timeknot
5th March 2007, 08:06 PM
Many of us have noticed the eroding family and community values, even in christian settings. We no longer band together in common defense against criminals but instead force everyone to rely on often ineffective police. We do not share the benefit of our wisdom and life experiences outside of what is found in the bible. Many of you have seen books that seem to give concentrated sets of tips for different areas of life. I am proposing that we start a new thread, perhaps even a new private forum within this site for the exchange of advice. I'll start with a couple of my own and you all can add. The advice I have is a bit upsetting for some so I ask you not to confuse the above suggestion with what I am about to offer. Please let me know what you think of both and offer your own.
1) Read an introduction/summary of the free online book "ponerology: the study of evil adapted to politcal purposes" The book its self is a dry read and you will get 80% of the use by reading an intro. For many of you it will change how you view the world. It will make you aware of threats of a kind and magnitude that you were not before. A common reaction to this information is denile. I encourage you to be strong in faith as denile will only let you continue walking to that blind alley.
2) We are taught to be charitable and giving. "teach a man to fish" as it were. After reading the above you will understand the value of secrecy and silence that our ancestors had. You do not want to empower evil people. So . . . read about sociopaths and psychopaths. Get together with people you have known
a) all your life
b) to return favors (giving to church does not count. Its a nice thing but many sociopaths go to church and give money to continue fooling others)
c) to make sacrifices for the greater good when no one will know
d) to do good things and not feel a need to tell others or even the person they helped.
Test them by giving them opportunities to do things forothers that those people can not do for themselves. See if these people feel a need to tell everyone about it.
This is just what I can come up with but use your own insight to guide you. The point is don't rely on instincts! Test all your "friends" and know for sure if they are good people. When I took a deep look at my friends I realised more than half of them really only cared about themselves and had no concern for others. They tried to appear to have concern for others but could not be relied on.
3) Once you know who your friends are make sure you do not empower anyone you have not tested. You can learn to be more selective by not speaking for a day, or even an entire weekend once a month or so. Make it a custom at your church for people to wear a ribbon if they are not speaking that day. Doing this will have a huge effect on "blabbing"
4) Get Brian Tracy's health book. The first one. I've read a lot of books like this and his is one of the best. In addition to it look up free information on "the seven dimensions of wellness" online and look for any holes in your life. Lastly check out diagnose-me.com Its the best medical care I've ever had. The reason for all this is that christians in good health are better able to protect and aid each other and help their children and grand children.
5) In addition to this forum online, stand up before your church and ask everyone to contribute their advice to trusted people (not to the whole church). You would be suprised at the font of wisdom found in your neighbors. As more people contribute others will share.
6) REMEMBER! you can go to church with a man, have him as a friendly neighbor, even invite him to live with you for 20 years or so and still not know he is a psychopath. Only when you educate yourself and look closely will you find the 4% of our population that are psychopaths and up to 20% that are sociopaths. These are not strung out addicts and criminals. Addicts and criminals are self destructive, sociopaths are self interested. They are doctors, lawyers, psychologists, politicians, even ministers. When I looked closely I found that one of my family and two of my friends were psychopaths with another family member and several friends being sociopaths. Guard your flock!
1) Read an introduction/summary of the free online book "ponerology: the study of evil adapted to politcal purposes" The book its self is a dry read and you will get 80% of the use by reading an intro. For many of you it will change how you view the world. It will make you aware of threats of a kind and magnitude that you were not before. A common reaction to this information is denile. I encourage you to be strong in faith as denile will only let you continue walking to that blind alley.
2) We are taught to be charitable and giving. "teach a man to fish" as it were. After reading the above you will understand the value of secrecy and silence that our ancestors had. You do not want to empower evil people. So . . . read about sociopaths and psychopaths. Get together with people you have known
a) all your life
b) to return favors (giving to church does not count. Its a nice thing but many sociopaths go to church and give money to continue fooling others)
c) to make sacrifices for the greater good when no one will know
d) to do good things and not feel a need to tell others or even the person they helped.
Test them by giving them opportunities to do things forothers that those people can not do for themselves. See if these people feel a need to tell everyone about it.
This is just what I can come up with but use your own insight to guide you. The point is don't rely on instincts! Test all your "friends" and know for sure if they are good people. When I took a deep look at my friends I realised more than half of them really only cared about themselves and had no concern for others. They tried to appear to have concern for others but could not be relied on.
3) Once you know who your friends are make sure you do not empower anyone you have not tested. You can learn to be more selective by not speaking for a day, or even an entire weekend once a month or so. Make it a custom at your church for people to wear a ribbon if they are not speaking that day. Doing this will have a huge effect on "blabbing"
4) Get Brian Tracy's health book. The first one. I've read a lot of books like this and his is one of the best. In addition to it look up free information on "the seven dimensions of wellness" online and look for any holes in your life. Lastly check out diagnose-me.com Its the best medical care I've ever had. The reason for all this is that christians in good health are better able to protect and aid each other and help their children and grand children.
5) In addition to this forum online, stand up before your church and ask everyone to contribute their advice to trusted people (not to the whole church). You would be suprised at the font of wisdom found in your neighbors. As more people contribute others will share.
6) REMEMBER! you can go to church with a man, have him as a friendly neighbor, even invite him to live with you for 20 years or so and still not know he is a psychopath. Only when you educate yourself and look closely will you find the 4% of our population that are psychopaths and up to 20% that are sociopaths. These are not strung out addicts and criminals. Addicts and criminals are self destructive, sociopaths are self interested. They are doctors, lawyers, psychologists, politicians, even ministers. When I looked closely I found that one of my family and two of my friends were psychopaths with another family member and several friends being sociopaths. Guard your flock!