Thursday, August 28, 2008

MY Opia

my·o·pi·a [mahy-oh-pee-uh]
–noun
narrow-mindedness; intolerance.

It is interesting to me how different views about a topic germinate, and how well founded most peoples opinions are to themselves. Many factors are responsible for our individual world view, such as our parents and families opinions and our own actions. But none have the power to persuade us like our DESIRE does. In fact never will we change or widen our prospective unless we first WANT to. People will always defend their world view with all the facts they know, and ignore relevant truths that may disprove their beliefs. To overcome myopia ALL virtuous truth is included. To truly discern, the good traits are more revealing.

Many people read some of what I write in comment areas and they instantly think that I am very angry. But if they knew me and could see right into my heart they would know that I do not even know what angry is. Yes, sometimes I do lash out when I see people insulting those I love, and quite often I regret it faster than it took to do it. But it is not because I am mad; it is because I am so very sad. I am very defensive because I truly do pity those people who slander the FLDS people and leaders. I will defend those I know as innocent, but I do not want to get angry. Angry folks really only hurt themselves in the long run. Hate comes from fear and creates fear, and I fear no one. I apologize to anyone who I have personally offended, even though some of what you say is intended to offend me.

Most people that I deal with daily have no idea who I am or where I come from, let alone that I have a blog that gets 400-500 hits per day, and lawyers, government officials, and reporters documenting what I say. My own boss and all but one of my coworkers think I am but a shy mainstream Mormon. Yet most every one I converse with for very long want to be my personal friend, with very few exceptions. I would not doubt for a moment that if any of the anti-FLDS who did not know who I was met me in the street, they would think rather highly of me. I was employee of the year for this company of over a hundred my first year here, (I told my boss that was a rather sad commentary). I am often told by my superiors that I am the easiest to give work to. The coworker who knows about this blog considers me his good friend, and he hated Mormonism before he met me. I listen way more than I speak, but when I speak most listen. A black fellow from Vanuatu wanted to move to America and be my son, and I have actually had two different people tell me that if they died, they would want me to have their children. That is something humbling.

I seek to help in every way I can, and try to smile no matter how I feel inside. It is no big deal to insult me, I knew it would happen an expected it when I wrote this blog. But I continue on knowing I have sacrificed all, including my own good name, honor and applause, to defend the innocent. My heart is bigger than Texas, and I owe it all to how much my heart aches. I care so much it hurts.

I admit I have a fairly low self esteem, but it is in my own ability, not my desire. I have very high confidence in what I have been taught, and in the testimony I have of the religion of my heritage and my God; high enough to see great things in other peoples beliefs even when they call me a brainwashed slave. But I do get discouraged easily, and feel frustrated that I am not making the personal progress that I wish I would. I try to think of what I have accomplished, and all I see are my mistakes. When I see others mistakes, I first try to think of how I can help them see those mistakes, but I want to forgive. I will never talk about someone behind their back anything I wouldn’t say directly to them. But that isn’t saying much either. Criticizing is never constructive, and correction can only come from those who have the authority. I am guilty, the FLDS are not. I have probably caused many anti-FLDS to become MORE spiteful because of my words, practically defeating my purpose here. That I do regret.

The desire to have faith, and to believe in a particular religion and religious leader is myopic in a sense, because those who don’t have that same faith are just as credible in their belief that it is wrong, and can “see” all what is wrong about it. But there are no more small minded or pitiful people than those who hate. I have used the term “bigot” more loosely than I should, but it so very accurately describes those who think they or the state should run other peoples EXERCISE of peaceful religion, association, or speech. THAT is myopia.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pliggy,

You are way too hard on yourself. I don't know you, but I visit this site multiple times almost daily and I can tell you that you have done more to educate us about the TRUTH of the FLDS than anyone else out there. Take a step back and look at this blog. As far as the Anti-FLDS becoming more spiteful on their blogs, those idiots are going to try and belittle you no matter what you say.

Disciple said...

I agree with wc, pliggy – you’re being too hard on yourself.

I’m sorry to say that before this perverse exercise of brute state force leading me to your blog, I had no idea really what the FLDS believe or how they live or what kind of person Warren Jeffs is. It is through your effort to share your personal knowledge with any who will listen that has helped me understand just how perverse the persecution of the FLDS really is.

