Comedy CentralTag Archive -

What Are You Afraid Of?

October 29, 2008 in Current Affairs with Comments Off

(The video was causing me some problems so I moved it.  Here is a link to it.)

Here's yet another video that someone has sent me dealing with the election.  At first I thought it was kind of cute but the more I've sat here and thought about it, the more it bothers me.  What bothers me is the level of fear that we walk around with and how easy it seems for people to be manipulated.

Where does it come from?
What are we watching that drives it?
Are scenarios and stories fed to us daily to keep us listening or watching? (living in a state of fear)
Does the news media use fear and the hook of the unknown to keep us coming back for more?
How does this affect our worldview?
How does it affect the way that we interact with our neighbors?
Are we closed off to each other because we have just learned to be suspicious and afraid?
Do we purchase out of fear?

I came across this quote in a book I read recently:

"Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany.  That is understood.  But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship…The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.  That is easy.  All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.  It works the same way in any country." (emphasis mine)

- Reishchsmarchal Herman Goring, in the Nuremberg Diary.

And I guess there are all kinds of fear.

Fear of being different, Fear of being harmed, Fear of not being able to have what we want, Fear of change, Fear of life becoming tougher, Fear of being hurt emotionally, Fear of having to put others first, etc.

So…what are some other kinds of fear being perpetuated in our society?

Who or what is driving them?

What does it mean to be a Christian and live without fear?

Should fear of a changing world or nation change our worldview when we are called to do what Jesus would do before any allegiance to another group, organization or nation?

I have caught myself saying over and over again that, "The beauty of the kingdom of God is that it doesn't matter who is in charge.  We are called to do the same things no matter when or where we live."

So what are you afraid of?  How does it effect your decision making?

Peace ~

William