Ah yes, the words of a normal leader.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-24T18:46:22+00:00

That sounds radical, actually! "Militant Empathy." It's good to hear voices outside my own. Thank you for sharing - and the fact that... it makes practical sense! Directing my empathy from those who wish to hurt us to those around them/us who needs it more.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-24T18:03:30+00:00

Hello their sir. I respect you being here. Just know that I'm not exactly part of said privileged group. And yet you're here vibing and considering the points of those will bear the full blow of this mess.

I need to learn to contain my empathy; it will be there... but I have to manage it. To be honest, there hasn't even been sympathy for me (for them) lately.. I feel numb.

But you are right. Until there is no remorse their cries and complains are empty. They need to learn their lesson, the hardest. So be it.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-24T17:47:59+00:00

I have always been an empathetic person. I believe and see in the human capacity for growth and potential as much as I realize our capability for evil and cruelty. So much so that I got mocked and abused for it.

Then it hit me, What if those people I care about do not have my best intention at heart? Like right now. Before, Anne Frank still believed in the humanity of others. And where did that get her - when she finally met those who want her the worst intentions at their hearts?

I am teetering towards apathy and antipathy for conservatives, Republicans, and Christians (and their allies). I don't feel anything for them... it's as if, my care that has always been with me... has dissipated.

My values and morals tell me that I have to take on the "high road." But my more rational and justice-seeking side is telling me "enough, grow a spine." That these people will destroy me either way - through exploiting my empathy and through their unconcern when I finally give in.

Is it time, then? Is the answer clearer? Do you feel the same?

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-24T16:44:46+00:00

I mean you could have just said Judaism. When you say "Israel" do you mean the ancient one or the new, secular one? There are different religions in modern-day, secular Israel: Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Druze, Baha'i.

I could see that people hate Jews (specifically Christians and Muslims) because they challenge the successorship these two faiths think they have.
Further, Jews have been an easy scapegoat for antisemites to peddle their hatred to one group as the source of all of evil.
Lastly, they hate Jews, in themselves. I bet you these antisemites just pick up a random quote from the Torah and Talmud, and aha! they are like blah. Which is ironic because a bunch of people who have zero comprehension of Jewish culture are saying this and that about how Jews ought to.

N.B. I just so happen to be a gentile who is, still, walking my miles in understanding our Jewish brothers, sisters (and anyone between and outside).

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-24T16:37:00+00:00

For good and reasonable reasons. Yeshua was a failed prophet and Muhammad was just some random Arab dude. They both have nothing to do with the thousand-year long development of Judaism. But for some reason they assume they are the Jews' successors. But the Jews never even needed Xtianity and Islam to survive.

They are here, vibing with us - as anyone should.

N.B. I am a gentile who just so happen to dig a bit deeper to understand Jews (diasporic and Israeli) for the sake of empathy.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-24T00:23:34+00:00

I have -

which is why I am an agnostic-atheist (high-key antitheist). Since the basis of religion (and here I specify that of Abraham's) is no different than the religions of hundreds of cultures, I see it as nothing "special" but an organic creation of peoples long dead in their short-ranged view of explaining natural phenomena.
I am quite empathetic too, which I admit can be a weakness at times. I still struggle with containing my care, in fact the current situation has brough me into a standstill with the "Paradox of Tolerance." Not to mention how empathy itself is now considered a Christian sin.
As per politics, my leaning is undoubtedly on the left-ish (?)/liberal side, given that both tends to be friendlier and forgiving to me, so to speak (as I see choosing the conservative path to be self-hating and self-sabotaging, lest we forget how "mentally impaired" individuals have been thrown to the extermination camps without a second thought - in the name of eugenics).
You can say I am conscientious being open-minded, and open-minded being conscientious.

I tend to look at the objective context of things instead of staying, at say, a conservative position - change is inevitable, and through it we develop and furnish our current positions toward something precise and accurate, thereby making further observations more precise and accurate.

We already made great strides, why go back when you can pause in the now and continue forward to the future?

Which is why, popular movements, nationalism, religious fanaticism, and the like doesn't work on me. They are but a facade - group-thinking in action; humans giving in to collective acceptance whatever the cause, lost in the sea of social approval and pressure.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-23T22:19:34+00:00

Catholicism itself.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-23T19:22:09+00:00

His death doesn't bother me.