So you’ve helped cure some of the myopia out here … and that’s what you wanted to do, right?

Ron in Houston said...

AMEN brother Pliggy.

Do I get a comment now?

Anonymous said...

Remember the (4) working rules of R.S.J.

Pliggy said...

I apologize, (for apologizing?)LOL

The problem is Ron in Houston has a personal addiction to hate, and I went to the gutter with him. His standards are much lower than mine should be and I went way below mine to talk to him in his.

As you said before wc I should ignore him, but if I do, more and more people agree with him. And exactly what has happened to the victims in the general population and the government grows. Like I said in my very first post on this blog in April I want to soothe the prejudice if I can, but apparently I can't in most instances.

It is no wonder to me why the FLDS just stops telling their side. But as I say over and over again, just to convince myself, I am writing this for those who WANT to understand. Hey, at least I am not in jail for it, yet.

John Lester,
you are my most favorite person in the whole wide world who reported me to the FBI. LOL

Ron,
I wish that I could say something to you to help you out. It seems like you are stalking me.

anon, I am confused about the 4 working rules.

Pliggy said...

JL,

Ron has his own blog. I still can't figure out yours though.

Anonymous said...

"I try to think of what I have accomplished, and all I see are my mistakes."

Without mistakes, there can be no learning!! Mistakes make the part of you which differs from everyone else. I am not a FLDS!! But, if your beliefs & your lifestyle are kind to others & not abusive, then keep the faith!! It's ok to be human...that's what GOD made you!!! As long as your motives in life are good & true, you will prevail!

Anonymous said...

without emotions, we are walking dead souls.
God himself had emotions. He could get angry, or jealous, or sad.
All emotions have a purpose. They make us human, wise, thoughtful, provide us with empathy for others,get us through rough time, help to provide joy.
Strength come from good emotional stability.
To say, Im not allowed to have emotions is wrong. To say, one can never be angry is futile. Its not sinful to have emotions, even anger. What is sinful is to say , I have none, when we all do.

Anonymous said...

The 4 rules of RSJ (Richard Seth Jessop)
1. Don't give offense.
2. Don't take offense.
3. Do with your might the things you are called to do.
AND
4. MAINTAIN THE POWER WITHIN YOURSELF TO ENCOURAGE YOURSELF!

Pliggy said...

I must disagree with you a little nonny 1:49

Self control is our purpose here, you can be cut to the bone and not get angry if you are Christ-like. He did it and told us to be like Him. So it is a sin to be angry if you CAN be sweet.

And I will never excuse the rules God has given me to live by, just because HE has stated that he is angry. I don't think we understand HIS anger, and often use it as an excuse.

But I DO agree with you on it being a sin to lie about being angry.

and FLDS nonny,
I figured it was Uncle Rich but I didnt know the 4. Even though I recognize them very well.
THANKS!!

That last one is tougher than you can imagine.

Anonymous said...

Pliggy
Christ got very angry about the money changers in the temple. Remember that? Its called righteous anger.
And Even Christ experienced it, not just once, but several times.

Pliggy said...

John 2:
13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

That was the same MAN as this:

1 Peter 2:
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Maybe you have a different version, annonymous, but to me seeing the example of great men (including my father in many instances) There is NO SUCH THING as righteous anger in MAN. Real faith can accomplish anything without getting angry.

Pliggy said...

Jesus was "NOT" angry. He had no need to be.

Sorry fella, but your anger is NOT righteous, and you are NOT the Lord.

Pliggy said...

He: "he had looked round about" Them: "on them with ANGER"
He: "being grieved for the hardness of their hearts"

Pliggy said...

There is ONE refrence in the Old Testament of a man with the Holy Ghost and anger. That is of Saul when he first became king. I think it is a misquote.

God's anger is not mans anger. Don't confuse the two.

Pliggy said...

Description of the Holy Spirit

Pliggy said...

Mr Lester,

Obviously we believe in different religions. Yours is no more "reality" to me than mine is to you. In fact much less so.

Read The Pearl of Great Price and Enoch speaks to the Lord about the flood, he was not angry,

Pliggy said...

O sorry "as" or "where" not "and"

Goodnight, John boy