Paul the Poke

Who’s willing to take that step, to speak up according to their convictions regardless of outcome? So many times, I see that folks are willing to speak boldly when their opinions echo the general consensus. But what happens when the consensus is wrong?

Being naturally curious about the mechanics of the “group think” mentality, I’ve searched deeply for to discover the tell-tale effects of “group think” or “mob rules” within society, both at large, as well as interconnecting microcosms of the phenomena pervading the environment in which we live. It seems that someone or something has been continuously manipulating the minds of individuals to think along certain lines, within ever narrowing parameters.

What I’ve discovered is akin to a model used in animal training techniques. In the beginning the trainer presents a set of parameters that are wide and flexible, thereby making it easy for the animal to comply. A reward system is established, teaching the animal that obedience to these loosely based guidelines produces results that are both pleasant and desirable. As the training process continues the parameters are gradually narrowed, becoming more complicated and difficult to traverse. The ultimate goal of the trainer is to manipulate the animal’s behavior to such a degree that it becomes robotic. Once this goal is accomplished the animal no longer focuses or relies upon its own senses, but rather remains solely focused upon the parameters themselves in decision making processes.

Unfortunately for the animal, the God given instincts it was born with are no longer prevalent in its daily routine of behavior. The power of decision making has now been given over to the trainer, and for what purpose? The trainer has effectively harnessed the animal in such a way that he becomes the beneficiary of its actions, rather than the animal itself. Too often the trainer is self-motivated, seeking nothing more than to enrich himself in some way, having no actual regard for the creature in which he manipulates.

In my opinion this same process has been applied to mankind. We have been given certain unnatural parameters in which we are expected to abide. Paradigms have been created with the intent of forming us into incompatible groups, thus making it easier for the trainers to maintain and control. This form of control has been honed and improved upon over several millennium, taking many different shapes, disguising itself in many forms.

But there is one factor the trainers have not included within their equations, and that is the mind and Spirit of the Creator. He is the original programmer, the designer of all we survey. He sets the parameters for which we were created to comply with. No human, no angel, no alien is able to supersede or assume authority over the mechanics of our true purpose. We were created to glorify God in all we do. This inclination, when adhered to, benefits the individual as well as all of mankind. All of the suffering and ugliness that we witness here is a direct result of rebellion against His laws, laws that were written upon our very hearts.

God’s laws should take precedent over our emotions. Our hearts, having been manipulated by various factors, such as self-will, self-gratification, have been conditioned to seek out all things that steer us away from the will of God, making us soft targets to manipulate. We should not fully trust our heart but should first make it subject to the will of God.