I’ve come to realize there is no “normal” and there is only “weird” when we consider human civilization. Another way to put it: there is only Holy and Good and Life (and that is God) and all else is Unholy and various shades of Evil leading to Death.
To be born again into the Kingdom of Heaven is to be birthed from the Unholy Evil Dead into the Good Life leading to Holiness with implication of spiritual, mental and physical renewal.
For example:
I now find strange the assumption that US society is not inherently weird. Control & licensure systems such as SSN and Driver's license (and even state issued currency) are new phenomena in the USA and very new phenomena relative to all of human history. The perspective that assumes these systems are “normal”, “necessary” or “not weird” is foreign to me, and I was firmly raised within these systems. God has changed my mind over the years. I believe and know this is a result of being born again into the Kingdom of Heaven.
As we leave the things of the World behind, we become less concerned with “weirdness” and “normality” and more concerned with seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness for all we need spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically flow out from Him. Finding in His Kingdom our place as His Children removes all fear of “not fitting in” or being outcast away from our lives and brings us deep fulfillment that no social identity can ever achieve.
I was happily homeschooled. I am generally “successful.” But I make no more or less out of it than that. My siblings did not thrive in the environment. In fact, all of them turned to some form of substance abuse in their young adulthood. But to attribute my success or their addictions to my parents’ counter cultural tendencies is reflexive and sidesteps the issues.
Societal heterodoxy does not automatically equate to trauma. I am weary of individuals who turn their own unhappiness into “movements.” Most people don’t need an audience. They don’t even need therapy. They need meaning, and meaning does not arise from a definition against something. It's not enough to identify yourself as a "rejector." (Interestingly enough, the commentator you're responding to does just this, even in her username, "Jezabel Spirit, Allegedly." I wish her well.)
Yes, I so agree with what you’re saying. I too wish the woman I quoted well — we must each take responsibility for our own feelings though and not blame them on our upbringing. It’s interesting to see anyway that we all can experience similar emotions despite our childhood experiences. I love how you say we need to find meaning, not a platform or audience. That’s so true.
Very interesting. I was raised similarly to you, although I did have our country's equivalent of a SS#. I agree about the joy and goodness in being raised this way, in fact I just wrote a piece telling my story about it, if you want to check it out on my page!
They are both optional everywhere! (you just have to be prudent how you go about it, and be like "I'll fill out the BC when we get home and decide on the middle name"). I think that the city probably presented as more of an option for you guys just because there are a lot of immigrants. Most hospitals, especially rural ones, wouldn't, and would think it's just standard procedure.
I’ve come to realize there is no “normal” and there is only “weird” when we consider human civilization. Another way to put it: there is only Holy and Good and Life (and that is God) and all else is Unholy and various shades of Evil leading to Death.
To be born again into the Kingdom of Heaven is to be birthed from the Unholy Evil Dead into the Good Life leading to Holiness with implication of spiritual, mental and physical renewal.
For example:
I now find strange the assumption that US society is not inherently weird. Control & licensure systems such as SSN and Driver's license (and even state issued currency) are new phenomena in the USA and very new phenomena relative to all of human history. The perspective that assumes these systems are “normal”, “necessary” or “not weird” is foreign to me, and I was firmly raised within these systems. God has changed my mind over the years. I believe and know this is a result of being born again into the Kingdom of Heaven.
As we leave the things of the World behind, we become less concerned with “weirdness” and “normality” and more concerned with seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness for all we need spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically flow out from Him. Finding in His Kingdom our place as His Children removes all fear of “not fitting in” or being outcast away from our lives and brings us deep fulfillment that no social identity can ever achieve.
This was a fascinating read. Subscribed.
I was happily homeschooled. I am generally “successful.” But I make no more or less out of it than that. My siblings did not thrive in the environment. In fact, all of them turned to some form of substance abuse in their young adulthood. But to attribute my success or their addictions to my parents’ counter cultural tendencies is reflexive and sidesteps the issues.
Societal heterodoxy does not automatically equate to trauma. I am weary of individuals who turn their own unhappiness into “movements.” Most people don’t need an audience. They don’t even need therapy. They need meaning, and meaning does not arise from a definition against something. It's not enough to identify yourself as a "rejector." (Interestingly enough, the commentator you're responding to does just this, even in her username, "Jezabel Spirit, Allegedly." I wish her well.)
Thanks for writing.
Yes, I so agree with what you’re saying. I too wish the woman I quoted well — we must each take responsibility for our own feelings though and not blame them on our upbringing. It’s interesting to see anyway that we all can experience similar emotions despite our childhood experiences. I love how you say we need to find meaning, not a platform or audience. That’s so true.
Very interesting. I was raised similarly to you, although I did have our country's equivalent of a SS#. I agree about the joy and goodness in being raised this way, in fact I just wrote a piece telling my story about it, if you want to check it out on my page!
Love it! Thanks for recommending your post to me!!
They are both optional everywhere! (you just have to be prudent how you go about it, and be like "I'll fill out the BC when we get home and decide on the middle name"). I think that the city probably presented as more of an option for you guys just because there are a lot of immigrants. Most hospitals, especially rural ones, wouldn't, and would think it's just standard procedure.
oh, we're practically neighbors and should meet up one of these days once my husband's travels are slowed down!