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Originally Posted by Angela  Two things about that, Cantando:
One: the myths that adults used to control me with when I was a child (Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Jesus, threats of pregnancy from holding hands) never made me feel safe or strong. Instead, they caused anxiety, resentment, and a sense of betrayal from being lied to and manipulated. When faced with death, I hope to remain present to, and to be satisfied and fulfilled by, what is real in my life. Because I won't know how I'll be on death's door until it happens, I live my life committed to being present in the moment now. Which leads me to:
Two: one of the things I find most obnoxious about religious proselytizers is their smug presumptions of deathbed conversion and what happens in the afterlife. Since we can't know with any certainty about such things, even for ourselves, I prefer that people keep their fantasies, delusions and religious convictions in the realm of personal belief, rather than Universal Truth. If it's yours, that's fine; please do not assign your dogma to me. |
Actually, there is a lot of truth in old myths and legends, if you're willing to search for it.
Not quite sure why you are mentioning 'control' and the 'Easter Bunny'. Sounds a bit scary - was it really that bad?
I'm talking about solid, good advice from parents, grandparents, friends or even strangers, which might have been forgotten over the years but which comes back to mind at a critical point when we most need it.
I've been reading enough about others' fantasies and delusions on this forum as to what life is all about, so I think I'm quite entitled to express a few of my own.
I quite understand when others say that they are God and creators and they control everything. I sometimes believe it myself, but I know deep down, in my more lucid moments, that it's just illusion. That's where I stand and that's my reality.