The Elephant in the Room

This has been on my heart and mind for a long time. I am not sure why it has taken me so long, but I am one hundred percent sure that it has something to do with being raised in a religious cult, and the reality of living under the current administration...the PTSD is real. But, I want/need to publically reject any/all anti-Jesus, anti-human mistreatment of poor, sick, marginalized, black and brown, women and children, and all queer people that has happened or is happening. I have read the Bible (library of books about God and culture and Jesus) numerous times, and studied it more hours than any other book or collection of books. I even went to a Christian university for my counseling degree. And, sometimes I get deep shame from not knowing then what I know now. Mostly, it is now an exercise in self-compassion, and motivation for continued humility and a growth-mindset.

As a therapist, I am bound by a code of ethics to help and not harm, to report abuse, to support people who have been traumatized...so, it should not be a surprise that I am on the side of the vulnerable and victims, not the victimizers. As someone who has been through all of the types of abuse, and have been through years of therapy, I acknowledge that systemic racism, classism, sexism, materialism, ableism, nationalism, tribalism are all things that are harmful and abusive, and meant to keep a select few in power and most everyone else in disempowered and dangerous situations. People who use their majority status, their power, their money, their "fill-in-the-blank" to control others, or to have power over others, are not people that I support. So, am I clear? I hope so!

When I vote, I vote for people who understand the assignment (public service), but I also acknowledge that the government (empire) is also a system that was set up and maintained by taking the land from people who already lived on this land (where I currently am...Swinomish, Samish, Upper Skagit, and Sauk-Suiattle people). Ugh! So, I am doing what I can do: taking personal responsibility to minimize my own negative impact, educating myself by studying and listening to the stories of marginalized people groups, and trying to help where I can help. And just in case I am not clear: I am sure Jesus would be against the current president and administration, and the way that they have used religion to get even more power...literally anti-Jesus. Finally, I do not think religion should be part of politics, but for some reason, it is, so I wanted to say what was in my heart and on my mind. May peace and love be with ALL people everywhere.