19 Comments
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Steven Choi's avatar

I’ve been praying something like “No God YOU be the one who forgives and redeems these folks when they’re ready. I’m fucking tired and YOU are God and I am not,” these days tbqh

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Trey Ferguson's avatar

To be honest... that doesn't seem very extremely far off from what Jesus prayed on the cross.

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Steven Choi's avatar

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

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R.J.'s avatar

Thank you for your wisdom and sharing it with us.

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Trey Ferguson's avatar

You are too kind, but don’t change that.

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R.J.'s avatar

You consistently challenge me and my beliefs, and you do so in a fun, and entertaining way, even w/ challenging and heavy topics.

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Michael M's avatar

DOGGONE IT TREY. Sigh. Argh.

Fine.

Man. <Breathes hard through nose>

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Trey Ferguson's avatar

i know, beloved. it's tough.

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Jeannie Prinsen's avatar

I was just talking with a friend this morning and she mentioned that Bonhoeffer had written on "stupidity" -- and then I read your post, which actually quotes him on this subject. This post is so helpful. I was struck especially by this part: "Ignorance is part of the matrix of sin that we cannot be saved from on an individual basis. An individual becoming enlightened will not become safer if they are still surrounded and ensnared by a web of ignorance."

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Trey Ferguson's avatar

people have been trying to warn us about stupidity through the ages!

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Marla Taviano's avatar

I want to believe it’s just stupidity but I’m seeing so much willful intentional gleeful hateful cruelty.

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Trey Ferguson's avatar

Often not *just* stupidity. But understanding stupidity as the foundation and starting point has been helpful for me to resist dehumanizing others as monsters when it appears they’re giving me every reason to do exactly that.

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Marla Taviano's avatar

I hear you.

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Rebecca Reynolds's avatar

“Ignorance is part of the matrix of sin that we cannot be saved from on an individual basis. An individual becoming enlightened will not become safer if they are still surrounded and ensnared by a web of ignorance.”

I needed this. Thank you so much.”

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Leslie Erickson's avatar

I feel surrounded by people I love who seem to be supportive of everything I am horrified by. It can be hard to remember why I love them, and I find myself questioning if I “should” love them. I’ve been telling myself they are ignorant or have been brainwashed. They certainly must not understand what’s happening because I thought they were moral, decent people. I think I have to hope that’s true. I can love around someone’s stupid. Thank you for that perspective. It may help for now.

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Christopher Barnes's avatar

Love this! I may have to piggy back on this thought in my writing. So good!

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Erin Isgett's avatar

I absolutely needed to read this today. Thank you.

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Trey Ferguson's avatar

Thank YOU

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jlp's avatar

Reading this brought me a strange sense of relief. However, those who willingly and knowingly choose evil because they have been consumed by the dark forces surrounding us(just my belief), are those I truly struggle with. How are we to deal with them? Does God ask us to forgive them when they intentionally harm his children over and over and over? This is what breaks my heart...not the ignorant or stupid (as I have beenany times), but those who choose evil.

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