Freedom of Thought

'Think for Oneself' is what authoritarian style leaders hate to promote. They'd rather you 'Think what I think and Do What I Do' (which should really be 'Do What I DON'T Do' because you are mainly there to serve them so they don't have to DO any of the mundane daily stuff themselves).

Here's what Wikipdia says about Freedom of thought:"To deny a person's freedom of thought is to deny what can be considered one's most basic freedom; to think for one's self.Since the whole concept of 'freedom of thought' rests on the freedom of the individual to believe whatever one thinks is best (freedom of belief), the notion of 'freedom of religion' is closely related and inextricably bound up with these. While in many societies and forms of government, there has been effectively no freedom of religion or belief, this same freedom has been cherished and developed to a great extent in the modern western world, such that it is taken for granted.This development was enshrined in words in the United States Constitution by the Bill of Rights, which contains the famous guarantee in the First Amendment that laws may not be made that interfere with religion "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". Today nearly all democratic nations around the world contain similar language within their respective Constitutions."

All that to say: Ask questions and don't ignore red flags when you see them, in any arena of life, but especially when it comes to your religion and what a leader is asking you to do in the name of relgion. There is no question you shouldn't be able to ask. And you can ask God questions. His shoulders are big enough to handle whatever you may throw at him. In fact, that's why he gave us the ability to reason with wisdom.

Merriam-Webster definitions:
question: 1 a (1): an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge (2): an interrogative sentence or clause b:a subject or aspect in dispute or open for discussion
2 a: an act or instance of asking : inquiry

inquiry: 1 : examination into facts or principles : research 2 : a request for information 3 : a systematic investigation often of a matter of public b: interrogation; also : a judicial or official investigation d (1): objection dispute (2): room for doubt or objection (3): chance possibility

red flag: 1 : a warning signal 2 : something that attracts usually irritated attention

Asking Questions

What is it within us that causes us to question, to research, to learn? Isn't there a Proverb that states that it's the glory of God to conceal a matter and to search out a matter is the glory of kings? (Proverbs 25:2 (New International Version). so what is up with these authoritarian leaders who think they are rulers who dismiss us if we ask questions and label us as rebellious? It goes against the grain of being American and Biblically sound. How in the heck did they get so screwed up? And how in the heck did we let them screw US up? How did they become such a nightmare?

From the Vortex Hallway to the Graveyard

Often when encased in a Vortex World, one is reprimanded for speaking out in what is perceived as dissent. By reprimanded, I mean frowned upon by others with a look of pain or one of displeasure. The step beyond that is being avoided in the hallway the next time you show up to an event. But for those who don't act like children and take a chance at conversing with you since they can't avoid you, you may find yourself privy to a mild passive aggressive lecture on how negative murmering isn't healthy and how we need to uphold and support our leaders so to be a good example for those who are younger in the faith than we are. Even if a simple question is posed about the questionable behavior of the Vortex Leader, eyebrows are slightly raised or eyelids lowered and something is mumbled about how it doesn't really matter since those types of decisions aren't any of our concern. All in all, any form of question is perceived as rebellion, going against the flow, and making life uncomfortable for the Vortex Community. After all, nobody likes a wet blanket or a whiner. Unfortunately, no one really wants to see the truth.

However, once you HAVE disembarked from the Vortex Ship, you begin to rapidly learn how much of your God-given Voice had been silenced and how much you HAD allowed someone else to do your thinking for you. Then, out of embarrassment and angst, you begin to be vocal about this to others (who may not be as far along as you in the detox process, or those who happen to be still within the vortex). Immediately a label is slapped on you like 'Offended' or 'Unforgiving' or 'Bitter'. Definitely you are amongst those who have lost their way or, as they say in religious circles, 'Backslidden'.

Today as Pakistan buries their leader, Benazir Bhutto, I can't help but ponder the path of escilation from shunning in the hallway to murder. Why do Benazir's murderers feel justified in taking her life just because she dared to stand up to their imposed oppression? And to what degree do religious and cult-like people feel the right to silence the voice of those who speak up for the helpless? How long before passionate followers of dictators or authorian type leaders take it upon themselves to snuff out the voice of the outspoken even to death? Even if not physical death, think of the many ways death to the outspoken occurs.

Unlike her murderers, Benazir Bhutto cared passionately for her people and not only spoke up for them but backed her words with political action. She was aware she may be martyered for resisting oppression just as her father was killed years earlier. She considered her advocacy her calling and she ultimately died because of it. Returning from political exile to her country to face her enemies for her people, one thing she didn't do-- She didn't allow the intimidation of tyranny to silence her voice. She risked all for the possibility of helping those who couldn't help themselves.