I M Perfect lady


Our History

One little choice can change your world, who you are, what you stand for, and the path you take.

One little liberty of refusing to wear a mask – has a snowball affect.

I wonder how many really looked at the outcome of not wearing a mask. Not the daily view; but the one that led to the Capital building.

 

If you stand up for your liberties by breaking the rules, in order to keep standing, do you have to keep breaking the rules?

 

When does it stop?

 

I am in shock and awe of the First Apostolic Lutheran church members and how many have take this route.

How being lawless and supporting those who are, is now a good thing. 

A patriot thing.

An American thing.

My head hurts trying to make sense of the senseless 

I just can't figure out their choice making, or the things they rally for, or against.

 

Yet, mostly, I am affirmed.

My experience with some folks within the church(es) has been one of sheer confusion.  And, maybe it was my naive or innocence in who I thought they were, compared to who they really are.

 

Just as it seems like a no-brainer to wear a mask and help reduce the spread of the virus and help business stay open, they go on the opposite end; assuring longer closures and more spreading.

They speak of their liberties – like they have full power of their lives, their bodies and minds. When in fact, the mask wearing was the least among all the liberties they had to lose.

It is to be standing naked and appalled being asked to take off your hat.

 

It is hard to see where their minds are and what causes them to act the way they act. Hard to understand the choices they make given the options available.  Whether to align with the laws or go against them.

 

When I first discovered my sexual abuse, I discovered church members knew and did nothing. No thing.

The very thing you think they would be up in arms about, they sat silently and often worked to keep it quiet.

 

So, in our minds, we believe that "good" christians will act this way and be on the side of the law.

When in fact, the opposite is more true.

Some will dispute this; but we are seeing actions that are showing us who they are.

As Dr. Maya Angelou says, "People show you who they are; believe them the first time."

 

I did.

I am not so in shock of how they are acting; maybe more in shock of the public displays.

The boldness and arrogance in which they are going against the rules and laws.

What appears to be anithkical to their religion perhaps is actually the core of who they are.

 

What is the character of their religion, IF it is okay with rule breaking, or turning a blind eye to the crimes against children?

A friend suggested that they confuse "leader" with abuser.

That seems right. That they can't tell the difference from an abuser to a leader Or that their leaders are abusers. So, to them an abusive leader is a leader.

And, their choice making reflects their confusions.

 

Again, I am certain there will be many who will dispute this and tell me they know exactly what they are doing and what they are standing for.  That they are being patriotic and stand up for the liberties of all.

 

There is a sleight of hands in all of this. A place where it switches from standing for liberties and breaking the laws.

A place where the knifes edge changes the side you are standing on.

The place where you slip from a law a biding citizens to a law breaker.

I have to wonder how many folks who break the law ever feel that they are in the wrong.

How many break laws every day, believing it is their right.

 

So for the many who feel I am in the wrong; perhaps you and I don't see eye to eye and for that I am grateful for.

I used to see the world with your mind.

This may seem very confusing and the ramblings of a mad woman, who is mixing my experience with the church members and how they are acting in a pandemic. I had to write the things that hurt my head.

What hurt my head, and even my heart are members of a church acting so unkindly.

I am thankful I am no longer a member.

I am grateful that I made the choice to mask up, to follow the guidelines and to be on the side of history where I don't have to break laws to keep standing up for my choice.

And each time the question arises, when we step out in public, we make the same choice OR we can choose again.  

I also wonder where the other leaders of the church are, the ones who have to be sensing the demise of their reputation as church of morals and values. No one else is speaking up, but allowing the loud group to be their voice. Is it the voice they want to represent them?

How is that quote. "It isn't the actions of our enemies; but the silence of our friends."

It feels like many christian organizations or religions who are condoning the no masking, will all lose their morals and values with this pandemic. They will lose being the heart of our communities.  They are instead the ones who are rallying against the agencies who are striving to keep us all safe.

At the end of the day, we all are going to be seen by how we act.

You may act as a group, but we all choose alone.

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And, our choices become part of our history.

