--- In [email protected], TurquoiseB <no_re...@...> wrote:
>
> --- In [email protected], Peter <drpetersutphen@> wrote:
<snip>
> > If someone didn't have an attachment to a group identity, 
> > why would they endlessly criticize that group? 
> 
> Speaking of "inauthentic arguments," Pete,
> this is one. I'm not gay, but I find myself
> being an active voice in criticizing the
> haters who sponsored Proposition 8 and now
> want to nullify same-sex marriages in CA.
> I will criticize these assholes no end, but
> I was never a part of the "group" they're
> trying to take rights away from.

Excellent point. Unfortunately, Barry is
incapable of understanding that it works in the
other direction as well. If Barry were to apply
the same standards to himself that he applies
to those who react "angrily and with insults" to
TM critics, he'd have to acknowledge that he
"overidentifies" with gays.

 Similarly,
> there are some who criticize poor behavior
> in spiritual groups because it's there and
> shouldn't be, not because they were ever 
> part of the group.

And some who manufacture criticisms of
nonexistent behavior, just as Rick Warren, for
example, has criticized the notion of legalizing
same-sex marriage because, he claimed, it would
result in restricting his freedom of speech from
the pulpit. Which is, of course, utter nonsense.

Bottom line: How somebody reacts to criticism
of a group--theirs or any other--has much more
to do with the accuracy and fairness of the
criticism than it does with the degree to which
the person reacting identifies with the group
being criticized.

Barry leaves the validity of the criticisms out
of his equation entirely.

> > They find a degree of value in the group identity, but 
> > they also find problems. They want the group identity, 
> > but without the problems. 
> 
> In all honesty, the only person I can think
> of on this forum who falls into this category
> is Nabby. We all suspect that he wouldn't be 
> allowed within a mile of a real TM facility,

Actually, I believe Barry is the only person
here who has ever suggested this. Barry has no
basis for claiming "we all suspect" it. I
certainly don't.


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