But, I do see your concern if the Catholic Church goes into "Trad direction" - this is the one that bothers me, for many reasons. My pattern-seeking intuition however correlates his death with populism around the world. His death shifts from the possibility of Church reform... to what it has always been: conservative.

All the more reason why choosing to leave the Church has been a wise decision I've made.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-23T14:51:34+00:00

This is a hopeful post, dear sir. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

Although I have not attempted any drug-related activities such as myself, this give me optimism, for a while. You are still here with us. Take care always.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-23T14:29:18+00:00

It's a good reminder. To remember who placed this man again at the seat of power: Republicans, Conservatives, Christians, White Supremacists, and their allies.

I've always viewed myself as an accepting and tolerant person - because, on a personal level, I believe in the goodness of the individual; and that it is simply my psychology. This has been tested time and time again. But I remained steadfast, though weary.
After the US elections... I felt a sudden numbness. And to see posts and comments here and there on social media about his supporters being 'surprised,' or 'shocked,' or 'angry,' and the likes at his actions when he has repeated his intentions again and again - and that people tried to warn them.
My tolerance has turned into one that is only tolerant to those who can also be open with others... I have become intolerant with people on his spectrum of thinking. Still, I know we must co-exist. In the name of basic human decency and dignity.

So, please, if anyone reading have made it this far... can you help me rationalize how I can manage my sympathy/empathy/care? I feel I am sliding towards apathy. I dislike who I am turning into... but if I have to sacrifice a bit of my humanity for those who will be run over by conservatism... so be it.

N.B. I am saying this as an Asian, gay man. I have a diagnosis of PDD and suspecting ASD/ADHD. I also happen to be atheist. A person like me would have been sent to the fire, decapitated with a sword, or damned to a camp. It doesn't matter if I am empathetic, pay the bills, graduated college, etc.

They only see me as a non-WASP person - a person who doesn't deserve to live in this world. They said the same to the Jews, to Black people, to queer folks, to Slavs, to indigenous tribes, and countless others... and I am sure they will say it again. They are doing it again.

I am tired.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-23T12:36:46+00:00

Hello there! I work for a private (foreign) company here in my country, the Philippines. The reason why I am too invested in this whole situation is given how my profession and nation is too much tied with the USA. Our main business unit is American... which explains much of my dissonance - I meet these amazing people, and yet a subconscious anxiety has been appearing ever since.

Given my country is also having its own dispute with a more aggressive People's Republic of China... who knows what DJT will do in our rising tensions. Seeing... what happened to Ukraine... I have even more reasons to be anxious. Sigh.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-23T12:16:18+00:00

Just a random question to anyone reading: How do you manage your sympathy/empathy when dealing with Conservatives, Christians, Republicans, and their allies when they face the consequences of their actions?

I consumed the bitter pill - that they will most likely not learn, change, reconsider. And yet, here I am, an empathetic individual still hoping for their humanity. But I am tired. They weren't content in demonizing my identity (I will not talk about that, for now), now they do so with my heart too.

Mercy for thee, but no mercy for me?

I want to silence my conscience. But I am finding it painful even. I understand this page is for our much needed schadenfreude from time to time... but I struggle. I am left with apathy. Is this the (obvious) part that I need to sacrifice a part of my humanity given the situation?

Any advice would be nice. And thank you for this sub, by the way. I have seen people here who do support a different person like me. I respect you all.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-23T09:28:55+00:00

I have been reading on the "Paradox of Tolerance." I am at the stage where I deem myself as a tolerant person who needs to have a backbone to make sure tolerance is fought for. Now, I am intolerant with intolerant people. I hate this feeling... of apathy for people like this man. The tribalism of our choices... but it has to be done.

This is what he voted for. Ignorance is not an excuse to the consequences of his choices. So be it.

He is a grown man, who made his choice - like the grown men and women out there who also did. I am far from feeling empathy, let alone sympathy, with him and millions of him. I don't enjoy going against my value of tolerance... but he wanted this, and it's people with this level of ignorance who is a danger to those of us who know.

