Stairway to Belief

One knows to begin with a disclaimer when challenging the deeply held beliefs of others. This is most especially true in these divisive times.

12 Step programs, Largely ineffective

My disclaimer is as follows: For those who have been involved with one of the many twelve step programs and have found solace, companionship, a path out of addiction, or a pathway to a happier existence when a loved one struggles with addiction, I am truly glad for you. I have seen this happen with people in my own life and it seems wrong to dishonor any new found quality of life, however one achieves that goal. In short, if you feel good about your successes or perceived successes in a twelve step program and your judgment is to continue, by all means. I am satisfied that ones mental flexibility to listen to and/or absorb new ideas is the single most important bit. 

That said, if we “know” (as in; we have abundant evidence for a thing) that a given methodology/treatment is not truly effective, it is incumbent upon us to stand up straight and say this clearly. First, because it is true. Further, in the interest of compassion toward our fellow humans, we wish to both point the way toward superior methods/treatments of serious maladies and away from the inferior. As the psychiatrist in the report observes, even if we were not able to offer a clearly superior treatment for a given disease, our moral obligation to inform others of the failures of a system currently in use, still applies. We arrive at this inference based upon the idea that operating from facts and evidence is unarguably superior to acting from belief alone.

—The fact that we have a very serious addiction problem in the United States and we have finite resources available for research/remediation and the diversion of precious resources to ineffective treatments is a shocking waste, well, that is another discussion.—

I keep up with the news and I am well informed.

Let's examine that claim.


Humans of New York article

Quote from the above article: "She volunteered to tutor us for free. Even though we only saw her two or three times a month, she gave me another perspective on life. I’d probably have five children by now if it wasn’t for her. She taught me to think critically about our traditions. She had empathy for our culture, but she also taught me that not all traditions are positive. Especially for women."

Heartwarming, isn't it? Well, on a personal level, sure. Any effort in the right direction is a good thing.

On the other hand, this isn't the second century BCE anymore. There are seven plus billion humans on this planet. Soon enough there will likely be eleven billion! And guess what most of them won't have and all of them will want? An American or Western European lifestyle. That would include an automobile, a home, a refrigerator, plenty of food, and the energy to manage all that.

For those of us concerned about climate change, guess what? Without concurrently working to slow population growth, almost all of our efforts will be in vain. In short, there are too many humans scrambling for a slice of a finite pie. Do you imagine you are getting the most informative and helpful news and information? Ask yourself, when was the last news story you heard about this topic?

Fuck Bill Barr

Click to see what the AG of the USA is saying these days.

CNN reports on Bill Barr speech

Let me be clear and concise. Fuck Bill Barr.

How does he have the nerve to label people on the left of the political spectrum as, essentially, demons bringing down society? How did he become so deluded as to conflate being America’s pastor with being America’s chief law enforcement officer? He is a living example that one can be an intelligent, and even well-educated, human being and be totally clueless.

If Mr. Barr wishes to run things according to a religious dogma, let him go and become a deacon or pastor in his church.

Leave us out of it.

I am good with religious folks who decide to live by a certain tradition from which they derive an inner peace, a sense of community, a strength to help them get along in a world that can be rather harsh. Bless their hearts, I know and have strong connections to many of them. Back in the day, I was one of them. But I will speak boldly and firmly in opposition to anyone of any religious tradition that brings those beliefs into the public square and tries to impose policies, particular to their traditions, on all of us in a pluralistic society. It is presumptuous at best. At worst it is a crass display of dominance. And, oh by the way, it is unconstitutional.