Published on 11/02/10
at Dallas Morning news
Putting aside your own political views, which
perhaps lead you to agree with some of these claims, help the rest of us
understand why this point: Why does fear play such a big role in our
elections?
For example, is there something deep within our
psyches and/or souls that responds to fear, perhaps in a way that we are
unaware? Or is it that fear sells and strategists know it? Or is it something
else?
I'm sure we'd all like to think elections play to our better angels. But they often don't. Help us understand why.
Read on for some very interesting replies, including ideas about how the brain works.
I'm sure we'd all like to think elections play to our better angels. But they often don't. Help us understand why.
Read on for some very interesting replies, including ideas about how the brain works.
Some provocative answers by the Texas Faith panel.
Keep reading.
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation
for Pluralism, Dallas
Fear has been ingrained into our psyche from the
moment we had a chance to life. Darwin proclaimed the universal truth,
"Survival of the fittest," though his reference was to survival of
the species; it is indeed applicable in political, social, religious, cultural
and other contexts.
Our journey began fighting for life with millions of fellow sperms who competed with us, every one of them withered. You and I have survived and made it to the end, to the egg and to the point of reading this note. Thus our DNA is stamped with fear. We must have been the fittest of all the millions of sperms to have survived to share our story.
The fear of elimination continues and we will be competing for just about everything in life; attention from loved ones to converting others to our point of view to gaining a majority in the Senate or House.
Fear is tapped by both the right and left among politicians to attain a sense of security and to preserve the values they espouse to work for the society. If moderates were to reign, co-existence rather than fear would play a key role in the elections.
The right wingers fear erosion of their values or at worst an end to their 'normal' life. They have become adept in cranking up imaginary fears and then assuring with 'fake' confidence that "we will fix it," thereby giving hope to the 'frightened ones". The net result is often no real change.
The left perceives the same threat to their freedom and liberties. They seek change and venture into the unknown territory of experimentation, often giving doubtful confidence. They frighten the right, netting in a zero result.
Religion uplifts one from sheer animal instincts to figure out co-existence. Most people get the religion right and a few don't. Those who get it right find deprogramming of their fears in achieving Nirvana, Moksha, Nijaat,Mukti, Salbation or freedom.
Our journey began fighting for life with millions of fellow sperms who competed with us, every one of them withered. You and I have survived and made it to the end, to the egg and to the point of reading this note. Thus our DNA is stamped with fear. We must have been the fittest of all the millions of sperms to have survived to share our story.
The fear of elimination continues and we will be competing for just about everything in life; attention from loved ones to converting others to our point of view to gaining a majority in the Senate or House.
Fear is tapped by both the right and left among politicians to attain a sense of security and to preserve the values they espouse to work for the society. If moderates were to reign, co-existence rather than fear would play a key role in the elections.
The right wingers fear erosion of their values or at worst an end to their 'normal' life. They have become adept in cranking up imaginary fears and then assuring with 'fake' confidence that "we will fix it," thereby giving hope to the 'frightened ones". The net result is often no real change.
The left perceives the same threat to their freedom and liberties. They seek change and venture into the unknown territory of experimentation, often giving doubtful confidence. They frighten the right, netting in a zero result.
Religion uplifts one from sheer animal instincts to figure out co-existence. Most people get the religion right and a few don't. Those who get it right find deprogramming of their fears in achieving Nirvana, Moksha, Nijaat,Mukti, Salbation or freedom.
Those who don't get it right, live in eternal
anxiety. Religion underwrites protection for the vulnerable moments and works
as insurance that blankets us all in a safety net.
We need to understand that our security does not
hinge on big corporations, Republicans or Democrats but sane individuals who
can balance the budget, create jobs and prevent wars. We need to demand
commitments from the politicians and hold them accountable for their focus on
the well being of Americans for today, tomorrow and for the next seven
generations. As Americans, our loyalty should be to our system of governance
and not to the parties and we can truly make this government of people for the
people by us. Let your vote count, vote today
Please visit Dallas Morning News to read all the
responses: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/11/texas-faith-why-does-fear-sell.html
MikeGhouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily.
MikeGhouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily.
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