136 Comments
User's avatar
⭠ Return to thread
Vin LoPresti's avatar

I didn't miss it at all. By eschewing the extreme mind control of Catholicism, I've been able to worship the real deity of natural systems, such as conversing with the wisdom of ancient desert trees in my own fashion. How can there be an integrated "US, I, we, all there is," if the fundamentals of human-ness, of "us", including our oneness with all other living beings -- bacteria to bears -- in a vast extended reciprocally communicating system are torn away early and regularly during childhood. I'm pointing out the contradictions. Complementary views. Sorry if you think I'm being too negative.

Expand full comment
Jeano's avatar

Drop acid not missiles.

Expand full comment
Vin LoPresti's avatar

Absolutely, but I prefer natural products; cultured Psilocybe mexicana as a "side project" in grad school. Thanks for the suggestion.

Expand full comment
Jeano's avatar

Daannng. That sounds great. I was going to say “eat ‘shrooms and stop the boom” but it didn’t seem as funny as acid. Thanks for correcting me. 🍄🤩🥳

Expand full comment
Stephen Simac's avatar

Psilocybe Azurensis is the Key to Terence's Mind.

Expand full comment
Horsea T.'s avatar

Beer, not bombs.

Expand full comment
Carolyn's avatar

I think religion had fallen by the wayside decades ago and yet I don't see any improvement. It may be part of the cause but there is so much more.

Expand full comment
Fran's avatar

I’ve been following a lot of podcasts on cults/high control groups recently. Steven Hassan on The Influence Continuum podcast talks about the importance of freedom of mind. He was in the Moonies in the 1980s and has since spent his life helping people deprogramme and develop freedom of mind.

Expand full comment
Michael's avatar

I’m also a ‘recovering Catholic’ and agree that this particular religion is a great example of how mass manipulation can work, however, be careful to note that these old fashioned tools are being replaced by new ones and in the end, it’s the same purpose. Every idea can and will be corrupted due to our natural tendencies to compete. But, let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. It’s good to believe in something especially if it’s your own belief

Expand full comment
Vin LoPresti's avatar

I'm heartened by the fact that we both survived well enough to end up as members of this community of Caitlin readers.

Expand full comment
Jeano's avatar

Competition isn’t “natural”. It’s just patriarchal. Which we are drowning in. Symbiosis and cooperation are much more normal in nature, regardless of the Victorian excuse for exploitation that nature is red of tooth and claw.

Expand full comment