 


Responses

  1. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    Watching and listening to the video by Arnold A. on the web last night repeated what you are saying, Beth. If you are willing to believe the lies and not question, it is a powerful weapon wielded by the powerful and those who want full control. If you do not choose to question or say no, crimes against children, people who practice different religion, the color of skin or ethnicity of race are allowed and atrocities mankind should never forget or allowed does occur. Being complicit is being aware and staying silent or turning your back on the truth of what is really happening. I have followed the postings and the Trump rallies and who they were hosted by in the Copper Country…sadly, sponsored and rallied by the very church who proudly proclaims the way to salvation. What a joke and sadness and I am so happy you are not within their grip anymore. Your actions now are showing who you are and not what someone else demands you be. Laws are only for some, and this church has proven they are willing to extoll a sick, amoral and evil man who has no respect except for control, power and money. Religion does not always equal the truth of what is really happening.

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  2. I M Perfect Avatar
    I M Perfect

    Thanks again for your words Joan. I have never seen this church so political and in support of a leader as they are with Trump. And, it seems that he would be the opposite of what they would stand for – and it isn’t just the First App, it is other even stricter religions.
    And, it is true about not being able to question or to be discerned – or to stand out differently; they are easily led.
    All in all, I hope this is a wake up call – and that there are consequences for those who did wrong.

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  3. Dawn Avatar
    Dawn

    I too am appalled. I am shocked that so many of my supposed friends believe the lies and believe their country is being taken away, and that they use the mask thing as an example. Truly…the country is not being taken away in the name of masks! We are trying to save lives. Obviously they have not had family or friends die of this virus. Lucky them. I made one comment on FB during the insurrection and was attacked by numerous ‘friends.’ I am now silent…again…but chaffing under the feeling of not speaking my mind. I’m pretty sure it’s going to come out of me and perhaps not in an eloquent way.

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  4. I M Perfect Avatar
    I M Perfect

    Dawn, I am sorry you feel that silence is your safest way to be – for now. It is not easy to see the ideals friends have – and wonder about commonality after this.
    The difference between the two sides are so far apart, there doesn’t seem to be a bridge between them.
    However, I guess that is our task, to find one.
    You will find the words – if you wait for the right ones to come to you.

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  5. Revoverdb Avatar
    Revoverdb

    I was in this church until very recently. With this pandemic I spoke out about masks and having compassion to others. I was told I was angry and that I shouldn’t worry. I was told many things and rarely did anyone agree. I don’t see what they big deal with mask wearing is, but so many see it as a loss of freedom. It’s like they believe covid stops at the church door…
    I tried to stand up to those that put politics into the church. With no change after many months of trying, I had to leave.
    I am sorry you had a terrible experience.

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  6. I M Perfect Avatar
    I M Perfect

    Thank you for sharing. I too, am sorry for your experiences. I know what it feels like to feel on the outside or to be inside and no longer fit in.
    And, I too understand how it feels to be misunderstood when trying to help educate, or inform. Mostly we are teaching ourselves.
    It is hard to comprehend how they are abiding by so many church rules and then unable to follow a simple one.
    Each of us has to do what feels right inside.
    I am glad you are following your heart.
    This pandemic will be life changing – and it will not change things for the better for some – it will put them in a bad light.
    Thanks for being you.

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  7. recoverdb Avatar
    recoverdb

    I wanted to add, thank you for this post. While some people from inside the church privately have agreed with me, no one has been willing to take the same stand. Not really. So I’ve felt fairly alone, and wondered(like you) how people who profess a Christian faith can act as they do.
    I know some who are unwilling to speak up. I had hoped they might join me when I did. However, that was not the case and instead I only heard the shame from the loud voices.
    But, I now try to not focus on the past but instead on my future. A bright one because I know I am following my heart. I don’t know where it leads, but I do know this: God has a plan and it is my duty to follow it.

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  8. I M Perfect Avatar
    I M Perfect

    In my experience – following what my heart and what I knew was right for me has brought me peace inside.
    It isn’t easy to be a free thinker – coming from a religion where we all were taught to think alike. And, I discovered that much I was taught, was incorrect.
    In leaving, I found, a new self and saw the world with new eyes. I became a friend to myself and learned to love me.
    It is sad on many levels, that others are thinking – but unable to take a stand. That is a hard life to think and believe one way, and to act completely different.
    Thanks again for sharing.

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