Manipulated by Instinct

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus, is one of my favorite birds.  We see them almost every day, vigilantly perched somewhere in the pasture, prepared to catch the insects which make up their diet.  They are in the same Family as the King Birds and that is why the ominous sounding Family name of Tyrannus (Tyrant).  King Birds are notorious for vigorously defending their territory and will frequently attack larger birds.  We saw one yesterday attacking a Crow as it flew across.  The Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are not that aggressive against other birds, but are stuck with the family reputation.

As I was thinking about that fact -- "stuck with the family reputation" -- it came to mind that people tend to attach "family" reputations to individuals, no matter what their own character might be.  I think this especially applies to what I will term "religious" families, or affiliations.  We create in our minds an all-encompassing view of members of particular religions that don't apply to all adherents.  In fact, they probably don't apply to the religion in general but, are drawn from our "worst" impressions of a group.  We attach the word "terrorist" with Islam and "self-righteous" with Christianity.  We also see many who associate "peaceful" with Buddhism and other Eastern religions.  The problem is that none of those descriptors are true in general, but may be true of specific individuals.

The tendency to quickly classify based on associations such as just described is part of our genetic programming that has evolved as a survival mechanism.  We link to "worst" cases because that is the potential source of danger to us.  It is only when we learn to overcome our genetic coding and view situations and individuals through reasoning and observation that we can see clearly in each case.  Otherwise, our "default" view determines our response.

In this world of "instant" everything, we fail to realize that the immediate gratification is an appeal to our most basic animal responses.  It is the default mode that gives the first and, initially, most likely satisfying result.  It isn't always what is best -- think drug addictions, etc.

One of the things that sets humans apart from animals is our ability to reason and therefore, to differentiate and discriminate between perceived instinctual threats and actual threats.  When we fail in this discernment, we are easily manipulated into behavior that may be detrimental.  We herd cattle based on their instinctual response to stimulus.  Humans follow a similar pattern when they fail to react with reason rather than base animal instinct.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is don't allow yourself to be manipulated.  Dig a little deeper.  Understand more.  Realize that those who would rule you often are not seeking your good, but their own power.  That isn't always the case, but is frequently the motivation for political rhetoric.  Don't be an animal, rise to the level of what makes us human.

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ -- to the glory and praise of God." -- Philippians 1:9-11