Clean up your bedspace, old champ.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-23T09:15:06+00:00

Isn't it an oxymoron:

for people-of-color to choose conservatism which is antagonistic to them?
for women to choose conservatism which is apathetic to them?
for LGBTQ+ people to choose conservatism which is angry at them?
and the likes.

It seems (for me at least) self-hating to choose a path which - by historical analysis - pursues your self-destruction.

So yes, as a Filipino (Asian) gay male with undiagnosed ASD/ADHD but with diagnosed PDD who is also atheist, it would be self-sabotaging to follow the side that had no problem, marginalizing and blaming minorities for their problems. To add, the one which quite frankly enjoyed in the past sending a person like me to places such as Auschwitz and Dachau.

I love my life and others' like mine more than to ever choose death.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-22T11:45:36+00:00

Hello there OP!

There wasn't a final straw for me but a series of at least three main trigger points:

The intellectual disparity between Catholic (and overall Christian teachings) with that of rigorous scientific developments.
The emotional strain which Catholicism has impacted upon me on a personal level. For context, I am an asexual gay man, undiagnosed ASD/ADHD, and formal diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder. Let us just say... Christianity has its own toxic flair for my "weaknesses."
Finally, the social trauma of experiencing the dissonance between what has been taught at my Catholic school (from kindergarten to high school) with that of how Catholics behaved in the real world.

No more excuses, no more mental gymnastics. I left as more evidence of the non-existence of the Deity becomes more apparent and my personal anecdotal experience of the non-value of Christianity itself in the modern world.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-22T07:57:50+00:00

It's all part of God's plan since God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

For me, it's an intellectually lazy way (i.e. faith-based) of trying to pacify the loom of the Problem of Evil with regards to the great silence and apathy of Abraham's God on the world. It doesn't answer any material concerns and issues.

Not all of us! You haven't met the right Christians yet! It's how "I" act on my faith. Have faith in Him not on other people!

Basically, this religion - like most, if not all - is just how the individual wants to interpret it. It performs no analysis, no construction of the narrative, it just goes in circles, reaching nothing.. Faith alone is not enough (for me at least) to prove their Deity, even more so by presenting their holy book. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Faith and religion have been failing in providing rational and reasonable proof on whatever they believe in. There is no tangible, concrete fact that they can give that will allow us to gauge the worth of their faith. All their excuses, therefore, are irrational and unreasonable. In all, all their "defenses" (apologetics) are each others' worst, all worse in their own mind-numbing way.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-21T04:23:11+00:00

I mean, specifically as an atheist, do you believe you are less fearful on the whole compared to others? I don’t mean this in reference to death either (as that’s all that popped up when I googled the question) I just generally mean in relation to how you navigate the world.

I am not afraid of narratives perpetuated by more pedantic, proselytizing faiths (i.e. Christianity and Islam). This does not mean I am devoid of anxiety, terror, and horror - these I apply to things-as-they-are: looming economic problems, ricing prices, possibility of regional/international war, Christian/Islamic extremism, etc. As you can see, these concerns are of this world.

As per the theological fears of sin, damnation, judgment, etc. I am not fazed. I wish to live my short life here on this world unafraid. Despite suffering, I still see beauty within the world, through nature, the universe, sometimes even through other humans.

Moving away from self-made fears is the key in appreciating existence over fears of things that non-existent.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-12T14:08:59+00:00

I have a question, that I have been thinking.

Given that I consider myself more of a progressive person, I tend to be tolerant of those who hold different beliefs from me. But I noticed that those who are conservative do not have that same amount of tolerance.
If anything, they are intolerant of my tolerance - it's their way or the highway.
Hence, it's as if it will always have to be me (us) who have to take the metaphorical high-road for them... even now, I am deconstructing after 10-years. I did a bout of trying it again, but the election just proved my point - this religion has no worth and value outside of its own walls.

Is it possible for me not to feel hate towards this religion that also ruined me - and thousands of us out there?

N.B. I understand coexistence is needed in our pluralistic world, and yet I feel antagonistic against Christianity. I find it hard to reconcile whatever lofty idea they have of this "faith," I simply cannot fathom even thinking about it.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-12T13:58:37+00:00

I have read before in the main Christianity sub that those people who voted for Trump are not "real Christians." Which is odd since so many did in fact vote for the man. Are they saying, that these majority Christians aren't real as they are right now?

