In the past couple of weeks I have come across some examples of non-critical thinking that have began to disturb me.
At a personal level, I found my retina doctor was outright lying to me and expecting me to believe him. I have a weird eye condition where I'm looking through a dancing web of smoky pink stuff. And he told me it was because of the shots he was giving my eye. He said he could suck it out, but it might damage my eye and it was my only one I had left. But I said you only gave a shot in my left eye and it's in both eyes. As he walked out the door he said well we'll suck it out next time if you dare to, but I don't recommend it. I'm looking for a new retina doctor.
I started reading a book on the Bible by a supposed Bible scholar, a former professor of the Bible at a leading university. But it's full of guesses and suppositions and assuming he knows the motivation and thinking of the authors. At least 50% of it is made-up stuff. I'm thinking someone who does not know could be believing it because of his creds. If they do not apply critical thinking and ask themselves questions, they would be vastly misled.
Even more importantly, I watch in horror as communist inspired people are running for office and want to take down America. One Speaker I heard even said that his hero was Mao Zedong! He was a bona fide mega villain. People apparently are not thinking and don't know history. I remember my political science professor saying that you can tell which country is the best by which way the borders leak. Nobody is risking their life to get into North Korea or China or Russia or Cuba. People are trying to get into America because of opportunity and freedom.
I heard hundreds of horror stories of communism firsthand in the years I taught in the former Soviet union. Sure free stuff sounds great,.but there is a terrible price. You give up your freedom and maybe your life And you're poor while the leaders are rich. If you're falling for the rhetoric of the communist inspired people calling themselves democratic socialists, which they aren't, please do some research. On top of this, they are extremely anti-Semitic. Haven't we had enough shameful pogroms and holocausts?
Please pay attention. Do a little research. Look at life behind the iron curtain. Look at what life is like in North Korea. Look anywhere communism rules or has ruled. They're just glorified dictatorships. The leaders want power and then they take everything from you. They want to take everything from the rich people. the people who run businesses and generate employment and give people opportunities. They lie about capitalism, which is the system where more people got out of poverty than any other system in the history of our planet.Think think think.
Do your own actual research in search for what is accurate and true.. Whatever the topic, apply critical thinking. The key points are: analysis, evaluation, questioning, logic leading to logical conclusions or at least hypotheses, and self-reflection. Start with an opening purpose and question. Gather information without bias, that is all sides of the question. Let logic lead. Be willing to find truth. Avoid confirmation bias. Try it out on whatever topic you want. Learn first hand the empowerment you feel from.thinking critically.
God bless you on your journey my dear friends.
We must be in the same mind space. I spent last week hearing people say or think the most ridiculous and non thinking ideas and tried to passed these statements off as if they made any sense. People from health care professionals to educated professionals repeating Alarming and dangerous. Ideas. I hope to have my o n blog up and running soon so that I can expose these mistruths. Please people THINK and Question
ReplyDeletePlease learn the definitions of Socialism and Communism and Democratic Socialism. They are all very different things. Beware of those who try to tell you they are the same.
ReplyDeleteThen look around you and consider the government programs that have made our country great such as: public schools and Universities (paid for with government taxes) which are open to all; Police and Fire protection also financed by taxes, that serve all citizens; roads and highway systems, financed by taxes and free for all to drive on. All a form of "Socialism". Then there are the school lunches for children whose parents are "food challenged" and the government subsidies to the farmers who then donate food to the school system -- definitely a form of "Socialism". And how about our military that protects our country, paid for by taxes. All of this "Socialism" means that we don't have to pay for things like personal guards and private tutors, and that all citizens, not just the rich, can benefit -- which works to make the U.S. the great country it is.
And then go to the New Testament and read about the early Christians (Acts 2:44-45) who "held all things in common and gave unto each according to his needs." Sounds like "downright communism" to me.
How about Jesus' teachings to feed the hungry and minister to the sick and take care of the widows and orphans? Would you call that Socialism or Communism or Christianity?
Now, I already hear people saying "That means individuals not the government!!" Well, here in the U.S. we have had the concept of the government being "Of the people, By the People and For the People."
which means you and me.
The Bible also warns us to beware of "False Prophets (Mathew 7:15)
who come to you in sheep's clothing." The politicians who call their opponents "Socialists" or "Communists" are trying to scare you into believing those people are out to "destroy" us all. Most of them are only advocating for better lives for ALL Americans such as: adequate food, medical care, housing, schooling, safe water, safe streets and the opportunity to live free of fear of the government.