On Being Homogenized

homogenous: adj. Of the same kind; alike, similar. Having the same composition throughout; of uniform make-up

We are living out a paradox. Our nation, the United States of America, is divided. Yet there is a push to eliminate voices which are contrary to a prescribed and predetermined thought pattern. (Isn't that called censorship?) In other words, those in power are demanding our nation's citizens become homogenized. Dissenters are labeled phobic, racist, terrorist, or the next popular catch phrase that will become a trend-setter..

Conforming, becoming homogenous, is the antithesis of being recognized as individual creations. It is our God-given right to be our own person--which includes having personal thoughts, opinions, and perspectives. NO ONE has the license to discount them because they either don't like them or disagree. Neither do they have the authority to label, silence, nor require I become part of the mix and become "homogenized."

I am the daughter of a farmer who raised milk cows. I know that raw milk separates, and the cream rises to the top. Homogenized milk is milk which undergoes high pressure, dispersing the fat so there is no identifiable separation. 

Those of us who are refusing to conform are under an enormous amount of pressure. I say "Leave that process for milk. I am my own person."

Be true to yourself--before God--and watch the cream rise. That's where the quality is, the high-dollar stuff. Ask any dairyman who gets paid by the amount of butterfat in the milk his cows produce.

It's in the separation, not the homogenization.

 

                       Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord.

                 ,,,I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,

                                           says the Lord Almighty. 

                                    2 Corinthians 6: 17, 18 NRSVUE

 

 

On Censorship

censorship: n. The use of state or group power to control freedom of expression or press, such as passing laws to prevent media from being published or propagated. 

It is happening. We aren't looking across the seas to foreign nations ruled by dictators. It is taking place every day at our front door, right in our laps as we scroll through our phones and tablets. Censorship is a part of the landscape of the United States of America. 

In the same way oppressive, strangling weeds poke their heads out of the dirt as non-threatening specks of green, the muzzling and shutting down of speech was apparent when fact checkers began to rule the pages of social media. Who was able to argue with these innocuous folk who made certain policy was kept in check? No argument was allowed as disagreement was quickly corralled.

I knew things were getting downright serious when the voice of our sitting President was cut off by the "powers that be." In the same way hired goons are used to do the dirty work of organized crime, Facebook, Twitter, Google, Amazon, and others are using their power to control speech. "It’s OK! It's not the government." The fact that these entities of private companies and state are joined at the hip like Siamese twins is overlooked and ignored. Evil is insidious like that. 

The growth and power of censorship is evident on a daily basis. Those in control mete out judgments of misinformation" and "disinformation" as free speech is forbidden on these platforms. True discernment, however, is the missing element as truth vs. lie is viewed through the flawed lens of humankind--and a spiritual enemy who is the great liar. Post or say something they do not approve of and it will be removed. Your...my voice will be silenced. And it is.

I used to be frightened by the prospect of this happening...used to be.

As evil is exposed in all its glory, I am not powerless. The fools of the worlds have not reckoned with the reality that no man can silence my voice as I cry out to God. Those cries do not go unheard nor are they ignored. He hears and He answers.

They aren't going to know what hit them.

The Lord hath heard my supplication;

the Lord will receive my prayer.

Psalm 6:9Jud