Sociology

Or better titled

The lack of commiment to pursue the "working" knowlege of other cultures, people, customs, and morals.

I have been very frustrated with the many things I see on the net these days. Lots of discusions of politics as usual, along with the moral values of todays society. Think you're outside the box? When you hear the term "moral values" you cringe thinking of conservative anti-gay marraige pro-lifers in DC.? Then step back for a minute and get away form the details and look at the bigger picture, cause you're not even close.

There are quite a few interesting topics that are viewed very negatively that IMO are not being looked from all sides. To list a few.. Foriegn policy, group Marriage (esp. polygamy), Arragned marriage, Religious gender roles, etc.

I find too often that many people are quick to veiw many of these things as "oppresive", "offensive", "inaceptable". The funny thing ismost are the same people that are rallying to have better acceptance of their rather socialy unaccepted lifestyles. There are extreeme examples of all of these that can be taken from a major negative view. Believe it or not they are not norm. Plus I have not seen many people stop and really think about the culture and community that many are raised in and how ingrained these beliefs and socail practices are into their lives.

Example,
Polygamous wife is scorned for how oppresed she is and why she would choose her lifestyle. Well for one if religion is a factor, not only does she believe that her choice is right, but integral to her eternal life. Also from the non-religous polygamous sects, there is the ansestry and customs that are followed and many will continue to follow and carry on the tradition very happily. How does one poly triad MFF or quad MFFF differ to polygamy? Quess what it doesn't. It has just become a way of saying "Not FLDS or religious fanatic" but still married or "involved with" women. Think it is different if one or all of the women are Bi-sexual. I would ask you to study the history of the hebrews durring the exodus and beyond. Quess what they were bi and Moses was a polygamist (check leviticus {somewhere btwn chapters 18-22?). Also if you are non-judeo (or christain). Then lets look back to a few other cultures. Liek say the native americans, many of such tribes were polygamists AND they did not sleep around (openly with each other). Yet the man not only had to support the women and give them their own land, but could be dumped at the whim of said woman and his wifes as seen fit.

I will continue my other examples tomorrow (this will be a multiple part post). My main point here is that; honestly complaining and trying to fix things that aren't broken causes things to break worse. Cultures dont' willingly change habitsa that have been practiced for thousands of years over someone being offended. I don't expect everyone I meet to be bi-sexual, pagan, jewish, or poly. Nor do I expect evry culture to fit into my box of thinking (or everyone for that matter). Oppression is subjective, if you don't feel oppressed and feel you are living the life you desire feel free. Too many people trash things they just will not take the time and capacity to understand...
To be continued....