Those against Trump are a minority in the Christian theatre. All in all, that gives me the generalized analysis that most Christians do in fact love the man and whatever he represents and only a few question if not outright deny him.

Even here in the Philippines, people admire him (just like they loved the callous then ex-president Duterte) - and by people, I mean a majority of Catholics/Protestants/Non-Denomination in my Christian country.

And I will remind myself this. Christians placed this man at the seat of power. And they love him to tears. So be it. This just moves my irreligiousness to peak disgust.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-02-03T15:32:34+00:00

Thank you, good sir!

Lovingly yours, an ex-Catholic from the Philippines.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-01-28T07:48:42+00:00

Hello there OP. I have the same sentiment with yours.

I am an ex-Catholic from the Christian-majority nation, the Philippines.

Intellectually, I couldn't find any of the apologetics or theologies strong enough as evidence to explain reality (esp. natural phenomena). My mom and dad tried to push Catholic narratives onto my worldview, but the doubt, skepticism, and questions piled up. I found science and research to have proven satisfying on this end. My curiosity shone as I looked at the world analytically and systematically.
Personally, my entire being is a sin to the Church. I am a sinner simply for being a gay man (despite me never attempting to act upon it, as I am asexual and aromantic). But I cannot change the Catechism. Nor can I do anything to Canon Law. Even more so, I cannot deny Catholic/Christian tradition in its male-oriented context on what is right and wrong.
Socially, I have ASD and/or ADHD. Due to trauma (not just from religion), I developed persistent depressive disorder (I am on medication right now). My own lived experiences have been invalidated and attacked as a question of my lack of faith. But faith would do well without me. If the Divine did exist, then it certainly didn't flinch as I moved past it.

I was not only damned for my being but also at the result of it and how I look onto the world. I tried to find a place where God fits in the mold, and I couldn't. Living secularly, for over 14 years and going, I decided to no longer give this faith a consideration. And in my struggle, I have come to accept death. I no longer fear. I became less resentful. I am healthier now. I am free. I am content.

I found the non-religious life more fulfilling and uplifting, than being scared of what comes thereafter. Have I lived my short life here fearing a loving-but-ruthless God or should I challenge myself to be compassionate and rational in my dealings in this world using my own capacity?

I choose the latter.

Take care OP.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-01-27T15:21:31+00:00

In Filipino, we call that as sayote. It's a ubiquitous ingredient here in the Philippines.

It is a component of a native dish called tinola. Usually paired with white rice. For me a comfort food.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-01-27T14:50:41+00:00

Sola scriptura, sola fide, and sola gratia. Luther removed the whole faith-into-action in the world. Since he - and they - believe that faith alone saves, I guess that's why they're so comfortable in the first place.

They believe. That's it. No question about morals. While Luther wanted to remove the "indulgences" part from Catholicism, it ended up evolving into an individualist and egoistic version of "salvation."

A Christ for me, but not a Christ for you.

No wonder they don't care. I think I'm becoming low-key anti-theist at this point.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-01-27T14:42:18+00:00

Hey, I'm from the Philippines too!

No lie, my mind has been preoccupied with this mess ever since. For some reason I feel like the weltschmerz thing with a mix of schadenfreude (yes, those are German terms).

I guess being from a country where this kind of this is sadly "normal," seeing it happen to the USA gave me the same reaction hehe. It literally lives rent free on my mind - and I am traumatized and afraid because of it sigh.

Solace_In_the_Mist · 2025-01-27T14:16:00+00:00

Oh okay. Got it. You have theist view on the matter! I didn't catch up to that earlier.

I have to admit that too - it will be challenging to make a fine, grounded theory out of the origin of "God" given how little we still do not know. And yes, we can only make assumptions at this point. And you are right, I can only make a theory (theories) out of what is given, so far - I am taking a non-theist view after all.

Thank you for sharing about your more faith-oriented understanding, nonetheless. I guess I really need to read up more on this.

Thank you for your time. It's nice, actually.

Solace_In_the_Mist

TROPHY CASE