“Do you believe anyone or anything is controlling your thoughts or behavior,” inquired the psychiatrist.
“No. I choose my behavior. However, it’s with a damaged brain that is impulsive and irrational,” the patient replied. “The honest truth is I don’t know why I do the things I do.”
To some degree, I think most people are disconnected from their actual values, based on what they feel their values should be versus what they actually are when viewing their behavior. I look mostly at behavior. I am particularly interested in what goes on when it’s perceived to be private. I can rationalize a lot of selfishness for certain. Words are almost meaningless.
If one prays at the 50-yard line during the national anthem but doesn’t do this at home when the game is on and nobody is looking, it is about tribal (sub-cultural) affiliation out of what is complete self-interest to manipulate others into acceptance at the very least. If one is offended because someone else doesn’t pray in public, it’s about a lack of tribal alliance, and subordination, especially if there are punitive pressures. If one leads the prayer, rather than a moment of silence, it’s inherently rather arrogant.
However, I am aware of my own hypocrisy. It helps me realign my behavior. I can only look at my own behavior to determine my own motives, as I’d rationalize them otherwise. However, when I behave differently between just me and ‘god’ than I do when watched by persons actually in existence, I know what is up.
Joker's Wild 