More from "Empire of Illusions" by Chris Hedges

 3rd. Draft Sat..Feb/06/2010

Chris Hedges tells it like it is, so we're going to continue to feature his comprehensive analysis and whether or not we have a road ahead that makes sense.

The evidence he presents points to what Secrets of Violence has tried to depict, that we live in an unadjusted society in need of redemption, having gotten off the beaten path and headed to hell and high water in a hurry.

Psychological Advantage of Belief and Identity

One of the contradictions in unfolding truth is the psychological advantage fostered on those who belong to or believe in a religion or idea, often to the detriment of proper proportionality and constructive intelligence!

The psychological advantage, is that the belonging and the sense of identity, not the accuracy of the belief  provide an illusion of a road ahead, no matter the nature and content of the belief or enterprise. This characteristic or universal truth applies to all people and again unfortunately whether or not the enterprise is constructive and a positive influences makes little difference. As long as it creates a sense of belonging and identity that we all long for, whether or not the narrative turns out to be positive is secondary.

The Christian Right, especially the Elite tier and Islamic extremists, neither of which adhere to any moral code are a good example of the power of the psychological aspect of needing to belong and having an identity. Of course the same thing applies to teenagers who join gangs partly for the same reasons. If Jesus Christ were alive to-day he would say referring to the Christian Right, "get thee behind me Satan".

The most vociferous and visible Christians are the fundamentalists, who perpetuate extreme beliefs and mob mentality, respect only for power, no matter the means to achieve it, driving other pragmatic Christians to become ashamed of Christianity. "See "The Family" by Jeff Sharlet for what the Christian Right is all about.

True Christianity is  based on the God of Jesus Christ, a God of forgiveness, justice, love and compassion and non-violence. Obviously an expression of a mature creative evolving intelligence.

The Religion of Celebrity

The same psychological principles apply to the widespread illusions of the growing number of people imitating Cultural celebrities,such as Hollywood actors, mass media and sports personalities, Christian Right demi-gods, elitists and Televangelists. They are sold to us as commodities, and we choose the one or ones whose narrative we identify with and idolize, never admitting to idolatry, negative imitation, jealousy and longing. Opposing family values and encouraging the following, "destroy another foetus now we don't like children anyhow" from Leonard Cohen's 94 album "the Future".

Television shows like American Idol, who promise wealth and fame to the winners, using all the tricks of punditry, to legitimize mediocrity, and support an unproductive vision and a false promise of happiness for the winners and  a great emotional loss to the many losers, most of whom simply disappear, victims of a vicious circle and illusion.

The four judges, can and do make millions, in one case 40 million a year in compensation.

It's the West's modern version of throwing the Christians to the lions, in the time of the decline of the Roman Empire. The sign of a decaying culture attempting to legitimize scapegoating, fairy tales, frivolity, greed and selfishness. "But altogether human".

Jesus offered us a way out of the pain and suffering caused by the violence in the kingdoms of this world, but through not having understood the Revelation or plunged the depth of his teaching we remain in the dark, like a blind man, looking for a black cat in a dark room.

Maybe we are Children of Satan

Maybe it's time to admit to ourselves that we've been wrong about a lot of things, that we carry a lot of emotional baggage, in our sub-conscious minds, spiritual and physical pain  and suffering, kept from us by our minds protective mechanisms.

      Couple this with our different ICBM's, ideas, customs, beliefs and myths, which we have inherited from our kin and particular cultural circle, and which have positive and negative attributes.
     We defend it because it,s our holy book and manual, and not because we believe or don't believe it contains all the truth. It provides a feeling and in many cases an illusion of psychological security and in many ways has become part of us.

     Jesus forgives all the people involved in creating these fragile illusions, as he said from the cross, "Forgive them father for they know not what they do". Science has legitimized this verse, by proving that what  "triggers" violence in most cases, is a sub-conscious process, so we're not as guilty as we think for most of our violence and corruption.
     This recognition (a universal truth) does not justify violence, but enables us to move forward in the pursuit of truth, without blinders on. Jesus doesn't win our salvation, but launches it through revealing the nature of reality and the nature of human culture! Jesus was right and science seems to agree, this breakthrough will prove fruitful in understanding human behaviour and will restart complimentary human relations!

But as things stand in the world to-day, we can understand why Rene Girard -- whose breakthrough in understanding human behaviour is being compared to Charles Darwins theory of evolution -- had this to say about mankind, "Human relationships are usually seen as normally good, peaceful and so forth, whereas in reality, they're competitive in a war like fashion". And that "Christianity is not about peace, but truth".  Truth twists and turns but would never try to swallow it's tail, like the kingdoms of this world keep doing.
It's no Secret
It's no secret anymore, why loss of integrity is so widespread, why resentment exists for rich and poor, the

rich defend their entitlement and the poor suffer more each day. "Poverty is the worst form of violence", Gandhi.
So the less privileged, are sometimes forced to break the law, having realized the game is fixed against them, lawlessness is encouraged and all other lawless activities increase. "Get as much as you can as fast as you can, rules", proper proportionality no longer exists; it's really a "crime against humanity" and can only end in revolution, or a scenario out of "Mad Max" or desolation row.
Legislation through lobbying is structured to benefit the elite and leaves the underprivileged to fend for themselves. More severe sentencing for criminal behaviour, will not work, only an equitable distribution of wealth can alleviate the destructive polarity and provide a foundation for beneficial change on the road ahead.
What is said in Buddhism practice can be said of Christianity, that we not take on faith what we're told is true, but to be open to the possibility of the truth, to observe, to notice, to check with our experience and see if what we are told, is corroborated by it. Believe in the possibility, "I've seen the nations rise and fall heard their stories, heard them all, but love's the only engine of survival", Leonard Cohen.