvians, and Australians, and people of many other lands.
Don't be a meme. Do what's you know is right, not what others tell you is right.
Can we change the world? Maybe.
Can we change OUR world? There is no doubt.
That was an amazing experience Dan. You were obviously where you were meant to be at the right time. But then I believe we are always were we are meant to be at the right time. Even if it is not a good place. It is a place of our choosing in one way or another. It just goes to show you how untrue to ourselves we are at times. We really need to learn to trust ourselves. We give other people a lot more respect than we do ourselves. I think the biggest hurdle for us is remembering to think before we accept something. We have to remember to ask questions and keep asking them until we understand. It is only after we understand something that we can make a decision. Remembering that we actually do have a choice.
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